1

THE MOST WORSHIPFUL

GRAND LODGE OF ANCIENT

FREE AND ACCEPTED

MASONS OF BRITISH

COLUMBIA AND YUKON

CONSTITUTION and

REGULATIONS

(Subject to approval of Grand Lodge at the Grand

Lodge Communication June 2014)

Prepared by the ad hoc Committee on

Constitutional Review May 15, 2014

2

INTRODUCTION

This document replaces all previous versions

of the Books of Constitutions and

Regulations issued by the Grand Lodge of

Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of British

Columbia and Yukon.

CONFIGURATION OF

DOCUMENT

This document has been configured so the

distinct purposes of the Constitution and the

Regulations are maintained. The

Constitution consists of those elements that

are integral to the Craft and if absent the

essence of Freemasonry in this Jurisdiction

would be lost. The Regulations contain

those fundamentals that enhance

management and leadership within the Craft

as well as the experience of the Brethren as

they participate in Freemasonry.

SHORT TITLE

Within the Constitution and Regulations and

all its sections, the short title Constitution or

Regulations refers to this document.

HEADINGS AND SUB

HEADINGS

The headings and sub headings used in this

document are for reference only and do not

affect the interpretation or form any part of

this Constitution or Regulations.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section page

ABBREVIATIONS p11

DEFINITIONS p11

CONSTITUTION

C1 GOVERNANCE

C1.10 Amendments to this Constitution p16

C1.11 Amendments to the Regulations p16

C1.7 Authorized Ritual of the Craft p16

C1.9 Book of Ceremonies p16

C1.8 Board of General Purposes p16

C1.5 Grand Lodge Certificate p15

C1.6 Grand Lodge Warrant Required p15

C1.4 Jurisdiction p15

C1.1 Name and Organization p15

C1.3 Purpose of Grand Lodge p15

C1.14 Repeal p16

C1.12 Re-presentation of Defeated Amendment p16 C1.2 Seal p15 C1.13 Time Notice p16

C2 GRAND LODGE

C2.2 Must Preserve Ancient Usages and Customs p17

C2.3 Power to Decide all Craft matters p17 C2.4 Power to Grant and Revoke

Warrants p17 C2.1 Power to make Laws and

Regulations p17

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Section Page C2.5 Title of Grand Master p17 C2.6 The Grand Master’s

Purpose P17

C3 ANNUAL COMMUNICATION

C3.1 Annual Communication, When Held p17

C3.13 Appeal from decision of

GM during GL Sessions p18 C3.7 Appointment of Grand

Secretary p18 C3.4 Election of Officers p17 C3.9 Eligibility for Office P18 C3.16 Grand Lodge Ceremony

Only p19 C3.14 Grand Lodge Emergent

Communication p19 C3.7 Grand Secretary Appointment p18 C3.15 Emergent Communication

Quorum p19 C3.10 Ineligibility for certain

Offices p18 C3.11 Lodge Erasure or

Member Expulsion p18 C3.12 No vote if returns

Neglected p18 C3.6 Officers to be Appointed p18 C3.5 Officers to be Elected p17 C3.2 Quorum Annual

Communication p17 C3.8 Requirements for GL

Officers p18 C3.3 Who Shall Preside p17

C4 CRAFT LODGE C4.10 Before installing

elected officers p20

C4.23 Consolidation of Lodges p21

Section Page

C4.11 Date of Installation p20

C4.15 Does not preclude Re-election p20

C4.6 Election to be confirmed p19

C4.7 Failure to Elect Officers p19

C4.24 Failure of Lodge to Meet p22

C4.17 Filling a Vacancy in a Lodge p21

C4.9 Installation on St. John’s Day p20

C4.21 Lodge may not move without permission p21

C4.20 Lodge Precedence p21

C4.3 Lodge Seal p19

C4.19 Lodge Property p21

C4,2 Necessary Craft Lodge Officers p19

C4.18 New Warranted Lodge Bylaws p21

C1.13 Officers Cannot Resign or Demit p20

C4.12 Officers Installed in Person P20

C4.5 Officers to be elected p19

C1.16 Only at annual election of officers p20

C4.8 Pre-requisites for Deacon or Wardens p20

C4.1 Purpose of the Craft Lodge p19

C4.14 Removal from Office p20

C4.22 Voluntary Dissolution of a Lodge p21 C4.4 Who may assume Worshipful

Master’s Chair p19

C5 GRAND LODGE REGALIA AND INSIGNIA

C5.3 Jewels p22

C5.2 Must wear proper clothing p22

C5.4 Only Jewels to be worn p23

C5.1 Proper to be worn p22

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Section Page

APRONS

C5.6 Aprons worn by the other Grand Lodge officers, except the Grand Stewards p23

C5.5 Grand Master p23 C5.7 Grand Stewards p23 C5.9 Past District Deputy

Grand Masters p24 C5.10 Past Grand Director of

Ceremonies p24 C5.8 Past Grand Masters p24 C5.11 Other Past Grand Officers p24

COLLARS

C5.12 Grand Lodge Officers p24

C5.13 Past Grand Officer Collars p24

CUFFS

C5.14 Cuffs p24

C6 CRAFT LODGE REGALIA AND INSIGNIA

C6.10 Affiliated Brethren p26

C6.8 Aprons of Past Worshipful Masters p25 C6.2 Collars p25

C6.3 Cuffs p25

C6.4 Entered Apprentice Apron p25

C6.9 Exceptions p26

C6.5 Fellow Craft Apron p25

C6.1 Jewels p24

C6.6 Master Mason Apron p25

C6.7 Warden’s Apron p25

C6.11 Where Regalia may be worn p26

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Section Page

REGULATIONS

PART 1 - GRAND LODGE

REGULATION 1 - ANNUAL COMMUNICATION p27

R1.16 Additions for JGW candidates p29

R1.12 Addressing Annual Communication p28

R1.20 Ballot Papers p29

R1.10 Election of Officers p28

R1.14 Election Timing p28

R1.18 Exceptions p29

R1.9 Extra Vote p28

R1.22 Filling a Vacancy p29

R1.26 Honorary Members of Grand lodge p30

R1.11 How Election of officers decided p28

R1.13 Information in Masonic Electronic Bulletin p28

R1.2 New Business p27

R1.27 Nomination Procedure for Past Grand Rank p30

R1.15 Nomination Requirements p28

R1.19 Number of Votes p29

R1.1 Order of Business p27

R1.25 Past Grand Rank p30

R1.8 Proxies p28

R1.5 Porch Book p27

R1.23 Rank and Precedence p30

R1.28 Ranks for Past Grand Officers p30

R1.17 Submission Deadline Waiver p29

R1.7 How Voting Completed p28

R1.21 When Vacancy Occurs p29

Section Page

R1.4 Who Admitted p27

R1.3 Who May Vote p27

R1.24 Worshipful Masters and Wardens p30

REGULATION 2 – RESOLUTIONS p31

R2.2 Must be in Writing p31

R2.1 Resolutions p31

REGULATION 3 - GRAND LODGE COMMITTEE ON CREDENTIALS p31

R3.3 Duties p31

R3.1 Purpose p31

R3.7 Reporting p31

R3.8 Scrutineers p31

REGULATION 4 - GRAND LODGE BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES p32

R4.4 Agenda p32

R4.3 Call of Meeting p32

R4.1 Composition p32

R4.2 Quorum p32

REGULATION 5 - GRAND LODGE TRIAL COMMISSION p32

R5.15 Absence of accused p33

R5.19 Appeal Hearing p34

R5.18 Appeal of Judgment p34

R5.2 Appointments p32

R516 Chairman Decides all Questions p33

R5.5 Charge filed with Grand Secretary p32

R5.9 Duty to formulate Rules p33

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Section Page

R5.23 Expelled Brother Procedure p34

R5.10 Guilty plea accepted p33

R5.14 If accused does not attend p33

R5.3 Laying of Charge Procedure p32

R5.25 Lodge applies to lift Expulsion p35

R5.4 Must be written and give particulars p32

R5.11 Must obey Summons p33

R5.24 Procedure, if Lodge extinct p35

R5.7 Prosecutor appointed p33

R5.1 Purpose p32

R5.20 Reinstatement, when suspended p34

R5.17 Sentences available p34

R5.13 Service by Mail p33

R5.12 Service in Person p33

R5.8 The accused may choose Counsel p33

R5.6 Upon receipt of Notice p33

REGULATION 6 - DUTIES OF GRAND LODGE OFFICERS p35

Appointed Officers p41

Deputy Grand Master

R6.19 Authority and Duties p37

R6.2o Successor in the event of Absence p37

District Deputy Grand Masters

R6.47 Division of GL Jurisdiction p40 R6.48 Appointment at

Annual Communication p40

R6.49 Qualifications p40

Section Page

R6.50 Privilege of DDGM p40

R6.51 Advisor of Benevolent Fund p40

R6.52 Must Examine Lodge Records p40

R6.53 Power to Preside p40

R6.54 Power to Summon p40

R6.55 Power to Investigate p40

R6.56 Duties p40

R6.64 District Education Officer p41

Grand Master

R6.1 Prerogative p35

R6.2 Member of all Committees p35

R6.3 Member of all Lodges p35

R6.4 Jurisdiction Powers p35

R6.6 May Direct Charges p36

R6.7 May Send Officers p36

R6.8 May Summon Officers p36

R6.9 May Suspend p36

R6.10 May Relieve Suspension p36

R6.11 May Grant Dispensations p36

R6.12 Power to Decide Questions p36

R6.13 Masonic Publication p36

R6.14 May Appoint Representative p37

R6.15 When Visiting Lodges p37

R6.16 Official Communication to Grand Master p37

R6.17 Abuse of Powers p37

Grand Secretary

R6.30 Duties and Authority p38

Grand Treasurer

R6.23 Duties and Authority p38

Grand Wardens p37

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Section Page

REGULATION 7 - GRAND LODGE STANDING COMMITTEES p43 R7.1 Committees to be Appointed p43

R7.2 Standing Committees p43

R7.3 Matters Directed to Committee Chairman p43

R7.4 Powers of Chairman p43

R7.5 Reporting p43

R7.6 Quorum for Meetings p43

Committees

Finance Committee p43

Auditors p44

Warranted Lodges & Lodges Under Dispensation p45

Grand Lodge Communication p45

Lodge Buildings p45

Jurisprudence p45

Rituals Committee p46

Education and Leadership p46

Constitution p46

Community Relations p46

Fraternal Relations p46

Mediation p47

REGULATION 8 AD HOC COMMITTEES p48

REGULATION 9 GRAND LODGE FUNDS p48

Benevolent Fund p48

Emergency Relief Fund p49

Library and Archives Fund p51

Section Page

Life and Perpetual Membership Fund p53

Masonic Building Fund p51

Masonic Bursary Fund p50

Masonic Community Charities Fund p52

PART 2 – CRAFT LODGES

REGULATION 10 - FEES AND ASSESSMENTS p55

R10.6 Assessments Due p56

R10.1 Fee schedule p55

R10.2 Per Capita Assessment p55

R10.7 When Lodge Dues remitted p56

REGULATION 11 - LODGES UNDER DISPENSATION p57

R11.9 By-laws p57

R11.2 Dispensation may be Granted p56

R11.3 Grand Lodge officers to organize p56

R11.6 May petition for Warrant p57

R11.10 Members’ standing if Dispensation withdrawn p57

R11.4 Petitioner’s Membership not Forfeited p57

R11.7 Regulations p57

R11.1 Requirements to obtain Dispensation p56

R11.5 Returns to be made p57

R11.8 Who performs Constitution p57

REGULATION 12 - LODGE OF EDUCATION AND RESEARCH p58

R12.5 Ashlar College p58

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Section Page

R12.4 Grand Master may cancel License p58

R12.3 Must keep Minutes p58

R12.1 Purpose p58

R12.2 Special License required p58

REGULATION 13 - LODGE OF INSTRUCTION

R13.2 Authority required p58

R13.5 Disposal of Property when withdrawn p59

R13.3 Must keep Minutes p59

R13.6 Notice to Grand Secretary p59

R13.1 Purpose P58

R13.4 Sponsor may withdraw Authority p59

REGULATION 14 FUNERAL LODGE p59 R14.2 Grand Master may Authorize p59

R14.8 Limitation of Unaffiliated Freemason p60

R14.6 Masonic Funerals – Residents p60

R14.7 Masonic Funerals - Sojourners p60

R14.4 Power to cancel license p59

R14.1 Purpose p59

R14.5 Request necessary p59

R14.3 Rules and Regulations p59

REGULATION 15 CRAFT LODGES p60 R15.19 Circulars Prohibited p62 R15.18 Exclusion from Prohibition on publication of minutes p62

Section Page R15.16 Grand Lodge Certificate

must be Signed p62

R15.1 Grand Lodge Warrant is required for a Lodge p60

R15.11 Honorary Members p61

R15.13 Job’s Daughters or DeMolay Sponsorships p61

R15.5 Jurisdiction over Members p60

R15.4 Lodge Membership p60

R15.14 Lodge Porch Book p61

R15.12 Lodge Sporting Sponsorships p61

R15.15 Master Mason Certificate to be procured p61

R15.8 Master Masons have the right to ballot or vote p61

R15.3 Penalty for Not Making Returns p60

R15.9 Procedure for Voting p61

R15.17 Publication of Minutes prohibited p62

R15.6 Representation in Grand Lodge p60

R15.2 Returns and Payments to Grand Lodge p60

R15.7 Right to Instruct p60

R15.21 Right to regulate own Proceedings p62

R15.20 Use of Audio/Visual Equipment p62

R15.10 Worshipful Master may require Ballot p61

REGULATION 16 - CRAFT LODGE POWERS p62

R16.2 All Members to acknowledge By-laws p62

R16.5 Cessation of dues on demit p63

R16.8 Dues Retained by Lodge p63

R16.1 Masonic Privileges deprived p63

R16.3 May remit dues p63

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Section Page

R16.4 May suspend for NPD p63

R16.10 No dues charged p63

R16.1 Power to compose By-laws p62

R16.5 Process of suspension for non-payment of dues p63

R16.7 Reinstatement from Suspension p63

REGULATION 17 - LIMITS OF CRAFT LODGE POWERS

R17.3 Cannot Adjourn p64

R17.5 Cannot Incorporate p64

R17.4 Cannot suspend By-laws p64

R17.6 Limit to Degrees Conferred p64

R17.7 Minimum Fee for three Degrees p64

R17.1 No Travelling Certificates p64

R17.2 Use of Dedicated Room p64

REGULATION 18 - CRAFT LODGE COMMUNICATION p64

R18.3 Business in any Degree p64

R18.10 Expenses Incurred by the Host Lodge p65

R18.5 Grand Lodge Officers to Receive Notices p65

R18.6 Official Visit of Grand Master Procedure p65

R18.2 Place and Time of Meeting p64

R18.7 Prior to the entrance of the Grand Master p65

R18.4 Quorum p65

R18.8 The Grand Master and his Suite p65

R18.1 Time necessary for Notices p64

R18.9 Unless otherwise directed by the Grand Master p65

Section Page

REGULATION 19 – DUTIES OF CRAFT LODGE OFFICERS p65

R19.14 Other Officers p67

R19.11 Past Master Privileges p66

R19.13 Secretary p67

R19.10 The Wardens and Deacons p66

Worshipful Master p65

R19.1 Purpose p65

R19.2 Eligibility p66

R19.3 Powers p66

R19.4 Custodian of Warrant p66

R19.5 Responsibility p66

R19.6 Instruction and Examination p66

R19.7 To see all monies accounted for p66

R19.8 No Appeal from Worshipful Master p66

R19.9 May Obtain Past Masters Certificate p66

R19.12 Worshipful Master and Wardens Summons p67

REGULATION 20 - PETITIONERS AND CANDIDATES p67

R20.12 Advancement after Ballot p69

R20.13 Advancement after Initiation p70

R20.18 Application for Affiliation p70

R20.8 Balloting p69

R20.16 Candidates may receive Degrees in any Lodge p70

R20.6 Committee Report Unfavourable p68

R20.7 Conditions For Withdrawal p68

R20.17 Degrees conferred by Ritual Teams p70

R20.14 Examination in Open Lodge p70

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Section Page R20.11 Objection to Petitioner

or Candidate p69

R20.2 Permissible Questions p68

R20.4 Petition Form p68

R20.9 Petitioners from Canadian Forces p69

R20.5 Procedure on receiving Petition p68

R20.1 Qualifications p67

R20.15 Reinstatement after twelve months p70

R20.10 Time Limit after Election p69

R20.3 Time to elapse for Rejected Petition p68

REGULATION 21 – BRETHREN p70

R21.3 Demit to Brethren when Lodge Extinct p71

R21.8 Demits to Entered Apprentice or Fellow Craft p71

R21.4 Demits to Members (Resignation) p71

R21.2 Majority of Members demit power to retain warrant p71

R21.1 Must obey Summons p70

R21.9 Refund for Unmasonic Conduct p71

R21.7 Reinstatement p71

R21.6 Status and Privileges while holding a Demit p71

R21.6 What a Demit signifies p71

REGULATION 22 – DECORUM p72

R22.5 Acceptable Jewels to be worn p72

R22.1 Members remain seated p72

R22.3 Point of Order p72

R22.4 Speak Only Once p72

R22.2 Speaker to Stand p72

Section Page

REGULATION 23 – VISITORS p72

R23.3 Examination Committee for Visitors p72

R23.5 Member may object to Visitor p73

R23.4 Must have documentary evidence p72

R23.6 The Tyler’s Oath p73

R23.2 Vouching for Visitors p72

R23.1 Who May Visit p72

REGULATION 24 – GENERAL p73

R24.1 Masonic Picnic p73

R24.2 Procession in Public p73

REGULATION 25 LONG SERVICE RECOGNITION p73

R25.1 Long Service eligibility p73

R25.2 Twenty-five to Forty-five Years p73

R25.3 Fifty Years p73

R25.4 Sixty, Seventy, Seventy-five Years p74

R25.5 Grand Lodge provides at cost p73

R25.6 Masonic Medal of Merit p74

The Charges Of A Free Mason p75

Aims and Relationships of the Craft p81

Amity Resolutions p83

11

ABBREVIATIONS

BC & Y - means British Columbia and Yukon.

BGP - means Board of General Purposes

C - means a constitutional element

DDGM - means District Deputy Grand

Master

EA - means Entered Apprentice

FC - means Fellow Craft

GL - means the Grand Lodge of British

Columbia and Yukon

GL of BC & Y - means the Grand Lodge of

British Columbia and Yukon

GM - means Grand Master

GS - means Grand Secretary

JW – means Junior Warden

MM - means Master Mason

NPD - means non-payment of dues

R - means a regulation

RW - means Right Worshipful

SW – means Senior Warden

WM - means Worshipful Master

DEFINITIONS

In the Constitution and Regulations, and in

any Ceremonies authorized under them,

unless the context requires otherwise, the

words and terms have the meanings set out

below:

“Ample Form” means, if the Grand Master

is present, Grand Lodge is declared to be

opened or closed in Ample Form.

“Ancient Landmarks” means those

essentials of Freemasonry without any one

of which it would no longer be Freemasonry.

“Applicant” — (See “Petitioner”)

“Assessments” means the per capita

amounts levied and approved at the Annual

Communication by Grand Lodge and

payable by the Lodges.

“Ballot” means to vote upon secretly - the

method of secret voting.

“Brother” means an Entered Apprentice,

Fellow Craft or Master Mason belonging to a

Lodge in this jurisdiction or a jurisdiction

recognized by this Grand Lodge.

“Candidate” means a person who has been

accepted for membership by ballot but is not

a Master Mason.

“Charter” — (See “Warrant”)

“Clandestine” means a body of

Freemasons uniting in a Lodge (known as

“Clandestine”)

(a) without the consent of a Grand

Lodge recognized by this Grand

Lodge, or

12

(b) although originally legally

constituted, continuing to work after

its Charter has been revoked,

(c) continuing to work after its Grand

Lodge recognition has been withheld

or withdrawn by this Grand Lodge.

Anyone made in, or affiliated with, a

“Clandestine” Lodge is known as a

“Clandestine” Mason. A number of

such Lodges associated together as

a Grand Lodge is known as a

“Clandestine Grand Lodge.” The term

“Clandestine” is sometimes used to

describe an irregularly made Mason,

an irregularly constituted Lodge, and

an irregularly formed Grand Lodge.

“Commission” means a written

authorization by the Grand Master for a

Brother, or group of Brethren, to act for and

in the place of the Grand Master in the

performance of a duty which would otherwise

require to be performed by the Grand Master

personally.

“Communication” means that period of time

from the Opening up to and including the

Closing of a Meeting.

“Courtesy” means a Lodge can confer one

or more degrees free of charge at the

request of a Lodge in this or another

recognized Jurisdiction, if satisfied the

applicant has received the previous Degree

or Degrees.

“Craft” means, in speculative masonry, all

things appertaining to symbolic masonry

and/or to the whole body of Freemasons,

wherever dispersed.

“Demit” means a certificate issued by proper

authority to a Brother who has withdrawn or

resigned his membership in a Lodge or

issued to a Member of an erased Lodge.

“Direction” — (See “Regulation”)

“Dispensation” means a written

authorization issued by the Grand Master to

an Officer, Lodge or Member to do

something which would otherwise be

unlawful without it.

“Due Form” means, if the Grand Master is

absent and the Deputy Grand Master or a

Past Grand Master presides, Grand Lodge is

declared to be opened or closed in Due

Form.

“Dues” means monies paid by a Member to

his Lodge.

“Edict” means a ruling brought to the floor of

Grand Lodge by the Grand Master in his

year as a Motion and subsequently approved

by the membership of Grand Lodge. It

remains in effect after that, and has the

same power and authority, as a Regulation.

“Erasure” means the removal of a Lodge

from the register of Lodges by the GM upon

the recommendation of the BGP.

“Expulsion” means an absolute deprivation

of all the rights and privileges of the

Fraternity. It prohibits all Freemasons and

Lodges from holding any Masonic

intercourse with the one expelled unless he

is restored by Grand Lodge. It is the highest

penalty known to Masonic Law.

“Fees” means monies paid by a Lodge to

Grand Lodge.

“Form” means Grand Lodge is declared to

be opened or closed in Form when both the

Grand Master and Deputy Grand Master are

absent and some other Member of Grand

Lodge, other than a Past Grand Master,

presides.

13

“Good Standing” refers to the status of a

Member of a Lodge, including an Honorary

or Life Member, who has paid all dues

owing, including those for the current year, to

his Lodge and is free from any Masonic

charges.

“Grand Lodge” means the Most Worshipful

Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted

Masons of British Columbia and Yukon and

includes all its Members in good standing.

“Grand Master” means the title that applies

to him, and to him only, who has been

elected and installed as Most Worshipful

Grand Master. Where the context requires, it

may apply to the officer for the time being

presiding over Grand Lodge.

“Irregular” — (See “Clandestine”)

“Lewis” means a Brother whose father is or

was a Master Mason of any recognized

jurisdiction.

“Lodge” means a Lodge of this Grand

Jurisdiction that has been issued a Warrant

and has been duly constituted by Grand

Lodge. It includes a Lodge meeting under a

Dispensation from the Grand Master or

Grand Lodge.

“Member” — MEMBER OF THE CRAFT –

means a Master Mason, in good standing, of

a Lodge in this Jurisdiction but, for the

purposes of Masonic discipline only, is

deemed to include a Brother.

“Member” — MEMBER OF GRAND LODGE

– means all Members of the Craft occupying

the Principal Officer positions in a Lodge and

all Past Masters.

“Month” means a calendar month.

“Motion” means a proposal by a Member,

expressed verbally or in writing where

necessary, to add to, delete from, or amend

existing instructions.

“Notice” means a call issued by the

secretary by order of the Lodge or

Worshipful Master or by some other

competent authority to attend for some

specific purpose at the time and place

indicated and to perform some specific duty

set forth.

“Ordinance” — (See “Regulation”)

“Past Master” means the title that applies to

him and to him only who has been regularly

elected by a Lodge and installed, or who has

been named in a Warrant and installed, and

has served a full term as Worshipful Master

of a Lodge.

“Petitioner” means a person who, not being

a Member of the Craft, has made written

application to become one, or who, being a

Member of the Craft, has made written

application to join a Lodge by affiliation.

“Proper Clothing” means the appropriate

regalia for the officer or member.

“Proxy” means a Member of Grand Lodge

who has been duly elected by the Lodge to

represent the Worshipful Master or either of

the Wardens at a Communication of Grand

Lodge if the Lodge Officer is unable to be

present.

“Rank” means the designation attached and

relating to a position or office held at present

or in the past.

“Regulation” means any resolution, edict,

direction or ordinance passed or approved

by Grand Lodge, or any of its duly authorized

officers.

