BY-LAWS
OF
THUNDERBIRD LODGE NO. 15 F&AM
TEMPE
Approved by Grand Lodge
_____________
Under the jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and
Accepted Masons of Arizona and located in Tempe
PART 1
Of the Organization of the
Lodge
Article I
Of its Title and Seal
Section 1. This Lodge shall be known by
the name of Thunderbird Lodge No. 15, Free and Accepted Masons of Arizona.
Section 2. It shall have a seal as
outlined in Part III, Article II, Section 70 of the
Constitution of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Arizona.
Article II
Of its Members and Their
Qualifications
Section 3. Initiation and Membership
a.
All petitions for initiation or the degrees, as well as all
applications for affiliation must, shall
be in
writing, signed by the applicant, and recommended by at least one
member of the Lodge and one member of any lodge working under the jurisdiction
of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Arizona or of any other Masonic
jurisdiction recognized by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Arizona, in the form
prescribed by Regulation No. 21.
b. When a member of a Lodge
other than Thunderbird Lodge signs a petition for initiation or an application
for affiliation, he shall certify that he is a member in good standing and that
his dues are current.
c.
The Lodge shall not ballot upon any petition for initiation or an
application for affiliation until it shall have been referred to a committee,
whose duty it shall be to make strict examination into the moral, mental,
physical and other proper qualifications for the petitioner or applicant, and
to report thereon at the next stated meeting.
d. All petitions for initiation
shall be accompanied by the necessary fees for the three degrees of Masonry, in
addition to any and all fees and/or assessments levied by the Most Worshipful
Grand Lodge of Arizona.
e.
The investigating committee may request further time to conduct their
investigation, which may be granted by the Worshipful Master.
f.
When two favorable reports have been returned, and the third member has
not requested further time, the Worshipful Master may at his discretion declare
the report of the investigating committee favorable and cause a ballot to be
held on the petition or application.
g. If an applicant, elected to
receive the degrees of Masonry, shall fail to come forward to be initiated
within three months thereafter, the fees thus paid shall be forfeited, unless
the Lodge shall otherwise direct.
h. Every person raised to the
degree of Master Mason in Thunderbird Lodge, or elected to membership by
affiliation, shall sign the By-Laws; except when such degrees are conferred as
a courtesy for another Lodge.
i.
If the report of the investigating committee,
or any member thereof, be unfavorable, no ballot shall be held. The Worshipful Master, upon reception of an
unfavorable report, shall declare to the Lodge that the candidate has been
rejected.
j.
If the report on the investigating committee be favorable, a ballot
shall be held and it shall require a unanimous ballot to elect.
Section 4. Perpetual Membership
a.
The authority for this type of membership is contained in Regulation
No. 11 (d) of the Arizona Masonic Code and is to be administered in accordance
with these provisions:
1.
Any member in good standing in this Lodge may purchase a perpetual
membership by depositing with the Secretary an amount equal to fifteen (15)
times the annual dues of this Lodge.
Should the dues be increased or decreased, the sum paid into the fund
will be changed proportionally, however, such increase
or decrease shall not be retroactive.
2.
Upon payment of the proper amount, a Certificate of perpetual
membership shall be issued to the member by the Grand Secretary and thereafter
the Secretary of the Lodge shall mail a current dues card to the last known
address of the perpetual member.
3.
By the acquisition of said perpetual membership by a member of this
Lodge, he shall be forever exempt from payment of annual dues, except any such
special levy by the Grand Lodge in the future.
Section 5. Suspension for Non-Payment of
Dues (SNPD)
a.
Any member who has failed to pay his annual dues by July 1st
of the current year shall be notified by the Secretary that, unless at the next
stated meeting either his dues be paid or sickness or inability to pay be shown
as the cause of such refusal or neglect, he will be suspended from all the
rights and privileges of Masonry.
b. If neither of the about
mentioned things be done, the delinquent member shall at such next stated
meeting be declared by the Worshipful Master to be so suspended, unless for
special reasons shown, the Lodge shall remit his dues or grant him further time
for their payment.
Section 6. Restoration of Membership
a.
A member suspended for non-payment of dues (SNPD) is automatically
restored to good standing upon payment, within one year after such suspension,
of all dues accrued and no objection to such restoration shall be entered and
the Lodge must receive the arrearages and place him in good standing.
b. Should any member suspended
for non-payment of dues (SNPD) neglect for the period of one year to pay dues
or to have the same remitted by the Lodge, he is required to submit a petition
for restoration of membership.
c.
