BLSC Article VIII, Section 2

Transcription

1 Summary of Proposed Amendments As Submitted to Jurisprudence Committee The proposed amendments were submitted to the Grand Secretary prior to May 1 and have been deemed to be in proper form for presentation to the Grand Chapter for consideration. Proposal Subject Sections Affected Principal Submitter 1 Reading of Constitution, Bylaws, and Book of Instruction; Memorization of ritual work BLSC Article VI, Section 1 BLSC Article VIII, Section 2 Lynda Wingate 2 Changes date and content of Schools of Instruction BGC Chapter 10, Par Lynda Wingate 3 Eliminates requirment that Grand Lecturer and District Lecturers attend a General School of Instruction in addition to the Lecturers' School BGC Chapter 10, Par Lynda Wingate 4 Addresses duties of District Lecturers BGC Chapter 10, Par b Lynda Wingate 5 Establishes an annual assessment for the purpose of purchasing office equipment and software BGC Chapter 2, Par Janice Jacobitz for the Board of Directors 6 Reduces Per-capita for plural members BGC Chapter 2, Par Carrie Andree 7 Eliminates limits on holding of office by plural members BLSC Article XIII, Section 4 Carrie Andree 8 9 Expands duties of Fraternal Relations Committee Allow use of Electronic Meetings by Board of Directors and Committees of the Grand Chapter and Subordinate Chapters CGC: Constitution Grand Chapter BGC: Bylaws Grand Chapter BLSC: Bylaws Subordinate Chapters CGC Chapter 7: Committees Duties Paragraph 7.01.K. BGC: Add Chapter 14 BLSC: Add Article XXIV Mike Brewer Russell Mason for the Jurisprudence Committee

2 BLSC Article VI, BLSC Article VIIl BYLAWS SUBORDINATE CHAPTER ARTICLE VI DUTIESANDPOWERSOFCHAPTER OFFICERS 1 Currently Reads: Sec. 1. Reading Constitution, Bylaws and Book of Instruction. a. It wi 11 be the duty of the elective officers and the prerogative of all officers, to read or listen to the reading of the Constitution, Bylaws, and the Rules of Order Governing the Grand Chapter, as well as the Bylaws Governing Subordinate Chapters, within sixty (60) days after the annual installation of officers. Amend to Read: Sec. 1. Reading Constitution, Bylaws and Book of Instruction. a. It will be the duty of the elective officers and the prerogative of all officers, to read or listen to the reading of the Constitution, Bylaws, and the Rules of Order Governing the Grand Chapter, as well as the Bylaws Governing Subordinate Chapters, within sixty ( 60) days after the conclusion of the Annual Session of the Grand Chapter. b. Every officer will read or listen to the reading of the Grand Chapter Book of Instruction and special instructions issued before Grand Chapter by the incoming Worthy Grand Matron b. It will be the duty of every officer to read or listen to the reading of the Grand Chapter Book of Instruction and Worthy Grand Matron's special instructions within 60 days after the Annual Session of the Grand Chapter. BYLAWS SUBORDINATE CHAPTER ARTICLE VIII VACANCIES IN OFFICE, HOW OCCURRING Currently Reads: Sec. 2. Failure to Memorize Ritualistic Work. Any officer, failing to memorize the ritualistic work of the Order pertaining to her or his offic.e within sixty (60) days after installation, shall forfeit said office, unless excused by a majority vote of the Chapter. Amend to Read: Sec. 2. Failure to Memorize Ritualistic Work. Any officer, fa iling to memorize the ritualistic work of the Order pertaining to their office within sixty (60) days after the conclusion of the Annual Session of the Grand Chapter, shall forfeit said office, un less excused by a majority vote of the Chapter Rationale: This change will require the members of all Chapters to read the Constitution, Bylaws and Book oflnstruction by the same date, making the requirement more consistent. Currently the requirement for one Chapter can be as much as 2 weeks before that of a plural Chapter. drdd Submitted by: 'fjjnpk; Prn -If 11J'! August, 2018 Proposed Amendments As Submitted to Jurisprudence Committee Page 2 of 11

