Most men are like mirrors, reflecting the image of their times; a few are like windows, shedding light on areas earlier dark; the purpose of education is to convert mirrors into windows .

“…for you will find that there is scarcely a case of difficulty that can occur in the lodge in which that book will not set you right.”

My sincere gratitude to-RW Bro. M N GimiWor. Bro. Rajiv SethiWor. Bro. Madhav Kulkarni

Wor. Bro. AB is an honorary member of Lodge XY no.999. The WM wishes to appoint him as the Chaplain.

Can he go ahead with the appointment?

No. An Honorary member can not hold the office of a Chaplain

What needs to be done for Wor. Bro. AB to be appointed as Chaplain?

Wor. Bro. AB has to become a subscribing member of Lodge XY as a joining member. He must pay the full subscription.

Is there any other office which Wor. Bro. AB can hold without going through the procedure detailed earlier?

Yes. He may be elected as the Tyler of the Lodge without having to become a subscribing member.

If so appointed, can Wor. Bro. AB vote on a motion in Lodge XY No 999?

No. Since he continues to be an honorary member, he has no right to a vote.

Bro CD is a founding member of Lodge ZA No 777 but is currently not a member (either subscribing or honorary) of any Lodge. Lodge ZA is celebrating its’ golden jubilee.

Can Bro. CD be invited for the Lodge meeting?

Yes.

If yes, while signing the register, what is he required to declare?

He must mention “Unattached” after signing the register & must mention the name & no of the Lodge of which he was last a member.

Having reunited with some old friends, Bro CD wishes to attend the Lodge meeting next month and desires an invitation. Can that be extended to him?

No. An Unattached brother may be invited to a Masonic meeting only once.

RW the RGM is attending the silver jubilee function of Lodge EF NO 555. Visits to all the charitable projects instituted by the Lodge are also organized. RW the RGM is highly impressed & announces contributions as under- Rs 15000 for project A Rs 7000 for project B Rs 10000 for project C Rs 5000 for project D

While munificent, is this permissible? No. As per Bylaw no 48 sec XIV, RW the

RGM may announce no more than 3 contributions between two board meetings without having consulted the board. None of such contributions may exceed the amount of Rs 10000.

Lodge RM no 9211 has 4 subscribing & 11 honorary members and has not met since last 14 months. Now the WM wishes to organize a regular meeting.

Can a regular summons be issued by the Secretary & meeting held?

No

If no, what procedure needs to be followed in such case?

A dispensation needs to be obtained from the MW the GM to meet again.

Apart from issuing a dispensation for such a revival meeting, what other recourse does the MW the GM have in such a case?

He can either recommend erasure of the Lodge, or nominate members to join the Lodge as subscribing members who shall become joining members and pay full subscription as due.

Mr. JK is a resident of Panjim. He is well known to a few brethren in Mumbai. He expresses his desire to join a Lodge in Mumbai.

Can he be proposed for initiation in a Lodge in Mumbai?

Yes.

What procedure needs to be followed in such case?

Mr. JK must submit in writing his reasons for applying to be initiated in a Lodge in Mumbai & not Panjim. Upon receiving such application along with the proposal form, the Lodge must enquire forthwith from the relevant Masonic authority, the suitability of the candidate. Unless replies to such enquiries are received, the candidate may not be proposed in the open Lodge.

In this case, who is the relevant Masonic authority?

RW the RGM of the Regional Grand Lodge of Southern India

Bro UB is disturbing the harmony of the Lodge by his unruly behavior. WM admonishes him but he persists in his unworthy conduct.

What is the next course of action for the WM?

The brother in question may be fined.

What is the maximum allowable amount of fine to be imposed?

Rs 50!

If he still persists in such behavior, what recourse does the WM have?

The brother may be temporarily excluded from the remainder of the meeting if majority of brethren agree with such punishment or the matter may be reported to higher Masonic authority.

Can the offending brother be expelled from the Lodge? If so, how?

No. Lodge does not have the authority to expel a brother but may exclude him. Notice to him must be issued not less than 14 days previously to the meeting date stating details of the complaint against him. Every member of the Lodge must be informed of the intention to propose a resolution of exclusion in writing not less than 7 days ago without mentioning the name of brother against whom the resolution is being proposed. Voting must be by ballot & power of exclusion can not be exercised unless 2/3rds of members present vote in it’ favor. The name of brother so excluded must be forthwith informed to the Regional Grand Secretary & also to the Grand Secretary.

Wor.Bro. AB is expecting to remain overseas for the next 9 months. Being a keen Mason he wishes to visit Lodges in the countries he is visiting and is also desirous of using his Masonic knowledge to publish a few articles in magazines abroad. He also wishes to discuss in detail the difference in proceedings of Lodges under the GLI as opposed to Lodges under Foreign jurisdiction & is writing an article to that effect. As a means of introduction, he desires to have a certificate from his Lodge that can highlight his Masonic accomplishments and has as such applied to the WM.

Can the WM issue or direct the Secretary to issue such a certificate?

No. The only means of introduction for Masonic purposes is the Master Mason’s certificate issued by the GLI.

Can he write articles dealing with Freemasonry for publication in magazines abroad? Are any topics excluded?

Yes. However proceedings of the Lodge as well as such information as not to be made public as per established principles of Masonry are strictly excluded.

Lodges in Ahmedabad & Udaipur wish to hold a joint meeting.

Can this be done? If yes, by what authority?

Yes. By dispensation from MW the GM

On what occasions are such meetings permissible?

Felicitation, Awarding of Long Term Service Jewel, conducting a Memorial service or any other occasion approved by MW the GM.

Who shall issue the summonses for such a meeting and under whose authority?

An organizing secretary appointed by the WMs of both Lodges under the authority of the member designated to be the Master of the joint meeting.

Who shall the officers in such a meeting be?

The Master of the joint meeting shall appoint protem officers for the joint meeting.

“It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom.

It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest

might weaken and the wisest might err.”Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869-1948)