YORK RITE SOVEREIGN COLLEGE OF NORTH AMERICA
UNIFORM CODE OF BY-LAWS
FOR USE BY ALL REGULAR COLLEGES
This Uniform Code of By-Laws contains those basic elements
of the Constitution and By-Laws of the York Rite Sovereign College that every
York Rite College must have in its By-Laws. Options consistent with Sovereign
College Regulations may be added as amendments at the discretion of the
membership and with approval of the Governor General.
This York Rite College hereby declares its fealty to the
Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of this State or Province and to the York Rite
Sovereign College of North America.
ARTICLE I
NAME, NUMBER, and LOCATION
A
This College shall be known as Gulf
Coast York Rite College No. 106.
B The City of
Houston, State of Texas shall be the home, or the usual assembly place, of this
College.
ARTICLE II
FISCAL YEAR
A
The fiscal year of this College shall
begin on 1 June and end on 31 May of the following year.
ARTICLE III
PURPOSES
A
The purposes of this York Rite College
shall be:
1. To foster a spirit of cooperation and
coordination among each of the bodies of York Rite Masonry.
2. To assist in worthy efforts to improve the
ritualistic and dramatic presentation of York Rite work.
3. To conduct an educational program in order
to inculcate greater appreciation of the principles, ideals, and programs of
York Rite Masonry.
4. To strengthen York Rite
Masonry in every way possible.
5. To build up a love of country
and to aid and support genuine patriotism.
6. To reward outstanding service to York Rite
Masonry by awards, honors and other methods of proper recognition.
7. To support Charitable and
Benevolent endeavors of Free Masonry
ARTICLE IV
MEMBERSHIP
A. Membership shall
be limited to regular members who are in good standing in a Symbolic Lodge of
Master Masons, a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, a Council of Cryptic Masons, and
a Commandery, or Preceptory of Knights Templar, and
who are actively engaged in working for The York Rite.
B. The Council,
acting as a Screening Committee, shall consider all proposals for membership
and cause them to be presented to the Assembly or be filed by the Secretary, but
a majority vote of the Assembly can bring a Proposal up for ballot if he
qualifies by "A" above.
C.
Membership in this College shall be by invitation only.
D. Any member in
good standing may recommend an eligible York Rite Mason for membership on the
Proposal form provided for that purpose.
E. Reinstatement of
a member, suspended for non-payment of dues, shall be recommended by a member
of this College on the form prescribed by this College, accompanied by the reinstatement fee prescribed in Article VII, Paragraph C, and by a majority
vote of the members present.
F.
Membership in this College shall be as follows:
I. PRIMAL - Regular Member.
2. LIFE - Same as Primal except no dues.
3. PLURAL - (optional) Membership
in more than one College within this State or
Province.
4. HONORARY - No rights,
privileges, or obligations.
G.
Prepaid Life Membership
l. General
a. Each of the Chartered Colleges of the York
Rite Sovereign College of North America is authorized to establish a Life (or
Prepaid) membership plan in order to establish a Prepaid Dues Plan.
b. Each Prepaid Dues fund shall be the property
of the College adopting the Life
Membership Plan.
c.
A member's dues must be current at the time of becoming a prepaid
member.
d.
No College shall commingle any of its assets with the Prepaid Dues Fund.
e. College shall in no case borrow from the
Prepaid Dues Fund, pledge its assets as security, or loan any part of such
Prepaid Dues to any individual or private corporation.
2. Establishment and Cost
a. After proper
notice according to the By-Laws of a College, the members may adopt a Life
Membership Plan by majority vote of its members present, at the stated Assembly
designated in the notice.
b. Colleges
establishing a Prepaid Dues Fund may set the amount as fifteen times the amount
of annual dues.
c. Investment of the
funds must be consistent with investment policies of the Grand Lodge of the
State or Province in which the College is situated and must be approved in
advance by the Grand Governor and be reported to the Sovereign College office.
H. A unanimous vote
of those members present at a Regular Assembly, or a Special Assembly called
for that purpose, shall be necessary for election to membership.
I. Any member whose
dues are two (2) or more years in arrears shall be automatically suspended and
the action recorded in the Minutes of the next assembly.
J. A member
suspended for non-payment of dues may be reinstated by petitioning the College,
paying the dues for the suspended and the current year's dues, and a favorable
vote of three fourths (3/4) of the voting members present at a regular
assembly. Reinstatements shall be recorded in the Minutes of the assembly.
ARTICLE V
COLLEGE OFFICERS
A. The officers of this York Rite
College by Title and Rank are:
1. PREEMINENT
GOVERNOR shall preside at all assemblies, see that the Constitution, Regulations,
and By-Laws are adhered to, and to promote the welfare of the College and its
members.
2. EMINENT DEPUTY
GOVERNOR who shall preside at all assemblies in the absence of the Preeminent
Governor and perform his duties as necessary.
3. EMINENT CHANCELLOR
who shall preside at all assemblies in the absence of the Preeminent Governor
and Eminent Deputy Governor and perform their duties as necessary.