“Reinstate” means the Brother becomes a

full Member of the Lodge from which he was

14

expelled following restoration by Grand

Lodge.

“Resolution” means a proposal to change

an existing portion or a proposal to include a

new portion to the Constitution or

Regulations.

“Restoration” means the reinstatement by

Grand Lodge of any Member who has been

expelled.

“Ruling” means a proclamation or stated

decision made by the Grand Master during

his term of office and one which terminates

with him when his term of office expires

unless it is adopted as an edict (or

Regulation) by Grand Lodge.

“Station” means a position assigned to a

Brother by election or appointment to which

specific duties are assigned.

“Summons” means an imperative order in

writing issued under the seal of the Lodge by

the Worshipful Master, or by some other

competent authority, requiring the Member to

whom it is addressed to appear at a time and

place as may be designated in it and for the

purposes set out.

“Suspension of Freemason” means a

temporary deprivation of all his rights and

privileges as such. It prohibits all

Freemasons and Lodges from holding any

Masonic intercourse with him until the

suspension has ceased.

“Suspension of Lodge” means an arrest of

its Warrant and a temporary prohibition to

assemble or work as a Lodge until again

authorized to do so by competent authority.

“Suspension of Worshipful Master” means

a temporary deprivation of his office and

prohibits all recognition of him in that

capacity until reinstated by competent

authority.

“Title” means the identifying of an

appointment or office.

“Vote” means an indication, by show of

hands, or by ballot, of a Member’s choice on

a subject under discussion.

“Warrant” means the written authority

issued by Grand Lodge to a Constituent

Lodge to meet and act as a Lodge.

“Worshipful Master” means the title which

applies to him and to him only who has been

elected and installed or invested as

Worshipful Master of a Lodge.

15

CONSTITUTION

C1 GOVERNANCE Name and Organization C1.1 The name of Grand Lodge is ”The Most

Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free

and Accepted Masons of British Columbia

and Yukon.” Grand Lodge is the governing

body of Freemasons in its jurisdiction.

Seal

C1.2 The following is adopted as the seal of

Grand Lodge and must be applied to all

instruments Issued by and under its

authority. [Insert seal]

Purpose of Grand Lodge

C1.3 The primary purpose of GL is to

establish perfect fraternal harmony and to

promote the lasting welfare of the Masonic

fraternity in British Columbia and the Yukon

as set out in the Aims and Relationships of

the Craft (Appendix B)

C1.3.1 The GL of BC &Y is in amity with

other Grand Lodges and other Masonic

Bodies throughout the World and must

maintain this goodwill by promoting,

maintaining and encouraging the principles

of our Fraternity. (Appendix C)

Jurisdiction

C1.4 The Jurisdiction of Grand Lodge

includes all Masonic Lodges and

Freemasons in British Columbia and Yukon,

and beyond while acting under its authority.

Grand Lodge Certificate

C1.5 For every Member raised, a Lodge

must obtain from the Grand Secretary a

Grand Lodge Certificate. The Member must

sign the certificate to acknowledge that he is

governed by this Constitution and

Regulations.

Grand Lodge Warrant Required

C1.6 An application for a Dispensation to

open a new Lodge must include the

following:

(a) a petition of at least fifteen Master

Masons in good standing;

(b) a certificate of good standing (or a

Demit from a regularly Warranted

Lodge of this or some other

recognized Jurisdiction) of each of

the petitioners;

(c) recommendation from the

Warranted Lodge nearest to the

location of the proposed Lodge.

Where two or more Lodges hold

concurrent jurisdiction the petitioners

must give written notice of their

intention to apply for Dispensation to

each of the Lodges. The petitioners

must obtain the recommendation of

each Lodge or such endorsements as

the District Deputy Grand Master of

the District in which the proposed

new Lodge would be situate directs;

(d) a certificate that the Brethren

selected as Worshipful Master and

Wardens of the proposed Lodge have

appeared in open Lodge before such

Lodge as the District Deputy Grand

Master directs, or before him, and

exemplified the work of the three

Degrees, and that they are

competent to confer the same in a

proper Masonic manner;

(e) a certificate from the District

Deputy Grand Master of the District,

or some other duly qualified Brother

delegated for the purpose by the

Grand Master, certifying that the

petitioners have complied with the

requirements set out in the preceding

16

four clauses, and that in his opinion

the best interests of the Craft will be

advanced by the establishment of the

new Lodge.

Authorized Ritual of the Craft

C1.7 Four rituals are authorized in this

jurisdiction:

(a) The British Columbian Canadian

Work (Can.), as derived from the

Grand Lodge of Canada 1823;

(b) British Columbian "Ancient"

Work, as derived from the "Ancient"

or "Athol" Lodges;

(c) Australian Work, from the 1906

ritual created by the Grand Lodge of

New South Wales;

(d) Emulation Work, from the

Emulation Lodge of Improvement at

Freemason’s Hall, London.

Board of General Purposes

C1.8 The Board of General Purposes is an

advisory body to consult with and

recommend to the GM and GL on matters

which focus on the best interest and

administration of the Craft. The Board of

General Purposes is responsible for all

matters concerning the operation of the

Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted

Masons of BC &Y. The Deputy Grand Master

is the chairman of the GL Board of General

Purposes.

Book of Ceremonies

C1.9 The Book of Ceremonies declared by

and published under authority of Grand

Lodge shall be a rule and guide for Grand

Lodge, its Lodges and their Members and all

Members of the Craft in this Grand

Jurisdiction.

Amendments to this Constitution

C1.10 Grand Lodge has full power and

authority at any Communication, by two-

thirds vote of the Members present and by

proxy, to make amendments, alterations and

additions to this Constitution. Notice in

writing of the proposed amendment,

alteration or addition must have been given

at a preceding Communication or sent to the

Grand Secretary by January 1st of the year

of the Communication at which the motion to

amend, alter or add is to be considered.

Amendments to the Regulations

C1.11 Grand Lodge has the power and

authority at any Communication, by a two

thirds vote of the Members present or by

proxy, to amend the Regulations. Notice in

writing of a proposed amendment must be

given at a preceding Communication or sent

to the Grand Secretary by January 1st of the

year in which the proposed amendment is to

be considered.

Re-presentation of Defeated Amendment

C1.12 A proposed amendment which has

been defeated at two consecutive Grand

Lodge Communications may not again be

placed before Grand Lodge in the same or

substantially similar form embodying the

same or substantially similar principles for a

further period of three years.

Time Notice

C1.13 A copy of any proposed amendment,

alteration or addition to this Constitution must

be sent by the Grand Secretary to each of

the Lodges by March 1st.

Repeal

C1.14 All laws and regulations inconsistent

or in conflict with or in contravention of this

Constitution, and any portion of a former

17

Constitution not incorporated here, are

deemed repealed.

C2 GRAND LODGE Power to make Laws and Regulations

C2.1 Only Grand Lodge has the power to

enact Laws and Regulations for the

government of the Craft in its jurisdiction.

Grand Lodge may from time to time use

Masonic documents such as the “The

Charges of a Freemason” as extracted from

the ancient Records of Lodges beyond the

sea and those in England, Ireland and

Scotland (Appendix A) as a bases for its

Laws, Regulations and Decisions. When

used for this purpose these documents have

the same authority as this Constitution.

Must Preserve Ancient Usages and

Customs

C2.2 The Ancient usages and established

customs of the Institution must be preserved.

Power to Decide all Craft matters

C2.3 Grand Lodge has the power of

investigating, regulating and deciding all

matters relating to the Craft in its jurisdiction.

Power to Grant and Revoke Warrants

C2.4 Grand Lodge has the power to grant,

revoke and to suspend Warrants or

Dispensations.

Title of Grand Master

C2.5 The rank and title of the Grand Master

is "The Most Worshipful Grand Master of

Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of

British Columbia and Yukon.”

The Grand Master’s Purpose

C2.6 The Grand Master’s purpose is to lead

the Lodges and Freemasons within this

Masonic jurisdiction. He provides vision and

strategic direction to the jurisdiction. He

understands the needs of the Freemasons in

the jurisdiction and he enhances and

supports the purpose of Grand Lodge.

C3 ANNUAL COMMUNICATION

Annual Communication, When Held

C3.1 The Annual Communication to conduct

GL business must be held on the Friday

immediately preceding St. John’s Day, and

the following days in June, at a place that

Grand Lodge may direct and at an hour set

by the Grand Master.

Quorum

C3.2 A quorum of no fewer than twenty

Lodges must be represented to conduct

business at the Annual Grand Lodge

Communication.

Who Shall Preside

C3.3 At a Grand Lodge Communication, the

Grand Master must preside, but in the event

of his death or absence, his station may be

filled in the following order:

(a) Deputy Grand Master;

(b) Senior Grand Warden;

(c) Junior Grand Warden; or

(d) most recent Past Grand Master

present, who will have the same

powers while presiding as the Grand

Master.

Election of Officers

C3.4 The election and appointment of all

officers of Grand Lodge takes place at the

Annual Communication. Officers must be

installed in person. They hold their offices

for one year or until their successors have

been regularly installed.

Officers to be elected

C3.5 The following officers must be elected

by ballot:

(a) Grand Master,

18

(b) Deputy Grand Master,

(c) Senior Grand Warden,

(d) Junior Grand Warden,

(e) Grand Treasurer.

Officers to be appointed

C3.6 The following officers are appointed by

the Grand Master:

(a) District Deputy Grand Masters,

(b) Grand Director of Ceremonies,

(c) Grand Historian,

(d) Senior Grand Deacon,

(e) Junior Grand Deacon,

(f) Grand Superintendent of Works,

(g) Grand Marshal,

(h) Grand Sword Bearer,

(i) Grand Standard Bearer,

(j) Grand Pursuivant,

(k) Grand Stewards (not exceeding

12),

(l) Grand Chaplain,

(m) Grand Director of Music, and

(n) Grand Tyler.

Grand Secretary Appointment

C3.7 There shall be a Grand Secretary who

is appointed by a committee consisting of the

Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Grand

Treasurer and the Chairmen of the Standing

Committees on Finance, Jurisprudence and

Constitution. Any appointment made must be

reported by the Grand Master to Grand

Lodge at the next Annual Communication.

Grand Lodge may confirm the appointment

or direct the Committee to consider a new

appointment. The appointment continues

from year to year until a new appointment is

made in a similar manner.

Requirements for GL Officers

C3.8 Only a Member of Grand Lodge can

hold office except as Grand Chaplain, Grand

Director of Music or Grand Tyler. An

absentee from the annual communication

cannot be elected or appointed to office

unless a Member of Grand Lodge is

prepared to guarantee his acceptance.

Eligibility for Office

C3.9 No Brother is eligible for elective office

or appointment as District Deputy Grand

Master unless he has attained the rank of

Past Master.

Ineligibility for certain Offices

C3.10 A Worshipful Master is not eligible for

the office of Grand Master, Deputy Grand

Master or District Deputy Grand Master. The

Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master or a

District Deputy Grand Master is not eligible

for installation as Worshipful Master.

Lodge Erasure or Member Expulsion

C3.11 A motion to erase a Lodge or expel a

Member cannot be decided until after the

Worshipful Master and Officers of the Lodge,

or the Member to be expelled, have been

summoned by registered mail or personally

informed to appear at Grand Lodge to show

why such action should not be enforced.

No vote if returns neglected

C3.12 If any Lodge neglects to make its

returns and payments to Grand Lodge before

the Annual Communication, the Worshipful

Master, Wardens, or other representatives of

the Lodge are not allowed to vote at any GL

communication.

Appeal from decision of GM during GL

Sessions

C3.13 While Grand Lodge is in session, a

Member may appeal a decision of the Grand

Master, stating briefly the grounds for the

appeal. The Grand Master may then affirm

the reasons for his decision, and, without

further debate, will put to the vote the

19

question. The decision of Grand Lodge must

be announced following the vote.

Grand Lodge Emergent Communication

C3.14 The Grand Master, or his authorized

Grand Lodge Principal Officer, may call an

Emergent Communication of Grand Lodge at

a place and time he may determine. The

notice calling the Emergent Communication

must state the reason for convening Grand

Lodge and no other business may be

conducted at that Communication.

Quorum

C3.15 No fewer than twenty lodges must be

represented for the conduct of business at

an emergent communication.

Grand Lodge Ceremony Only

C3.16 Where a ceremony only is to be

conducted, the Grand Master or his

authorized representative with a sufficient

number of Brethren to fill the stations, may at

any time open Grand Lodge, perform the

ceremony for which it was convened, and

close.

C4 CRAFT LODGE Purpose of the Craft Lodge

C4.1 A Masonic Lodge is the basic

organisational unit of Freemasonry.

Freemasons meet as a Lodge not in a

Lodge. The Craft Lodge furthers Masonic

scholarship, confers the EA, FC and MM

degrees and helps a man to a more

satisfactory meaning of life. It promotes

Freemasonry as a way of life, a code of

conduct, a pattern of behaviour and

philosophy subscribing to the Golden Rule.

Necessary Craft Lodge Officers

C4.2 The officers of a Lodge are the

Worshipful Master, the Senior Warden, the

Junior Warden, the Immediate Past Master,

the Treasurer, the Secretary, two Deacons,

two Stewards, an Inner Guard and a Tyler

and other officers as the Lodge may by By-

law deem appropriate for the working of the

Lodge. They hold office until their successors

have been installed.

Lodge Seal

C4.3 All documents issued by a Lodge must

have the Lodge Seal affixed, as appropriate.

An impression of the Seal must be sent to

the Grand Secretary. Whenever a Seal is

changed, an impression of the new Seal

must be sent to the Grand Secretary.

Who may assume Worshipful Master’s

Chair

C4.4 Only an Installed Master may assume

the Worshipful Master’s Chair.

Officers to be elected

C4.5 The Worshipful Master, Wardens and

Treasurer must be elected annually by

written ballot, and a majority of the votes cast

is necessary to elect. When one Member

only is nominated for an elected office, no

ballot is necessary and the nominee may be

declared elected by acclamation. All other

officers may be appointed by the Worshipful

Master, or elected, as the By-laws of the

Lodge direct.

Election to be confirmed

C4.6 Prior to the installation of officers, the

election of all elected officers must be

confirmed. If the election for the Worshipful

Master is not confirmed then a new election

must occur at the next regular

communication.

Failure to Elect Officers

C4.7 A Lodge that fails to elect any of its

elected officers by the time set out in its By-

laws must immediately apply for a

20

Dispensation from the Grand Master to hold

an election and installation as soon as

possible. The Dispensation must be

recorded in the Lodge minutes.

Pre-requisites for Deacon or Wardens

C4.8 No Member may be installed as

Deacon or Warden until he has received his

Master Mason certificate.

Installation on St. John’s Day

C4.9 For the purpose of the Installation of

Officers, St. John the Baptist’s Day, or St.

John the Evangelist’s Day may be

considered a Regular Communication when

provided for in the By-laws of the Lodge. No

business other than the confirmation of the

election, the installation of officers, and

receiving of annual reports, may be done.

Before Installing Elected Officers

C4.10 Before installing elected officers, their

election must be confirmed in open Lodge. If

the election of the Worshipful Master is not

confirmed, then a notice for a new election

must be issued for the next regular

Communication of the Lodge. If that election

is confirmed, then the installation of Officers

must occur at the following Communication

of the Lodge.

Date of Installation

C4.11 Officers may be installed at the next

Regular Communication following the

election or at such time as may be

prescribed by the Lodge By-laws. The

secrets of an Installed master must be

communicated by a Board of Installed

Masters attended only by Installed Masters.

Officers Installed in Person

C4.12 Officers must be installed in person. If

the elected or appointed officer is not

present, he must be installed at the next

Regular Communication of the Lodge that he

attends. If any officer fails to attend for

installation for two Regular Communications

after his election or appointment, the Lodge

may, by a majority vote, declare his election

or appointment revoked and another

Member must be elected or appointed in his

stead.

Officers Cannot Resign or Demit

C4.13 An officer of a Lodge cannot resign or

demit his office during his term and every

installed officer holds office until his

successor has been installed, unless his

office becomes vacant by;

(a) death;

(b) deprivation of office;

(c) relocation from the Jurisdiction;

(e) suspension or expulsion from the

Craft;

(f) resignation for health reasons.

Removal from Office

C4.14 Any Officer, except the Worshipful

Master, may be removed from office for

cause as determined by the Lodge. If the

Worshipful Master is dissatisfied with the

conduct of any of his Officers, he may lay the

complaint before the Lodge and, if the

majority of the Members present support the

complaint, he has the power to displace that

Officer. Another Officer must then be elected

or appointed in his stead.

Does not preclude Re-election

C4.15 Removal from office does not

preclude a Member from subsequent re-

election to the same office.

Only at Annual Election of Officers

C4.16 Elective offices may only be filled at

the Annual Election prescribed in the Lodge

By-laws.

21

Filling a Vacancy in a Lodge

C4.17 The Worshipful Master may appoint

an Officer to fill a vacant appointed office in

his Lodge for the unexpired term.

New Warranted Lodge Bylaws

C4.18 Where a new Lodge is warranted in a

community where there is already a Lodge or

Lodges, the Bylaws will not be approved by

the Grand Master unless the fees and dues

are equal to or higher than the lowest set by

any other Lodge in the same community.

The Grand Master will not approve any

Lodge By-law amendment to set fees or

dues lower than that of the lowest already

set by a Lodge or Lodges in the same

community.

Lodge Property

C4.19 The jewels, furniture, properties and

funds of every Lodge belong to and are the

property of the Worshipful Master, Wardens

and Members of such Lodge [in Trust] while

lawfully holding its Warrant or Dispensation.

C4.19.1 When any Lodge surrenders or

forfeits its Warrant or Dispensation, all its

properties, funds, books and records, at the

time of dissolution, become the property of

Grand Lodge.

Lodge Precedence

C4.20 Precedence of a Lodge is determined

by its Warrant number as recorded by Grand

Lodge.

Lodge may not move without permission

C4.21 A Lodge cannot relocate its meeting

place from the building or from the City,

Town, Village or District named in its

Dispensation or Warrant until;

(a) notice has been given at a

Regular Communication that a

motion to change the location of the

Lodge will be presented at the next

Regular Communication;

(b) the motion has been approved by

written ballot by not less than two-

thirds of the Members present;

(c) the proposal to relocate the Lodge

has been approved by the Grand

Master or Grand Lodge.

Voluntary Dissolution of a Lodge

C4.22 A Lodge may voluntarily surrender its

Warrant and be dissolved using the following

procedure:

(a) notice of a motion to effect the

dissolution, and the date on which it

will be considered, must be given to

the Lodge members in not less than

two consecutive notices, one of which

must be the notice for the Regular

Communication at which the motion

will be considered;

(b) the vote must be by written ballot,

requiring at least three-fourths of the

membership present to vote

favourably on the motion to adopt it;

(c) if seven or more members present

vote against it, the motion fails;

(d) the surrender of Warrant under

this Regulation will occur only upon

confirmation by Grand Lodge or the

Grand Master and be effective on the

date set by it or by him. A voluntary

dissolution, once so confirmed, is not

reversible.

Consolidation of Lodges

C4.23 Two or more Lodges located near

each other may agree to be consolidated into

one using the following procedure:

(a) notice of the motion to effect the

consolidation and the date on which it

will be considered must be given to

the Members of each of these

Lodges by placing it in not less than

22

two consecutive notices, one of which

must be the notice for the Regular

Communication at which the

resolution is to be considered;

(b) the vote must be by a written

ballot, requiring at least three-fourths

of the Members present to vote

favourably on the motion to adopt it;

(c) if seven or more of the Members

of a Lodge present vote against the

motion for consolidation, that Lodge

must not be included in the

consolidation;

(e) a consolidated Lodge may bear

the name and number of one of the

Lodges comprising it, and may retain

the Warrant and Seal of that Lodge.

The Warrant and Seal of the other

Lodge or Lodges must be returned to

Grand Lodge;

(f) if the consolidated Lodge decides

to use the name of one and the

number of another of the

consolidating Lodges, or to take a

new name and number, or to take a

new name and retain the number of

one of the Lodges, the consolidating

Lodges must return their Warrants

and Seals to Grand Lodge. They will

then receive from Grand Lodge a

new Warrant and Seal;

(g) a Lodge consolidation will go into

effect only when all the procedures

necessary have been executed and

approval is received from the Grand

Master or Grand Lodge.

Failure of Lodge to Meet

C4.24 If a Lodge fails to meet for a period of

six months, it cannot be summoned to meet

again without the approval of the Grand

Master. If it fails to meet for a twelve month

period, it may be struck off the roll of Lodges

and its Warrant declared forfeited by Grand

Lodge.

C5 GRAND LODGE REGALIA

AND INSIGNIA

Proper to be Worn

C5.1 On all occasions where the Grand

Officers appear in their official capacities,

they must wear the following clothing and

regalia:

(a) the Grand Master – a gold chain

with nine stars over a blue collar,

cuffs, apron and Jewel;

(b) the Deputy Grand Master, Senior

and Junior Grand Wardens and

District Deputy Grand Masters – a

blue collar, cuffs, apron and jewel;

(c) the Grand Stewards – apron,

crimson collar, and jewel;

(d) all Other Grand Officers – apron,

blue collar and jewel.

Must Wear Proper Clothing

C5.2 Every Member admitted into Grand

Lodge must wear proper clothing, unless the

Grand Master permits an alternative apparel.

Jewels

C5.3 Jewels worn by the Grand Officers are

gold, except those of the Grand Stewards

which are of silver. The Jewels must be:

(a) Grand Master – the compasses

opened to 45 degrees with the

segment of a circle of 60 degrees at

the points, and a gold plate on which

is represented an eye within a

triangle, both irradiated;

(b) Past Grand Master’s collar, jewel,

undress apron and suitable carrying

case shall be purchased by Grand

Lodge as the property of Grand

Lodge to be returned to Grand Lodge

23

within a reasonable time after a Past

Grand Master’s death;

(c) Deputy Grand Master – the

compasses and square united with a

five-pointed star in the centre;

(d) Senior Grand Warden – the level;

(e) Junior Grand Warden – the

plumb;

(f) Grand Treasurer – a chased key;

(g) Grand Secretary – crossed pens;

(h) District Deputy Grand Masters –

the Square, surrounded by a circle

within which is the number of the

district;

(i) Grand Historian – a scroll;

(j) Grand Deacons – a dove with olive

branch;

(k) Grand Superintendent of Works –

a protractor;

(l) Grand Director of Ceremonies –

arms of the Grand Lodge with sword

and baton crossed;

(m) Grand Marshal – crossed rods

with a tie;

(n) Grand Sword Bearer – crossed

swords;

(o) Grand Standard Bearer – crossed

standards with a tie;

(p) Grand Pursuivant – crossed baton

and sword;

(q) Grand Stewards – a cornucopia

between the legs of a pair of

Compasses extended upon an

irradiated plate;

(r) Grand Chaplain – a book in a

triangle;

(s) Grand Director of Music – a

Grecian Lyre;

(t) Grand Tyler – a sword.

C5.3.1 These jewels, except those of the

Grand Master and Grand Stewards, are

placed within a circle of gold inscribed “The

Grand Lodge of British Columbia and

Yukon.”

Only Jewels to be Worn

C5.4 Only jewels which are consistent with

Ancient Craft Freemasonry recognized by

Grand Lodge, namely the Entered

Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason

Degrees, may be worn in Grand Lodge.

APRONS

Grand Master

C5.5 The Grand Master’s apron is lined and

edged with garter blue, bound with gold and

gold tassels. It is ornamented with the

blazing sun embroidered in gold in the

centre, with the pomegranate and the lotus

on the edging, the seven eared wheat at

each corner and on the flap, all in gold

embroidery. The fringe is of gold bullion.

Aprons Worn by Other Grand Lodge

officers, except the Grand Stewards

C5.6 The aprons worn by the other Grand

Lodge officers, except the Grand Stewards,

are of white lambskin sixteen inches wide

and fourteen inches deep. They are edged

with royal blue ribbon, four inches wide and

lined in blue. They have three sets of two

right angles, one on the flap and one on

each lower corner and gold tassels. In the

centre there is a gold embroidered double

circle. Between the lines are the words,

“Grand Lodge of British Columbia and

Yukon,” and, in the centre of the circle, a

gold embroidered jewel of the office. The flap

and edges are bound with gold braid and

edged with gold fringe.

Grand Stewards

C5.7 The Grand Stewards wear aprons of

white lamb skin, fourteen inches wide and

twelve inches deep, lined with crimson and

trimmed with crimson ribbon three and one-

24

half inches wide. They are furnished with

silver tassels and with three sets of two right

angles, one on the flap and one on each

lower corner, also of silver.

Past Grand Masters

C5.8 Past Grand Masters may wear undress

aprons, edged with ribbon of royal blue four

inches wide. The edging on the flap is one

and one-half inches wide. They are furnished

with tassels and with three sets of two right

angles, one on the flap and one on each

lower corner, all of gold or metal gilt. In the

centre of the apron, there is a blue

embroidered blazing sun. There is no lace or

fringe.

