CHAPTER 34
Grand Lodge Committees
Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence
The Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence
shall consist of fifteen members, each of whom shall be a Past Master and shall
be well informed in Masonic law. [27-6].
1. The following
officers of the Grand Lodge shall be members of the Committee during their
respective terms of office:
The Deputy Grand Master,
The Senior Grand Warden, and
The Junior Grand Warden.
2. In addition to
the above members, there shall be twelve qualified members to be nominated by
the Grand Master elect and confirmed by the Grand Lodge.
A. At each Annual Communication, the Grand
Master-elect shall nominate four members, each of whom shall serve for three
years when confirmed by the Grand Lodge.
B. In the event of a vacancy on this
Committee the Grand Master shall fill the vacancy until the next Annual
Communication of the Grand Lodge, when the vacancy shall be filled for the
unexpired term on nomination of the Grand Master elect and confirmation of the
Grand Lodge.
C. Subsequent to the election of officers of
the Grand Lodge as provided in Chapter 12, and prior to the close of Grand
Lodge, the Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence shall elect its Chairman from its
membership.
Matters which shall be
referred to the Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence and its duties relative to
these and other things are as follows.
1. All proposals
to amend the written law of the Grand Lodge shall be referred to the committee.
A. It shall report its recommendations for
action thereon to the Grand Lodge.
B. It shall see that all such proposals,
except those to amend the Constitution of the Grand Lodge, do not conflict with
the provisions of that Constitution.
2. All decisions,
opinions, and rulings of the Grand Master on matters of Masonic law and usage
shall be referred to the committee. If in the opinion of the committee a point
has been decided by the Grand Master which is not, but which should be made, a
part of the written law and decision be not in proper form therefor, the
committee shall put it in proper form and submit it with its recommendations to
the Grand Lodge. [8-6.4].
3. The committee
shall consider and report to the Grand Lodge on all other matters of legal
significance referred to it by the Grand Lodge or by the Grand Master. [13-5.2].
Committee on Finance
The Committee on Finance
shall consist of twelve members. [27-6].
1. The following officers
of the Grand Lodge shall be members of the Committee during their respective
terms of office:
The Deputy Grand Master,
The Senior Grand Warden, and
The Junior Grand Warden.
2. Nine members
of the committee shall be nominated by the Grand Master elect and confirmed by
the Grand Lodge as follows.
A. At each Annual Communication, the Grand
Master elect shall nominate three members, each of whom shall serve for three
years when confirmed by the Grand Lodge.
B. In the event of a vacancy on the committee
the Grand Master shall fill the vacancy until the next Annual Communication of
the Grand Lodge when the vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term on
nomination of the Grand Master elect and confirmation of the Grand Lodge.
C. Subsequent to the election of officers of
the Grand Lodge as provided in Chapter 12, and prior to the close of Grand
Lodge, the committee shall elect its Chairman from its membership.
3. The Grand
Treasurer and the Grand Secretary shall attend, without the right to vote, all
meetings of the Finance Committee, except when either may be requested to
excuse himself by a majority vote of the members of the committee present.
Their duties to the Finance Committee will be to advise and to provide financial
information that is available only to them and through them in their official
capacity.
Matters which shall be
referred to the Committee on Finance and its duties relative to these and other
things are as follows.
1. All questions
of a monetary character, affecting the interest of the Grand Lodge. [13-5.2;
21-2; 36-6; 27-7.2; 36-10.23.D; 36-10.23.E; 36-10.23.F].
2. The financial
statements of all officers, boards, commissions and committees of the Grand
Lodge and of those institutions or agencies operated by the Grand Lodge. [2-6.5;
22-1].
The duties and powers of
the Committee on Finance are as follows.
1. To examine in
its discretion the books, accounts, records, and other financial matters of any
officer, board, commission, or committee of the Grand Lodge or of any
institution or agency in which the Grand Lodge may have an interest. [22-1.1].
