This is continued from part two. Remember, we do not expect you to have a perfect working knowledge of the topic. Do not feel any hesitation to present or address your Lodge, stand and wait to be recognized. Remember that your brothers are there to assist and provide counsel to you in your development.
HOW A MOTION IS BROUGHT BEFORE THE LODGE
The three steps by which a motion is normally brought before the lodge are as follows:
1. A member stands addresses the Worshipful Master, and after being recognized by him, makes the motion.
Example: “I move that XYZ Lodge hold a fish-fry fundraiser on Saturday, March 3, 2017.”
Special Notes: At this time, a Brother may ask the Worshipful Master permission to address the Brother who proposed the motion in an effort to persuade him to modify the motion in some way. Perhaps the Brother who made the motion was unaware of another conflicting function scheduled for that same date. If the proposer of the original motion agrees to the suggestion, he may modify or withdraw his motion without formal action or vote. This method saves time and avoids the necessity to make a formal motion to amend if the modification is made to the motion before it is “restated” by the Worshipful Master.
2. Another Brother or the Worshipful Master seconds the motion. It is not necessary to stand or address the Worshipful Master when seconding a motion.
Example: “I second the motion.”
Special Notes: At this time, it is permissible for another Brother to attempt to modify the motion, as mentioned above, without introducing a formal motion because the motion has not been “restated” by the Worshipful Master. If the original motion does not receive a second from another Brother or the Worshipful Master, and the Worshipful Master does
not allow it to proceed, the motion dies.
3. The motion is “restated” by the Worshipful Master.
Example: The Worshipful Master would say “It has been moved and seconded that XYZ Lodge hold a fish-fry fundraiser on Saturday, March 3, 2017.”
Special Notes: The motion is now pending and belongs to the lodge. At this point, any modifications or alterations to the motion should be introduced through formal motions such as: a motion to postpone temporarily, postpone definitely, refer to committee, amend, or if the proposer desires, to withdraw. If any of these motions are introduced, they are disposed of in the same manner as the original main motion and must be addressed by the order of rank and precedence as mentioned in Rule 9 above.
Example of amending an original main motion: “Worshipful Master, I move that the motion be amended to state the time of the fish-fry to be from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM.”
Special Notes: This amendment to the motion does not require a second. If no other secondary motions were offered, the amendment to the main motion would be disposed of first. The Worshipful Master would restate the motion, call for discussion of the amendment to the motion, put the question, and call for a vote. He would then announce the result and continue with the disposition of the main motion.
CONSIDERATION OF A MOTION THAT IS PENDING
The three steps necessary to consider a pending motion are as follows:
1. The Worshipful Master calls for discussion.
Example: “Is there any discussion?”
Special Notes: In the Masonic Lodge, the term discussion is preferred in the lieu of debate. Peace and harmony should always prevail. A Brother may speak only twice on the same question at the same meeting unless permitted to do otherwise by the Worshipful Master.
2. The Worshipful Master puts the question (puts it before the lodge for a vote).
Example: “Are you ready for the vote?” If no one rises to continue the discussion, he would then say “All in favor of XYZ Lodge holding a fish-fry fundraiser on Saturday, March 3, 2017, let it be known by the usual voting sign of a Master Mason.”
Special Notes: The Worshipful Master might request a verbal response of “aye” or “no,” or even a secret ballot, depending upon the sensitivity of the question or the nature of the business (such as balloting on petitions for the degrees). He may also require every member present to vote.
3. The Worshipful Master announces the result of the vote or ballot.
Example: “Motion carries.” or “The ayes have it.” or “The motion is adopted.”
CONCLUSION
Parliamentary law can be a very complicated and difficult subject to understand. Many volumes of text have been devoted to its explanation. However, as applied by our Masonic lodges, it should be kept simple and straightforward. Every Worshipful Master, by the authority vested in him, has the power to maintain its simplicity. Furthermore, the Fraternity of Freemasonry is composed of Brethren who share common goals and interests. Selfish interest, argument, and debate have no place in our lodge room, only discussion that leads to solutions.
It is vital that the Worshipful Master be familiar with the prescribed manner of voting (whether by ballot or by show of hands), the percentage of votes required for adoption (whether unanimous or lesser), and the time a vote can be taken (whether at the meeting when proposed or at a subsequent meeting).
It should be emphasized, however, that although knowledge of Grand Lodge Law and of parliamentary procedure is invaluable to the Worshipful Master, it is not a substitute for good judgment and common sense. Some business items must be decided by the Worshipful Master, according to his own conscientious concept of what is right, no matter how urgently he is pressed to the contrary. The Brethren should accept the decisions and rulings of the Worshipful Master unless and until he is overruled by the Grand Master and/ or the Grand Lodge. In turn, the Worshipful Master should so rule and govern his lodge as to merit the admiration, the respect, and perhaps even the affection of his fellow Masons, thus, every lodge meeting begun in order may be conducted in peace and closed in harmony. |
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