A petition for restoration of membership shall be referred to an
investigating committee of three members of Thunderbird Lodge whose duty it
shall be to report thereon at the next stated meeting.
d. Any member suspended for
non-payment of dues shall not be restored to membership except by a
three-fourth vote by ballot, of all members present at the next stated meeting,
after the petition for restoration is presented, and then only upon payment of arrearages due
at the time of his suspension, together with such further dues, as owed, had he
retained his membership, have accrued against him to the date of said payment,
or who shall have such arrearages and dues remitted by the Lodge.the current
year’s dues of the Lodge, unless the same be remitted by vote of the Lodge.
e.
A member suspended for non-payment of dues, and who petitions this
Lodge for reinstatement after a lapse of one year from suspension, but fails to
receive the necessary three-fourths vote to restore him to good standing,
remains in suspension, but he may again apply for reinstatement, or he may be
granted a Certificate of Withdrawal at any time.
f.
A member suspended for non-payment of dues as above, and who elects to
receive a Certificate of Withdrawal may apply for affiliation to any other
Lodge at any time.
g. The Lodge has no jurisdiction
to receive or act upon an application for reinstatement for non-payment of dues
(SNPD) unless all arrearages plus dues to date of application are tendered or
shall have been remitted by the Lodge. Repealed.
Section 7. Withdrawals
a.
Any member of this Lodge, in good standing against whom no charges are
pending, and whose dues are paid, may withdraw from this Lodge at any time by
giving notice of his intention to do so, and he may receive a certificate of
the act of such withdrawal, on the form prescribed by the Grand Lodge; but no
recommendatory certificate shall be given him except by a vote of the majority
of the Lodge then present.
b. In the case of a member who
holds plural membership in Thunderbird Lodge, whose membership is retained in
another Lodge, no certificate of withdrawal shall be given to such member, but
the Secretary of Thunderbird Lodge shall forward notice of such withdrawal to
the Grand Secretary of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Arizona and to such
other Lodges in which the withdrawing member retains membership.
ARTICLE III
Of its Powers and Duties
Section 8. The Powers and Duties of the
Lodge shall be as outlined in Part III, Article II of the constitution of the
Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Arizona.
ARTICLE IV
Of its Communications
Section 9. Meetings
a.
The stated meeting of this Lodge shall be held on the secondfirst
Thursday of each month of the calendar year.
If the regular meeting falls upon a legal holiday, as defined in
Regulation 33 of the Arizona Masonic Code, the meeting will be postponed until
the following Thursday.
b. Meetings shall be scheduled
to commence at 7:30
c.
Special meetings shall be called at the will and pleasure of the
Worshipful Master for the purpose of conferring of degrees, or other such
activities of the Lodge as may be scheduled by the Worshipful Master.
Section 10. Confidentiality of Lodge
Proceedings
a.
When a candidate for initiation or an applicant for affiliation is
rejected, or a Brother reprimanded, suspended or expelled, no member or visitor
shall reveal either directly or indirectly to such person or to any other, any
transactions which may have taken place on the subject.
b. All other proceeds of the
Lodge, not proper to be made public, shall not be discussed outside the Lodge
under penalty of reprimand, suspension or expulsion, as the Lodge may direct.
Section 11. Order of Business
a.
The regular order of business at every Stated Meeting of this Lodge
shall be as follows:
1. Reading of
Minutes
and Treasurer’s Report
2. Reports of
Committees
3. Balloting
4. Reception and
5. Unfinished
Business
6. New Business
7. Reading of
Disbursements and Bills
8.
9. Announcements
10. Conferring
of Degrees
ARTICLE V
Of its Elections and
Appointments
Section 12. The Master, Senior Warden,
Junior Warden, Treasurer and Secretary shall each be elected by secret written
ballot at the stated meeting in November and a majority of the members present
shall be necessary to elect. The other
officers shall be appointed by the Master.
They shall be installed as soon as practical thereafter, and shall hold
their respective offices until their successor shall have been elected or
appointed and installed.
a.
No member shall be eligible for the office of Master unless he has
previously held the office of Senior or Junior Warden.
b. Any member in good standing
shall be eligible for the office of Junior Warden.
ARTICLE VI
Of its Voting
Section 13. None but members in good
standing whose dues are paid shall be entitled to vote at an election.
ARTICLE VII
Of its Committees and Duties
Section 14. The Master and Wardens shall be
a Charity Committee and shall have power to draw upon the Treasurer for funds,
not exceeding $100.00 at any one time, for the relief of a distressed worthy
Brother, his wife, widow, or orphans and every warrant so drawn by the Master
shall be reported to the Lodge at the next stated meeting and entered upon the
minutes thereof.
Section 15. The Master, at each stated
meeting, shall appoint an auditing committee, whose duty it shall be to examine
all accounts presented against the Lodge.
Section 16. All reports of committees shall
be in writing. However, the Worshipful
Master may, at his discretion, require an additional oral report be made before
the membership at any stated meeting.
Section 17. Budget Committee
a.
