Grand Lodge of Texas Codebook

[peace out]

Dave and Bill, thanks for the advice.

I had gathered the rules by reading through this thread. I was adamant in learning my EA work via mouth. I am happy for the decision. Thanks for the info.

The sitting WM at my EA prof is a district instructor. I may talk with him about teaching.

You guys are great. I'm glad for this forum.

 

[Ashton Lawson]

A Texas WM, during the Grand Lodge Officer Q&A session at the Wardens Retreat this weekend asked the question of the panel, "Is Grand Lodge ever going to publish it's own Code Book similar to the one available at bookstores?" The rather heated response from Grand Senior Warden Brumit was, "There is no code book that I've ever seen, I don't have one, I've never seen one, and Grand Lodge doesn't make one. There are no plans for Grand Lodge to make a codebook!"

Given his position as a Grand Lodge officer, I'd gather that answer speaks for itself.

 

[Dave in Waco]

That's the impression I got of him last weekend. He's the exact type of person we don't need in a grand chair. He isn't looking forward in Masonry, he's looking at the past. He's one of those, "This is the way way we've done for the last 100 years, and we are going to run it into the ground doing it that way."

 

[owls84]

Brumit is the one that slammed a law book in front of me and told me I should read it. This after I asked why he kept referring to us as a "Charitable Organization" when in fact we should be called an "Organization that does Charitable Works". Seems like a guy that has a chip on his shoulder but the Grand West spoke and in two years it will be Most Worshipful Grand Master Brumit.

 

[Bill Lins]

Brumit is the one that slammed a law book in front of me and told me I should read it. This after I asked why he kept referring to us as a "Charitable Organization" when in fact we should be called an "Organization that does Charitable Works".

R:.W:. Brumit should take his own advice. From "The Laws of The Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F. & A.M.":

"ARTICLE I- TITLE AND PURPOSES

Section 2. – Purposes.

The purposes of this Grand Lodge are to control and regulate the practice of Freemasonry throughout its jurisdiction, in accordance with the immemorial usages of this ancient and honorable Craft; to advance the moral and social interest of its membership; to foster good citizenship, honest industry and upright living; to
cultivate the exercise of charity in its best and broadest sense; to assist the widows and orphans of its deceased members; to stimulate friendship, harmony and brotherly love, and generally to promote, in its own way, the happiness of mankind – it is a Fraternity of good men, linked together by honorable and indisoluble bonds, to accomplish these noble purposes, eschewing all interest in factional politics and sectarian religion and free from the dictation of both."

According to not only this article, but also the Committee on Masonic Education & Service, charity is not even our primary duty, much less the purpose of our organization.

He should also read "Masonry for the Texas Mason's Lady" by Bro. Mike Wiggins & Susie Broughton. Quoting from pg.10, "Freemasonry makes charity a duty but it is not (italics mine) a charitable organization."

 

[Blake Bowden]

Epic Bro. Lins.

 

[owls84]

That is actually the part he pointed out, Bill. It all took place at Oak Cliff Lodge during a Secretary's School. I was concerned that if they continued to call us a "Charitable Organization" it would lump us in with a class we are not or should not be in. That and the term "Non-Profit Organization". I think both paint a picture to the public that we don't need. I do understand that technically we are a Non-Profit but when I think of that I think that each year we have a balance of $0.00. I like the the IRS term for a 501c10 A fraternal organization set up by a system of Lodges. I think if we use this to describe our organization we are in the clear.

 

[rhitland]

Can't we vote out someone in the line?

 

[david918]

Can't we vote out someone in the line?

If we can vote them out in Blue Lodge we can vote them out at Grand Lodge

 

[JEbeling]

This is why we are in finical problems at Grand Lodge.. ! a lot of times the Grand Masters have a personal agenda other than the good of the Masons of Texas..? I know Brumit and sometime the Ex-Cop comes out in him..?

 

[Dave in Waco]

Can't we vote out someone in the line?

If there are 2 people nominated, it goes to balloting. It's just traditional that they move up.