4. EMINENT TREASURER
who shall receive all monies from the Eminent Secretary and pay them out at the
direction of the college. He shall maintain a financial status and records of
the financial condition of the College and submit a written annual report at
the annual assembly.
5. EMINENT SECRETARY
who shall prepare and maintain adequate minutes of assemblies, records of
membership, transactions, monies received and of other matters.
6.
NOBLE PRIMATE who shall lead the College in its devotions.
7. NOBLE PRECEPTOR
who shall receive and maintain all paraphernalia belonging to the College and
see that it is available at assemblies and at other times as required.
8. NOBLE SENESCHAL who
shall see that the assembly room is properly furnished for assemblies and other
occasions and shall introduce dignitaries and visitors.
9.
NOBLE MARSHAL who shall form and conduct all processions.
10.
NOBLE SENTINEL who shall guard against the intrusion of improper
persons.
11.
NOBLE ORGANIST (optional) who shall provide appropriate music as
required.
12. NOBLE HERALD(s) (optional)
who shall assist the Preeminent Governor as requested.
B.
The first five (5) shall be elected at the Annual Assembly.
C.
The Governor shall make all appointments.
D.
The term of office shall be one year, or until a successor is duly
installed.
E.
The five (5) elected officers shall constitute the Council of this
College.
F. It shall be the
duty and privilege of the Governor to preside at all Assemblies of the College.
In his absence, the Deputy Governor, Chancellor, or the Junior Past Governor
present, in that order, will open the College and preside.
G. Should the office
of Governor become vacant, the Deputy Governor or Chancellor, in that order,
shall succeed to the office of Governor until the next Annual Assembly. Should
a special election be necessary, the Governor General may grant his
dispensation upon application.
H. The election and
installation of officers must comply fully with applicable Sovereign College
Regulations.
ARTICLE VI
ASSEMBLIES
A.
The Annual Assembly of this York Rite College shall be held on the third
Saturday of May.
B.
There shall be a minimum of eleven (11) Regular Assemblies each College
Year.
C.
The Governor may call Special Assemblies at his discretion.
D.
Nine (9) Companion Knights shall constitute a quorum.
E.
Due notice shall be given of all Assemblies.
F. All Annual and
Regular Assemblies shall begin at 9:00 A.M. on the third (3rd) Saturday of each
month.
G. Order of Business-
The following may be the Order of Business for the Annual and Regular Meetings
and may be varied by the York Rite Governor at his discretion.
I. The reading of all unapproved
minutes and action thereon.
2. Reports of officers and standing
committees.
3. Reports of special committees and
action thereon.
4. Reading of petitions and reference
to committees.
5. Unfinished business.
6. New business.
ARTICLE VII
FEES and DUES
A. The fee for membership in this College shall be $50.00
plus the prescribed fee to the Sovereign College of $40.00. Total to accompany
application is $90.00.
B. The annual dues for membership in this College shall be $20.00
plus the Sovereign College per capita tax of $10.00 for a total of $30.00.
C. Reinstatement Fee, after suspension for non payment of
dues, shall be the yearly dues at the time of suspension plus the current year
dues, a maximum of two (2) years.
ARTICLE VIII
COMMITTEES
A. The Council shall
serve as a standing committee on charity and may authorize an amount not to
exceed $25.00 to relieve a worthy distressed Companion Knight. Any further relief
must be authorized by the Council.
B.
Immediately after his election, the Governor shall appoint Committees
on:
l. YORK RITE COOPERATION COMMITTEE
who shall establish and maintain a College representative in the York Rite bodies and Blue Lodges in
the local area, for the purpose of cooperating and coordinating activities
involving the College. The committee shall provide degree teams when requested.
2.
MEMBERSHIP.
3.
BUDGET AND FINANCE will be composed of the Council.
a.
Prepare a yearly budget and submit a
written report to the College at the assembly following the annual assembly.
b. Make
financial recommendations to the College
as are appropriate.
4.
DEGREE TEAMS shall establish qualified teams for the following:
a. Knight
of York degree
b. Blue Lodge degrees
c. Chapter
degrees
d. Council
degrees
e. Commandery orders
f. Order
of The Silver Trowel
g. Order of The
High Priesthood
h. Super Excellent Master's degree
5. ENTERTAINMENT AND
REFRESHMENT COMMITEE who shall arrange for the social activities of the College
as scheduled.
6. AUDIT COMMITTEE
who shall audit the financial transactions of the previous year and submit a
written report to the College at the assembly following the annual assembly.
7.
Other committees as needed.
ARTICLE IX
DEFUNCT COLLEGES
If this College shall cease to exist, except for the purpose
of consolidation, the Governor and Secretary shall within thirty (30) days
thereafter; transmit to the Secretary General of the York Rite Sovereign
College of North America all books, papers, rituals, jewels, seals, robes, all
paraphernalia, and all other property or funds, or evidence thereof, together
with the Charter unless the same has been arrested or removed by order of the
Governor General.
ARTICLE X
VACANT OFFICES
A.
An office may be vacated in the following way:
1. Death
2. Inability or refusal to serve
3. Temporary or permanent suspension
4. Expulsion from the order
5. Loss of prerequisite membership
B.