Past District Deputy Grand Masters

C5.9 Past District Deputy Grand Masters

may wear aprons similar in every respect to

a Past Grand Master, except that the

emblem is a square surrounded by a circle

four inches in diameter, both to be

embroidered in blue.

Past Grand Director of Ceremonies

C5.10 A Past Grand Director of Ceremonies

may wear an apron similar to that of a Past

District Deputy Grand Master except that the

emblem is the arms of Grand Lodge with

crossed Sword and Baton surrounded by a

circle four inches in diameter, all

embroidered in blue.

Other Past Grand Officers

C5.11 Past Grand Officers holding the rank

of Very Worshipful may wear aprons similar

in every respect to a Past Master, except

that they are edged with royal blue ribbon not

more than two inches wide and lined with

blue. The three sets of two right angles and

the tassels are of metal gilt. In the centre of

the apron, the jewel of the office held as a

Grand Lodge Officer, surrounded by a circle

four inches in diameter, is embroidered in

blue.

COLLARS

Grand Lodge Officers

C5.12 The collars worn by Grand Lodge

officers, except the Grand Stewards, are of

royal blue, four inches wide and bound with

gold braid and lace. The Grand Stewards’

collars are of crimson ribbon, four inches

wide, lined with crimson but with no lace or

fringe.

Past Grand Officer’s Collars

C5.13 All past Grand Officers, except past

Grand Masters, may wear the collar of their

late office, but without the pendant jewel. A

similar, but smaller, jewel may be worn on

the breast. Past Grand Masters are entitled

to wear the chain of their late office, with

pendant jewel of the Compasses opened to

45 degrees, with the segment of a circle of

60 degrees at the points, but with no plate or

other ornamentation.

CUFFS

C5.14 The cuffs worn by the Grand Lodge

Officers are of royal blue, nine inches deep,

with a gold embroidered double circle.

Between the lines are the words “Grand

Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon” and,

in the centre of the circle, a gold

embroidered jewel of the office. They are

bound with gold braid and edged with gold

fringe.

C6 CRAFT LODGE REGALIA

AND INSIGNIA Jewels

C6.1 The jewels of the officers of the Lodges

in this Jurisdiction are of silver colour:

(a) Past Masters – A Square, and the

diagram of Euclid’s 47th proposition

25

engraved on a silver plate pendant

within it;

(b) Worshipful Master – A Square;

(c) Senior Warden – A Level;

(d) Junior Warden – A Plumb;

(e) Treasurer – A Key;

(f) Secretary – Crossed Pens;

(7) Historian – A Scroll;

(g) Senior Deacon – A Dove or

Mallet;

(h) Junior Deacon – A Dove or

Trowel;

(i) Director of Ceremonies – Crossed

Rods;

(j) Director of Masonic Education – A

Lamp of Learning;

(k) Stewards – A Cornucopia;

(m) Inner Guard – Swords;

(n) Chaplain – A Book on a Triangle;

(o) Organist – A Lyre;

(p) Tyler – A Sword;

Collars

C6.2 The collars worn by Lodge Officers are

of light blue, four inches wide and bound with

silver braid. Worshipful Masters and

Immediate Past Masters may wear silver

chains in lieu of broad collars. Worshipful

Masters, when visiting Lodges, may wear

their collars, but no cuffs.

Cuffs

C6.3 The cuffs worn by Lodge Officers are of

light blue, nine inches deep, with a silver

embroidered double circle. Within the lines

of the circle are the name and number of the

Lodge, and in the centre, a silver

embroidered jewel of the office.

Entered Apprentice Apron

C6.4 Entered Apprentices wear an apron of

plain white lambskin, fourteen to sixteen

inches wide and twelve to fourteen inches

deep; square at the bottom and with a

triangular flap; without ornaments.

Fellow Craft Apron

C6.5 Fellow Crafts wear an apron similar to

the Entered Apprentices, with the addition

only, if the Lodge desires, of a sky blue

rosette in each of the two bottom corners.

Master Mason Apron

C6.6 Master Masons wear an apron of white

lambskin similar in size to those of the

Entered Apprentices. They are lined with sky

blue and edged with sky blue ribbon not

more than two inches wide. They are

furnished with silver tassels and with three

sky blue rosettes, one on the flap and one in

each of the two bottom corners. An emblem

of the Lodge as approved by the Grand

Master may be added.

Wardens Apron

C6.7 Wardens may wear an apron the same

as those of the Master Mason with the

addition of an emblem of their office.

Apron of Past Worshipful Masters

C6.8 Past Masters and Worshipful Masters

of Lodges wear an apron similar to that of a

Master Mason, except that in place of the

rosettes, they have three sets of two right

angles, formed by perpendicular lines upon

horizontal line. The length of the horizontal

lines shall be two inches and a half each and

of the perpendicular lines one inch each;

these emblems shall be of silver or of ribbon

half an inch broad, and if of ribbon of the

same colour as the edging and lining. Silver

braid, or silver braid and fringe, together with

an emblem of the lodge as approved by the

Grand Master, may be added.

26

Exceptions

C6.9 Ashlar Lodge No. 3 is permitted to wear

collars of royal blue and aprons trimmed with

the same colour, but in all other respects

they must conform to the requirements for

clothing and insignia of their status of

outlined in this section.

Affiliated Brethren

C6.10 Affiliated Members may wear the

regalia of the jurisdiction from which they

have come. While holding office, they must

wear the regalia of the office which they are

in. The collar of office may be worn either in

place of, or over, the collar of their former

jurisdiction.

Where Regalia may be Worn

C6.11 Without dispensation from the Grand

Master, Masonic regalia may be worn only:

(a) in or near a Lodge that is, or is

about to be, or has recently been,

opened;

(b) at a Masonic funeral or memorial

service;

(c) when attending a Divine Service

organized by the Worshipful Master

of a Lodge or the District Deputy

Grand Master of his District.

27

REGULATIONS

PART 1 - GRAND LODGE

REGULATION 1 - ANNUAL

COMMUNICATION

Order of Business

R1.1 Unless otherwise ordered by the Grand

Master or Grand Lodge, the order of

business at a Communication is as follows:

(a) Opening of Grand Lodge;

(b) confirmation of the appointment of

Committee on Credentials, and such

other committees as may be

necessary;

(c) confirmation of the Minutes;

(d) report from the Grand Master;

(e) reports from;

(1) auditors,

(2) Grand Treasurer,

(3) Grand Secretary,

(4) board of General

Purposes,

(5) District Deputy Grand

Masters,

(6) Grand Historian,

(7) standing committees,

(8) board of trustees of the

benevolent fund,

(9) finance committee on

estimates for the coming year;

(f) deferred business;

(g) new business;

(h) elections, appointment and

installation of officers;

(i) appointment of standing

committees;

(j) closing Grand Lodge;

New Business

R1.2 New business may be considered at

Grand Lodge if:

(a) notice is received by the Grand

Secretary at least 60 days before the

communication. He must forward

this to all Lodges at least 30 days

before the communication;

(b) notice was given at the previous

Communication;

(c) every voting delegate agrees to

consider the new business at the

Communication.

Who May Vote

R1.3 The Worshipful Master, Past Masters

and Wardens may vote at a Grand Lodge

Communication only if his name and

Masonic rank has been previously

communicated to the Grand Secretary.

Who Admitted

R1.4 Master Masons in good standing,

properly vouched for, may be admitted into

Grand Lodge to observe the proceedings,

including the opening and closing. They are

seated under the direction of the Grand

Pursuivant.

Porch Book

R1.5 Members

At each Communication of Grand Lodge, a

Porch Book must be provided for each

Member attending to record and sign his

name, Masonic rank and the name of the

Lodge which he represents, before entering

the Communication.

R1.5.1 Visitors

A similar book, or a portion of the same

book, must be provided for visitors to

complete.

28

Votes and Voting

How Voting Completed

R1.7 All matters brought before Grand Lodge

are decided by a show of hands. If the

result is not obvious, the GM may direct the

Grand Deacons to count the vote. Where a

vote is tied, the Grand Master may cast the

deciding ballot.

R1.7.1 A ballot on any question must be

taken on a motion supported by ten

Members representing not less than five

Constituent Lodges.

Proxies

R1.8 If the Worshipful Master or Wardens of

a Lodge cannot attend Grand Lodge, the

Lodge may elect any Member of Grand

Lodge to represent the absentee by proxy.

The proxy must have the name of the proxy

holder written in it and be signed by the

Worshipful Master and Secretary. A

duplicate of the written proxy must be

delivered to the Grand Secretary at least 21

days before the Grand Lodge

Communication. No Member can represent

more than one vote by proxy.

Extra Vote

R1.9 Worshipful Masters or Wardens of a

Lodge who are also Past Masters are

entitled to one extra vote each. If any of them

also holds a proxy, one of these extra votes

must be forfeited.

Election of Officers

R1.10 Grand Officers are elected by majority

written vote.

How Election of officers decided

R1.11 If a majority is not achieved on the first

vote, the Grand Master may direct that the

name (or names, in case of a tie) with the

least number of votes be dropped from the

election, and the vote taken again. This

procedure is to be repeated until a majority

vote is achieved.

Addressing Annual Communication

R1.12 All candidates are allowed up to five

minutes each to address the brethren

assembled at the Annual Communication,

prior to the Election of officers

Information in Masonic Electronic Bulletin

R1.13 Information regarding candidates for

election must be published in the GL

Masonic Electronic Bulletin prior to the

Annual Communication of Grand Lodge.

Election Timing

R1.14 Grand Lodge Officers are to be

elected by secret ballot at a time decided by

Grand Lodge or the Grand Master. No

Member may enter or leave once balloting

has commenced, except for necessity.

Nomination Requirements

R1.15 The Grand Treasurer is elected

without nomination. The Grand Master,

Deputy Grand Master and Grand Wardens

are elected after nominations for each office

are made in writing and completed according

to the following requirements:

(a) nominee’s full name, address,

Masonic rank, Lodge name and

number;

(b) nominated by two members of

Grand Lodge, providing their names,

addresses and ranks;

(c) signed by the nominee signifying

his willingness to accept the

nomination;

(d) the nominations must be

submitted to the Grand Secretary no

later than the first day of March prior

to the meeting of Grand Lodge when

the election is to take place;

29

(e) the Grand Secretary must

communicate to all Lodge

Secretaries, and those nominated, a

list of nominees including a brief

biography and summary of their

Masonic and other activities;

(f) a Member can be nominated to

one office only;

(g) a nominee may withdraw his

name in writing at any time before the

vote is taken.

Additions for JGW candidates

R1.16 A candidate seeking election to the

office of Junior Grand Warden must provide

the following as an attachment to his

nomination form:

(a) why he aspires to the office of

Junior Grand Warden;

(b) an overview of his goals and

objectives in seeking election, and,

where relevant, how he hopes to

achieve these goals or objectives;

(c) the information in the attachment

must be included in the biography

sent to all Lodge Secretaries by the

Grand Secretary.

Submission Deadline Waiver

R1.17 If during the 90 days prior to an

Annual Grand Lodge Communication a

nominee dies, relocates from the

Jurisdiction, is deprived of office, or for any

other reason becomes unable or unwilling to

stand for an office for which he has been

nominated, the provisions to submit

nominations to the Grand Secretary by the

first day of March and the necessity for the

Grand Secretary to communicate with all

Lodges the proposed candidates history and

Masonic activities are waived.

R1.17.1 All Nominees for a GL office must

be a member in good standing of their

respective Lodges.

Exceptions

R1.18 The Grand Chaplain, Grand Director

of Music and Grand Tyler need not

necessarily be Members of Grand Lodge.

Past Masters while serving in these offices

are entitled to the rank of Very Worshipful.

Number of Votes

R1.19 Each Member of Grand Lodge has

one vote except when carrying a proxy of a

Lodge Principal Officer or voting as a

Principal Officer in his own right. Each

member of Grand Lodge is limited to a total

of two votes.

Ballot Papers

R1.20 The Grand Secretary must prepare an

adequate number of ballot papers for the

election of Grand Lodge Officers. The ballot

papers must be placed in the custody of the

Chairman of the Committee on Credentials

for distribution. Ballot papers are distributed

only to Members who are registered and

entitled to vote in Grand Lodge.

When Vacancy Occurs

R1.21 Vacancies in office in Grand Lodge

may occur by;

(a) death,

(b) deprivation of office,

(c) removal from Jurisdiction, or

(d) suspension or expulsion

Filling a Vacancy

R1.22 If a vacancy occurs in any office of

Grand Lodge, unless otherwise provided, the

Grand Master may make an appointment to

fill the office for the unexpired term.

30

Rank and Precedence

R1.23 Grand Lodge consists of the following

officers and Brethren who are entitled to rank

and take precedence in the following order:

(a) Most Worshipful Grand Master;

(b) Most Worshipful Immediate Past

Grand Master;

(c) Right Worshipful Deputy Grand

Master;

(d) Right Worshipful Senior Grand

Warden;

(e) Right Worshipful Junior Grand

Warden;

(f) Right Worshipful Grand Treasurer;

(g) Right Worshipful Grand Secretary;

(h) Right Worshipful District Deputy

Grand Masters;

(i) Right Worshipful Grand Director of

Ceremonies;

(j) Very Worshipful Grand Historian;

(k) Very Worshipful Senior Grand

Deacon;

(l) Very Worshipful Junior Grand

Deacon;

(m) Very Worshipful Grand

Superintendent of Works;

(n) Very Worshipful Grand Marshal;

(o) Very Worshipful Grand Sword

Bearer;

(p) Very Worshipful Grand Standard

Bearer;

(q) Very Worshipful Grand

Pursuivant;

(r) Very Worshipful Grand Stewards;

(s) Grand Chaplain;

(t) Grand Director of Music;

(u) Grand Tyler;

(v) Worshipful Masters and Wardens;

(w) Past Masters.

Worshipful Masters and Wardens

R1.24 Worshipful Masters and Wardens are

entitled to rank and take precedence

according to the numerical sequence of their

respective Lodge Warrants after the elected

and appointed officers of Grand Lodge.

Past Grand Rank

R1.25 Past elected Grand Officers, Past

Grand Secretaries, Past District Deputy

Grand Masters and Past Masters rank and

take precedence according to their seniority

in the order of, but immediately following, the

current holders of such offices respectively.

Honorary Members of Grand Lodge

R1.26 Worshipful Brethren of distinction may

be constituted as Honorary Members of

Grand Lodge, with Past Grand rank.

Nomination Procedure for Past Grand

Rank

R1.27 The mover must send a notice of

motion to confer the Past Grand rank, in

writing, to the Grand Secretary by the first

day of March preceding the Annual

Communication when the motion is to be

proposed. The Grand Secretary must send a

copy of the proposed motion to each Lodge

at least two months before the

Communication and publish it in the notice

calling the Annual Communication. The

motion requires a unanimous favourable vote

for adoption.

Ranks for Past Grand Officers

R1.28 Brethren who have served as Grand

Lodge Officers and, if recommended by the

committee which reviews DDGM reports,

may be granted the rank of “Right

Worshipful” or “Very Worshipful” by Grand

Lodge. A Grand Chaplain, Grand Director of

Music or Grand Tyler may be granted the

rank of “Very Worshipful” if he has served as

an Installed Master.

31

REGULATION 2 – RESOLUTIONS

Resolutions

R2.1 Any Member of Grand Lodge may

move a resolution or an amendment or an

amendment to an amendment, but no further

amendment is permissible.

Must be in Writing

R2.2 Resolutions must be submitted in

writing to the Grand Master if he so directs.

REGULATION 3 - GRAND LODGE

COMMITTEE ON CREDENTIALS

Purpose

R3.1 The purpose of the Credentials

Committee is to ensure that all members

who sit in Grand Lodge are entitled to be

there and are authorized to vote regarding

the business of Grand Lodge. The

committee must confirm that all proxies are

valid for the current session of Grand Lodge.

R3.2 Prior to the opening of a Grand Lodge

Communication, the Grand Master must

appoint a Chairman and a Committee on

Credentials.

Duties

R3.3 Examine the credentials and

qualifications of members entitled to sit and

vote in Grand Lodge

R3.4 Examine the validity of the proxies

produced to them, and

R3.5 Enter the names of members and

proxies on a register.

R3.6 Upon being satisfied as to their

entitlement, the Committee will hand ballot

papers to each member of Grand Lodge

when registered. The ballot papers will be

kept by the Member until used in the election

and delivered to the scrutinizers personally.

Reporting

R3.7 The Committee on Credentials must

report its findings to Grand Lodge as soon as

possible after the opening of the

Communication of Grand Lodge and before

the election of Grand Officers takes place. Its

report will show the:

(a) number of Lodges on the

Register;

(b) number of Lodges represented at

the Communication;

(c) number of Lodges not

represented;

(d) representatives present and

entitled to vote;

(e) representatives by proxy and

entitled to vote;

(f) number of visitors in attendance;

(g) total attendance at the

Communication.

Scrutineers

R3.8 After the adoption of the report of the

Committee on Credentials, the Grand Master

must appoint a sufficient number of Members

of Grand Lodge to act as scrutineers,

including a Chairman.

Duties

R3.9 The Scutineers must;

(a) collect the ballots cast;

(b) count the ballots and report the

result to the Grand Lodge;

(c) oversee the election under the

direction of the Grand Master.

32

REGULATION 4 - GRAND LODGE

BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES

Composition

R4.1 The Board of General Purposes

comprises not more than 20 members

including the following:

(a) Grand Lodge officers – The Grand

Master, Immediate Past Grand

Master, Deputy Grand Master, Senior

Grand Warden, Junior Grand

Warden, Grand Treasurer and Grand

Secretary;

(b) chairman of the Grand Lodge

Committees on Benevolence,

Constitution, Finance and

Jurisprudence. In his absence, a

member of his Committee may be

designated by him;

(c) regional representatives – the

elected Worshipful Brothers who

have been elected from up to nine

regions.

Quorum

R4.2 Quorum for a meeting of the Board of

General Purposes shall be five.

Call of Meeting

R4.3 The meetings of the Board of General

Purposes are at the call of the Grand Master

and are chaired by the Deputy Grand

Master.

Agenda

R4.4 The Grand Secretary must send a copy

of the agenda for any meeting of the Board

of General Purposes, at least seven days

prior to the meeting to all members, also to

the District Deputy Grand Masters and all

Past Grand Masters. Similarly a copy of the

minutes of each meeting must be sent to

these same Brethren within fourteen days of

a meeting.

REGULATION 5 - GRAND LODGE

TRIAL COMMISSION

Purpose

R5.1 The purpose of the Trail Commission is

to determine the guilt or innocence of any

Brother who has been charged with violating

Civil law, Masonic Law or Ethical

Obligations.

Appointments

R5.2 The Grand Master must appoint a

Chairman of the Trial Commission for a term

of three years. The Grand Master must name

three competent Brethren to hear and

determine charges sent for trial by the Grand

Secretary. They are members of the Trial

Commission for the duration of the case

before them.

Laying of Charge Procedure

R5.3 A charge that any Brother is guilty of

unmasonic, immoral or improper conduct

may be laid by any Member or Lodge. The

Grand Master may direct the laying of a

charge against any Brother.

Must be written and give particulars

R5.4 The charge must be written and signed

by the complainant giving the name, Lodge

and residential address of the accused, and

particulars of the alleged offence including

the time and place of its occurrence.

Charge filed with Grand Secretary

R5.5 The complainant must file the charge

and consult with the Grand Secretary, or

other Grand Lodge officer appointed for that

purpose by the Grand Master, to try to

eliminate any frivolous or annoying charges.

If after such consultation the complainant

wishes the charge to proceed, the Grand

Secretary must forward a copy of the charge

to the Secretary of the Lodge of which the

33

accused is a Member and to the Chairman of

the Trial Commission.

Upon receipt of Notice

R5.6 On receiving a Notice of Appeal or a

charge the Chairman of the Trial

Commission must set the time and place of

Trial. He will provide the accused with a copy

of the charge and particulars and give him

notice of when and where the Trial will be

held. The Trial must be held in the vicinity of

the accused Member’s Lodge where

possible.

Prosecutor appointed

R5.7 The Grand Master must appoint a

competent Member to conduct the

prosecution of the charge, gather and

present the evidence and witnesses.

The accused may choose counsel

R5.8 The accused may choose any Master

Mason to assist him and act as Counsel.

Duty to formulate rules

R5.9 The Trial Commission will set the

hearing rules and ensure that:

(a) rules respecting Masonic Trials

are adhered to;

(b) accused has reasonable notice of

the trial date and the opportunity to

prepare and present his defence;

(c) trial is brought to a close as

expeditiously as reasonable.

Guilty plea accepted

R5.10 If the accused pleads guilty, no further

proof will be necessary.

Must obey Summons

R5.11 Every Member is under an absolute

obligation to obey a summons issued to him.

If he disobeys a summons, he may be

suspended or expelled, unless it can be

shown that his disobedience was

unavoidable or was caused by some urgent

necessity.

Service in Person

R5.12 The written summons, when

practicable, must be personally served upon

the Member by the Tyler or some other

Freemason properly deputed for that

purpose. At least seven days’ notice must be

given.

Service by Mail

R5.13 If personal service is not possible, the

written summons must be sent to him by

registered mail, to his last known address,

which is deemed due and sufficient service.

At least fourteen days’ notice must be given.

If accused does not attend

R5.14 If the accused does not attend at the

time and place of Trial after notice has been

served on him, the Trial Commission may

proceed in his absence and conduct

proceedings to a final conclusion.

Absence of Accused

R5.15 In the absence of the accused, the

Trial Commission will appoint a competent

Master Mason to act for him as his Counsel

or representative. The absence of the

accused cannot be deemed to be a guilty

admission of the offence charged.

Chairman Decides all Questions

R5.16 The Chairman of the Trial

Commission will decide all questions

regarding the relevance of testimony or

argument and the regularity of the

proceedings. He may be guided by the rules

respecting evidence practiced in the Law

Courts of this jurisdiction. He has the power

to decide on any of these rules as to quality,

form or time in the interest of equity and

34

justice between the complainant and the

accused. Decisions of the Chairman must

be entered in the record of the Trial.

Sentences available

R5.17 After hearing the evidence and

argument, if the accused is found guilty of

the offence, the Trial Commission may

impose any of the following sentences:

(a) reprimand;

(b) suspension for a definite time;

(c) indefinite suspension;

(d) expulsion.

Appeal of Judgment

R5.18 An appeal may be made by the

complainant or by the defendant to the next

Annual Communication of Grand Lodge. The

Appeal must be in writing, signed by the

Petitioner, stating the reasons for Appeal and

be filed with the Grand Secretary within thirty

days of the date of the Judgment of the Trial

Commission. The Appeal does not relieve

the offender from the Judgment of the Trial

Commission pending its Hearing by Grand

Lodge.

Appeal Hearing

R5.19 The Appeal may be heard in such

manner as the Grand Master determines.

The Grand Master, or other Grand Officer

specifically appointed by the Grand Master,

will chair the Hearing of the Appeal and

determine the relevance of testimony or

argument at the Hearing. The question of

guilt, innocence or punishment is decided

only by a majority vote of the members of

Grand Lodge present throughout the Appeal

Hearing and this decision is final.

Reinstatement, when suspended

R5.20 When a Brother suspended for

unmasonic conduct desires to be reinstated

to the rights and privileges of Freemasonry

(including rank and title), he must petition the

Lodge which suspended him. The petition

must be presented at a Regular

Communication of the Lodge and lie over

until the next Regular Communication before

final action is taken. Notice of the petition

must be sent to all the members of the

Lodge in the notice for the Regular

Communication at which the question of

reinstatement is to be voted upon. The vote

for reinstatement must be by secret ballot

and requires a two-thirds vote of the

members present to restore the Brother.

R5.21 If two petitions by a suspended

Brother for reinstatement have been refused,

any subsequent petition by him for

reinstatement must be referred to a

Committee of three members who will make

strict examination into his moral, mental and

other qualifications and to report at the

Regular Communication at which the

question of reinstatement is to be voted on.

The vote may be postponed to a subsequent

Regular Communication if more time is

required for investigation and the members

are properly notified. If three members of the

Committee report unfavourably, the petition

must be rejected. Otherwise the Lodge may

proceed to ballot and if three or more black

balls are cast, the petition must be declared

rejected.

R5.22 If three petitions for reinstatement

have been denied, no further petition may be

brought except by Dispensation.