 

[Ashton Lawson]

My guess is DGM would be an easier chair to take this session than GSW.

 

[rhitland]

Does it work like Blue Lodge you have to have been a GWarden to be GM or DGM?

 

[Preston DuBose]

I was at the Warden's Retreat too. I don't personally know Hon. Brumit and will refrain from commenting on his character. However, I can confirm that he got fired up about the question of an official code book.

In the case of my instruction 10 years ago, I got off to a rocky start with an instructor who didn't meet with me regularly. He was going through a divorce and it just wasn't the right time for him. If I'd had a cypher book I might have been able to better practice in between sessions on my own. That being said, I eventually was "reassigned" to an excellent instructor who got me through the work in no time flat. I do think that our approach of "mouth to ear" makes the experience more special and I'd be very hesitant to make changes that might diminish that experience for our new brothers.

 

[Dave in Waco]

In the case of my instruction 10 years ago, I got off to a rocky start with an instructor who didn't meet with me regularly. He was going through a divorce and it just wasn't the right time for him. If I'd had a cypher book I might have been able to better practice in between sessions on my own. That being said, I eventually was "reassigned" to an excellent instructor who got me through the work in no time flat. I do think that our approach of "mouth to ear" makes the experience more special and I'd be very hesitant to make changes that might diminish that experience for our new brothers.

That's one reason why we have mentors but also have a weekly work night. To me if a candidate only has a mentor, then they may develop a good friendship with one person. But they might have a mentor that, like yours, might be going through a rough patch in their life. If you also have them coming to work nights as well and working with a group, they become part of the group.

 

[masonicknight]

California has an "official codebook". A person cannot have a copy of it until they complete the MM's degree. On the other hand, they provide a copy of it for each of the three degrees so that they may have the assist between coaching session (I guess). To answer a line stated from above about it being used as a monitor in the lodge room, CaGL does not allow it inside the Lodge Room during a meeting and that all ritual is performed from memory. I have found, on the times I have acted as a coach, that it depends on the person....I had one that needed all the help he could get to get to the next level, others it distracted them. If used as a tool, and only as that it can do good. But it should never be used as a crutch. I did a little time with the local Odd Fellows lodge a few years back, everything they did was read out of the book, literally, even the initiations. Felt like I had missed something. So as long as it is not allowed in the lodge room and memory work is required not allowed to be voluntary it may work for your jurisdiction. I found that most of the members in my area would gripe about the "secret code book" but when they were coaching someone and they forgot a line they would excuse themselves and come back with a new perspective of what they needed to teach the student.

 

[Bill Lins]

Does it work like Blue Lodge you have to have been a GWarden to be GM or DGM?

From the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of Texas:

ARTICLE IV- OFFICERS OF THE GRAND LODGE

Section 6. – Eligibility to Office.

The Grand Officers, except the Grand Chaplain, Grand Organist and Grand Photographer, must be members of the Grand Lodge at the time of their selection and, if willing to serve again, are eligible as often as may be the pleasure of the Grand Lodge or of the officer having the power of appointment (as the case may be), and except as provided in Section 6(a) every member of the Grand Lodge is eligible to any office therein, whether present or not at the time of his selection.
(Revised 2008)

(a) In the statement of availability for the office of Grand Junior Warden, such member must disclose in his statement of availability whether or not he has received any reimbursement or payment of expenses from the Grand Lodge of Texas within the previous twelve month period, or, if the member is nominated from the floor of Grand Lodge, then such member shall make such disclosure in writing upon his nomination in Grand Lodge.
(Adopted 2008)

As I read it, any Past Master of a Texas blue Lodge is eligible to become GM, DGM, or any other Grand Lodge officer.

 

[owls84]

Intresting :18:

 

[Dave in Waco]

I would agree with Bro. Bill's interpretation of the GL Law. In my reading, it never mentioned that a Grand Officer had to hold any other qualification then being a member of Grand Lodge. The GM, DGM, GSW, and GJW all can have nominations from the floor, according to the law book.

 

[Mason296]

My obligation said I wouldn't have one.