2. To prepare
annually and present to the Grand Lodge for its action a budget of estimated
income and expenditures of the Grand Lodge for each calendar year which shall
contain a comparison item by item of the proposed budget with the income and
expenditures for the preceding calendar year, listing each expenditure under
its proper heading, with its recommendation for the amount of each as it may
deem necessary therefor. The budget as adopted by the Grand Lodge shall be
approved for the expenditure of such sums for their respective purposes as
therein specified and indicated unless otherwise provided in said report. Any
salaries or other compensation set up in an approved budget shall be the amount
authorized for the year and for the purpose named therein. [2-6.5;
21-2].
3. Obsolete (This section amended, Effective
Committee on Appeals
The Committee on Appeals
shall consist of five members all of whom shall be Masters or Past Masters in
good standing and well informed in Masonic law. After they are duly nominated
by the Grand Master and confirmed by the Grand Lodge. [27-1.3.C; 27-4; 27-6; 27-7; 27-7.7; 27-7.8].
1. One member of
this committee shall be nominated by the Grand Master for confirmation at each
annual communication to serve for five years.
2. A vacancy in
the Committee on Appeals occurring when the Grand Lodge is in recess shall be
filled by the Grand Master until the next succeeding annual communication of
the Grand Lodge when the vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term on
nomination of the Grand Master elect and confirmation of the Grand Lodge.
The Committee on Appeals
shall consider and report with its recommendations on:
1. All appeals to
the Grand Lodge by individuals or lodges from the decision or acts of Trial Commissions,
all appeals from the decisions of any subordinate lodge, the Master of a lodge,
or the Grand Master, in matters of Masonic discipline only; [58-3; 8-3; 8-3.4;
Chapter 98].
2. All petitions
for restoration to membership after expulsion or suspension for unmasonic
conduct; [Chapter 101].
3. All other
matters required by law or matters which may be referred to it by the Grand
Master or the Grand Lodge; and [58-3].
4. Any appeal
arising out of the arrest of a charter. [41-11; 41-12].
Committee
on Charters and Dispensations
The Committee on Charters
and Dispensations shall be composed of five members appointed annually.
The following matters shall
be referred to this committee: [27-1.3.D; 27-6; 27-7; 27-7.7; 27-7.8].
1. All petitions to
change the name or location of a subordinate lodge; [40-2; 40-3; 41-3].
2. All petitions
for duplicate charters; [41-4].
3. All petitions
for charters by lodges under dispensation; and [40-1.1].
4. Obsolete (This section amended, effective 1/1/2006)
The duties of the Committee
on Charters and Dispensations shall be as follows.
1. To consider
and report to the Grand Lodge with their recommendations on all matters
referred to it. [42-3.1].
2. To examine the
records of proceedings and work done by each lodge under dispensation and to
make a report to the Grand Lodge on the correctness and regularity thereof,
together with recommendations, and such information as it deems pertinent which
may include the opinion of the committee as to the proficiency in the
ritualistic work, knowledge of the law, and disposition to obey it, of the
lodge under dispensation. If a charter is recommended in its report, it shall
state the name, number and location, as well as the names, in full, of the
first three principal officers of the new lodge. [39-2.6.E; 40-1.1; Chapter 40].
Other Committees
REG.
34-11 FRATERNAL CORRESPONDENCE.
The Committee on Fraternal Correspondence
shall be composed of one member appointed annually. [27-1.3.E; 27-6; 27-7].
1. He shall examine
the printed or written proceedings of other Grand Lodges in fraternal
correspondence with this Grand Lodge and to submit a written report at each
annual communication of such parts as he considers will be of general interest
to the Craft in this jurisdiction and his opinion of the general condition of
Masonry throughout the world. This report shall not be acted upon or adopted by
the Grand Lodge except his recommendations therein as to recognition of grand
bodies and the statements made and the opinions expressed therein are to be
considered those of the brother making the report and not the opinion or act of
the Grand Lodge. [16-1.33].