The financial planning for the operation of the Lodge (i.e. General
Fund) shall be the responsibility of the budget committee.
b. The budget committee will
consist of the Master, Wardens, Treasurer and Secretary; with the Senior Warden
as Chairman.
c.
The budget committee will prepare a proposed budget for the ensuing
year, to be presented to the Lodge for approval at the first meeting of the
Lodge year.
ARTICLE VIII
Of its Revenues, Sources and
Expenditures
Section 18. Fees
a.
The fees for the three degrees of Masonry shall be $150.00. This shall be in addition to any and all fees
and/or assessments levied by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Arizona.
b. Such fees shall be paid in
advance and accompany the petition of the applicant.
Section 19. Dues
a.
The dues of each member not exempt from the payment thereof shall be
four dollars ($4.00) per month plus Grand Lodge per capita, payable annually in
advance without
notice on the first day of January of each calendar year.
b. Only members in good
standing, whose dues have been paid for the current year or have been remitted,
shall be entitled to the annual membership card.
Section 20. Income
a.
The anticipated income for the General Fund shall consist of the amount
from annual dues, donations, special projects (approved by the Lodge) and an
amount not to exceed seventy-five (75%) of the earned income from the Invested
Funds of the Lodge.
b. Income from donations for
refreshments shall remain under the control of the Junior Warden for such
refreshment hour delicacies as he may determine appropriate. He shall make a quarterly report to the Lodge
on the status of said fund.
Section 21. Expenditures
a.
All expenditures for the maintenance (i.e. General Operation) of the
Lodge shall be paid out of the General Fund.
b. The amount of monies to be
spent for the entertainment and refreshments shall be determined by the Junior
Warden from monies received by donation to the refreshment fund.
ARTICLE IX
Of its Funds
Section 22. Investment Funds
a.
Investment funds, (i.e. Certificates of Deposit, Stocks, Bonds, Mutual
Funds, Treasury Bills, Treasury Notes or payments on the principle received
from the sale of property) shall remain in the Investment account for further
investment.
b. No monies from the principle
of any
Investment, Memorial, or Building Fund may
be withdrawn or spent for any purpose, except capital improvements and then
only until after an affirmative vote of
three-fourths (75%) of the members present at the Lodge; and then only after 30
days written notice to the members outlining the project.
c.
All income received from the sale of the properties shall be kept in a
Building Fund for the sole purpose of relocating from the properties at
Thunderbird #48 and Tempe #15.
Section 23. The Memorial Fund in which
property, personal property and monies received by the Lodge as gifts,
bequests, devises or legacies may be preserved when so requested by the donor
and in which such other monies as the Board of Trustees shall designate may be
deposited, shall be established as a Trust Fund with the Board of Trustees
acting as the Trustee thereof.
a.
The name of said trust fund shall be the Thunderbird Lodge No. 15
Memorial Fund.
b. The monies deposited in said
memorial fund shall remain perpetual and shall be invested at interest in
banks, savings and loan associations, or in federal bills, federal notes or
federal bonds, subject to the following conditions:
1.
The interest or income earned by such deposits shall accrue to the
Lodge for its use by deposit in the General Fund; or be deposited in banks,
savings and loan associations which are insured by an agency of the United
States Government as directed by the Board of Trustees and approved by the
Lodge at a regular stated meeting.
2.
No part of the principle may be withdrawn or spent for any purpose,
except upon the affirmative vote of three-fourths (75%) of the members present
at the Lodge; and then only after thirty (30) days written notice to the
members stating the purpose.
PART II
Of its Officers and their
Powers and Duties
ARTICLE I
Of its Officers
Section 24. The officers of the Lodge shall
consist of a Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer, Secretary,
Chaplain, Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon, Senior Steward, Junior Steward,
Marshall and a Tyler and such Trustees as the Lodge may hereafter determine to
elect.
ARTICLE II
Of their Powers and Duties
Section 25. The power and duties of the
Master shall conform with Part IV, Article II of the
Constitution of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Arizona.
Section 26. The duties of the Wardens shall
be as outlined in Part IV, Article III of the Constitution of the Most
Worshipful Grand Lodge of Arizona, together with such additional duties as the
Master may order.
Section 27. The duties of the Treasurer
shall be as outlined in Part IV, Article IV of the Constitution of the Most
Worshipful Grand Lodge of Arizona, together with such additional duties as the
Master may order.
Section 28. The duties of the Secretary
shall be as outlined in Part IV, Article V of the Constitution of the Most
Worshipful Grand Lodge of Arizona, together with such additional duties as the
Master may order.
Section 29. The Master, Senior Warden,
Junior Warden and the Trustees shall take an inventory of all the Lodge
properties in December and make a written report to be submitted to the Lodge
at the January stated meeting.