Expelled Brother Procedure

R5.23 An expelled Brother who wishes to

petition Grand Lodge to be restored to the

rights and privileges of Freemasonry, must

submit his written intention to the Lodge of

which he was last a member and the Lodge

at whose instigation he was expelled, if the

35

Lodge exists, at least sixty days before the

Annual Communication of Grand Lodge at

which his petition is to be presented. Before

his petition can be considered by Grand

Lodge, proof must be provided that the

Lodge, if it exists, has been so notified. Any

decision of Grand Lodge under this Section

is final and binding.

Procedure, if Lodge extinct etc.

R5.24 If the Lodge which suspended a

Brother has ceased to exist, or if it has

refused to reinstate him, the Brother may

petition Grand Lodge. Notice of such a

petition must be in writing to the Lodge if it

exists, and also to Grand Lodge, at least

sixty days before the Communication of

Grand Lodge at which the petition is to be

presented. Before the petition can be

considered by Grand Lodge, the suspended

Brother must provide proof that he has

applied for reinstatement to the Lodge which

suspended him if it exists, and that the

Lodge has been notified of the intended

application to Grand Lodge. In all cases of

reinstatement or restoration by Grand Lodge,

the reinstated or restored Brother has the

status of a non-affiliated Brother. Any

decision of Grand Lodge under this Section

is final and binding.

Lodge applies to lift Expulsion

R5.25 If a Lodge wishes to petition Grand

Lodge for the restoration of an expelled

Brother, the Lodge must provide notice to all

the members of the Lodge of its intention,

and of the Regular Communication at which

it will be considered. The minutes of the

Communication must record that proper

notice was given. Two-thirds of all Lodge

members present must ballot favourably to

authorize the presentation of such a petition

to Grand Lodge.

REGULATION 6 - DUTIES OF GRAND

LODGE OFFICERS

Grand Master

Prerogative

R6.1 The Grand Master has the authority of

Grand Lodge during his term of office. The

Grand Master has the right and privilege to

preside in any Lodge and perform the

following ceremonies:

(a) dedicate Masonic Halls;

(b) constitute Lodges;

(c) lay foundation stones;

(e) install Grand Lodge Officers.

R6.1.1 No one can lawfully perform any of

these ceremonies unless authorized to do so

by him.

Member of all Committees

R6.2 The Grand Master is an ex officio

member of all committees and boards

appointed by him or by Grand Lodge.

Member of all Lodges

R6.3 The Grand Master is a courtesy

member of each of the Lodges in this Grand

Jurisdiction but without the right to vote.

Jurisdiction Powers

R6.4 The Grand Master has the right, power

and authority to determine;

(a) all differences between Lodges;

(b) all differences between a Lodge

or any of its members in one Masonic

District and another Lodge or Lodges

within another Masonic District;

(c) complaints against a District

Deputy Grand Master;

(d) complaints against an unaffiliated

Freemason residing in this

Jurisdiction.

36

R6.5 He must report his action in respect to

this section to Grand Lodge.

May Direct Charges for Unmasonic,

Immoral or Infamous Conduct

R6.6 If the Grand Master receives

information regarding the unmasonic,

immoral or infamous conduct of any Member

of the Craft or Brother that he believes may

bring the good name of Freemasonry into

disrepute, he may direct an investigation to

be conducted and charges be laid against

the allegedly offending Freemason. When

directed, the Lodge of the Member, or a

Lodge designated by the Grand Master,

must investigate and if the complaint is

credible charge him on the alleged

unmasonic, immoral or infamous conduct in

the manner provided for the trial of masonic

offences.

May Send Officers

R6.7 The Grand Master may send his

officers to visit any Lodge.

May Summon Officers or Members with

power to Suspend

R6.8 The Grand Master may order the

Officers of any Lodge to meet with him, or

his representative, and to produce the

Warrant and records of the Lodge. He may

order any Member to meet with him, or his

representative, and produce his certificate.

He may suspend the Lodge or Member who

refuses to comply with his order. For good

reasons shown, he may suspend any officer

of a Lodge and suspend the Warrant or

Dispensation of any Lodge for any period he

determines but no longer than until the next

Annual Communication of Grand Lodge.

May Suspend

R6.9 When the Grand Master is trying to

resolve a dispute that disrupts the peace and

harmony of a Lodge, he may, after giving not

more than 60 days’ notice to the offending

Brethren, suspend the offending Brother or

Brethren. The suspension is for any period

he determines but no longer than until the

next Annual Communication of Grand Lodge.

May Relieve Suspension

R6.10 If the Warrant or Dispensation of any

Lodge is suspended by the Grand Master, all

Entered Apprentices, Fellow Crafts and

Members of the Lodge stand suspended

during the period of the suspension

determined by the Grand Master. The Grand

Master may exempt or relieve from the

suspension any Member he may determine

is entitled to this relief.

May grant Dispensations

R6.11 The Grand Master may grant

Dispensations as allowable by the laws of

Grand Lodge.

Power to decide Questions

R6.12 The Grand Master may decide any

question presented on usage, order and

Masonic law, not currently defined in this

Constitution and Regulations, and decide on

the approval of the Bylaws of Warranted

Lodges or any requested amendments.

Masonic Publications

R6.13 When the Grand Master is satisfied of

the discretion of the publishers of a Masonic

publication, and their loyalty to the principles

of the Craft, he may give permission for such

publication in general terms and

prospectively, but such permission may be

revoked at any time by the Grand Master.

May appoint Representative

R6.14 The Grand Master may recommend a

Brother to represent this Grand Lodge in

another jurisdiction. He may also recognize

37

a Brother appointed in another Grand Lodge

as their representative to this Grand Lodge.

The appointment shall be for five years and

may be accepted or removed by mutual

agreement.

When Visiting Lodges

R6.15 When the Grand Master presides in a

Lodge, he may request any of the Grand

Officers to assist him. His Deputy is seated

on his right, and the Worshipful Master of the

Lodge on the left. The Grand Wardens may

act as Wardens of the Lodge. If the Grand

Wardens are not present, the Grand Master

may direct any Master Masons to act as

Grand Wardens.

Official Communications to Grand Master

R6.16 Any business concerning Freemasons

or Freemasonry to be decided by the Grand

Master must be conducted only through the

Grand Secretary. The Deputy Grand Master,

Elected Grand officers and District Deputy

Grand Masters may communicate directly

with the Grand Master on any matters

relating to the Craft in their respective

Jurisdiction.

Abuse of Powers

R6.17 If in the opinion of a committee

comprising the Grand elected officers, the

Immediate Past Grand Master, and the

Chairmen of the Committees on Constitution,

Jurisprudence and Finance, the Grand

Master becomes incapable of performing

properly or honorably the duties and

functions of his office, by reason of:

(a) his absence from the Jurisdiction

without notifying the Grand Secretary;

(b) by illness or disability;

(c) for any cause whatsoever;

The committee must arrange for a Grand

Lodge Communication to deal with the

matter.

R6.18 The most senior Grand Lodge Officer

must instruct the Committee to call the

Communication. Grand Lodge may confirm

the Grand Master in his office, or take such

other action considered advisable.

Deputy Grand Master

Authority and Duties

R6.19 The Deputy Grand Master discharges

the duties that may be delegated to him by

the Grand Master. The Deputy Grand Master

assumes all the authority and functions of

the Grand Master: (a) for the unexpired portion of his

term of office in the event of the

death of the Grand Master;

(b) for the duration of the absence of

the Grand Master from the

Jurisdiction.

Successor in the event of Absence

R6.20 In the event of the Deputy Grand

Master assuming the Grand Master’s office

the provisions regarding the absence from

the Jurisdiction or death of the Grand Master

will apply to the Deputy Grand Master. The

senior ranking officer of Grand Lodge must

immediately, through the Grand Secretary,

call a Communication of Grand Lodge to

elect a Grand Master to fill that office, for the

unexpired portion of the absent Grand

Masters term.

Grand Wardens

R6.21 Senior Grand Warden

The Senior Grand Warden’s duty, in the

absence of the Grand Master and the Deputy

Grand Master, is to govern the Craft and, in

their presence, to strengthen and support

their authority. He performs such other duties

as are assigned to him by the Grand Master.

38

Junior Grand Warden

R6.22 The Junior Grand Warden’s duty, in

the absence of his superior officers, is to

govern the Craft and, in their presence, to

aid and assist them in their duties. He

performs such other duties as are assigned

to him by the Grand Master.

Grand Treasurer

Duties and Authority

R6.23 The Grand Treasurer for such periods

as Grand Lodge may direct, or whenever

directed by the Grand Master, must receive

all money and deposit all amounts received

from Grand Lodge in a Chartered Bank. He

must maintain proper accounting records

showing details and allocations of all

amounts received and to execute all

disbursements of funds as Grand Lodge may

direct.

Authority to Disburse Funds

R6.24 The Grand Treasurer can disburse

general funds only on written authorization

signed by the Grand Secretary and one

member of the Finance Committee.

Disbursement Constraints

R6.25 Total disbursements for each class of

expenditure cannot exceed the estimates

adopted by Grand Lodge for the year. Where

the Grand Master considers it is necessary

to exceed the estimates, he may authorize

an additional expenditure by special warrant.

Full details of any special warrants must be

provided to Grand Lodge at the next Annual

Communication.

To submit Financial Statements

R6.26 Financial statements and records

must be provided to the Finance Committee

for inspection at the Annual Communication

of Grand Lodge or when directed by the

Grand Master.

To execute Surety Bond

R6.27 A surety bond for the faithful

discharge of his duties must be executed

and filed with the Grand Secretary for such

penal sum as Grand Lodge may direct using

sureties approved by the Grand Master. The

surety bond premium is paid by Grand

Lodge. At the end of his term, he must

transfer all funds and properties of Grand

Lodge in his possession to his successor.

To be Joint Custodian Securities

R6.28 The Grand Treasurer has joint and

equal custody, with the Grand Secretary, of

all bonds, stocks and securities of Grand

Lodge. He has the authority, jointly with the

Grand Secretary, to purchase and to sell,

transfer or exchange any securities that

belong to Grand Lodge. The Finance

Committee may advise and direct the Grand

Treasurer and Grand Secretary as to the

safekeeping, purchase, sale, transfer or

exchange of all bonds, stocks and securities.

No purchase, sale, transfer or exchange can

be made except on the written authorization

of the Grand Treasurer, Grand Secretary and

one member of the Finance Committee, or

any two of them, one of whom must be a

member of the Finance Committee.

Honorarium

R6.29 The Grand Treasurer receives out of

Grand Lodge Funds such remuneration as

Grand Lodge may determine.

Grand Secretary

Duties and Authority

R6.30 The Grand Secretary for such periods

as Grand Lodge may direct, or whenever

directed by the Grand Master, must

Issue notices and take minutes for all

Communications of Grand Lodge, to

summon any committee when directed by

39

the Grand Master or Grand Lodge, and to

receive their reports.

R.6.31 Receive returns and reports required

from all Lodge Secretaries and to record

details as necessary.

R6.32 Report pertinent particulars such as

Lodge membership, funds and properties of

each Lodge at the Annual Communication of

Grand Lodge.

R6.33 Provide to each Lodge a copy of

Grand Lodge proceedings and any other

documents directed by the Grand Master or

Grand Lodge.

R6.34 Notify Lodges in each District of their

newly appointed District Deputy Grand

Master and provide him with;

(a) contact information for Lodges in

his District;

(b) the current Constitution and

Regulations;

(c) the Book of Ceremonies.

R6.35 Receive all correspondence directed

to Grand Lodge and see that information is

efficiently provided to the Grand Master,

Grand Lodge Officers, or authorities as

appropriate.

R6.36 Attend the Grand Master, Grand

Lodge or any Grand Lodge Committee when

necessary and provide them any information

that is required;

R6.37 Conduct the Business of Grand Lodge

and develop and maintain efficient business

practices.

R6.38 Have custody of the Grand Lodge

Seal which must be applied to all Warrants,

Certificates and other documents issued by

and under the Authority of the Grand Master

or Grand Lodge.

R6.39 Maintain Membership Records of all

Members, including their names and contact

information, Lodges to which they belong

and such other information he considers

necessary.

R6.40 Maintain a record of individuals

rejected, suspended or expelled and to notify

all Lodges of these names when deemed

necessary.

R6.41 Record all transactions of the Annual

Grand Lodge Communication which are

proper to record, and oversee the publication

and distribution of those proceedings

immediately following the Communication.

R.6.42 Record all monies received by him

and to transfer such amounts to the Grand

Treasurer accompanied by appropriate

vouchers and to present a report of the same

to the Annual Communication of Grand

Lodge.

Custodian of Securities

R6.43 To be Custodian of Securities of

Grand Lodge, jointly and equally with the

Grand Treasurer. He has the authority, jointly

with the Grand Treasurer, to purchase and to

sell, transfer or exchange any securities that

belong to Grand Lodge. The Finance

Committee may advise and direct the Grand

Secretary and Grand Treasurer as to the

safekeeping, purchase, sale, transfer or

exchange of all bonds, stocks and securities.

No purchase, sale, transfer or exchange can

be made except on the written authorization

of the Grand Secretary, Grand Treasurer and

one member of the Finance Committee, or

any two of them, one of whom must be a

member of the Finance Committee.

Execute Bond

R6.44 To execute a Bond, filed with the

Grand Treasurer, for the faithful discharge of

his duties for such sum as Grand Lodge may

direct using bonds approved by the Grand

Master. The bond premium is paid by Grand

Lodge. At the end of his term, he must

transfer all funds and properties of Grand

Lodge in his possession to his successor.

40

Grand Lodge Annual Proceedings

R6.45 The Grand Secretary must provide

without charge one copy of the Annual

Proceedings of Grand Lodge to each Lodge.

Any Master Mason may be entitled to one or

more copies upon application to the Grand

Secretary and payment of the prescribed fee

for each copy.

Honorarium

R6.46 The Grand Secretary may receive

such remuneration from Grand Lodge funds

as determined by Grand Lodge.

District Deputy Grand Masters

Division of Grand Lodge’s Jurisdiction

R6.47 The Jurisdiction of Grand Lodge is

divided into named and numbered Districts.

Lodges are assigned by Grand Lodge to

these Districts as appropriate.

Appointed at Annual Communication

R6.48 At the Annual Communication of

Grand Lodge, the Grand Master must

appoint a District Deputy Grand Master

(DDGM) for each District. The DDGM has

authority over all Lodges and Freemasons

residing in his District.

Qualifications

R6.49 The DDGM must be a Member of a

Lodge in his District and a Past Master.

Privilege of the DDGM

R6.50 The DDGM is a non-voting Member of

every Lodge in his District.

Advisers of Benevolent Fund

R6.51 All DDGMs are members of the

advisory committee to the Grand Lodge

Benevolent Fund Board of Trustees.

Must examine Lodge records

R6.52 The DDGM must examine the books,

bylaws, regulations and records of each

Lodge in his District to ensure they meet the

requirements of Grand Lodge. The

Worshipful Master and Lodge Officers will

support this procedure.

Power To Preside

R6.53 In the absence of the Grand Master,

the DDGM may preside at any Lodge he

visits in his District. The Worshipful Master

sits on the DDGM’s right.

Power To Summon

R6.54 The DDGM may summon;

(a) any Lodge in his District to deliver

its Warrant, books, papers and

accounts;

(b) any of the Brethren in his district

to show his Grand Lodge certificate;

(c) if a Lodge or Brother refuses to

comply with the request, and does

not provide a satisfactory explanation

for the defiance, an authoritative

summons may be issued.

(d) if the Lodge or Brother continues

to reject the DDGM’s authority, the

DDGM must notify the Grand Master

immediately.

Power To Investigate

R6.55 Under the direction of the Grand

Master, the DDGM will investigate;

(a) complaints against a Worshipful

Master in his District;

(b) disputes between Lodges in his

District;

(c) quarrels between Brethren of

different Lodges within his District.

Duties

R6.56 Exercise a general supervision of the

Craft in his District;

41

R6.57 Visit all Lodges in his District during

his term of office and to see that they are

functioning effectively and that all returns,

fees and assessments required by Grand

Lodge have been completed or remitted.

R6.58 Visits must not conflict with an official

visit the Grand Master may be making to his

District.

R6.59 Examine the recommended

Worshipful Master of a proposed new Lodge

to be satisfied he has the qualifications

necessary to perform the duties of that office.

In this respect, he is authorized to summon

the Member for examination and to report to

the Grand Master.

R6.60 See that a Lodge under Dispensation

in his District seeking a Warrant has

provided itself with a suitable meeting place,

furniture and clothing.

R6.61 Report to the Grand Master seeking

direction and advice on any matter of

urgency which could bring the good name of

Freemasonry into disrepute.

R6.62 Submit a report to the Grand Master

no later than May 1st regarding all the duties

he has performed during his term of office.

R6.63 Convene a meeting of Past District

Deputy Grand Masters from each Lodge in

his District, if possible, to seek input and

submit recommendations for his replacement

to the Grand Secretary by January 1st. The

recommendations must include three or

more names of suitable candidates for

appointment as District Deputy Grand Master

at the next Annual Communication of Grand

Lodge. The incoming Grand Master may, if

he wishes, select a nominee from the list of

names.

District Education Officer

R6.64 The District Education Officer is

appointed and invested by the District

Deputy Grand Master at the start of the

Masonic year in a Lodge within the District.

His collar is royal blue and the Jewel

appended to it is the Lamp of Learning in

silver colour. The duties of the District

Education Officer are to manage education

programs in the District, and to provide

guidance and support to those Lodge

Members appointed to instruct the Brethren

in the principles of our Order.

Appointed Officers

Grand Director of Ceremonies

R6.65 Proclaim the Grand Lodge Officers at

their installation, and make such other

proclamations as the Grand Master may

direct

R6.65.1 He is a member of the Grand Lodge

Communication Committee.

Grand Historian

R6.66 Collect, record and report on all data

relative to the formation and progress of

Grand Lodge and its Lodges.

Grand Deacons

R6.67 They must assist the Grand Master

and Grand Wardens in such manner as the

Ancient Charges and usages of the Craft

stipulate.

Grand Superintendent of Works

R6.68 Take under his care all working tools

and to assist at all ceremonies of laying

corner stones and dedications, and to

officiate as directed.

Grand Marshal

R6.69 Aid and assist the Grand Director of

Ceremonies in conducting all ceremonies of

Grand Lodge.

Grand Sword Bearer

R6.70 Carry the sword of Grand Lodge in all

public processions and other ceremonies.

42

Grand Standard Bearer

R6.71 Carry the Banner of Grand Lodge in

all processions and at all public ceremonies.

Grand Pursuivant

R6.72 Guard the inner door.

R6.72.1 Communicate with the Grand Tyler.

R6.72.2 Announce applicants for admission

by name and title.

R6.72.3 Ensure the Brethren entering wear

the clothing and jewel of their rank.

R6.72.4 Permit none to enter or leave

without permission of the Grand Master.

Grand Stewards

R6.73 They must supervise the preparations

for all festive occasions and assist with the

arrangements for Grand Lodge

Communication.

Grand Chaplain

R6.74 Attend all Communications of Grand

Lodge and offer up suitable prayers for the

occasion.

R6.74.1 When requested, address any

religious service attended by Grand Lodge.

Grand Director of Music

R6.75 He must conduct the musical

ceremonies of Grand Lodge.

Grand Tyler

R6.76 Guard the outer door.

R6.76.1 Report all applicants for admission

to the Grand Pursuivant.

R6.76.2 Ensure Brethren are properly

clothed and qualified.

R6.76.3 Ensure Brethren have signed the

Grand Lodge register.

R6.76.4 Take charge and safely keep the

jewels, furniture, clothing and other

paraphernalia of Grand Lodge.

R6.76.5 See that the hall during the Session

is kept in a proper condition.

R6.76.6 Serve all Summonses.

R6.76.7 Perform such other duties as may

be required.

R6.76.8 Receive such remuneration as

Grand Lodge shall direct.

Grand Representative Duties

R6.77 Members of Grand Lodge appointed

as Grand Representatives, and their

counterparts from another recognized Grand

Lodge, are expected to;

(a) promote the Masonic ties between

the two Grand Lodges;

(b) endeavour to establish and

maintain a fraternal relationship; (c) report annually on activities, contacts, and the points of interest pertinent to both Grand Lodges in a manner determined by this Grand Lodge;

(d) attend the Annual

Communication, and other functions, of the Grand Lodge he represents where feasible.

R6.77.1 A Grand Representative who fails to

attend three consecutive Annual

Communications of this Grand Lodge may

forfeit his appointment as a Representative

to this Grand Lodge unless an acceptable

reason for his absence from the Annual

Communication has been received by Grand

Lodge.

R6.77.2 Where a Grand Representative from

another GL jurisdiction forfeits his

appointment due to lack of attendance the

Grand Secretary may notify the GL which

sponsored the GL representative.

R6.77.3 A Grand Representative may submit

to the Grand Secretary by December 31st a

written request to be relieved of his

appointment.

43

REGULATION 7 - GRAND LODGE

STANDING COMMITTEES

Committees to be Appointed R7.1 Upon assuming office, the Grand

Master must appoint the Chairman and at

least two additional Brethren to the Standing

Committees.

Standing Committees

R7.2 Unless modified by Grand Lodge at an

Annual Communication, the following is the

list of Standing Committees:

(a) Constitution;

(b) Education and Leadership;

(c) Finance;

(d) Fraternal Relations of Grand

Lodge;

(e) Jurisprudence;

(f) Rituals and Ceremonies;

(g) Warranted Lodges and Lodges

Under Dispensation;

(h) Grand Lodge Communication;

(i) Lodge Buildings;

(j) Community Relations.

Matters directed to Committee Chairmen

R7.3 All correspondence regarding matters

pertaining to any Committee received by the

Grand Secretary must be sent to the

Chairman of the Committee concerned. The

Committee will investigate the matters

referred to them and report to Grand Lodge

at the next Communication of Grand Lodge.

Powers of Chairman

R7.4. The Chairmen of Committees have the

power to require the attendance of witnesses

and the production of records if necessary to

investigate matters referred to them.

R7.4.1 The Chairman cannot serve for more

than five consecutive years.

Reporting

R7.5 Each Committee of Grand Lodge must

provide a written report to Grand Lodge at its

Annual Communication.

(a) All reports of Standing

Committees, once reported to Grand

Lodge in writing, and published in the

Advance Proceedings will be deemed

to be received.

(b) If a required report only contains

statements of fact or opinion for the

information of the Brethren, the

reporting member will make no

motion for its disposal.

(c) If a required report contains

recommendations which are not in

the form of motions, the

recommendations must be listed at

the end of the report, even if they

have been given separately before,

and a motion to adopt each

recommendation is required.

(d) If a required report concludes with

a resolution or resolutions, the

reporting member must move that the

resolution or resolutions be adopted.

Quorum for Meetings

R7.6 A Quorum is the lesser of the majority

or three members of the committee.

Finance Committee

Recommend Auditors

R7.7 At each Annual Communication, on the

recommendation of the Finance Committee,

Grand Lodge, by resolution, must appoint a

Chartered Accountant or Accountants or

other duly and properly qualified person or

persons to be the Auditor or Auditors of

Grand Lodge.

44

Advise on Auditor’s report

R7.7.1 Advise and make recommendations

regarding any matters arising from the

Auditor’s report.

Report on Financial Condition

R7.7.2 Examine and report on all accounts

and financial matters referred to them during

each Communication, and to report on the

financial condition of Grand Lodge.

Advise on Securities Issues

R7.7.3 Advise and direct the Grand

Treasurer and Grand Secretary regarding

the safekeeping, purchase, sale, transfer or

exchange of the bonds, stocks and securities

of Grand Lodge.

Contingency Reserve

R7.7.4 Recommend to Grand Lodge the

establishment of a reserve or contingency

account out of the general funds of Grand

Lodge and the amounts that should be

placed to the credit of such reserve or

contingency account. All withdrawals from

the reserve or contingency account can be

made only on the recommendation of the

Finance Committee and approved by the

Grand Master.

Masonic Bursary Account

R7.7.5 Recommend to Grand Lodge the

amount that may be placed to the credit of

the Masonic Bursary Account from the

General Fund of Grand Lodge.

Present Annual Estimates

R7.7.6 Present annual estimates before the

close of each Annual Communication of the

probable expenses of the ensuing year,

giving each class of expenditure under its

proper head.

Annual Per-capita Assessment

R7.7.7 Recommend to Grand Lodge for its

adoption the assessment to be paid by each

Lodge for each member to accompany the

approval of estimates of expenditures for the

ensuing year at the Annual Communication.

The assessment is to be based on the

membership as at the preceding December

31st to produce the amount required to meet

the expenditures in the estimates after taking

into account anticipated revenue from other

sources.

Community Charities Fund Assessment

R7.7.8 Recommend to Grand Lodge its

adoption of the assessment to be paid by

each Lodge for each member to meet the

Community Charities Fund requirements for

the ensuing year. The assessment is to be

based on the membership as of the

preceding December 31st. The

recommended amount required takes into

account anticipated revenue from other

resources.