Appointed officers serve at the pleasure of the Governor.
C.
The Grand Governor may suspend an
elected officer failing to properly fulfill the duties of his office, (e.g., 2. above).
ARTICLE XI
CONFLICT DISCLAIMER
Anything contained herein that is in conflict with the
spirit and intent of the Sovereign College Constitution and Laws, together with
the guidelines of the Governor General and the Board of Directors, is hereby
declared to be null and void.
ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENTS
These By-Laws may be amended as
follows:
A
The written proposal to amend shall
identify the Article, Section, page, and line(s) to be deleted, amended or
replaced.
B.
It shall identify the new Amendment by Article, Section, and page.
C.
It shall quote the new language exactly.
D. It must be
received and passed by a majority vote at a regular assembly called for that
purpose.
E. It must then
layover, due notice given to the membership (Article Vl-E),
and adopted by a 2/3 majority vote at a subsequent assembly.
F. It must be
properly signed and submitted in triplicate to the Secretary General for the
Governor General's signature.
GULF COAST YORK RITE COLLEGE NO. 106
PREPAID LIFE MEMBERSHIP PLAN AUTHORITY
The York Rite Sovereign College of North America has granted
authority for each College to establish its own Prepaid Life Membership Plan.
The Plan, however, must be consistent with the guidelines of the Grand Lodge of
the state in which the College is situated. This Plan is adapted from Article
318a of the Laws of the Grand Lodge of Texas. Modifications have been made to
fit this College.
In addition, Article IV, paragraph F of the By-Laws of this
College provides for the establishment of a Life (or Prepaid) Membership Plan
and its general requirements.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Members having a Prepaid Life Membership are subject to all
the provisions of the Regulations of the York Rite Sovereign College of North
America and the By-Laws of this Gulf Coat York Rite College No. 106.
The Gulf Coast York Rite College shall administer this Plan
and shall provide the purchaser with a Prepaid Life Membership dues card, as
well as the usual yearly dues card, and shall pay the per capita assessment to
the Sovereign College from the proceeds of this Plan. The College shall also
issue the purchaser a Prepaid Life Membership Certificate signed by the
Governor of this College.
GENERAL PROVISION
A. Prepaid Life Membership may be
purchased by the following:
1.
Any member in good standing in the Gulf Coast York Rite College No. 106;
2. Any individual,
group, organization, Lodge, Chapter, Council, or Commandery may purchase a Prepaid Life Membership in honor of, or in memory of a Master Mason,
Companion, Sir Knight, or Companion Knight, living or deceased, who is, or was at
the time of his death, a member in good standing of any York Rite College;
3.
This College, after favorable vote of the College;
4.
Petitioners, subject to the following restrictions:
a.
For membership, the monies shall be
retained by the Secretary until the Knight of York Degree has been conferred on
the petitioner;
b.
For affiliation, the monies shall be
retained by the Secretary until a
favorable ballot is recorded;
c.
For reinstatement, the monies shall be
retained by the Secretary until a favorable ballot is recorded.
B.
Purchase price of a Prepaid Life Membership shall be fifteen (15) times
the annual dues.
C. Any member in good
standing may contribute not less than fifty ($50) dollars per contribution
toward a Prepaid Life Membership. When a payment bas been received, the
Secretary will transmit it to the Treasurer.
D. The Secretary
shall receive all monies for a Prepaid Life Membership, and transfer them to
the Treasurer when all restrictions have been satisfied.
E. The Treasurer
shall place all monies so received in a Prepaid Life Membership Fund. The monies of this fund shal1 not be commingled with any other assets.
F. The Fund shall be
invested and reinvested under the supervision of the College Council consisting
of the five elected Officers.
Investments shall be restricted to those secured by the United States
Government.
G. The Treasurer
shall prepare an annual report signed by each member of the Council and shall
present it to the College for its approval at the first regular assembly after
May 31st.
H. The proceeds from
the investment of the Fund shall be distributed on or before May 31st of each
year as follows:
1. First, the
Sovereign College per capita assessment shall be transferred through the
Secretary;
2.
Second, 10% of the remaining proceeds shall be reinvested in the Fund;
3. Third, the
remaining 90% of the proceeds shall be transferred, through the Secretary, to
the College general operating fund.
I.
Changes in membership are subject to the following provisions:
1. Upon the death of
a member having a Prepaid Life Membership, the Fund and all the proceeds there
from shall forever remain with the College.
2. Upon the transfer
of membership to another College, or a demit, the Fund
and all the proceeds there-from shall forever remain with the College.
3. Upon the demise of
the College, suitable distribution of the Fund and proceeds will be arranged at
that time.
CHANGES TO THIS PLAN
After adoption by the College, this Plan may be changed by
detail-written resolutions, signed by three members of this College, read at a
regular assembly, delivered to the Secretary of the College, and favorably
balloted upon at a subsequent regular assembly.
Adopted at a regular meeting of the
College, March 1, 2008.
Signed by Secretary: Thomas C. Snedecor