3 2 BYLAWS GRAND CHAPTER CHAPTER 10 Districts and Schools of Instruction Currently Reads: Amend to Read: Par Schools oflnstruction. Lecturer's School(s) oflnstruction shall be held for the Grand Lecturer and District Lecturers during the months of June or July. Attending a School of Instruction shall be obligatory to serve as a Grand Lecturer or District Lecturer. Subsequently, General Schools oflnstruction for the membership shall be held in locations determined by the Associate Grand Matron. These schools shall be under the direction of the Associate Grand Matron and the incoming Grand Lecturer. The incoming Grand Officers shall exemplify the work at all Schools of Instruction, to include the ritualistic opening closing and initiatory work. The Associate Grand Matron and Associate Grand Patron may be excused from presiding during the opening and closing so they may participate in the instruction, however, they must preside during the initiation ceremony. (2012) (2014) Par Schools oflnstruction. Lecturer' s School(s) oflnstruction shall be held for the Grand Lecturer and District Lecturers during the months of July or August. The location shall be determined by the Associate Grand Matron. Subsequently, General Schools of Instruction for the membership shall be held within the first 30 days following the installation of Grand Officers in locations determined by the newly installed Worthy Grand Matron. The General Schools shall be under the direction of the Worthy Grand Matron and the Grand Lecturer. The Grand Officers shall provide instruction regarding the work, and may include the assistance of the District Lecturers, at the General Schools of Instruction. The instruction shall include, but not be limited to, workshops on ritualistic opening, closing, and initiatory work. The Worthy Grand Matron and Worthy Grand Patron may be excused from presiding during the opening and closing so they may participate in the instruction, however, they must preside during the initiation ceremony. Rationale: This change will eliminate, for instruction purposes, the overlap of the incoming and the outgoing Grand Officers, giving further definition of the two Grand Families. Allows for the general membership to give greater attention to the instruction of the newly installed Worthy Grand Matron. The Schools of Instruction can be combined with Grand Officer Receptions that have historically been scheduled immediately following the Grand Chapter Session. August, 2018 Proposed Amendments As Submitted to Jurisprudence Committee Page 3 of 11

4 BYLAWS GRAND CHAPTER CHAPTER 10 Districts and Schools oflnstruction 3 Currently Reads: Par Duties of Grand Lecturer and District Lecturers. Before assuming their duties, the Grand Lecturer and District Lecturers must have attended the Lecturer's School of Instruction and one of the other General Schools of Instruction. Amend to Read: Par Duties of Grand Lecturer and District Lecturers. Before assuming their duties, the Grand Lecturer and District Lecturers must have attended the Lecturer's School of Instruction. Rationale: This proposal will require the Grand Lecturer and District Lecturers to attend the Lecturer' s School of Instruction before performing their duties to instruct the work in the subordinate Chapters in their districts. It is not always possible to attend both the Lecturer' s School oflnstruction and one of the General Schools of Instruction. This proposal eliminates the requirement to attend one of the General School of Instruction. Submitted by: ~ ij~ 1 Prn-#';Oit August, 2018 Proposed Amendments As Submitted to Jurisprudence Committee Page 4 of 11

5 BYLAWS GRAND CHAPTER CHAPTER 10 Districts and Schools oflnstruction 4 Currently Reads: Par Duties of Grand Lecturer and District Lecturers b. District Lecturers: It shall be the duty of the District Lecturers to schedule and hold a practice with each Chapter in their District to review and instruct all the ritualistic and floor work of the Order. These practices may be scheduled prior to installations but following the General Schools of Instruction. The District Lecturers shall not become involved with Chapter business which relates to the Grand Chapter Constitution and Bylaws or the Bylaws Governing Subordinate Chapters. Her/his duties relate only to the ritualistic and floor work of the Chapters. Amend to Read: Par Duties of Grand Lecturer and District Lecturers b. District Lecturers: It shall be the duty of the District Lecturers to attend scheduled practices with each Chapter in their District to review and instruct all the ritualistic and floor work of the Order. These practices may be scheduled by the Worthy Matron, in coordination with the District Lecturer, following the District Lecturer School(s) of Instruction. The District Lecturers shall not become involved with Chapter business which relates to the Grand Chapter Constitution and Bylaws or the Bylaws Governing Subordinate Chapters. Their duties relate only to the ritualistic and floor work of the Chapters. Rationale: The District Lecturer does not always know the availability of the Lodge Building to schedule practices. It should be the duty of the Worthy Matron to coordinate with the District Lecturer and schedule the practices accordingly. August, 2018 Proposed Amendments As Submitted to Jurisprudence Committee Page 5 of 11