Grand Lodge Fees

R7.7.9 To determine, in consultation with the

Grand Secretary, fees payable by Lodges for

goods and services received. The fees must

be presented as an appendix to the Grand

Lodge budget annually for approval at the

Grand Lodge Communication, and published

and provided to each Lodge in September of

that year.

Auditors

Duties

R7.8 The Auditor, for such periods as Grand

Lodge may direct, or whenever directed by

the Grand Master, must:

(a) audit the financial records of the

Grand Treasurer, Grand Secretary

and the Trustees of the Benevolent

Fund of Grand Lodge;

45

(b) deliver an audit report to the

Grand Master, the Grand Treasurer,

the Grand Secretary and to the

Chairman of the Committee on

Finance;

(c) make recommendations for the

better management, care and

custody of the funds and securities of

Grand Lodge;

(d) present any reports or

recommendations to Grand Lodge at

its next Annual Communication.

Warranted Lodges and Lodges under

Dispensation Committee Duties

R7.9 The Committee for such periods as

Grand Lodge may direct, or whenever

directed by the Grand Master, must:

(a) examine the returns of the

proceedings and work of all

Warranted Lodges and Lodges Under

Dispensation for the preceding year

and to report to Grand Lodge its

findings thereon;

(b) recommend to Grand Lodge the

division of this Grand jurisdiction into

Districts, including their names and

numbers, boundaries and the Lodges

to be included in each District.

Grand Lodge Communication

Committee Duties

R7.10 The Committee for such periods as

Grand Lodge may direct, or whenever

directed by the Grand Master, must:

(a) liaise with the Grand Treasurer

and the Grand Secretary who are

responsible for overseeing the Grand

Lodge Communication;

(b) liaise with the Local Committee;

(c) liaise with the Finance Committee;

(d) assist with Grand Lodge

Registration and Credential

Committee;

(e) assist with Ritual and Protocol;

(f) assists on rates, planning and

advertising;

(g) examine and consider the

suitability of places for each Annual

Communication of Grand Lodge,

including the adequacy of the

facilities and accommodations for the

meeting. Report to Grand Lodge

their findings and recommendation

before any place of meeting is

considered;

(h) applications for the place of

meeting for the Grand Lodge

Communication must be submitted to

the Grand Lodge Communication

Committee at least four years in

advance and by December 31st in the

year prior to the next Grand Lodge

Communication.

Lodge Buildings Committee

Duties

R7.11 The Committee for such periods as

Grand Lodge may direct, or whenever

directed by the Grand Master, must:

(a) provide advice, consultation and

assistance to all Lodges, including

matters of design and construction of

new or existing Lodge Buildings and

on taxation and insurance.

Jurisprudence Committee

Duties

R7.12 The Committee for such periods as

Grand Lodge may direct, or whenever

directed by the Grand Master, must:

(a) consider and report to Grand

Lodge on any questions, papers and

decisions relating to Masonic law and

46

usage that may be referred to them

by the Grand Secretary.

Rituals Committee

Duties

R7.13 The Committee for such periods as

Grand Lodge may direct, or whenever

directed by the Grand Master, must:

(a) supervise all amendments to and

revisions of the Rituals and

Ceremonies as approved by Grand

Lodge;

(b) when deemed necessary, to

recommend such amendments to

correct any anomalies or defects as

may become apparent in the practical

performance of the work;

(c) consider and report on such ritual

or ceremonial matters that may be

brought to their attention and to make

recommendations to Grand Lodge as

necessary.

Education and Leadership Committee

Duties

R7.14 The Committee for such periods as

Grand Lodge may direct, or whenever

directed by the Grand Master, must:

(a) develop and promote instructional

material in appropriate formats in

support of mentor, Lodge

management and leadership training

programs;

(b) publicize and recommends the

circulation of this and other Masonic

material through District and Lodge

Education Officers.

Constitution Committee

Duties

R7.15 The Committee for such periods as

Grand Lodge may direct, or whenever

directed by the Grand Master, must:

(a) examine all proposed

amendments to the Constitution or

Regulations;

(b) see that they are in accordance

with strict Masonic usage;

(c) supervise all revisions of the

Constitution or Regulations;

(d) provide recommendations and

advice as it considers necessary.

Community Relations Committee

Duties

R7.16 The Committee for such periods as

Grand Lodge may direct, or whenever

directed by the Grand Master, must:

(a) provide advice, consultation and

assistance to Grand Lodge on

request in matters of media exposure

and community relations;

(b) to assist Craft Lodges in the

preparation of, and to approve on

behalf of Grand Lodge (subject to the

direction of the Grand Master), all

public releases on behalf of Grand

Lodge;

(c) to assist in the development of

communications skills in dealing with

new and prospective members;

(d) oversee video and audio

productions and the publications of

Grand Lodge;

(e) render such other assistance to

the Grand Master in the field of

Community Relations as he may

direct.

Fraternal Relations Committee

Duties:

R7.17 The Committee for such periods as

Grand Lodge may direct, or whenever

directed by the Grand Master, must:

(a) review and investigate the

legitimacy and regularity of all Grand

Jurisdictions requesting recognition

47

and make recommendations to

Grand Lodge;

(b) review and report when

necessary to Grand Lodge on the

basic principles for Grand Lodge

recognition;

(c) maintain and review a list of

recognized Grand Jurisdictions;

(d) review the appointments of

Representatives of other Jurisdictions

near this Grand Lodge and make

recommendations on these to the

Grand Master;

(e) review and makes

recommendations to Grand Lodge

regarding the Grand Representative

program.

Mediation Committee

Purpose

R7.18 The Grand Lodge Mediation

Committee acts at the request of the Grand

Master to provide mediation assistance to

Lodges and their Brethren where;

(a) unresolved conflicts exist within

Lodges relating to conduct of the

Lodge and its business;

(b) serious piques or quarrels exist

between individual Brothers or

groups of Brethren.

How Services Obtained

R7.18.1 To access the services of the

committee;

(a) the Secretary of the Lodge in

which the issue has arisen must

contact the Grand Secretary, explain

the nature of the concern(s) and

request assistance;

(b) the Grand Secretary may, after

becoming aware of a dispute in a

Lodge, recommend referral to the

committee.

Appointments

R7.18.2 The chairman of the Mediation

Committee is appointed by the Grand Master

and will serve at his discretion. There will be

no other permanent members on the

committee.

R7.18.3 Individuals will be recommended for

temporary appointment as a mediator on a

case-by-case basis by the committee

chairman in consultation with the Grand

Secretary.

R7.18.4 Normally, to serve as mediators, the

Brethren will have some professional

experience and demonstrated skill in dispute

mediation and resolution.

R7.18.5 Preferably members will be selected

for temporary appointment from the

geographic area near the Lodge where the

concern has arisen in order to provide best

ease of access for Lodges and Brethren to

the services of the mediator.

R7.18.6 The committee chairman may act

directly in the capacity of a mediator.

Mediation Process

R7.18.7 Once advised by the Committee

Chairman of the details of the conflict, the

appointed mediator will communicate directly

with the Lodge and or Brethren involved and

provide his assistance as a mediator. He

may work in concert with the Committee

Chairman in this undertaking;

R7.18.8 On the conclusion of his efforts, the

mediator will report to the Committee

Chairman and Grand Secretary who will

determine if the matter has been

satisfactorily resolved and, if not,

recommend if the matter should be referred

to the Trial Commission;

R7.18.9 The final decision as to the

appropriateness of the resolution of the

concern and whether it should be referred to

the Trial Commission will rest with the Grand

Secretary and the Grand Master.

48

REGULATION 8 - AD HOC

COMMITTEES

R8.1 The Grand Master may appoint ad hoc

committees with specific mandates.

REGULATION 9 - GRAND LODGE

FUNDS

Benevolent Fund

Purpose of Fund

R9.1 The purpose of the Benevolent Fund is

to expend funds in the financial relief of

Brethren within this jurisdiction. The Fund is

primarily to be used for the permanent relief

of Lodge Members or their widows, orphans

and dependants; but the Board of Trustees

may grant assistance to Grand Lodge,

Lodges and Grand Lodges of other

recognized jurisdictions for temporary relief

and for funerals.

Board of Trustees

R9.1.1 The Benevolent Fund is administered

by a five member Board of Trustees, three to

form a quorum for the transaction of

business.

R9.1.2 One trustee is appointed by the

Grand Master at each Annual

Communication of Grand Lodge to hold

office for five years.

R9.1.3 All trustees hold office until their

successors are appointed.

R9.1.4 The Grand Master may make

appointments to fill any vacancies that may

occur on the Board for the unexpired term of

the vacancy.

R9.1.5 When appointed, three members of

the Board must reside in the Counties of

Vancouver or Westminster and one on

Vancouver Island.

Duties of Trustees

R9.1.6 Assess all requests for funds paying

heed to whether in the opinion of the Board

of Trustees the amounts requested will

relieve the Brother’s distress.

R9.1.7 Administer the revenue or income

from the Fund.

R9.1.8 Examine and report on all matters

referred to it by Grand Lodge relating to or

arising out of the administration of the Fund.

R9.1.9 Examine all reports of the Secretaries

of Lodges regarding relief, which have been

referred to the Board of Trustees by the

Grand Secretary, and to report and make

recommendations to Grand Lodge.

R9.1.10 Make rules and regulations

governing its administration which are

consistent and comply with the Constitution

and Regulations.

R9.1.11 Provide a written report to Grand

Lodge each year at the Annual

Communication.

R9.1.12 May also approve the transfer of up

to 15% of unspent revenue to the

Emergency Relief Fund annually.

Fund kept separate

R9.1.13 The Fund must be kept separate

from the ordinary Funds of Grand Lodge,

and be in the custody of the Grand Treasurer

and the Grand Secretary. They may invest or

reinvest portions of the Funds as are

available in such securities of high quality

and low risk as they consider prudent and

appropriate. They are not limited to those

investments authorized by law for Trustees.

Securities, holding and purchase

R9.1.14 The Finance Committee may advise

and direct the Grand Treasurer and Grand

Secretary regarding the safekeeping of the

securities of the Fund and the purchase,

sale, transfer or exchange of such securities.

49

R9.1.15 A purchase, sale, transfer or

exchange may be made only on the written

order of the Grand Treasurer, Grand

Secretary and a member of the Finance

Committee or any two of them, one of whom

shall be a member of the Finance

Committee.

Reporting

R9.1.16 When the need for relief arises, the

circumstances should be reported in writing

to the Board of Trustees, which may take

such action as it deems necessary. A portion

of such unexpended revenue or income in

the Fund at the end of each year as the

Board of Trustees may recommend and

Grand Lodge approves may be transferred to

the Masonic Bursary Fund.

How Funds disbursed .

R9.1.17 Disbursements of revenue or

income including interest of the Fund can be

made by the Grand Treasurer only on written

authorization signed by the Grand Secretary

and one other member of the Board of

Trustees of the Benevolent Fund.

Capital may be used

R9.1.18 The capital of the Fund may be

disbursed for such patriotic, benevolent and

charitable purposes as Grand Lodge by

resolution may determine;

R9.1.19 Capital of the Benevolent Fund can

be dispersed by the Grand Treasurer only on

written authorization signed by the Grand

Secretary and the Grand Master after Grand

Lodge has passed a resolution authorizing

such a disbursement.

Grand Lodge Approval required

R9.1.20 Grand Lodge cannot spend more

than $5000 of the Capital of the Benevolent

Fund in any one year for any specific

purpose until a written notice of motion is

given at a previous Grand Lodge

Communication or to the Grand Secretary

three months before the Communication at

which the motion is to be made. The notice

of motion to make the expenditure and the

purpose for which it is proposed to be

expended must be stated.

R9.1.21 The Grand Secretary must send a

copy of the motion to the Lodges at least two

months before the Communication. The

motion also must be published in the notice

calling the Communication.

Report from Finance Committee

R9.1.22 No recommendation or motion for

the disbursement of any portion of the capital

of the fund may be placed before Grand

Lodge until a report on the same is received

from the Finance Committee.

Emergency Relief Fund

Purpose of Fund

R9.2 The capital together with any income

accruing on it may be used for the purpose

of providing emergency relief for Masonic

benevolence, natural or manmade disasters,

or other relief as determined by the trustees.

Trustees

R9.2.1 The Board of Trustees comprises the

Grand Secretary, the Grand Treasurer and

the Chairman of the Finance Committee.

Trustee Duties

R9.2.2 Assess the merits of each request for

assistance.

R9.2.3 Determine the amount of any

disbursements to be made;

R9.2.4 Provides a written report to Grand

Lodge each year.

50

Fund kept separate

R9.2.5 The Fund must be kept separate from

the ordinary funds of Grand Lodge and is in

the custody of the Grand Treasurer, Grand

Secretary and the Finance Committee.

R9.2.6 Grand Treasurer, Grand Secretary

and the Finance Committee may invest or

reinvest such portions of the Funds as are

available in such securities of high quality

and low risk as they consider prudent and

appropriate.

R9.2.7 They are not limited to those

investments authorized by law for Trustees.

Securities, holding and purchase

R9.2.8 The Finance Committee may advise

and direct the Grand Treasurer and Grand

Secretary regarding the safekeeping of the

securities of the Fund and the purchase,

sale, transfer or exchange of such securities.

R9.2.9 A purchase, sale, transfer or

exchange may be made only on the written

order of the Grand Treasurer, Grand

Secretary and a member of the Finance

Committee or any two of them, one of whom

must be a member of the Committee on

Finance.

Masonic Bursary Fund Purpose of Fund

R9.3 The purpose of the Bursary Fund is to

divide the revenue or income from the capital

along with any donations designated for

current use (non capital) each year into

Bursaries to assist the advanced studies of

promising students who otherwise would not

be able to continue their education.

Board of Trustees

R9.3.1 A Trustee is appointed by the Grand

Master at each Annual Communication of

Grand Lodge to replace a retiring Trustee.

R.9.3.2 Trustees serve for five years.

R9.3.3 All Trustees hold office until their

successors are appointed. If a vacancy

occurs, the Grand Master may make an

appointment to fill the vacancy on the Board

of Trustees for the unexpired term of the

vacancy.

Trustee Duties

R9.3.4 Apportion the revenue available each

year into a number of Bursaries in amounts

they consider appropriate;

R9.3.5 Determine, in consultation with

educational authorities, the conditions for the

award of Bursaries;

R9.3.6 Promote interest throughout the

Grand Jurisdiction in the Masonic Bursary

Fund and devise methods of increasing its

support;

R9.3.7 Provide a written report to Grand

Lodge each year.

Fund Kept Separate

R9.3.8 The Fund must be kept separate from

the ordinary Funds of Grand Lodge, and be

in the custody of the Grand Treasurer, the

Grand Secretary and the Finance

Committee;

R9.3.9 They may invest or reinvest such

portions of the Funds as are available in

such securities of high quality and low risk as

they consider prudent and appropriate;

R9.3.10 They are not limited to those

investments authorized by law for Trustees,

except that no investments may be made in

mortgage of real estate.

Securities, holding and purchase

R9.3.11 The Finance Committee may advise

and direct the Grand Treasurer and Grand

Secretary regarding the safekeeping of the

securities of the Fund and the purchase,

sale, transfer or exchange of such securities.

R9.3.12 A purchase, sale, transfer or

exchange may be made only on the written

51

order of the Grand Treasurer, Grand

Secretary and a member of the Finance

Committee. Two written orders are required

of which one signature must be a member of

the Finance Committee.

Library and Archives Fund Purpose of Fund

R9.4 The purpose is to administer, operate

and grow the GL Library and Archives

through the acquisition, preservation,

cataloguing and appropriate display of

suitable historical and archival material

related to Freemasons and Freemasonry.

Board of Trustees

R9.4.1 The Grand Lodge Library and

Archives and the Grand Lodge Library Trust

Fund are administered by the Grand Lodge

Library Board of Trustees comprising four

members with three to form a quorum for the

transaction of business.

R9.4.2 The Grand Master appoints one

Trustee at each Annual Communication of

Grand Lodge for four years. All Trustees hold

office until their successors are appointed

and the Grand Master may make

appointments to fill a vacancy that may occur

for the unexpired term of such vacancy.

R9.4.3 Two members of the Board must

reside in the Greater Vancouver – New

Westminster area and one on Vancouver

Island.

Trustee Duties

R9.4.4 Be responsible for the administration,

operation and growth of the Grand Lodge

Library and Archives within the fiscal limits of

the annual grant voted by Grand Lodge

combined with such other funds as may

become available to the Board for Library or

Archive purposes.

R9.4.5 Make such Rules and Regulations

governing its administration as it requires,

providing they are consistent and comply

with the Constitution and Regulations;

R9.4.6 Provide for the acquisition,

preservation, cataloguing and display of

suitable historical and archival material

related to Freemasons and Freemasonry;

R9.4.7 To serve as the trustees and

receiving agents for donations to the fund;

R9.4.8 Promote and encourage the growth of

a Grand Lodge Library Trust Fund;

R9.4.9 Make such rules and regulations for

the operation of the Fund and for the

disbursement of income from it as required,

provided they are consistent with and comply

with the Constitution and Regulations;

R9.4.10 Provide a written report to Grand

Lodge each year.

Masonic Building Fund Purpose of Fund

R9.5 The purpose is to provide financial

assistance to Masonic Lodges within the

jurisdiction of Grand Lodge or their building

companies or societies that are, in the

opinion of the Grand Lodge Building

Committee, experiencing grave financial

difficulties in maintaining their Lodge

premises and properties.

Terms of Loan

R9.5.1 A Lodge in this Grand Jurisdiction, its

Temple/Hall Company or Society may make

application for a loan under this program

through the Board of Trustees of the

Masonic Building Fund so that the

outstanding balance of any loan or loans

does not exceed Forty Thousand Dollars at

any one time. The interest rates on any

advances must not exceed the Prime Rate

interest at the time of application. Prime Rate

interest is defined as that rate which is

charged to its most substantial commercial

customers by the Canadian Chartered Bank

where the Masonic Building Fund account is

52

carried. While not in default, the advance(s)

shall enjoy a discounted rate of interest to

5% per annum.

R9.5.2 The advance may be amortized over

not more that twenty-five years, while the

term for the interest rate to be fixed must not

exceed five years. The advance (or

combined advances) to a borrowing entity

(Lodge or building society, etc.) must not

exceed 40% of the combined appraised

value of the same land and building(s). The

maximum outstanding amount to a borrowing

entity (Lodge and/or its building society, etc.)

must not exceed Forty Thousand Dollars.

Board of Trustees

R9.5.3 The Board of Trustees comprises the

Grand Secretary, the Grand Treasurer and

the Chairman of the following committees:

(a) Constitution,

(b) Finance, and

(c) Lodge Buildings.

Trustee Duties

R9.5.4 Assess the merits of each application

for assistance.

R9.5.5 Determines the amount of any

advance to be made to the borrowing entity

and the terms and conditions of any

mortgage or other documentation to secure

repayment of the advance. For that purpose,

it may cause to be incorporated a company

under the laws of the Province of British

Columbia to hold mortgages or other

securities and to ensure repayment of the

advances by the ultimate borrowing entity be

it a Lodge, its company or building society.

R9.5.6 Promote interest throughout the

Grand Jurisdiction in the Masonic Building

Fund and to devise methods of increasing its

support by the Brethren.

R9.5.7 Provide a written report to Grand

Lodge each year.

Fund kept separate

R9.5.8 The Fund must be kept separate from

the ordinary funds of Grand Lodge and in the

custody of the Grand Treasurer, Grand

Secretary and the Finance Committee.

R9.5.9 Such portion of the Fund as is

available for investment or reinvestment

must be invested in Securities, of high quality

and low risk as the Grand Treasurer, Grand

Secretary and Finance Committee consider

prudent and appropriate without being limited

to those investments authorized by law for

Trustees.

Securities, holding and purchase

R9.5.10 The Committee on Finance must

advise and direct the Grand Treasurer and

Grand Secretary as to the safekeeping of the

securities of the Fund and as to the

purchase, sale, transfer or exchange of such

securities.

R9.5.11 A purchase, sale, transfer or

exchange may be made only on the written

order of the Grand Treasurer, Grand

Secretary and a member of the Committee

on Finance or two of them, one of whom

must be a member of the Committee on

Finance.

Masonic Community Charities Fund Purpose of Fund

R9.6.1 The purpose is to promote the

interest of the fund within the Masonic

Community and to recommend community

charitable projects to Grand Lodge. The

capital fund and any income accruing may

be used for the purpose of funding identified

and approved community charitable projects

of this Grand Lodge to be administered in

this jurisdiction.

Board of Trustees

R9.6.2 The Board of Trustees comprises

nine members - the Grand Master, the

53

Immediate Past Grand Master, the Deputy

Grand Master, the Senior Grand Warden, the

Junior Grand Warden, the Grand Secretary,

the Grand Treasurer, the Chairman of the

Benevolence Committee and the Chairman

of the Finance Committee.

R9.6.3 Five members form a quorum.

Trustee Duties

R9.6.4 Identify and recommends community

charitable projects to Grand Lodge after the

financial aspects of each proposal have been

considered by the Finance Committee.

R9.6.5 Promotes interest throughout the

Grand Jurisdiction in the Masonic

Community Charities Fund and devise

methods of increasing its support by our

Brethren;

R9.6.6 Provide a written report to Grand

Lodge each year.

Fund kept separate

R9.6.7 The Fund must be kept separate from

the ordinary funds of Grand Lodge and in the

custody of the Grand Treasurer, Grand

Secretary and the Finance Committee.

R9.6.8 Such portion of the Fund as is

available for investment or reinvestment

must be invested by them in such securities

of high quality and low risk as they consider

prudent and appropriate without being limited

to those investments authorized by law for

Trustees.

R9.6.9 No investments can be made in a

mortgage of real estate.

Securities, holding and purchase

R9.6.10 The Committee on Finance must

advise and direct the Grand Treasurer and

Grand Secretary as to the safekeeping of the

securities of the Fund and as to the

purchase, sale, transfer or exchange of such

securities.

R9.6.11 A purchase, sale, transfer or

exchange may be made only on the written

order of the Grand Treasurer, Grand

Secretary and a member of the Committee

on Finance or two of them, one of whom

must be a Member of the Committee on

Finance.

Life and Perpetual Membership Fund

Purpose of the Fund

R9.7.1 The purpose of this fund is to provide

Brethren the opportunity to establish life

membership in this jurisdiction. The income

accruing from the Fund must be remitted to

each Lodge according to their pro rata share

of the income each year ending December

31st in the following month of March,

together with a statement showing the net

return, the total value of the Fund, and the

amount held in the Fund to the credit of the

Lodge.

Life Membership may be purchased

R9.7.2 A member who is in good standing

and has paid his current dues in this

jurisdiction is eligible to purchase a Life

Membership by payment of the minimum as

determined by his age and the calculation

multiplier.

Minimum Fees

R9.7.3 The minimum fee to be paid by a

Member for a Life Membership is the product

of the current annual dues of the Member’s

Lodge and the following multipliers:

Member’s Age Multiplier

(a) From 26 to 35 years 20 times

(b) From 36 to 45 years 18 times

(c) From 46 to 55 years 15 times

(d) From 56 to 65 years 12 times

(e) 66 years and over 10 times

54

Paid into Life Membership Fund

R9.7.4 The minimum fee paid by the

Member to his Lodge must be forwarded to

the Grand Secretary to be held in trust and

invested for the credit of the Lodge in the Life

Membership Fund.

R9.7.5 When remitting the fee, the Grand

Secretary must be informed of the full name

of the Brother becoming a Life Member.

No Administration Fee

R9.7.6 There are no administration fees

payable to Grand Lodge in connection with

the Life Membership Fund.

Fund kept separate

R9.7.7 The Fund must be kept separate from

the ordinary funds of Grand Lodge and in the

custody of the Grand Treasurer, Grand

Secretary and the Finance Committee.

R9.7.8 Such portion of the fund available for

investment or re-investment must be

invested by them in such securities of high

quality and low risk as they consider prudent

and appropriate without being limited to

those investments authorized by law for

Trustees.

R9.7.9 No investments can be made in

mortgage of real estate.

Securities, holding and purchase

R9.7.10 The Committee on Finance must

advise and direct the Grand Treasurer and

Grand Secretary regarding the safe-keeping

of the securities of the Fund and the

purchase, sale, transfer or exchange of such

securities.

R9.7.11 A purchase, sale, transfer or

exchange may be made only on the written

order of the Grand Treasurer, Grand

Secretary and a Member of the Finance

Committee or two of them, one of whom

must be a member of the Finance

Committee.

