BY-LAWS
OF
ALDINE MASONIC LODGE No.1412
A. F. & A. M.

Article:  
NAME OF THE LODGE
MEETING OF THE LODGE
OFFICERS OF THE LODGE
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS
STANDING COMMITTEE
FEES FOR DEGREES
DIMITS
LODGE DUES
VISITING BRETHREN
MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS
BUSINESS
RULES OF BUSINESS
AMENDMENTS OF THE BY-LAWS


ARTICLE I
Name of the Lodge

This Lodge was set to work by the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the State of Texas under Dispensation on the 27th day of October, 1965 and shall be known by the name and style of Aldine Lodge, of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.

This Lodge sub scribes to be and shall be governed by the Constitution, Laws, Resolutions, and Edicts of the Grand Lodge of Texas.

ARTICLE II
Meetings of the Lodge

Section 1. The Stated Meetings shall be held on the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. but the regular order of business shall not be taken up before 7:30 p.m. The time between 7:00 and 7:30 shall be for the purpose of examination of candidates in the Master Mason Degree.
Section 2. The Examination of candidates in the Entered Apprentice and Fellowcraft's Degree shall be conducted on the night this Lodge is working in those Degree's or any other night this Lodge has been called for the purpose of conferring degrees. The examination shall be held as near 8:00 p.m. as possible. The proficiency of these examinations shall be noted on the same night..
Section 3. Called meetings may be held at any time the Worshipful Master deems necessary. No other business, except examination of candidates, shall be transacted except that for which the meeting was called.

ARTICLE III
Officers of the Lodge

The Officers of this Lodge shall be a Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens, Treasurer, Secretary, Chaplain, Senior and Junior Deacons, Senior and Junior Stewards and Tiler.

ARTICLE IV
Election of Officers of Lodge

Section 1. The Worshipful Master, Wardens, Treasurer, Secretary and Tiler, shall be elected, all other Officers shall be appointed.
Section 2. In the election of officers, should only one name be placed in nomination the vote may be taken without ballot, but should more than one Brother be placed in nomination, the members shall be taken up and counted at the Secretary's desk, and the number of votes received by each Brother reported to the presiding Officer, and he shall declare the Brother receiving a majority of all the votes cast duly elected.
Section 3. In the event no Brother has such majority, the ballot will be repeated until result is attained. Blank votes shall not be considered in estimating the result.

ARTICLE V
Duties of the Officers

Section 1. Worshipful Master-It shall be the duty of Worshipful Master to see that the By-Laws of the Lodge, as well as the Constitution and Regulation of the Grand Lodge are duly observed, and the officers attend strictly to their duties.
Section 2. Treasurer-It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to hold all deeds, certificates of stock, notes, bonds, obligations, or other property of a financial character, belonging to the Lodge and to collect and receive the same when directed by the Lodge; to receive all monies from the hands of the Secretary, passing his receipt for the same; and pay them out only upon the order of the Worshipful Master and consent of the Lodge
.

Section 3. He shall keep a correct account of the same and report minutely the financial condition of the Lodge, at the stated meeting next preceding the festival of st. John the Baptist, and at such times as the Lodge may direct. For his services he shall be exempt from payment of dues.

Section 4. Secretary- It shall be the duty of the Secretary to carefully observe the proceedings of the Lodge; make a correct record of all things proper to be written. He shall receive all monies due the Lodge and shall pay them over to the Treasurer, taking his receipt for the same. It shall also be the duty of the Secretary:

Section 5. It shall be the duty of the Secretary.
(1) To keep all books and papers relating to the proceedings of the Lodge with the seal of the same.

(2) To authenticate all official papers and documents emanating from the Lodge with the seal of the election.
(3) To notify the Grand Secretary as prescribed by law, of the suspension or expulsion of members, and of rejection of applicants, to issue all summons, dimits, and notices, as he may be directed; to make out and transmit to the Grand Secretary the annual returns of this Lodge; report to the Grand Secretary the name of all Brethren elected to Resident or Dual Membership; and perform all other duties appertaining to his office. For his services he shall be exempt of dues and shall receive $1.50 per member per year..

Section 6. Tiler- It shall be the duty of the Tiler to see that the Lodge room is kept clean and on order; and that the various articles of furniture are in their appropriate places; to strictly guard the door during the sitting of the Lodge; to summon the members of the lodge to all called meetings where a summons is necessary, and be punctual in his attendance..

For the performance of these, and such other duties as may appertain to his office, he shall be exempt from the payment of dues.

ARTICLE VI
Standing Committee

Section 1. The Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens shall constitute a Standing Committee on Charity, Sickness, and Arbitration, a majority of whom may at all times act; and are responsible to the Lodge. Their duties are as follows:.
(1) Charity - It is their duty to examine all claimants for assistance and if necessary, they may draw upon the Treasurer, in each instance, for an amount not exceeding fifty dollars; reporting the facts in each case to the Lodge at its next stated meeting, there after.

