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Masonic Law Question

In your Opinion, does this give the Lodge the ability to hold people accountable?

  • Yes, If so explain the extent of the punishment that can be handed out.

    Votes: 29 78.4%
  • No, punishment can only be given by Grand Lodge. State where this is found.

    Votes: 8 21.6%

  • Total voters
    37

rhitland

Founding Member
Premium Member
That is probably the last time you will have to gavel hopefully. From my experience if you are known as a gaveler they will not try to disrupt the meeting.
 

Gerald.Harris

Premium Member
Premium Member
----You said it right on



I am sorry to say this, but the master & I have had to gavel multiple times during a recent meeting due to the 'sideline conversation' & a sec. pro-temp trying to take the hat. The master gaveled once, & then I did while I was up speaking. The time I did I was so frustrated that I almost broke the granite gavel base & gavel. It echoed throughout the lodge room & you could have heard a gnat fart in there afterward.

Take this from a Warden,
While I do not mind silent whispers ( silent meaning VERY silent, you know like "what date was that?'' or "What did he say was the petitioners name?", etc...) about the topic at hand during a meeting, just do not do it. Its rude & disruptive & I do not care how many years you have been doing otherwise.
We should not do that during a meeting & you WILL NOT do that in my lodge.

Brother Scotty. I am sorry to hear that you are having problems in your lodge room. I am hopeful that after this episode, your problems will diminish somewhat. Sometimes it seems that the brethren need to be reminded that the Master is in charge of the lodge room, and that their sideline discussions will not be welcomed nor tolerated. I do not see this as being a norm in the Galveston and Brazoria districts and I hope that it never becomes so. I think that your Master handeled the situation well. I am curious though as to whether he also gave a verbal command with his gavel. It seems to me that the second gavel should never have been required.
 

Scotty32

Registered User
I think that your Master handeled the situation well. I am curious though as to whether he also gave a verbal command with his gavel. It seems to me that the second gavel should never have been required.

He did with the first one, a "Let's keep it quiet in here guys". And I should not have had to give a 2nd one, more especially while I was speaking. Forgot to mention that the sec pro temp had the nerve to tell me not to gavel so hard. I said follow the rules & I shouldn't have to.
 

Scotty32

Registered User
I wonder if they are going to call me the Worshipful Führer when I get to the east in a couple years. lol
 

rhitland

Founding Member
Premium Member
Do not gavel so hard. Ha ha ha, is that the best he could come up with and I would have gaveled his butt for that comment as well. If I were not Puss Boy I would anyway.
 

Gerald.Harris

Premium Member
Premium Member
He did with the first one, a "Let's keep it quiet in here guys". And I should not have had to give a 2nd one, more especially while I was speaking. Forgot to mention that the sec pro temp had the nerve to tell me not to gavel so hard. I said follow the rules & I shouldn't have to.

And you were right in saying that!I would be sure that Brother Sec- PT does not get another chance to PT the Secretaries position.
 

TxManx

Registered User
I voted yes.

I believe that a lodge is (and should be) governed and ruled by the WM and his officers, and as such, certain disciplinary actions can (and should be) be dispensed within the lodge.

If the transgression is enough to warrant dismissal from the lodge, and a petition to the Grand Lodge is made to expel the Brother from Masonry, then THAT is where the Grand Lodge should step in.

I recently found out, not the hard way, that we have a $20 fine for cell phones ringing during stated meeting. I think it's a great idea...as without even being asked or told, I have enough respect to put my phone on silent when entering the lodge room.

As tedious as stated meetings can be, my personal belief is it is disrespectful to hold side conversations, tell jokes, etc. during the stated meetings.
 

Brother JC

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
Here to the left of Texas (no pun intended or implied), any Master Mason may prefer charges, and any Lodge may hold a Masonic trial. The vote of that Lodge could Expel or Suspend the man in question. The Grand Lodge wouldn't be involved unless an Appeal were made.
 

Billy Jones

Registered User
In Mississippi its almost the same. A lodge can bring charges against ANY brother that visits that lodge or sojourns in Ms Grand Jurisdiction BUT that lodge MUST deffer trial or investigation rather to that Brothers home lodge or if he is a sojourner then notice must be given to his GL via the GSs. IF his home lodge doesnt act within 3 months the the oringinal lodge that brought charges then can hold investigations and or trial. But here in Ms it is very unlawful for a lodge not to act and can result in it charter being "arrested". There is a lot more that goes into it, it can get very confusing to say the least
 

Billy Jones

Registered User
OH yeah also the harmoney of the lodge is the responsibility of the Master and is so invested with the power to maintain such
 

crono782

Premium Member
Good question. I haven't seen a digital copy of the texas GL law book. Doesn't mean it doesn't exist out there though.


Freemason Connect Mobile
 

Mac

Moderator
Premium Member
Can anyone tell me where I can get a digital copy of the GL law book


Freemason Connect Mobile

They're available for purchase from the Grand Secretary. You have to fill out the order form on the Grand Lodge website and mail it in. Then they'll mail you a CD with it on it. Welcome to the Pony Express of the Digital Age. ;)
 

Mac

Moderator
Premium Member
Yeah I've seen the CD hard copy, but never a downloadable version.
I've submitted a request via the website to make the various pdf's available for paid download, but eh... I don't know how soon that will happen.
 

Roy Vance

Certified
Premium Member
I voted NO. Punishment can only really be administered after a trial, which I read as falling under GL. The WM can correct the situation and have the brother escorted out to restore peace and harmony. Something more permanent would require a trial I do believe.


I would tend to disagree with you on this, Bro. Wingnut, as the WM can expel the troublesome member for the duration of the meeting (if need be). I would deem that to be punishment that a Brother might feel.
 
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