ARTICLE III
Of its Board and Trustees
Section 30. There is hereby created a Board
of Trustees composed of the trustees of each of the
consolidating Lodges until the end of their respective terms and thereafter
composed of seven (7) members, four of whom shall be elected from the
membership of the Lodge, the others to be Wardens and Master who shall be
chairman.
Section 31. There shall be elected at the
stated meeting in November of each year, one Trustee for a term of four
years. Said Trustee, when so elected,
shall serve until his successor is elected.
Section 32. In the event of a vacancy
occurring among the Board of Trustees from any cause, such vacancy shall be
filled by election at the next stated meeting following the declaration of such
vacancy. The elected replacement shall
serve until the expiration of the remaining portion of the four years of said
term.
Section 33. The Treasurer of the Lodge
shall be the Treasurer of the Board of Trustees.
Section 34. The Board of Trustees shall
elect its own Secretary and maintain a record of the minutes of its meetings,
the decisions and recommendations made with a further record of the votes cast
by each member.
Section 35. Such Board of Trustees shall
have a seal, which shall be the seal of the Lodge; and for all purposes for
which they are authorized to act pursuant to the rules, regulations and orders
of the Lodge and in conformity with the rules and regulations of the Most
Worshipful Grand Lodge of Arizona from which it derives its Charter, shall take
possession of, purchase, lease, receive, recover, hold, sell, convey, mortgage
and improve all the property thereof; and may sue and be sued in all matters
pertaining to such property and the debts, claims, demands and liabilities
thereof; and the name in which they shall sue or be sued shall be the Trustees
of the Thunderbird Lodge No. 15.
Management and control of said properties shall be vested in the
incumbent Worshipful Master.
Section 36. All real and personal property
that shall have been conveyed by devise, gifte,
grant, purchase, or otherwise to the Lodge, or to any person or to the
Trustees, or to the Thunderbird Lodge Memorial Fund, for the use thereof, shall
vest in such Trustees and their successors in office as fully as if originally
conveyed to them and shall be held by them and by their successors in trust for
this Lodge in the manner aforesaid.
Section 37. The Board of Trustees shall
have the power to expend from the General Fund if necessary,
improvements and repairs in and about the property of the Lodge, without action
of the Lodge, such sum of money as may be required, not exceeding the sum of
fine hundred ($500.00) dollars in any one transaction. The Board of Trustees shall not have the
power to purchase or sell real estate on behalf of the Lodge unless and until
specifically authorized by the Lodge and shall not, without the consent of the
Lodge first, sell or otherwise dispose of any property of the Lodge.
Section 38. The Board of Trustees shall
also have the power to pay from the General Fund installments of interest
accruing and coming due on any indebtedness of the Lodge, whether represented
by mortgage, bond or other instrument of indebtedness, whenever the same may
become due.
Section 39. The Board of Trustees shall
submit to the Lodge at the stated meeting in December a full, complete and
itemized report of all its transactions relative to the business and property
of the Lodge, which report shall include a complete audit and shall submit
additional reports when required by the Lodge.
Section 40. The Board of Trustees may,
without prior authorization of this Lodge, invest or reinvest any such funds as
it may deem necessary for a period not to exceed six
(6) months. However, such
authorization of this Lodge shall be obtained in advance for any investments
where the Board of Trustees have received notification of an investment’s
expiration thirty (30) days prior to the next stated meeting of this Lodge. Every sum so invested or reinvested shall be
reported to the Lodge at its next stated meeting and shall be entered into the
minutes thereof.
Section 41. The Board of Trustees shall
meet at least once quarterly. Meetings
shall be called at the time and place designated by the Worshipful Master.
Section 42. A majority of four (4) members
shall constitute a quorum; provided that all seven (7) members have been given
a minimum of seven (7) days notice of the meetings; except in an emergency as
declared by the Master.
PART III
Of its Amendments
ARTICLE I
Of its By-Laws
Section 43. These By-Laws may be amended at
any stated meeting by a vote of two-thirds of the members then present,
provided that notice of such proposed amendment shall have been given at the
stated meeting next preceding, and provided that the entire membership has been
notified in writing (Trestleboard or postcard) at
least two weeks prior to any vote being taken.
Section 44. Such amendment shall not take
effect until approved by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Arizona, as
provided by Article II, Section 68, of the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of
Arizona.
Section 45. The Lodge Secretary shall enter
into the Minutes of Thunderbird Lodge the notice of the proposed amendments
when made. He shall also enter into the
minutes of Thunderbird Lodge the result of the vote taken at the subsequent
meeting.
Section 46. The Lodge Secretary shall
transmit the proposed amendments, with an affidavit under Lodge seal,
certifying that the provisions of the Constitution and edicts of the Grand
Lodge have been complied with and that the proposed amendment received the
requisite vote.