(2) Sickness - It shall be their duty to visit all sick Brethen (unless it would be dangerous or imprudent to do so), and ascertain their condition and neces sities; and to take such action as they may deem property and necessary, both in regards to the Brethen and his family.

(3) Arbitration - It shall also be the duty of this committee to settle all differences between Brethen unless the parties prefer to bring the matter before the Lodge.

Section 2. Committee of Finance-it shall be the duty of the Worshipful Master, at the stated meeting after the 24th of June, of each year to appoint a Standing Committee on Finance, to be composed of three discreet Master Masons, members of this Lodge, and if possible, men practically acquainted with bookkeeping.
Section 3. It shall be the duty of this committee, at the close of each Masonic year, as soon as appointed, and ofterner of required, to carefully examine and check up the reports, books and vouchers of the Secretary and Treasurer. And any other financial matters referred to them; and make a full and accurate report at the next stated meeting of the Lodge, should any inaccuracies be found, recommend the necessary steps for their correction. In the matter of ordinary accounts referred to them, they may of satisfied, report instantly.
Section 4. The reports of said Committee on Finance thus made, shall be read in open Lodge and spread upon the minutes, noting the action taken by the Lodge; and all accounts and claims against the Lodge; when demanded by and Brother, shall first be referred to this committee, before being allowed.
.

ARTICLE VIl
Fees for Degrees

The fees for the degrees of this Lodge shall be as follows: For initiation, $50.00; Passing, $50.00; and Raising, $60.00 (Note; the fees must not be lower than the minimum provided in Art. 307).
.

ARTICLE VIII
Dimits

A member is chargeable with the pro rata portion of his dues as provided in Art. 317.

ARTICLE IX
Lodge Dues

Section 1. EACH MEMBER OF THIS LODGE (unless herein exempted, shall pay dues from the time of his raising or affiliation, at the rate of $100.00 per year, which must be paid to the Secretary on or before the state meeting of December 31st of each year.

(Note - This language can be changed so as to adapt same to monthly, quarterly, semi-annual payments as may be preferred. Dues must not be lower than the minimum provided in Art. 311)

ARTICLE X
Visitting Brethren

Section 1. A visitor shall not be admitted except upon due examination or lawful avouchment.

Section 2. In the event that the visiting Brother, is a stranger and hails from some Lodge in another Grand Jurisdiction it shall be the duty of the Secretary to notify the visitor's Lodge that we have had the pleasure of a visit by one of its members, giving the name and date

ARTICLE XI
Miscellaneous Regulations

Weapons - Weapons, either offensive or defensie, shall not be carried into the Lodge rooms.

ARTICLE XII
Business

At stated meetings after opening the Lodge in due ancient form, a quorum being present, the Order of business, unless otherwise ordered by the Lodge of the Worshipful Master, shall be as follows.

1. Reading, correcting and approval of Minutes of previous meetings.
2. Receiving and referring to Committees of Petitions and applications.
3. Report of Special Committees.
4. Balloting on Petitions and Applications.
5.Reports of Standing Committees and action thereon.
6. Unfinished business.
7. New Business, Motions, Resolutions, etc.
8. Examination of candidates in the proper degree.
9. Voting on Proficiency (Master's Lodge).
10. Claims and accounts.

ARTICLE XIII
Rules of Business

The rules of conducting the business of this Lodge shall be as nearly as possible the same as those prescribed for the Grand Lodge, and in addition, as follows:

Section 1. When a question is decided, the same matter shall not again be acted on during that meeting, unless on motion to reconsider, which can only be made by a member voting in the majority, and at that or the next stated meeting, when there must be an equal number of members present then the action was had.

Section 2. All questions of order shall be decided by the Worshipful Master without appeal or debate; by the Master may ask the advice of any member before deciding; and he has the right, at any time, to declare the Lodge closed or called off, for the purpose of stopping angry debate or confusion.

ARTICLE XIV
Amendments of the By-Laws

Section 1. No amendments of these By-Laws, either by alteration or additions shall be made, unless in the following manner.

Section 2. The Proposed amendments must be in writing, signed by the proposed, and prescribed and read at a stated meeting of this Lodge, at which time it may be discussed and amended, if necessary.

Section 3. A the next stated meeting of this Lodge, it shall again be considered and voted upon without further amendment; and if approved by a majority of two-thirds of the votes of the members present, shall become a part of these By-Laws, upon compliance with the orther provisions of this article.

Section 4. All amendments of these By-Laws must be submitted to the Grand Lodge for its approval before they take effect, except the following:

(1) Amendments relating to the time of holding stated meetings.

(2) Amendments relating to dues, and also as to fees, provided they are not made less than the minimum prescribed by the Grand Lodge.

ARTICLE XV

Section 1. The above By-Laws having been approved by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas, on the 2nd day of December, A.D., 1965, for the adoption; this is to certify that Aldine Lodge No. 1412, A.F. & A.M., located at Houston, Texas has on this the 13th day of January, A.D., 1966 adopted the same.

By order of the Lodge

J. Ben Markum, Secretary

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