Life Memberships transferable

R9.7.12 If a Lodge surrenders or forfeits its

Charter. A Member holding a Life

Membership in this fund is entitled to direct

that his Life Membership and its value in the

Life Membership Fund be transferred to a

Lodge with which he wishes to affiliate in this

Grand Jurisdiction. The value of the Life

Memberships of both the Members who do

not affiliate and of those Brethren of that

Lodge who have died will be held in the Life

Membership Fund for the benefit of all

participating Lodges in the Life Membership

Fund on a pro rata basis.

R9.7.13 In the event of two or more Lodges

amalgamating, all Life Membership funds of

the Lodges involved must be credited to the

account of the newly-formed Lodge.

R9.7.14 If a Member who has a Life

Membership in the fund affiliates with a

Lodge in this Grand Jurisdiction and demits

from one in which he holds a Life

Membership, he may have the value of his

interest in the Life Membership Fund

transferred to the credit of the Lodge with

which he has affiliated.

R9.7.15 If the minimum fee for his Life

Membership is less than the amount which

would be required in the Lodge with which he

has affiliated at the time he became a Life

Member, the Member must pay the

additional amount to the Lodge with which he

has affiliated.

R9.7.16 If the minimum fee is more than the

amount which would be required in the

Lodge with which he has affiliated at the time

he became a Life Member, the excess

minimum fee is transferred to the credit of

the Lodge with which he has affiliated.

R9.7.17 A Member who receives a dues

benefit from his Lodge as a non-resident and

who subsequently becomes disentitled to the

benefit, will be required to pay the difference

between the amount he has paid and the

55

amount he would have paid as a resident, if

he wishes to continue his Life Membership. If

he does not wish to continue his Life

Membership, he is entitled to a return of the

amount he paid for his Life Membership, and

must pay annual resident dues.

R9.7.18 Nothing in this section limits the

number of times a Life Member may demit

and affiliate.

Lodges may participate in Fund

R9.7.19 Lodges that administer their own

Life Membership Plan may remit funds in

their Life Membership Plan and the names of

those Brethren holding Life Memberships to

the Grand Secretary for them to be included

in the Grand Lodge Life Membership Plan.

R9.7.20 If two or more Lodges amalgamate

after December 31st, 1991, where one or

more had their own Life Membership Plan,

the amalgamated Lodge may extend a life

Membership Plan to the Members of the

amalgamated Lodge on the basis of the Life

Membership Plan existing in the former

Lodge or Lodges.

R9.7.21 The Lodge is responsible for issuing

dues cards to Life Members annually which

expire on December 31st.

PART 2 – CRAFT LODGES

REGULATION 10 - FEES AND

ASSESSMENTS

Fee schedule

R10.1 Fees are payable to Grand Lodge for;

(a) granting a Dispensation for a new

Lodge;

(b) granting a Warrant, including a set

of Lodge books, seal and stationery;

(c) dispensation (funeral and

attending Divine Service excepted);

(e) past Master’s Certificate or

replacement Grand Lodge Certificate

or Warrant;

(f) for every person Initiated in a

Lodge (to include a Member’s

manual);

(g) for every Brother Passed;

(h) for every Brother Raised (to

include a Grand Lodge Certificate

and a copy of the Constitution and

Regulations;

(i) for every Affiliate (Entered

Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master

Mason).

Per Capita Assessment

R10.2 For every member, except life

members made before June 17, 1982, each

Lodge must pay the annual assessment

adopted by Grand Lodge when the estimates

are approved. If the assessment is not

adopted at that time, the assessment in

effect during the preceding year is payable. If

a Member has membership in two or more

Lodges, the annual assessment is payable

only by one of the Lodges, based on the

Member’s Grand Lodge identity number.

R10.3 For every member reinstated the

assessment for that member that would have

been payable on his behalf had he not been

suspended must be paid by the Lodge.

R10.4 If a Lodge suspends a Member for

nonpayment of dues; it is not required to pay

the Grand Lodge assessment for the

suspended member for the year in which the

uspended Member failed to pay his regular

dues to the Lodge.

R10.5 For every Member, each Lodge must

pay the annual assessment adopted by

Grand Lodge when the charitable project

expenditures of the Community Charities

56

Fund are approved. If a Member has

membership in two or more Lodges, the

assessment is payable only by one of the

Lodges, based on the Member’s Grand

Lodge identity number.

Assessments Due

R10.6 All fees and assessments payable to

Grand Lodge, are payable by the Lodge

upon receipt of invoice.

When Lodge Dues remitted

R10.7 When a Lodge decides to remit the

annual dues of any Member who is unable to

pay them, the annual assessments are not

payable to Grand Lodge in respect to that

Member.

R10.7.1 If any dues remitted by Lodges are

paid at a future date, the annual

assessments payable to Grand Lodge for

those Members are then due and payable.

REGULATION 11- LODGES

UNDER DISPENSATION

Requirements to obtain Dispensation

R11.1 An application for a Dispensation to

open a new Lodge must include;

(a) a petition of at least fifteen Master

Masons in good standing;

(b) a certificate of good standing (or a

Demit from a regularly Warranted

Lodge of this or some other

recognized Jurisdiction) of each of

the petitioners;

(c) a recommendation from the

Warranted Lodge nearest to the

location of the proposed Lodge, or

where two or more Lodges hold

concurrent jurisdiction the petitioners

must give written notice of their

intention to apply for a Dispensation

to each of the said Lodges and must

obtain the recommendation of such

Lodge or Lodges as the District

Deputy Grand Master of the District in

which the proposed new Lodge would

be situate directs;

(d) a certificate that the Brethren

selected as Worshipful Master and

Wardens of the proposed Lodge have

appeared in open Lodge before such

Lodge as the District Deputy Grand

Master directs, or before him, and

exemplified the work of the three

Degrees, and that they are

competent to confer the same in a

proper Masonic manner;

(e) a certificate from the District

Deputy Grand Master of the District,

or some other duly qualified Brother

delegated for the purpose by the

Grand Master, certifying that the

petitioners have complied with the

requirements set out in the preceding

four clauses, and that in his opinion

the best interests of the Craft will be

advanced by the establishment of the

new Lodge.

Dispensation may be Granted

R11.2 On receipt of the Petition for

Dispensation, the Grand Master may grant a

Dispensation, and must report the same at

the next Annual Communication, when the

Dispensation will expire unless approved by

that Annual Communication.

Grand Lodge officers to organize

R11.3 The initial organization of a Lodge

under Dispensation is the responsibility of

the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master,

District Deputy Grand Master, or some

Member of Grand Lodge specially appointed

by the Grand Master for that purpose.

57

Petitioner’s Membership not forfeited

R11.4 A Brother’s membership in his

Warranted Lodge is not affected by his

participation in the Petition for Dispensation.

Returns to be made

R11.5 Every Lodge under Dispensation

must, not later than June 1st, return to the

Grand Secretary its letter of Dispensation

together with its annual returns and an

abstract of the work done, to include:

(a) the name and location of the

Lodge;

(b) the date and time when each

Communication was held;

(c) the names of the officers,

members and visitors present;

(d) whether the Communication was

a Regular or an Emergent one, and

what Degrees the Lodge conferred;

(e) all its proceedings, especially

those relating to petitions for

Initiation, by whom

recommended, fees paid, to whom

referred, report thereon, ballot and its

result.

May Petition for Warrant

R11.6 With the return of its letter of

Dispensation, a Lodge under dispensation

may present to Grand Lodge a petition for a

Warrant, and Grand Lodge may:

(a) order the issue of a Warrant to

such Lodge and assign it such name

and number on the Register;

(b) place it in such District as is

deemed proper;

(c) may order the continuance of the

Dispensation for such further period

of time as it may see fit;

(d) direct that the Dispensation be

discontinued;

(e) take such other action as would

appear to it to be in the best interests

of the Craft.

Regulations

R11.7 A Lodge under Dispensation is

governed by the Ancient Landmarks, the

Constitution and Regulations of Grand Lodge

and these specific regulations:

(a) officers cannot be installed;

(b) cannot add to their membership

by affiliation;

(c) is not required to pay

assessments to Grand Lodge, but

must pay fees for Initiations,

Passings, Raisings, and Certificates.

Who Performs Constitution

R11.8 A Lodge granted a Warrant must be

Constituted, as soon as convenient, by the

Grand Master or a Brother designated by

him.

By-laws

R11.9 A new Warranted Lodge, as soon as

possible, must formulate and adopt suitable

By-laws, and send them to the Grand

Secretary for the Grand Master’s approval.

Members’ Standing if Dispensation

withdrawn

R11.10 If for any reason a Dispensation is

withdrawn by the Grand Master, or not

approved by Grand Lodge, all the Members

in good standing have the status of regularly

demitted Freemasons, insofar as their

membership in the Lodge under

Dispensation is concerned.

R11.10.1 Upon the return of all books,

records and funds collected to the Grand

Secretary, each of the Members of the

Lodge, as shown by such books and

records, are entitled to receive from the

Grand Secretary, under seal of Grand

58

Lodge, a certificate showing such facts, and

such certificate has the force and effect of a

demit.

R11.10.2 No Member may receive such

certificate until he has paid to the Grand

Secretary all dues owed by him to such

Lodge at the date of its demise.

REGULATION 12 - LODGE OF

EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

Purpose

R12.1 A Research Lodge is devoted to

Masonic research. Its purpose is to provide

opportunities for its members to research

various aspects of Freemasonry. The object

of a Lodge of Research is the historical and

comparative study and illustration of the

origins, development, and modern trends

and activities of Freemasonry, its

organisation, ritual and teachings. The

outcomes of its research is disseminated

amongst the members of the Lodge and

other Brethren. It is a Lodge, and as such

has a charter from the GL of BC &Y.

However, it does not confer degrees.

Special License required

R12.2 The Grand Master may authorize a

special license to a Lodge to hold a District

Lodge of Education and Research.

R12.2.1 The Grand Master will name at least

three capable Brethren to be responsible for

the activities of the Lodge.

R12.2.2 The Grand Master will direct the

time and place of meeting along with other

matters relating to the Lodge. The Grand

Master may vary these directions as

required.

Must keep Minutes

R12.3 All Lodges of Education and

Research, must keep complete minutes of

their activities. Upon request, these minutes

must be made available to the Grand Master

and the Lodge granting its authority.

Grand Master may cancel License

R12.4 The Grand Master may cancel the

Special License. Upon cancellation, all

properties, funds, books and records

become the property of Grand Lodge.

Ashlar College

R12.5 The Grand Master may by a special

license, and authority in writing, authorize the

operation of The Ashlar College of

Freemasonry.

R12.5.1 This authorization names at least

five well skilled Brethren who have agreed, in

writing, to accept the responsibility for the

proper conduct of the College. The

authorization must give such directions as

the Grand Master may see fit and such

directions may be varied from time to time.

REGULATION 13 - LODGE OF

INSTRUCTION

Purpose

R13.1 The purpose of The Lodge of

Instruction is to provide Officers and those

who wish to become Officers an opportunity

to rehearse ritual under the guidance of an

experienced Brother. There may also be

lectures around the ritual and the symbolism

in the Craft Lodge in order to develop the

knowledge and understanding of the

membership.

Authority required

R13.2 A Lodge, under its Warrant, may

approve in writing a Lodge of Instruction. The

approval must state the time and place of

meeting along with at least three proficient

Brethren who have agreed in writing to

59

accept responsibility for the management of

the Lodge.

R13.2.1 These Brethren and the sponsoring

Lodge are accountable to Grand Lodge for

the operation of the Lodge.

R13.2.2 No Lodge may authorize a Lodge of

Instruction outside of their Jurisdiction.

Must keep Minutes

R13.3 All Lodges of Instruction must keep

complete minutes of their activities. Upon

request, these minutes must be made

available to the Grand Master and the Lodge

granting its authority.

Sponsor may withdraw Authority

R13.4 At any Regular Communication, a

Lodge that has authorized a Lodge of

Instruction may withdraw the authority.

R13.4.1 For the Lodge to withdraw its

authority it must:

(a) provide warning of its intent to

withdraw authority in the notice for

the communication;

(b) provide notification to the Lodge

of Instruction of the resolution

withdrawing its

authority;

(c) the Grand Master at any time can

cancel the authority given by a

sponsoring Lodge.

Disposal of Property when withdrawn

R13.5 When authority is withdrawn, all

properties, funds, books and records of the

Lodge of Instruction become the property of

the sponsoring Lodge.

Notice to Grand Secretary

R13.6 The times and places of meetings of

all Lodges of Instruction, and of Education

and Research, must to given to the Grand

Secretary.

REGULATION 14 - FUNERAL

LODGE

Purpose

R14.1 Where a Freemason’s religious

affiliation will not perform a funeral due to the

Brother being a Freemason or other

circumstances such as death at sea or war,

a Funeral Lodge may be initiated by the GM.

The underlying principle of a Masonic

Funeral is to teach the living that death is a

certainty and we do not know when death

might occur. The Funeral Lodge enriches

the teachings of the MM degree. A Funeral

Lodge is not a substitute for the Funeral

Rites of a religious denomination that a

Brother belonged to.

Grand Master may authorize

R14.2 Upon request the Grand Master may

license a Funeral Lodge for the purpose of

establishing and conducting Masonic funeral

services.

Rules and Regulations

R14.3 The Grand Master in the license will

outline the rules and regulations for the

Funeral Lodge along with the names of at

least seven Brethren who have accepted

responsibility for its supervision.

Power to cancel license

R14.4 The Grand Master can at any time

cancel the Funeral Lodge license with all

properties, funds, books and records

becoming the property of Grand Lodge.

Request necessary

R14.5 A Freemason may not be interred with

the formalities of the fraternity unless a

specific request is made to the Lodge or the

Worshipful Master by the person entitled to

the disposition of the deceased. The

deceased must have been a Master Mason.

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Masonic Funerals – Residents

R14.6 For the purpose of conducting a

Masonic funeral or memorial service, the

Worshipful Master may invite other Lodges

to attend in form.

R14.6.1 The whole ceremony must be under

the absolute direction of the Worshipful

Master of the Lodge to which the deceased

Brother belonged.

Masonic Funerals of Sojourners

R14.7 When a Master Mason from beyond

the Jurisdiction of Grand Lodge dies in this

Jurisdiction, the provisions of the

Regulations relating to deceased Members

of Lodges of this Jurisdiction apply as far as

practicable.

R14.7.1 Any Worshipful Master of a Lodge

may direct the funeral and conduct it in the

same manner as provided for resident

deceased Members.

Limitation of Unaffiliated Freemason

R14.8 An unaffiliated Freemason is not

entitled or permitted to Masonic burial except

when it is shown that the Brother was not at

fault or indifferent to his duty.

REGULATION 15 - CRAFT

LODGES

Grand Lodge Warrant is required for a

Lodge

R15.1 Every Lodge in this Jurisdiction must

have a Warrant from Grand Lodge and can

only work when it has been regularly

constituted and its officers installed.

Returns and Payments to Grand Lodge

R15.2 On or before March 1st each year,

every Lodge must submit to the Grand

Secretary returns and payments completed

as at the preceding December 31st, using

forms prescribed by the Grand Secretary.

R15.2.1 Payments must include:

(a) assessments levied by Grand

Lodge;

(b) a penalty of $1.00 for every day a

Lodge is delinquent.

Penalty for Not Making Returns

R15.3 The Worshipful Master and Wardens,

or any representatives of a Lodge neglecting

to submit returns and payments, will be

disqualified from taking part in the

proceedings of Grand Lodge until the returns

and payments have been made.

Lodge Membership .

R15.4 Lodge Members include those

Brethren named in the Warrant or Charter,

Brethren admitted by affiliation, and Master

Masons.

Jurisdiction over Members

R15.5 The jurisdiction of a Lodge includes all

its Members, wherever they reside, and all

Freemasons residing nearer to its meeting

place than to any other Lodge. Where more

than one Lodge exists, each Lodge has

separate jurisdiction over its Members and

concurrent jurisdiction over all Freemasons

who are not Members of these Lodges who

reside in the same community, or nearer

than to any other place where a Lodge

exists.

Representation in Grand Lodge

R15.6 The Worshipful Master and Wardens, or their duly elected proxies, have the duty to represent their Lodge at Grand Lodge. Right to Instruct R15.7 A majority of Members of a convened

Lodge may give direction to the Worshipful

Master, Wardens or their proxies regarding

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the wishes of the Members before a

Communication of Grand Lodge.

Master Masons have the right to ballot or

vote

R15.8 Master Masons, who are Members of

the Lodge, are the only Brethren who can

ballot or vote in their Lodge.

Procedure for Voting

R15.9 Voting in a Lodge is by a show of

hands. A ballot must take place when

directed by the Constitution or Regulations.

Worshipful Master may require Ballot

R15.10 The Worshipful Master may direct

that a ballot is required if in his judgement

the matter is significant or major differences

exist among the Brethren.

Honorary Members

R15.11 A Lodge may elect a Brother in good

standing for his service to the Craft in

general, or to any particular Lodge, as an

Honorary Member.

R15.11.1 A Notice of Motion to elect a

Brother as an Honorary Member must be

given at one Regular Communication and

placed on the notice for the next.

R15.11.2 The election must be by ballot and

requires a favourable ballot of two-thirds of

the Members present to elect him as an

Honorary Member if he is a Member of that

Lodge. If he is not a Member of that Lodge,

he may be declared elected unless three or

more negative votes are cast.

R15.11.3 An Honorary Member is not

entitled to vote unless that right is included in

the motion conferring his Honorary

Membership. The Lodge may pass a

subsequent motion to allow an Honorary

Member voting rights providing the original

procedure of notice of motion and election is

followed.

R15.11.4 The Lodge must include Honorary

Members in its returns to Grand Lodge and

pay to Grand Lodge the assessments as are

payable for regular Members on behalf of

such Honorary Members.

R15.11.5 An Honorary Member may

terminate his Honorary Membership by

mutual consent of himself and the Lodge.

Lodge Sporting Sponsorships

R15.12 A Lodge may undertake the full or

partial sponsorship of an amateur athletic

sports team for minor children provided that

one of the stated aims of the team, or the

league of which it is a member, is the

promotion of sportsmanship among minor

children.

Job’s Daughters or DeMolay

Sponsorships

R15.13 A Lodge may undertake the full or

partial sponsorship of a Bethel of the

International Order of Job’s Daughters

and/or a Chapter of the Order of DeMolay of

Canada.

Lodge Porch Book

R15.14 Every Lodge must provide a Porch

Book for all Members and visitors to

complete. Before entering the Lodge, each

Brother must sign his name and give his

Masonic rank. Visiting Brethren must also

enter the name and location of the Lodge

from which they hail.

Master Mason Certificate to be procured

R15.15 For every Member raised, a Lodge

must obtain from the Grand Secretary a

Grand Lodge certificate to be paid for by the

Lodge. This certificate is to be presented

after the member has passed a satisfactory

examination in open Lodge.

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Grand Lodge Certificate must be signed

R15.16 Upon receiving a Grand Lodge

certificate, the Member must sign his name

on it in the presence of the Worshipful

Master or the Secretary of the Lodge. If the

Member is away from the Lodge meeting

place, it may be forwarded to a Lodge

requested by the Member and he must then

sign it in the presence of the Worshipful

Master or Secretary of that Lodge.

Publication of Minutes prohibited

R15.17 The printing, publishing or

distribution of any minutes or proceedings of

all or part of any Lodge communication, or

the names of anyone present at a Lodge

communication, is prohibited unless:

(a) express permission has been

given by the Grand Master; or

(b) the purpose in so doing is for the

benefit of the Lodge Members only.

Penalty

R15.17.1 Anyone who publishes any minutes

is liable to reprimand, suspension or

expulsion as Grand Lodge may determine.

Exclusion from Prohibition on publication

of minutes

R15.18 The prohibition on publication of

minutes does not extend to:

(a) the writing, printing or publishing

of any notice issued to the members

of a Lodge authorized by the

Worshipful Master;

(b) the proceedings of any festive or

public meeting at which persons who

are not Freemasons are permitted to

attend.

Circulars Prohibited

R15.19 Unless the approval of the Grand

Master is first obtained, a Lodge or a

Member, must not circularize other Lodges

or Members in an endeavour to

(a) obtain support for, or expressions

of opinion on, a proposition or

propositions in which it or he may be

interested;

(b) solicit donations of funds.

Use of Audio/Visual Equipment

R15.20 While at labour, no one may use or

cause to be used any sound recording or

photographic or playback device to record or

play back the proceedings of any Lodge. The

equipment may be used only to provide

music to enhance the ceremonies of the

Lodge or for the purpose of an educational

presentation.

Right to regulate own Proceedings

R15.21 The majority of Members at any

regularly assembled Lodge has an

undoubted right to regulate their own

proceedings, provided they comply with the

Lodge By-laws, the Constitution and the

Regulations of Grand Lodge.

REGULATION 16 - CRAFT

LODGE POWERS

Power to compose By-laws

R16.1 A Lodge has the power to compose

By-laws for its own government provided

they comply with the Constitution and

Regulations of Grand Lodge. A By-law or its

amendment is not valid until it has been

submitted to the Grand Secretary and has

received the approval of the Grand Master.

Any Lodge By-law that conflicts with the

Constitution or Regulations of Grand Lodge

is hereby declared invalid and repealed.

All Members to acknowledge By-laws

R16.2 By-laws including all amendments

must be published by every Lodge and made

63

accessible to all its Members within a

reasonable time. Every new Member of a

Lodge must sign an acknowledgment

regarding the Lodge By-laws.

R16.2.1 Failure to acknowledge the By-laws

does not relieve a Member from paying

dues.

May remit dues

R16.3 A Lodge has the power to remit the

dues of any Member to Grand Lodge.

May suspend for NPD

R16.4 When a Member has not paid his

current year dues for three months, the

Lodge Secretary, or Member acting on his

behalf, must notify him by any reasonable

means that the matter will be placed before

the next Regular Communication of the

Lodge, unless:

(a) his dues are paid, or

(b) his failure to pay is due to

sickness or any other misfortune.

Process of suspension for non-payment

of dues

R16.5 Every Lodge has the power to

suspend from the privileges of the Lodge any

Member for nonpayment of dues.

R16.5.1 At the Regular Communication, the

Lodge may:

(a) grant him further time for

payment, or

(b) remit his dues,

(c) on a two-thirds affirmative vote of

the Members present, the Worshipful

Master may declare him to be

suspended from all rights and

privileges of the Lodge.

Masonic Privileges Deprived During

Suspension.

R16.6 All Brethren suspended, in this or any

other Jurisdiction recognized by Grand

Lodge, shall be deprived, while suspended,

of all Masonic privileges in this Jurisdiction,

including laying a charge against any

Member of the Lodge which suspended him.

Reinstatement from suspension

R16.7 If a Brother who has been suspended

for non-payment of dues wishes his Lodge

membership to be reinstated, the following

procedure must be followed:

(a) the Brother must apply in writing

for reinstatement to the Lodge that

suspended him accompanied by full

payment of all outstanding dues

owing at time of his suspension,

including the current year dues;

(b) if the Secretary receives the

application and payment within thirty

days of the suspension, the Member

may be reinstated immediately;

(c) if the application and payment are

received by the Secretary after thirty

days from the date of the suspension,

the Worshipful Master must direct a

three member Lodge Investigation

Committee examine the moral,

mental and other qualifications of the

Brother seeking reinstatement and

report to the Lodge.

Dues retained by Lodge

R16.8 If a candidate for re-instatement is

rejected, all monies paid remain the property

of the Lodge.

Cessation of dues on demit

R16.9 Dues cease once the application for a

demit is read and approved in open Lodge.

No dues charged

R16.10 Entered Apprentices and Fellow

Crafts are not charged dues.

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REGULATION 17 - LIMITS OF

CRAFT LODGE POWERS

No Travelling Certificates

R17.1 A Lodge or Member cannot, under

any circumstances, give a recommendation

to enable a Brother to proceed from Lodge to

Lodge as a pauper for the purpose, or with

the intent, of requesting support or relief.

Use of Dedicated Room

R17.2 A dedicated Lodge room cannot be

used for any other purpose, while it

continues to be regularly used for Masonic

purposes.

Cannot Adjourn

R17.3 A Lodge Communication must be

completed on the same day it starts and

cannot be adjourned to the next day.

Cannot suspend By-laws

R17.4 A Lodge cannot suspend any part of

its By-laws, except the Order of Business.

Cannot Incorporate

R17.5 A Lodge cannot become a limited or

incorporated entity.

Limit to Degrees Conferred

R17.6 A Lodge is limited to confer Degrees

on no more than five candidates at any one

Communication. After that, at least two days

must elapse before a further Communication

to confer Degrees may be held, except by

Dispensation of the Grand Master.

Minimum Fee for three Degrees

R17.7 A Lodge cannot confer the three

Degrees for a fee of less than four hundred

dollars.

REGULATION 18 - CRAFT

LODGE COMMUNICATION

Time necessary for Notices

R18.1 At least five days’ notice must be

given of all Lodge Communications except

for funerals. Notices may be sent by

electronic means if the recipient can receive

them.