2. He shall furnish the Grand Secretary a legible copy of his report which shall be printed prior to the annual communication for the use of the officers and members present. The report of this committee shall be printed as a supplement in the Annual Proceedings of the Grand Lodge, provided, it is presented at the annual communication as provided for in this regulation. (This section amended, effective 1/1/2006)
3. He shall
inquire into the character and status of all grand bodies which may hereafter
apply for recognition to ascertain whether or not they comply fully with
Section 6-1 and report his findings in detail with his recommendations
thereon.
The Committee on Charity
shall consist of one member appointed annually. [27-1.3.F; 34-10; 27-7].
1. He shall
investigate all applications for assistance from the charity fund of the Grand
Lodge, and to draw upon the same through the Grand Secretary for such amounts
as in his judgment are necessary. [61-2.5].
2. He shall
report to the Grand Lodge annually all disbursements made by him during the
calendar year.
The Committee on
Credentials shall be composed of three members appointed annually. [27-1.3.G; 27-6; 27-7; 27-7.8].
1. The committee
shall examine carefully and pass upon the credentials of all Masons claiming
the right of membership in the Grand Lodge unless the communication be one for
ceremony only. [3-4; 18-3; 18-4; 18-7.1].
2. The committee
shall properly list on a register the names of all grand officers and members
and the name of each representative present with the name and number of his
lodge and his official position, if any, therein. [18-7].
3. The committee
shall require a written commission signed by the officer he represents from
each member presenting himself as a proxy. [3-4; 18-7.1; 19-5;, Official Form 43].
4. The committee
shall prepare and report a roll of members attending a communication of the
Grand Lodge for the transaction of business but not one for ceremony only.
5. The committee shall
supervise a vote in the Grand Lodge by a call of the roll when such vote is
demanded. [Chapter 19].
The Committee on Necrology
shall be composed of one member appointed annually. It shall be his duty to
make a fitting report in writing at the annual communication relating to
deceased brethren. This report shall not be acted upon or adopted by the Grand
Lodge, but it shall be received, entered on the record, and printed as a
transaction of the Grand Lodge in the Annual Proceedings. The Grand Lodge shall
have a Memorial Service at each Annual Communication. For this purpose the
Grand Master may appoint additional members to the Committee on Necrology as
its Chairman may request. [27-1.3.H; 27-6].
REG.
34-15 BY-LAWS OF SUBORDINATE LODGES.
The Committee on By-Laws of
Subordinate Lodges shall consist of one member, well versed in Masonic
jurisprudence and usage, appointed annually. [27-1.3.I; 27-6; 27-7].
1. He shall
examine the by-laws of subordinate lodges and all amendments thereto which may
be submitted to him and which shall not be effective until approved by this
committee. The decision of this committee shall be conclusive until reversed or
modified by the Grand Lodge or the Grand Master. [43-10; 59-12.20].
2. He shall
report annually to the Grand Lodge, giving the names and numbers of the lodges
whose by-laws or amendments thereto have been passed upon, indicating those
approved and those disapproved with the dates of such action. The committee
shall not include in its report the details of any such by-law or amendment
thereto.
3. To have and
use a seal to be affixed to all official documents bearing his decision. He may
conduct his business by correspondence. [89-15].
REG. 34-16
UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
The Committee on Unfinished
Business shall be composed of one member, appointed annually. [16-1.17; 27-1.3.J; 27-6; 27-7].
1. He shall
examine the proceedings and records of the preceding annual communication and
subsequent intervening emergent communications, if any, and to report whether
or not any unfinished business left over from the previous communications
requires the attention of the Grand Lodge.
2. The report of this committee shall be filed with the Grand Master and the Grand Secretary prior to the annual communication. It shall be printed in the pamphlet containing the Grand Master's report for distribution to the members of the Grand Lodge at the annual communication. It shall not be adopted or passed upon by the Grand Lodge, but it shall be received and referred to the Board of General Purposes and by it referred to such boards, commissions, committees, or other agencies of the Grand Lodge as may be interested in the subject matter. [16-1.17].(This section amended, effective 1/1/2005)
REG.
