My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Skeleton Minute Books

Ian Thompson

Registered User
Hi,
I'm looking for some advice, probable from Lodge Secretaries, regarding keeping the Minutes of the Lodge Meetings.
Previously to becoming Secretary, we have always used standard Minute Books where the Minutes are hand written.
It now seems that the current trend (in the UK at least) is to use a "Skeleton Minute Book", which doesn't have pages as such, but has short tabs instead. These seem to be one wide followed by two narrow throughout the book and the idea is you produce the Minutes on a Word Processor and then stick them in the book on to these tabs.
I don't understand why the wide and narrow and also how the thickness at the spine isn't increased to bursting point as additions are made.
Any advice would be welcome and gratefully received.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
Hi,
I'm looking for some advice, probable from Lodge Secretaries, regarding keeping the Minutes of the Lodge Meetings.
Previously to becoming Secretary, we have always used standard Minute Books where the Minutes are hand written.
It now seems that the current trend (in the UK at least) is to use a "Skeleton Minute Book", which doesn't have pages as such, but has short tabs instead. These seem to be one wide followed by two narrow throughout the book and the idea is you produce the Minutes on a Word Processor and then stick them in the book on to these tabs.
I don't understand why the wide and narrow and also how the thickness at the spine isn't increased to bursting point as additions are made.
Any advice would be welcome and gratefully received.
I just print and keep signed copies on a durable folder.

Ask what other local secs are doing.... but do what you think is right within any Constitutional contains and practicalities.
 

BullDozer Harrell

Registered User
b9aabb45a77a532fca9b6ca8a0ceac67.jpg


As my Lodge Secretary, i write out the communication notes shorthand during meetings. (My typing skills are definitely not up to speed with active conversations). Soon after our meetings, I find time to transfer my handwritten notes into a full & legible Word document.

I attached both original handwritten notes and typed Word document notes together in a binder marked for the current Masonic year. At the end of the year, i detach the handwritten notes from the typed notes. I send the typed & printed notes to be permanently bound under a cover. (See photo for example)

So far it hasn't ran afoul of my jurisdiction's law. In fact, our law only has Articles & Sections that mandate a record of Lodge proceedings are kept. For good reasons, i suppose, neither GL nor my subordinate lodge legislates HOW these Minutes, Proceedings etc are to be recorded. That's great!

We live in constantly changing times.
 

BullDozer Harrell

Registered User
Hi,
I'm looking for some advice, probable from Lodge Secretaries, regarding keeping the Minutes of the Lodge Meetings.
Previously to becoming Secretary, we have always used standard Minute Books where the Minutes are hand written.
It now seems that the current trend (in the UK at least) is to use a "Skeleton Minute Book", which doesn't have pages as such, but has short tabs instead. These seem to be one wide followed by two narrow throughout the book and the idea is you produce the Minutes on a Word Processor and then stick them in the book on to these tabs.
I don't understand why the wide and narrow and also how the thickness at the spine isn't increased to bursting point as additions are made.
Any advice would be welcome and gratefully received.
I was trying to visualize what you were describing but can't reach a mental picture. The long and short tabs are throwing me for a loop.

Do you have a photo?
 

Ian Thompson

Registered User
I was trying to visualize what you were describing but can't reach a mental picture. The long and short tabs are throwing me for a loop.

Do you have a photo?
Photos attached as requested brother.
 

Attachments

  • 20170809_113555.jpg
    20170809_113555.jpg
    2.2 MB · Views: 630
  • 20170809_113611.jpg
    20170809_113611.jpg
    2.4 MB · Views: 492

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
The Grand Lodge of Texas has provided us with downloadable PDFs upon which to fill out & print our minutes per attached forms. Much easier to read than my chicken-scratching!
 

Attachments

  • minutes- stated meeting (example).pdf
    73.8 KB · Views: 431
  • minutes- called meeting (blank).pdf
    67.9 KB · Views: 390
Top