Place and Time of Meeting

R18.2 The place, day and starting time of

Regular Communications of a Lodge must

be specified in its By-laws.

R18.2.1 A Regular Communication of a

Lodge is held on the days and times

designated in its By-laws, except by

Dispensation. It is the only meeting at which

business may be done, with any exceptions

specified in the Constitution or Regulations.

No Emergent Communication can be

considered to be part of a Regular

Communication.

R18.2.2 Only on the authority of the

Worshipful Master, an Emergent

Communication may be called by him, or in

his absence the Senior Warden, or in their

absence the Junior Warden. The business to

be done at the Emergent Communication

must be stated in the notice and recorded in

the minutes and no other business may be

done.

Business in any Degree

R18.3 A Regular Communication of a Lodge

is held on the days and times designated in

its By-laws, except by Dispensation. It is the

only meeting at which business may be

done, with any exceptions specified in the

Constitution or Regulations. Business can be

done in any degree deemed appropriate by

the Worshipful Master. No Emergent

Communication can be considered to be part

of a Regular Communication.

65

Quorum

R18.4 At all regular or emergent

Communications of a Lodge, a quorum is

seven Master Masons. No business may be

transacted at any Communication unless at

least five members of the Lodge are present,

one of whom must be the Worshipful Master

or one of the Wardens.

Grand Lodge Officers to Receive Notices

R18.5 Notices of all regular and emergent

Communications must be sent to the Grand

Master, Grand Secretary and the District

Deputy Grand Master of the District.

Official Visit of Grand Master Procedure

R18.6 The Grand Master may direct the

District Deputy Grand Master of a District to

summon any two or more of the Lodges in

his District to attend at an Official Visit of

Grand Master.

Prior to the Entrance of the Grand Master

R18.7 Prior to the entrance of the Grand

Master, the Worshipful Master of the host

Lodge will resign the chair and gavel to the

District Deputy Grand Master and invite him

to preside and receive the Grand Master on

behalf of the Lodge.

The Grand Master and His Suite

R18.8 The Grand Master and his suite will be

received, the officers of Grand Lodge seated,

and the business conducted in accordance

with this Constitution and Regulations and

the Book of Ceremonies except that:

(a) the District Deputy Grand Master

will meet and receive the Grand

Master at the altar, resign the gavel

to him, escort him to the East;

(b) if the Deputy Grand Master is

present, he will be placed at the right,

and the District Deputy Grand Master

at the left of the Grand Master. The

Worshipful Master will be placed to

the right of Deputy Grand Master. If

the Deputy Grand Master is not

present, the District Deputy Grand

Master will be placed at the right, and

the Worshipful Master at the left, of

the Grand Master;

(c) when the Grand Master wishes to

retire, he will resign the gavel to the

Worshipful Master of the host Lodge

and the District Deputy Grand Master

will retire with the Grand Master and

his suite.

Unless otherwise directed by the Grand

Master

R18.9 Unless otherwise directed by the

Grand Master, the procedure by which the

officers and members of the Lodges other

than the host Lodge will meet and pay their

respects to the Grand Master and the part

they will take in the Communication will be

as determined earlier by the District Deputy

Grand Master.

Expenses Incurred by the Host Lodge

R18.10 The expenses incurred by the host

Lodge for the Communication, as approved

in advance by the Junior Wardens of the

District Lodges, are shared by all the Lodges

summoned, including the host Lodge, in

proportion to their membership.

REGULATION 19 - DUTIES OF

CRAFT LODGE OFFICERS

Worshipful Master

Purpose

R19.1 The WM is the leader in his Lodge.

His purpose is to promote peace and

harmony in the Lodge. He accomplishes this

through masonic knowledge, fiscal

responsibility, masonic education, masonic

ritual, degrees and knowledge of their

66

meaning, honourable service, fairness,

enthusiasm, policies not details, delegation

of tasks and resolving issues.

Eligibility

R19.2 No Member is eligible for the office of

Worshipful Master, except by dispensation of

the Grand Master, unless he has filled the

office of Warden in a Lodge of this Grand

Lodge, or one recognized by this Grand

Lodge, for a full year or is a Past Master. A

Member cannot serve as Worshipful Master

of more than one Lodge at the same time.

Powers

R19.3 The Worshipful Master has the power

to summon his Lodge, or any Member, for

cause.

Custodian of Warrant

R19.4 The Worshipful Master is the

custodian of the Warrant of the Lodge and is

responsible to Grand Lodge for the proper

practice of its privileges and observance of

the Ancient Landmarks, Laws, Regulations

and By‐laws of the Lodge.

Responsibility

R19.5 The Worshipful Master must see that

membership information and Lodge

transactions are recorded by the Secretary.

Records of the Members must include full

names, birth dates or ages, addresses, titles,

occupations, and details of their Masonic

careers, including the dates of proposal,

initiation, passing, raising or affiliations.

Instruction and Examination

R19.6 It is the duty of the Worshipful Master

to see that every Brother who is raised to the

Sublime Degree of a Master Mason is

properly instructed and passes an

examination in open Lodge.

To see all monies are accounted for

R19.7 The Worshipful Master must see that

all money received or paid is recorded by the

Secretary and Treasurer and that the

accounts are reviewed annually by a

Financial Review Committee, elected or

appointed by the Lodge.

No appeal from Worshipful Master

R19.8 A Lodge may not appeal a decision of

its Worshipful Master. His decision may be

reviewed only by Grand Lodge. If an appeal

is made to Grand Lodge, it may only be by

the Member or Members against whom the

decision was made.

May Obtain Past Master’s Certificate

R19.9 A Worshipful Master who has served

his term in this Jurisdiction is entitled to a

Past Master’s Certificate supplied by the

Grand Secretary.

The Wardens and Deacons R19.10 If the Worshipful Master dies, is

removed, or is absent from his Jurisdiction,

or is incapable of discharging the duties of

his office, the Senior Warden and in his

absence the Junior Warden succeeds to and

is charged with all the powers and duties of

the Worshipful Master, but must not assume

the Worshipful Master’s chair.

R19.10.1 No member may be installed as

Deacon or Warden until he has received his

Master Mason certificate.

Past Master Privileges R19.11 A Past Master of any regular

recognised Lodge may be invited by the

Worshipful Master to officiate as Worshipful

Master, and may confer Degrees or perform

any other ceremony.

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Worshipful Master and Wardens

Summons R19.12 The Worshipful Master or Wardens

of any Lodge, when summoned to do so,

must attend the Grand Master, the Deputy

Grand Master, the District Deputy Grand

Master, the Grand Lodge, or the Committee

or person authorized by Grand Lodge; and

must produce, if required, the Warrant,

minutes and books of the Lodge.

Secretary R19.13 The Secretary of a Lodge must as

soon as the information is available, or when

required by the Grand Secretary, send notice

to the Grand Secretary of the following

matters, giving all necessary particulars,

including full names, addresses and

occupations of the parties concerning;

(a) all Regular and Emergent

Communications,

(b) petitions for the Degrees and for

affiliation,

(c) results of the ballots, or other

action on petitions,

(d) demits granted,

(e) applications for waiver of

jurisdiction,

(f) results of applications for waiver of

jurisdiction,

(g) suspensions for non-payment of

dues,

(h) suspensions or recommendations

for expulsions, for unmasonic

conduct,

(i) restorations to rights and

privileges,

(j) refusals to grant reinstatement,

(k) Entered Apprentices or Fellow

Crafts dropped from the Roll,

(l) dual or plural memberships,

(m) deaths of members,

(n) church services attended by the

Lodge in Masonic clothing,

(o) monies received for special Grand

Lodge funds,

(p) loss of property through fire or

theft,

(q) information with regard to

imposters or clandestines,

(r) installation of new officers,

(s) list and amount of relief granted.

Other Officers R19.14 The other officers of the Lodge

perform such duties as are detailed in the

By-laws of the Lodge or as are contained in

the instructions specified at their installation.

REGULATION 20 - PETITIONERS

AND CANDIDATES

Qualifications

R20.1 A person must be able to read and

write in the English language to be eligible

for membership in a Lodge.

R20.1.1 Residency – A petitioner must have

resided within the Jurisdiction of the Lodge

for six consecutive months immediately prior

to the date of his petition. The Grand Master

may grant a Dispensation reducing the

length of residency required.

R20.1.2 Capacity – A candidate is eligible for

the degrees of Freemasonry if he is capable

of learning the Masonic Art and

understanding the secrets and mysteries of

the Craft. If there is any doubt of his

capability, a ruling from the Grand Master

should be requested.

R20.1.3 Age, etc.- When making his

application, a candidate must be at least 21

years old, free born and capable of

supporting himself and those dependent

upon him.

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Permissible Questions

R20.2 These questions may be asked of a

perspective candidate. There is no

requirement that these questions be given or

an affirmative answer be obtained. The

questions are;

(a) Do you believe in the existence of

a Supreme Being?

(b) Do you believe that the Supreme

Being will punish vice and reward

virtue?

(c) Do you believe that that

Supreme Being has revealed His will

to man?

R20.2.1 If the questions are put to the

Candidate the first question requires a

positive answer from the Candidate to insure

that the initiation process continue. If the

Candidate is “unsure” or “does not have” a

response to questions (b) and (c) this is

acceptable and the initiation process can

continue.

Time to elapse for Rejected Petition

R20.3 A Lodge cannot receive a petition for

the Degrees of Freemasonry from any

person who has been rejected by any Lodge

within the preceding twelve months, except

by Dispensation from the Grand Master.

Petition Form

R20.4 A petition for the Degrees must be

made in the prescribed form, signed by the

petitioner, and recommended by at least two

Members of the Lodge to which application is

made.

Procedure on receiving Petition

R20.5 A Lodge cannot ballot on any petition

for initiation, reinstatement or affiliation,

except by Dispensation from the Grand

Master;

(a) until information has been

received from the Grand Secretary

that the applicant is clear on the

current records of this Grand Lodge,

(b) the full name, age, profession or

occupation and place of residence of

the applicant has been sent to all the

Members of the Lodge in the notice

for a Regular Communication of the

Lodge,

(c) the petition and the declaration of

each sponsor of the candidate

received at a Regular Communication

has been referred to an Investigation

Committee of three members of the

Lodge who have examined the

applicant’s moral, mental, physical

and other proper qualifications,

(d) the Investigation Committee has

reported on the preceding at the first

Regular

Communication held following a

period of at least four weeks from the

Regular Communication at which the

application was received, unless

further time is granted.

Committee Report Unfavourable

R20.6 If the report of the Committee, or any

Member of it, is unfavourable, a ballot cannot

be taken, and the Worshipful Master may

upon receiving the report, declare the

applicant rejected.

Conditions for Withdrawal

R20.7 Following referral to the Investigation

Committee, a petition cannot be withdrawn

except;

(a) if the Committee finds the

applicant disqualified due to

insufficient residence or physical

disability, but finds no other objection

to him, they must report accordingly;

(b) the Worshipful Master may then

direct the withdrawal of the petition

without further action and this

69

direction must be entered in the

minutes.

Balloting

R20.8 Every Member has a duty to ballot on

petitioners to his Lodge. The Worshipful

Master must require every Member present

to cast a ballot.

R20.8.1 Each petitioner must be balloted on

individually.

R20.8.2 If the Investigation Committee

report is favourable, the ballot on the

applicant must proceed. Two black balls or

cubes are required to reject a candidate. If

two black balls/cubes appear in the ballot

box, the Worshipful Master, without declaring

the result, must at once order a second ballot

for the purpose of correcting a possible

mistake, which ballot is final. After one ballot

has been taken, no discussion is permitted in

the Lodge before the second ballot is taken,

nor can the second ballot be postponed until

another Communication of the Lodge. No

Member may enter or leave once balloting

has commenced, except for necessity.

Petitioners from Canadian Forces

R20.9 Petitioners who are members of the

Canadian Forces and who, because of their

service, are unable to satisfy residential

qualifications, may have their petitions

received provided the petitioner has resided

in the jurisdiction of Grand Lodge, and of the

Lodge to which he presents his petition, for

three consecutive months prior to the date of

his petition. The petition must include the

facts bringing the petitioner under this

section.

R20.9.1 The Grand Master may grant a

Dispensation reducing the times of

residence, and for the other proceedings in

connection with the petition, including

permitting Emergent Communications of the

Lodge to deal with the petition and to confer

the Degrees.

Time Limit after Election

R20.10 If a petitioner does not present

himself for initiation within six months after

his successful ballot, a second petition and

ballot is required.

Objection to Petitioner or Candidate

R20.11 No Constituent Lodge shall have

more than one ballot for the three Degrees;

R20.11.1 If, after balloting and before a

petitioner’s initiation, an objection is

received, the objection has the same effect

as two black balls or cubes.

R20.11.2 II after initiation, but before being

passed or, after passing but before being

raised, objection is received, the objection

must be referred to an Investigation

Committee of three members of the Lodge to

enquire into the cause and to report at the

next Regular Communication.

R20.11.3 On receiving the report, if the

objection has been found to have no cause,

or if the cause is considered by a two-thirds

majority of Members present to be not a valid

and Masonic one, the Worshipful Master

may proceed to confer the remaining

Degree(s). If the objection is deemed to have

sufficient cause, charges must be laid

against the Brother for unmasonic conduct

and he must be tried accordingly.

Advancement after Ballot

R20.12 A Lodge may confer the EA degree

on a candidate at least two weeks after the

ballot has been taken. His full name, age,

profession, and residential address must

appear in the notice for the Communication

at which he will receive the EA degree. The

Grand Master may grant a Dispensation to

permit a change in the waiting period.

70

Advancement after Initiation

R20.13 A Lodge cannot advance a candidate

from an EA or FC Degree unless:

(a) two weeks have elapsed since he

received his present Degree,

(b) his name is on the notice calling

the communication when he is to

receive the Degree.

Examination in Open Lodge

R20.14 Candidates must be examined in

open Lodge before advancing. The

Worshipful Master can decide on the length

of the examination and must be satisfied on

the proficiency of the candidate.

R20.14.1 The Candidate can be advanced in

his Mother Lodge or another Lodge

recognized by Grand Lodge.

R20.14.2 If the Lodge that an EA or FC is

from is now extinct, he can apply to any

Lodge in our Jurisdiction. The Grand Master

must approve of his advancement first.

R20.14.3 An EA or FC has up to twelve

months to appear at Lodge for advancement.

If the time is close to twelve months, the

Lodge Secretary will inform the candidate

that, if he does not attend, he will be dropped

from the Lodge membership.

Reinstatement after twelve months

R20.15 If an EA or FC appears after twelve

months, he can ask to be reinstated. He has

to make application which will be received at

a Regular Lodge meeting. The Lodge

Members will be informed by notice of the

request for reinstatement and, after an

investigation; a written ballot must be taken.

Candidates may receive Degrees in any

Lodge

R20.16 A Lodge can take a candidate to

another Lodge and confer any Degree using

their own ritual. Their candidate may also

receive any Degree using the ritual of the

Lodge being visited.

Degrees conferred by Ritual Teams

R20.17 Ritual Teams, using their own ritual,

may confer a Degree on a candidate in any

Lodge

Application for Affiliation

R20.18 If a Brother (MM, FC, EA) wishes to

affiliate with a Lodge, he must apply on a

prescribed form and have two Members

sponsor him. He must provide the Secretary

of the Lodge with proof of his good standing

as a Mason, or his demit from the last Lodge

of which he was a Member. He must declare

that he is not a Member under suspension or

expelled from any Lodge.

R20.18.1 The applicant’s full name, age,

profession, place of residence, name and

number of last Lodge of which he is or was a

Member must be placed on the notice for the

next Lodge meeting.

R20.18.2 His application must be examined

by an Investigation Committee of three

Members, which should report on the

applicant after four weeks unless extra time

is requested.

R20.18.3 If all three Members are not

satisfied with the applicant, then he will not

be balloted upon; otherwise a ballot will be

taken. Three black balls or cubes are

required to reject the applicant.

REGULATION 21 - BRETHREN

Must obey Summons

R21.1 Every Member is under an absolute

obligation to obey a summons issued to him.

If he disobeys a summons, he may be

suspended or expelled, unless it can be

shown that his disobedience was

unavoidable or was caused by some urgent

necessity.

71

Majority of Members Demit Power to

Retain Warrant

R21.2 If a majority of the Members of a

Lodge demit from their Lodge, the remaining

Members may continue to hold the Warrant

and function as a Lodge, provided there are

no less than seven Members. If less than

seven Members remain, the Lodge Warrant

shall cease and the Lodge becomes extinct,

and the authority thereby granted reverts to

Grand Lodge.

Demit to Brethren when Lodge Extinct

R21.3 If a Lodge surrenders or forfeits its

Warrant or Dispensation, or otherwise

ceases to exist, the Grand Secretary may

issue demits to any of its Members, Entered

Apprentices or Fellow Crafts if he receives

application from any of them. He must first

be satisfied with proof that they were in good

standing having paid all fees or dues owing

as at the date the Lodge ceased to exist.

Demits to Members (Resignation)

R21.4 A member who wishes to resign from

a Lodge may apply for a demit, either

personally in open Lodge or by notifying the

Secretary. He is entitled to a demit only if he

is in good standing, free from any Masonic

charge and is not indebted to the Lodge

when his application is made to the Lodge or

received by the Secretary. His application

must be received at a Regular Lodge

Communication and lie on the table for one

month unless the Lodge decides by

resolution there is an urgent need for

immediate action.

What a Demit signifies

R21.5 A demit granted by a Lodge confirms:

(a) the Brother was a Member,

(b) he was free from any Masonic

Charges as at the date of the demit,

and

(c) he was not indebted to the Lodge

from which he has demitted.

Status and Privileges while holding a

Demit

R21.6 A demit does not entitle the Brother to

any Masonic privileges consistent with Lodge

membership.

R21.6.1 While unaffiliated, the Brother may

not visit any Lodge more than twice except

with the consent of that Lodge.

R21.6.2 A demitted Brother is in “good

standing” indefinitely.

Reinstatement

R21.7 A Brother who wishes to be reinstated

as a Member of the Lodge which demitted

him must apply in writing. His application

must be presented at a Regular

Communication and notice of the application

given to all Members of the Lodge in the

notice for the Regular Communication at

which the question of reinstatement is to be

voted on. Subject to a favourable report of an

investigating committee, a written ballot on

the application must be taken. Reinstatement

requires a two-thirds affirmative vote of the

Members present.

Demits to Entered Apprentice or Fellow

Craft

R21.8 A Lodge may by resolution grant a

demit to an Entered Apprentice or a Fellow

Craft after he has made an application and

the same procedure for granting a demit to a

Member has been followed.

Refund for Unmasonic Conduct

R21.9 An Entered Apprentice or Fellow Craft

mason is entitled to a refund of a

proportional amount of his fees for his

72

initiation if he is found guilty of unmasonic

conduct.

REGULATION 22 - DECORUM

Members Remain Seated

R22.1 All Members must remain seated

during the transaction of business. The only

exceptions are those who are required to

move about as part of their official duties.

Speaker to Stand

R22.2 Anyone who wishes to speak must

rise and remain standing, addressing himself

to the Worshipful Master, and he must not be

interrupted.

Point of order

R22.3. If a Member wishes to address the

Worshipful Master on a point of order, or the

Worshipful Master calls the speaker to order,

after he has been set right, he may proceed

provided he observes due order and

decorum.

Speak Only Once

R22.4 No Member may speak more than

once to the same question, unless in

explanation, or the mover in reply, without

permission from the Worshipful Master.

Acceptable Jewels to be worn

R22.5 Members who belong to the Order of

the Holy Royal Arch may wear in Lodge and

in Grand Lodge the honorary Jewel of that

Order, but not the clothing. It is must be worn

on the right lapel.

R22.6 Any jewel, button or medal approved

by the Grand Master and authorized by

Grand Lodge may be worn in Lodge and

Grand Lodge including;

(a) Past Masters jewel

(b) Past Grand Lodge officers jewel

(c) Grand Lodge representative of

another Grand Lodge jewel

(d) Lewis Jewell

(e) Denis Marsh Medal

(d) Long Service Recognition Medal

(f) Masonic Medal of Merit

The Denis Marsh Medal, Long Service

Recognition Medal and Masonic Medal of

Merit must be worn on the right lapel.

REGULATION 23 - VISITORS

Who May Visit

R23.1 A Master Mason in good standing may

be permitted to visit any Lodge. An Entered

Apprentice or Fellow Craft in good standing

may be permitted to visit a Lodge while

working in any Degree which he has

received.

Vouching for Visitors

R23.2 A visitor may be vouched for by any

Brother present at the Lodge which the

visitor desires to visit. The Brother who

vouches for a visitor is responsible and must

be satisfied that the visitor is in good

standing and duly qualified to visit the Lodge.

Examination Committee for Visitors

R23.3 If a visitor cannot be vouched for, the

Worshipful Master must appoint a committee

of three skilled brethren to examine him and

report the result to the Worshipful Master

who may grant or refuse admittance to the

visitor.

Must have documentary evidence

R23.4 Before any visitor can be examined,

he must provide the name and location of the

Lodge of which he is, or was last, a Member

or in which he received his degrees in

Freemasonry, and must take the Tyler’s

oath. He must produce satisfactory

73

documentary evidence of his good standing

which is reported to the Worshipful Master

before the Committee of Examination is

appointed.

Member may object to Visitor

R23.5 If any Member of the Lodge objects to

sitting in the Lodge with a visitor, the

Worshipful Master must refuse the visitor

admittance. If the visitor has been admitted,

he must be requested to retire from the

Lodge.

Tyler’s Oath

R23.6 When required the following Tyler’s

Oath will be used:

I, _________________ do hereby and

hereon solemnly swear that I have been

regularly initiated, passed and raised in a just

and legally constituted Lodge of Ancient Free

and Accepted Masons; that I do not stand

suspended or expelled, and that I know of no

just reason why I should not hold Masonic

intercourse with my Brethren.

REGULATION 24 - GENERAL

Masonic Picnic

R24.1 A Lodge Picnic held on a Sunday

cannot commence before 1:00 pm.

Procession in Public

R24.2 A Lodge cannot form, or walk in, any

Masonic procession in public without

permission from the Grand Master, except

when:

(a) the Lodge is conducting a funeral

or memorial service, or

(b) attending a Divine Service,

(c) participating in a Memorial Parade

to the cenotaph as a formed body,

wearing regalia and jewels of rank, to

pay respects to ‘fallen Brethren’. This

must be at the request of, or with the

permission of, the organizing body.

REGULATION 25 - LONG

SERVICE RECOGNITION

Long Service eligibility

R25.1 Long Service eligibility of Members

must be verified by Grand Lodge office

records. In calculating long service eligibility,

deductions are made for;

(a) time over six months between

demit and affiliation,

(b) time lost as a result of action by a

Trial Committee, and

(c) time during which the Member

was suspended for non-payment of

dues.

R25.1.1 No time deduction is made for a

Brother who was suspended for N.P.D. prior

to 1939, due to the great depression of the

1930s, nor for the period of World War II, if it

is recommended by his Lodge, and approved

by the Grand Master.

Twenty-five to Forty-five Years

R25.2 A Member who has been affiliated

with any Lodges in this Jurisdiction, or

Lodges of Jurisdictions recognized by Grand

Lodge, for twenty-five, thirty, thirty-five, forty

and forty-five years from the date of his

Initiation may be presented with a Lapel

Emblem, as approved by the Lodge and the

Grand Master.

Fifty Years

R25.3 A Member who has been affiliated

with any Lodges in this Jurisdiction, or

Lodges of Jurisdictions recognized by Grand

Lodge, for fifty years from the date of his

Initiation may be presented with a Grand

Lodge fifty year Recognition Breast Jewel,

fifty year Lapel Emblem and a fifty year Long

74

Service Recognition Certificate, as approved

by Grand Lodge and the Grand Master.

Sixty, Seventy, Seventy-five Years

R25.4 A Member who has been affiliated

with any Lodges in this Jurisdiction, or

Lodges of Jurisdictions recognized by Grand

Lodge, for sixty, seventy, or seventy-five

years from the date of Initiation may be

presented with a Grand Lodge Emblem and

Long Service Recognition Certificate

appropriate to the number of years as

approved by Grand Lodge and the Grand

Master.

Grand Lodge provides at Cost

R25.5 Grand Lodge Long Service

Recognition Jewels, Lapel Emblems and

Recognition Certificates must be provided by

Grand Lodge to the Lodges at cost. These

may be presented after the Member

becomes eligible when convenient to the

Lodge.

Masonic Medal of Merit

R25.6 Any Master Mason who has not been

installed as a Worshipful Master of a Lodge

is eligible to receive the award of the British

Columbia and Yukon Masonic Medal of Merit

and a suitable certificate.