34-17 MASONIC AND EASTERN STAR HOME.
The Committee on Masonic
and Eastern Star Home of North Carolina, Incorporated, shall consist of five
members appointed annually. It shall be the duty of this committee personally
to visit the Masonic and Eastern Star Home, and to examine the condition of its
property, the management of its business, and the reports of its officers and
directors. The committee shall observe and keep advised as to its management
and such other matters, facts and information as may be proper to consider in a
report to the Grand Lodge. It shall report its findings with its recommendations
to the Grand Lodge at its annual communication. [27-1.3.K; 27-6; 27-7; 27-7.7; 27-7.8].
REG.
34-18 MASONIC HOME FOR CHILDREN.
The Committee on The
Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, Inc. shall consist of five members
appointed annually. It shall be the duty of this committee personally to visit
the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, Inc. and to examine the condition of
its property, the management of its business, and the reports of its officers
and directors. The committee shall observe and keep advised as to its
management and such other matters, facts, and information as may be proper to
consider in a report to the Grand Lodge. It shall report its finding with its
recommendations to the Grand Lodge at its annual communication. [27-1.3.L; 27-6; 27-7; 27-7.7; 27-7.8]
REG.
34-19 MISCELLANEOUS CEREMONIES.
The Committee on Miscellaneous
Masonic Ceremonies shall consist of five members to be appointed annually. The
Grand Master shall name the chairman.
1. This committee
shall consider and report to the Grand Lodge on any proposal to institute,
revise, repeal, or amend any Masonic Ceremony described in Regulation 34-19.2,
together with the Protocol. [13-4.6; 27-1.3.M; 27-4; 39-8; Chapters
55, 82, and 84].
2. No ritual or
form of Masonic ceremonies for consecrating, constituting, or instituting
lodges, for dedicating lodge halls, for installing officers of the Grand Lodge
or a subordinate lodge, for conducting funerals, for laying cornerstones or for
any ceremonial, or for any other purpose not provided by law, shall be
performed in this Grand Jurisdiction until it has been approved by the Grand
Lodge. Such ceremonies are not a part of the Authorized Work. [13-4.6;
24-1; 27-1.3.M; 34-19; 39-8; Chapters
55, 82, 84].
REG.
34-20 BOARD OF PUBLICATIONS.
The Board of Publications
shall consist of five members. One member of this committee shall be nominated each
year by the Grand Master for confirmation by the Board of General Purposes to
serve a five year term. A vacancy shall be filled by nomination of the Grand
Master and confirmation by the Board of General Purposes for the unexpired
term. It shall be the duty of this Committee to establish the policies of the
publication, to select the editor, who in turn will select his staff. The
committee shall have charge and supervision of the publication. The committee
shall recommend to the Committee on Finance the compensation of the editor and
his staff. [27-1.1.C].
REG.
34-21 PERMANENT BUILDING.
The Committee on Permanent
Building shall consist of three members. One member of this committee shall be
appointed each year by the Grand Master to serve for three years. A vacancy
shall be filled by appointment of the Grand Master for the unexpired term. This
Committee shall have general charge and supervision of the Grand Lodge
Building, furnishings, equipment and grounds, and shall have under its charge
and supervision the upkeep, maintenance and preservation of the same.
Anticipated expenses shall be submitted to the Committee on Finance to be
included in the annual budget. Emergency expenditures can be authorized by the
Board of General Purposes or the Grand Master. [27-1.3.N].
REG.
34-22 MASONIC PUBLIC RELATIONS.
The Committee on Masonic
Public Relations shall consist of five members. One member of this committee
shall be appointed each year by the Grand Master to serve for five years. A
vacancy shall be filled by appointment of the Grand Master for the unexpired
term. This committee shall develop and implement programs designed to increase
public awareness of Freemasonry in this Grand Jurisdiction and through
appropriate methods to make the public aware of the good effects and purposes
of the Masonic Fraternity. [27-1.3.P]