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Interesting Forum

tomasball

Premium Member
I just attended a Committee on Work forum. Lots of useful information about conferring degrees, but what caught my attention most was the statement that the CoW has decided it's improper to confer degrees at a stated meeting. Should always be at a called meeting.

I'm still not surewhat I make of that.

Tom Ball
 

Bro. Stewart P.M.

Lead Moderator Emeritus
Staff Member
I suppose that this would only be unique to those Lodges who only meet once per month for business.

In my case, our Lodge can open for "work" almost any Tuesday or Thursday other than the 1st Thursday which is our "stated" meeting. We choose to do our degree work on Thursday evenings if needed or simply host floor school on those Tuesday's and Thursday's.

My understanding is the term "stated" when used within opening, means your intentions are lodge business only. Use the term "work" in all other cases.
 

tomasball

Premium Member
My understanding is the term "stated" when used within opening, means your intentions are lodge business only. Use the term "work" in all other cases.

I'm not sure what you mean. Stated and called meetings, and what can be done at each, are defined in the Laws of the GLoT. The days of a lodge's stated meetings are determined by its bylaws.
 

Bro. Stewart P.M.

Lead Moderator Emeritus
Staff Member
I'm not sure what you mean. Stated and called meetings, and what can be done at each, are defined in the Laws of the GLoT. The days of a lodge's stated meetings are determined by its bylaws.

We have one "Stated" meeting each month, on the First Thursday. We conduct monthly communications at these meetings. Any other time during the month that we need to open for degrees or special events are "Called" meetings.

If the WM states "this MM [] has been opened for the purpose of the January Stated meeting" then that is all you are supposed to be able to do. Now if the WM choses to use a more generic term "purpose of Work in the MM degree" then you can do what ever is needed.
 

Bro. Stewart P.M.

Lead Moderator Emeritus
Staff Member
We have one "Stated" meeting each month, on the First Thursday. We conduct monthly communications at these meetings. Any other time during the month that we need to open for degrees or special events are "Called" meetings.

If the WM states "this MM [] has been opened for the purpose of the January Stated meeting" then that is all you are supposed to be able to do. Now if the WM choses to use a more generic term "purpose of Work in the MM degree" then you can do what ever is needed.

I also know that when my daylight lodge which only meets once per month confers a degree, it is always done outside of the Stated Meeting (two sets of minutes). This also allows for the Brethren to step out of the lodge room for a brief break between events. Basically the Stated meeting is opened, conducted, & closed; then which ever degree's lodge is opened and work performed, then closed.

Hopefully this makes better sense.
 

tomasball

Premium Member
If the WM states "this MM [] has been opened for the purpose of the January Stated meeting" then that is all you are supposed to be able to do. Now if the WM choses to use a more generic term "purpose of Work in the MM degree" then you can do what ever is needed.

My understanding is the term "stated" when used within opening, means your intentions are lodge business only. Use the term "work" in all other cases.

Sounds like you have your own unique wording for the opening ritual.

This being the Jurisprudence forum, I think I'm interested in whether anyone knows of a law that says you can only do degree work at a called meeting.
 

songdogshooter41

Registered User
stated vs. called

Granted, im from Nebraska, and our work is different from GLoT, but with our lodge, we have a hard time getting enough people help with our degrees. (Sometimes even a quorum is difficult!) We have been holding our degrees after our monthly meetings, except for the Master's Degree. Sure it takes us until late at night. But we are able to "put on a good show" ;) of course we open and close our regular meeting, and then open and close for the degree, but there are separate minutes for both.
 
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Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
the CoW has decided it's improper to confer degrees at a stated meeting. Should always be at a called meeting. I'm still not surewhat I make of that.

That's the first I've heard of that. While I understand the rationale behind their statement and somewhat agree with it (that degree conferrals should be special occasions, especially for the candidate, and deserve to stand alone), they'll need to present their decision to the Grand West & gain approval for the change to GL Law, which states:

Art. 234. Stated Meetings: Business Required At.
The following matters shall be attended to only at Stated Meetings:
Receiving and balloting upon petitions for degrees, advancement and affiliation; receiving and voting on applications for demits, certificates of good standing; removal of Lodge to another location; receiving charges and complaints of Masonic disciplinary violations; election of Officers, surrender of charters; presentation of proposed by-laws and all amendments thereof (except as authorized in Subdivision 4 of Art. 216); reinstatement of membership and restoration of Masonic rights; granting of life memberships; consolidation of Lodges; and approval of accounts and other fiscal transactions, unless dispensation to the contrary is granted; and all other matters required elsewhere in these Laws to be transacted at Stated Meetings.... (emphasis above mine).

Art. 235. (273). Called Meetings: Business Permitted.
Called Meetings may be ordered by the Master of the Lodge, or by the Senior Warden in his absence, or by the Junior Warden in the absence of both, at any time not prohibited by law for anyone or more of the following purposes: to receive the Grand Master or his Representative or other distinguished Mason; to confer degrees on candidates previously elected; to examine and vote on the proficiency of candidates; to install officers; to conduct funerals, to receive and vote on adoption of by-laws under Subdivision 4 of Art. 216; to adopt by-laws and amendments thereto when duly called for that purpose after reasonable notice given; to transact any other business not required by law to be acted on at a Stated Meeting....

As you can see above, the current Law allows degrees to be conferred at either stated or called meetings.
 
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Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
If the WM states "this MM [] has been opened for the purpose of the January Stated meeting" then that is all you are supposed to be able to do. Now if the WM choses to use a more generic term "purpose of Work in the MM degree" then you can do what ever is needed.

If I ever hear any of that wording used in the ritual of any Lodge in my District, they'd better hope they're not being graded that night. :wink:
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
Why would the WM limit himself in such a manner? He's already addressed the Brethren, telling them what he's doing & why, in the opening ritual. The only time I can see that an additional declaration is warranted would be in the beginning of the actual degree conferral, which is also prescribed ritual. Otherwise, just perform the opening ritual as prescribed, welcome & recognize your visitors & GL Officers, give the pledges of allegiance, & get on with your business, such as it may be- much quicker, more efficient, & less boring to the Brethren.
 
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eagle1966

Guest
I agree with Bro Bill, it seems Bro Stewart has some of his own ideas as reflected in previous post on other subjects.
 
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