R25.6.1 His nomination and

recommendation by two sponsors must be

approved by a Selection Committee.

Recommendations are to be based on the

service of the nominee to his Lodge and his

Community and on how he exemplified

Masonic principles in both these areas.

R25.6.2 The Selection Committee consists of

three members of Grand Lodge, one of

whom must be appointed by the Grand

Master each year for a three year term. The

Chairman is the member who has one year

remaining to serve. The four Grand Lodge

Principal Officers, the Immediate past Grand

Master and the Grand Secretary are ex-

officio members of the Committee, and the

Grand Secretary is Secretary of the

Committee.

R25.6.3 Nominees are not to be informed of

their nomination. All submissions by

sponsors to the Selection Committee are to

be treated as confidential correspondence.

75

Appendix A

The Charges

Of A Free Mason

Extracted From

The Ancient Records of Lodges beyond

Sea,

and those in England, Scotland and

Ireland,

for the use of the Lodges in London:

To be read at the making of new Brethren,

or when the Worshipful Master shall order

it.

THE GENERAL HEADS, VIZ.

I. Of God and Religion.

II. Of the Civil Magistrate, supreme and

subordinate.

III. Of Lodges.

IV. Of Worshipful Masters, Wardens, Fellows

and Apprentices.

V. Of the management of the Craft in

working.

VI. Of Behaviour, viz.:

1.In the Lodge while constituted.

2. After the Lodge is over and the

Brethren not gone.

3. When Brethren meet without

strangers, but not in a Lodge.

4. In the presence of strangers not

Freemasons.

5. At home and in the neighborhood.

6. Towards a strange Brother.

I. CONCERNING GOD AND RELIGION

A Freemason is obliged, by his tenure, to

obey the moral law; and if he rightly

understands the Art, he will never be a stupid

atheist, nor an irreligious libertine. But

though in Ancient times Freemasons were

charged in every country to be of the religion

of that country or nation, whatever it was, yet

it is now thought more expedient only to

oblige them to that religion to which all men

agree, leaving their particular opinions to

themselves; that is, to be good men and true,

or men of honour and honesty, by whatever

denominations or persuasions they may be

distinguished whereby Freemasonry

becomes the centre of union, and the means

for conciliating true friendship among

persons that must have remained at a

perpetual distance.

The Grand Lodge of British Columbia at its

Annual Communication in 1964 purported to

adopt the following in lieu of the foregoing

paragraph:

“A Freemason is obliged, by his tenure, to

obey the moral law; and if he rightly

understands the Art he will never be an

atheist nor an irreligious libertine. He, of all

men, should best understand that God seeth

not as man seeth; for man looketh at the

outward appearance, but God looketh to the

heart. A Freemason is, therefore, particularly

bound never to act against the dictates of his

conscience. Let a man’s religion or mode of

worship be what it may, he is not excluded

from the Order, provided he believe in the

glorious Architect of heaven and earth, and

practise the sacred duties of morality.

Freemasons unite with the virtuous of every

persuasion in the firm and pleasing bond of

fraternal love; they are taught to view the

errors of mankind with compassion and to

strive, by the purity of their own conduct, to

demonstrate the superior excellence of the

faith they may profess.”

II.OF THE CIVIL MAGISTRATE, SUPREME

AND SUBORDINATE

A Freemason is a peaceable subject of the

Civil Powers, wherever he resides or works,

and is never concerned in plots and

conspiracies against the peace and welfare

of the nation, nor to behave himself

undutifully to inferior Magistrates; for as

Freemasonry hath always been injured by

war, bloodshed and confusion, so Ancient

76

Kings and princes have been men disposed

to encourage the Craftsmen, because of

their peaceableness and loyalty, whereby

they practically answered the cavils of their

adversaries and promoted the honour of the

Fraternity, whoever flourished in times of

peace. So that if a brother should be a rebel

against the State, he is not to be

countenanced in his rebellion, however, he

may be pitied as an unhappy man; and, if

convicted of no other crime, though the loyal

Brotherhood must and ought to disown his

rebellion and give no umbrage or ground of

political jealously to the Government for the

time being; they cannot expel him from the

Lodge, and his relation to it remains

indefeasible.

III. OF LODGES

A Lodge is a place where Freemasons

assemble and work; hence that assembly or

duly organized Society of Freemasons is

called a Lodge, and every Brother ought to

belong to one, and to be subject to its By-

laws and the General Regulations. It is either

particular or general, as will be best

understood by attending it, and by

Regulations of the General or Grand Lodge

hereunto annexed. In Ancient times no

Master or Fellow could be absent from it,

especially when warned to appear at it,

without incurring a severe censure, until it

appeared to the Worshipful Master and

Wardens that pure necessity hindered him.

The persons admitted members of a Lodge

must be good and true men, free-born, and

of mature and discrete age, no bondmen, no

women, no immoral or scandalous men, but

of good report.

IV OF WORSHIPFUL MASTERS,

WARDENS, FELLOWS AND

APPRENTICES

All preferment among Freemasons is

grounded upon real worth and personal merit

only; that so the Lords may be well served,

the Brethren not put to shame, nor the Royal

Craft despised: Therefore no Worshipful

Master or Warden is chosen by seniority, but

for his merit. It is impossible to describe

these things in writing and every Brother

must attend in his place and learn them in a

way peculiar to this Fraternity. Only

candidates may know that no Worshipful

Master shall take an apprentice, unless he

has sufficient employment for him, and

unless he is a perfect youth, having no maim

or defect in his body that may render him

incapable of learning the Art, or serving his

Master’s Lord, and of being made a brother,

and then a Fellow Craft in due time, even

after he has served such a term of years as

the custom of the country directs; and that he

should be descended of honest parents; that

so, when otherwise qualified, he may arrive

at the honor of being the Warden, and then

the Worshipful Master of the Lodge, the

Grand Warden, and at length the Grand

Master of all the Lodges, according to his

merit.

No Brother can be a Warden until he has

passed the part of a Fellow-Craft; nor a

Worshipful Master until he has acted as a

Warden, nor Grand Warden until he has

been Worshipful Master of a Lodge, nor

GRAND MASTER unless he has been a

Fellow-Craft before his election who is also

to be nobly born or a Gentlemen of the best

Fashion, or some eminent Scholar, or some

curious Architect or other Artist, descended

of honest Parents, and of their own conduct,

to demonstrate the superior excellence of the

faith they may profess.”

77

II. OF THE CIVIL MAGISTRATE,

SUPREME AND SUBORDINATE

A Freemason is a peaceable subject of the

Civil Powers, wherever he resides or works,

and is never concerned in plots and

conspiracies against the peace and welfare

of the nation, nor to behave himself

undutifully to inferior Magistrates; for as

Freemasonry hath always been injured by

war, bloodshed and confusion, so Ancient

Kings and princes have been men disposed

to encourage the Craftsmen, because of

their peaceableness and loyalty, whereby

they practically answered the cavils of their

adversaries and promoted the honour of the

Fraternity, whoever flourished in times of

peace. So that if a brother should be a rebel

against the State, he is not to be

countenanced in his rebellion, however, he

may be pitied as an unhappy man; and, if

convicted of no other crime, though the loyal

Brotherhood must and ought to disown his

rebellion and give no umbrage or ground of

political jealously to the Government for the

time being; they cannot expel him from the

Lodge, and his relation to it remains

indefeasible.

III. OF LODGES

A Lodge is a place where Freemasons

assemble and work; hence that assembly or

duly organized Society of Freemasons is

called a Lodge, and every Brother ought to

belong to one, and to be subject to its By-

laws and the General Regulations. It is either

particular or general, as will be best

understood by attending it, and by

Regulations of the General or Grand Lodge

hereunto annexed. In Ancient times no

Master or Fellow could be absent from it,

especially when warned to appear at it,

without incurring a severe censure, until it

appeared to the Worshipful Master and

Wardens that pure necessity hindered him.

The persons admitted members of a Lodge

must be good and true men, free-born, and

of mature and discrete age, no bondmen, no

women, no immoral or scandalous men, but

of good report.

IV OF WORSHIPFUL MASTERS,

WARDENS, FELLOWS AND

APPRENTICES

All preferment among Freemasons is

grounded upon real worth and personal merit

only; that so the Lords may be well served,

the Brethren not put to shame, nor the Royal

Craft despised: Therefore no Worshipful

Master or Warden is chosen by seniority, but

for his merit. It is impossible to describe

these things in writing and every Brother

must attend in his place and learn them in a

way peculiar to this Fraternity. Only

candidates may know that no Worshipful

Master shall take an apprentice, unless he

has sufficient employment for him, and

unless he is a perfect youth, having no maim

or defect in his body that may render him

incapable of learning the Art, or serving his

Master’s Lord, and of being made a brother,

and then a Fellow Craft in due time, even

after he has served such a term of years as

the custom of the country directs; and that he

should be descended of honest parents; that

so, when otherwise qualified, he may arrive

at the honor of being the Warden, and then

the Worshipful Master of the Lodge, the

Grand Warden, and at length the Grand

Master of all the Lodges, according to his

merit.

No Brother can be a Warden until he has

passed the part of a Fellow-Craft; nor a

Worshipful Master until he has acted as a

Warden, nor Grand Warden until he has

been Worshipful Master of a Lodge, nor

GRAND MASTER unless he has been a

Fellow-Craft before his election who is also

to be nobly born or a Gentlemen of the best

78

Fashion, or some eminent Scholar, or some

curious Architect or other Artist, descended

of honest Parents, and who is of singular

great merit in the Opinion of the Lodges. And

for the better, and easier, and more

honourable Discharge of his Office, the

Grand Master has a power to choose his

own Deputy-Grand Master, who must be

then, or must have been formerly, the

Worshipful Master of a particular Lodge, and

has the Privilege of acting whatever the

Grand Master, his Principal, should act,

unless the said Principal be present, or

interpose his Authority by a Letter.

These rules and governors, supreme and

subordinate, of the ancient Lodge, are to be

obeyed in their respective stations by all

Brethren, according to the Old Charges and

Regulations, with all humility, reverence, love

and alacrity.

V. OF THE MANAGEMENT OF THE

CRAFT IN WORKING

All Freemasons shall work honestly on

working days, that they may live creditably

on holy days; and the time appointed by the

law of the land, or confirmed by custom, shall

be observed.

The most expert of the Fellow Craftsmen

shall be chosen or appointed the Worshipful

Master, or Overseer of the Lord’s work; who

is to be called Worshipful Master by those

that work under him.

The Craftsmen are to avoid all ill language,

and to call each other by no disobliging

name, but Brother or Fellow; and to behave

themselves courteously within and without

the Lodge.

The Worshipful Master, knowing himself to

be of cunning shall undertake the Lord’s

work as reasonably as possible, and truly

dispense his goods as if they were his own;

nor to give more wages to any Brother or

Apprentice than he really may deserve.

Both the Worshipful Master and the

Freemason receiving their wages justly, shall

be faithful to the Lord, and honestly finish

their work, whether task or journey; nor put

the work to task that hath been accustomed

to journey.

None shall discover envy at the prosperity of

a brother, or supplant him, or put him out of

his work, if he is capable to finish the same;

for no man can finish another’s work so

much to the Lord’s profit, unless he be

thoroughly acquainted with the designs of

him that began it.

When a Fellow Craftsman is chosen Warden

of the work under the Worshipful Master, he

shall be true to both Worshipful Master and

Fellows, shall carefully over-see the work in

the Worshipful Master’s absence to the

Lord’s profit; and his Brethren shall obey

him.

All Freemasons employed shall meekly

receive their wages without murmuring or

mutiny, and not desert the Worshipful Master

till the work is finished.

A younger Brother shall be instructed in

working, to prevent spoiling the materials for

want of judgment, and for increasing and

continuing in Brotherly love.

All the tools used in working shall be

approved by the Grand Lodge.

No labourer shall be employed in the proper

work of Freemasonry; nor shall Freemasons

work with those that are not free, without an

urgent necessity; nor shall they teach

labourers and unaccepted Freemasons as

they would teach a brother or Fellow.

VI. OF BEHAVIOUR, VIZ.:

1.IN THE LODGE WHILE CONSTITUTED

You are not to hold private committees, or

separate conversations, without leave from

the Worshipful Master, nor to talk of anything

impertinent or unseemly, nor interrupt the

Worshipful Master or Wardens, or any

79

Brother speaking to the Worshipful Master.

Nor behave yourself ludicrously or jestingly

while the Lodge is engaged in what is

serious or solemn; nor use any unbecoming

language upon any pretext whatever; but to

pay due reverence to your Worshipful

Master, Wardens and Fellows and put them

to worship.

If any complaint be brought, the Brother

found guilty shall stand to the award and

determination of the Lodge, who are proper

and competent judges of all such

controversies, (unless you carry it by appeal

to the Grand Lodge), and to whom they

ought to be referred, unless a Lord’s work be

hindered the meanwhile, in which case a

particular reference may be made; but you

must never go to law about what concerneth

Freemasonry, without an absolute necessity

apparent to the Lodge.

2. BEHAVIOUR AFTER THE LODGE IS

OVER AND THE BRETHREN NOT GONE

You may enjoy yourself with innocent mirth,

treating one another according to ability, but

avoiding all excess or forcing any Brother to

eat or drink beyond his inclination, or

hindering him from going when his occasions

call him, or doing or saying anything

offensive, or that may forbid an easy and

free conversation; for that would blast our

harmony, and defeat our laudable purposes.

Therefore no private piques or quarrels must

be brought within the door of the Lodge, far

less any quarrels about religion, or nations,

or State policy, we being only, as

Freemasons of the Catholic Religion above

mentioned; we are also of all nations,

tongues, kindreds, and languages, and are

resolved against all politics, as what never

yet conduced to the welfare of the Lodge nor

ever will. This Charge has always been

strictly enjoined and observed; but especially

ever since the Reformation in Britain, or the

Dissent and Secession of these nations from

the Communion of Rome.

3. BEHAVIOUR WHEN BRETHREN

MEET WITHOUT STRANGERS, BUT NOT

IN A LODGE FORMED

You are to salute one another in a courteous

manner, as you will be instructed, calling

each other Brother, freely giving mutual

instruction as shall be thought expedient,

without being overseen or overheard, and

without encroaching upon each other, or

derogating from that respect which is due to

any Brother, were he not a Freemason. For

although all Freemasons are as Brethren

upon the same level, yet Freemasonry takes

no honour from a man that he had before;

nay, rather it adds to his honour, especially if

he has deserved well of the Brotherhood,

who must give honour to whom it is due, and

avoid ill manners.

4. BEHAVIOR IN PRESENCE OF

STRANGERS NOT FREEMASONS

You will be cautious in your words and

carriage, that the most penetrating stranger

shall not be able to discover or find out what

is not proper to be intimated; and sometimes

you shall divert a discourse and manage it

prudently for the honor of the Worshipful

Fraternity.

5.BEHAVIOR AT HOME AND IN YOUR

NEIGHBOURHOOD

You are to act as becomes a moral and wise

man, particularly not to let your family,

friends and neighbours know the concerns of

the Lodge, etc., but wisely to consult your

own honour and that of the Ancient

Brotherhood, for reasons not to be

mentioned here. You must also consult your

health, by not continuing together too late, or

too long from home after Lodge hours are

past; and by avoiding of gluttony or

80

drunkenness, that your families be not

neglected or injured, nor you disabled from

working.

6. BEHAVIOR TOWARDS A STRANGE

BROTHER

You are cautiously to examine him, in such a

method as prudence shall direct you, that

you may not be imposed upon by an ignorant

false pretender, whom you are to reject with

contempt and derision, and beware of giving

him any hints of knowledge.

But if you discover him to be a true and

genuine Brother, you are to respect him

accordingly; and if he is in want you must

relieve him if you can, or else direct him how

he may be relieved. You must employ him

some days, or else recommend him to be

employed. But you are not charged to do

beyond your ability, only to prefer a poor

Brother, that is a good man and true, before

any other poor people in the same

circumstances.

FINALLY, all these Charges you are to

observe, and also those that shall be

communicated to you in another way;

cultivating Brotherly Love, the Foundation

and Cope stone, the Cement and the Glory

of this Ancient Fraternity, avoiding all

wrangling and quarreling, all slander and

backbiting, nor permitting others to slander

any honest Brother, but defending his

character, and doing him all good offices, so

far as is consistent with your honour and

safety, and no further. And if any of them do

you injury, you must apply to your own or his

Lodge; and from thence you may appeal to

the Grand Lodge at the Quarterly

Communication, and from thence to the

Annual Grand Lodge, as has been the

Ancient and laudable conduct of our

forefathers in every nation; never taking a

legal course, but when the case cannot be

otherwise decided, and patiently listening to

the honest and friendly advice of Worshipful

Master and Fellows, when they would

prevent you going to law with strangers or

would excite you to put a speedy period to all

lawsuits that so you may mind the affair of

Freemasonry with the more alacrity and

success; but with respect to Brothers or

Fellows at law, the Worshipful Master and

Brethren should kindly offer their mediation,

which ought to be thankfully submitted to by

the contending Brethren; and if that

submission is impracticable, they must

however carry on their process, or lawsuit,

without wrath or rancor (not in the common

way) saying or doing nothing which may

hinder Brotherly Love, and good offices to be

renewed and continued; that all may see the

benign influence of Freemasonry, as all true

Freemasons have done from the beginning

of the world, and will do to the end of time.

Amen, so mote it be.

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Appendix B

Aims and Relationships of the Craft

From time to time the Grand Lodge of British

Columbia and Yukon has deemed it

desirable to set forth in precise form the

Aims of Freemasonry as consistently

practiced under its jurisdiction since it came

into being as an organized body in 1871, and

also to define the principles governing its

relations with those other Grand Lodges with

which it is in fraternal accord.

In view of representations which have been

received, and of statements recently issued

which have distorted or obscured the true

objects of Freemasonry, it is once again

considered necessary to emphasize certain

fundamental principles in the Order.

1. The first condition of admission into, and

membership of, the Order is a belief in the

Supreme Being. This is essential and admits

of no compromise.

2. The Bible, referred to by Freemasons as

The Volume of the Sacred Law, is always

open in the Lodges. Every candidate is

required to take his obligation on that book,

or on the volume which is held by his

particular creed to impart sanctity to an oath

or promise taken upon it.

3. Everyone who enters Freemasonry is, at

the outset, strictly forbidden to countenance

any act which may have a tendency to

subvert the peace and good order of society;

he must pay due obedience to the law of any

state in which he resides or which may afford

him protection, and he must never be remiss

in the allegiance due to the Sovereign of his

native land.

4. While British Columbian Freemasonry

thus inculcates in each of its members the

duties of loyalty and citizenship, it reserves

to the individual the right to hold his own

opinion with regard to public affairs. But

neither in any Lodge, nor at any time in his

capacity as a Freemason, is he permitted to

discuss or to advance his views on

theologically or political questions.

5. The Grand Lodge has always consistently

refused to express any opinion of foreign or

domestic state policy, either at home or

abroad, and it will not allow its name to be

associated with any action, however

humanitarian it may appear to be, which

infringes its unalterable policy of standing

aloof from every question affecting the

relations between one government and

another, or between political parties, or

questions as to rival theories of government.

6. The Grand Lodge is aware that there do

exist bodies, styling themselves as

Freemasons, which do not adhere to these

principles, and while that attitude exists the

Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon

refuses absolutely to have any relations with

such bodies, or to regard them as

Freemasons.

7. The Grand Lodge of British Columbia and

Yukon is a Sovereign and Independent Body

practicing Freemasonry only within the three

degrees and only within the limits defined in

its Constitution as “pure Antient Masonry”. It

does not recognize or admit the existence of

any Superior Masonic authority, however

styled.

8. The Grand Lodge of British Columbia and

Yukon will refuse to participate in

conferences with so-called International

Associations claiming to represent

Freemasonry, which admit to membership

Bodies failing to conform strictly to the

principles upon which the Grand Lodge of

British Columbia and Yukon is founded, nor

can its views be represented by any such

International Association.

9. There is no secret with regard to any of

the basic principles of Freemasonry, some of

which have been stated above. The Grand

Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon will

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always consider the recognition of these

Grand Lodges which profess and practice,

and can show that they have consistently

professed and practised, those established

and unaltered principles, but in no

circumstances will it enter into discussion

with a view to new or varied interpretation of

them. They must be accepted and practised

wholeheartedly and in their entirety by those

who desire to be recognized as Freemasons

by the Grand Lodge of British Columbia and

Yukon.

The United Grand Lodge of England has

been asked if it still stands by these Aims

and Relationships of the Craft. The United

Grand Lodge of England replied that it stood

by every word of the declaration, and has

since asked for the opinion of the Grand

Lodges of Ireland and Scotland. A

conference was held between these three

Grand Lodges, and all unhesitatingly

reaffirmed the statement that as pronounced

in 1938: nothing in present-day affairs has

been found that could cause them to change

from that attitude.

The Grand Lodge of British Columbia and

Yukon, and the three Grand Lodges of

England, Ireland and Scotland, are

convinced that by a rigid adherence to these

Aims and Relationships that Freemasonry

has survived the constantly changing

doctrines of the outside world, and are

further compelled to place on record their

complete disapproval of any action which

may tend to permit the slightest departure

from the basic principles of Freemasonry.

They are strongly of the opinion that if any

Grand Lodge does so it cannot maintain a

claim to be following the Ancient Landmarks

of the Order.

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Appendix C

Resolutions

The Grand Lodge of British Columbia and

Yukon may acknowledge a Concordant Body

to be in ‘Amity’ and have friendly relationship

with it provided that Body is found to be a

regular member of the Fraternal Masonic

Family that recognises Grand Lodge as the

Cornerstone of Freemasonry and shows

loyalty to it. Their membership must

acknowledge the Ancient Landmarks of

Freemasonry as practised in this Jurisdiction

and must maintain their membership on its

registry. It is understood that Grand Lodge

has no jurisdiction in the operation or

management of said Concordant Body.

[2004]

Resolved that the Grand Lodge of British

Columbia is in amity with the following

bodies:

1984

1. The Sovereign Grand Lodges,

recognized as such by the Grand Lodge of

British Columbia, and the Lodges working

under them.

2. The Grand Chapter, Royal Arch

Masons of British Columbia, having its

headquarters in Vancouver, B.C., and the

Grand Royal Arch Chapters, recognized as

such by it; and the chapters working under

all such bodies.

3. The Sovereign Great Priory of

Canada of the United Orders of Malta and

the Temple, having its headquarters in

Toronto, Ontario, and the Great Priories of

other countries and jurisdictions recognized

by it; and all the priories and preceptories

working under the authorization of all such

bodies.

4. The Grand Council Royal and Select

Masters of Western Canada, of the Cryptic

Rite of Freemasonry, having its headquarters

in Vancouver, B.C., and the Grand Councils

of other countries and jurisdictions

recognized by it; and the councils working

under all such bodies.

5. The Grand Imperial Conclave of

Canada of the Red Cross of Constantine

having its headquarters in Barrie, Ontario,

and the Grand Imperial Conclaves

recognized as such by it; and the conclaves

working under all such bodies.

6. The Grand Imperial Council of

Scotland of the Red Cross of Constantine

having its headquarters in Edinburgh,

Scotland, and the Grand Imperial Conclaves

recognized as such by it; and the conclaves

working under all such bodies.

7. The Supreme Council of the Thirty-

Third Degree of the Ancient and Accepted

Scottish Rite of Freemasonry of Canada,

having its headquarters in Hamilton, Ontario,

and the Supreme Councils of the Rite,

recognized as such by it; and the

consistories, chapters and lodges working

under all such bodies.

8. The Royal Order of Scotland, having

its headquarters in Edinburgh, Scotland, and

all the Provincial Grand Lodges of that order,

chartered and recognized as such by it.

9. The Imperial Council of North

America of the Ancient Arabic Order of the

Nobles of the Mystic Shrine having its

headquarters in Tampa, Florida; and the

Temples and Shrine organizations chartered

and recognized as such by it.

1987

10. The Supreme Council of the Grottoes

of North America, having its headquarters in

Columbus, Ohio, and the Grottoes chartered

and recognized as such by it.

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1996

11. The order of the Holy Royal Arch

Knight Templar Priests, Grand Lodge of

Great Britain and Tabernacles Overseas,

having its headquarters in the City of York,

England, and the Tabernacles chartered and

recognized by it.

2004

12. The Grand Conclave of the Order of

the Secret Monitor, or the Brotherhood of

David and Jonathan of Canada, and the

Conclaves chartered and recognized by it.

13. The Convent General Knights of the

York Cross of Honor, and the Priories

chartered and recognized by it.

14. The Grand Council of Allied Masonic

Degrees of Canada, and the Councils

chartered and recognized by it.

15. The York Rite Sovereign College of

North America, and the Colleges chartered

and recognized by it. [2005, p. 5.]

85