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7 BYLAWS GOVERNING THE GRAND CHAPTER OF COLORADO CHAPTER 2 REVENUES, DUES, FEES Par Annual Dues 6 ( ) CURRENTLY READS Par Annual Dues. AMEND TO READ Par Annual Dues. a. Each chartered Chapter shall pay annually to the a. Each chartered Chapter shall pay annually to the Grand Chapter the sum of Twenty dollars ($20.00) Grand Chapter the sum of Twenty dollars ($20.00) for each member carried on the roll of for each primary member carried on the roll of membership on June 30th, plus any amount membership on June 30th, plus any amount assessed by General Grand Chapter. (2009) (2013) assessed by General Grand Chapter. (2009) (2013) (2014) (2014) Additionalli 1 ani chartered Chapter shall annualli remit Five dollars {$5.00} for each Colorado plural member on the roll of membership on June 30t\ plus ani amount assessed bi General Grand Chapter. Rationale: As our membership incurs declining numbers and active members are choosing to become plural members to assist Chapters to remain open and active, it should be financially feasible for a member to do so. Currently, a member must pay Grand Chapter $20.00 for each Subordinate Chapter they hold membership in. This could deter members from seeking membership in other Chapters. Should this amendment be passed, it could encourage more plural memberships. If this amendment fails to pass, more Chapters may need to close due to lack of participation. It would be beneficial to all involved to encourage plural memberships than to have more Chapters close. Submitted: Gaylene Alton, Past Matron, #122 Don Alton, Past Patron, #122 Yvonne Reed, Past Matron, #122 1 /) /J n Carrie Andree, Past Matron, #125, #104, #154, #122 -l'q~ { ' ld,._jj, John Warren, Past Patron, #133, #122, #154 ~ Dottie Vonfeldt, #98 Lilly Johnson, Past Matron, #154 Amanda Sawyer, Past Matron, #154, #124, #97 Beverly Eastburn, Past Matron, #98 David Kochis, Past Patron, #155, #7 G...ueY\ ~ 1-e. de t..v I t-i 1 ~Qs ~ YY)u tn:1r", ~, August, 2018 Proposed Amendments As Submitted to Jurisprudence Committee Page 7 of 11

8 7 BYLAWS GOVERNING SUBORDINATE CHAPTERS IN COLORADO ARTICLE XIII MEMBERSHIP, PROCESSING APPLICATIONS FOR, QUALIFICATIONS Sec. 4. Plural Membership CURRENTLY READS Sec. 4. Plural Membership. AMEND TO READ Sec. 4. Plural Membership. e. Holding of Office Limited. Plural members shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges of membership in all Chapters, except that a plural member shall not hold ani of the four (4} principal offices (i.e. 1 Worthi Matron 1 Worthi Patron 1 Associate Matron 1 Associate Patron} or that of Secretarv in more than one (1} Chapter at the same time. e. Holding of Office Not Limited. Plural members shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges of membership in all Chapters. JO Rationale: As our membership incurs declining numbers and active members are choosing to become plural members to assist Chapters remain open and active, they should be allowed to hold any elected office, as necessary, at the discretion of the Chapter by their vote. Many Chapters are seeing a decrease in members willing and/or able to fill the four principal offices and Secretary. Initially, this was probably instituted to discourage members from monopolizing these offices. However, as a number of Chapters are experiencing lack of men (in general) and woman (willing and able) to fill these positions, it should be removed. Currently, some members are holding an office pro tempore in these positions already, whether a plural member of that Chapter or not. Per ARTICLE 6 VOTING PROCEDURE Sec "Who May Vote. Each registered member of this Grand Chapter, who is present, shall be entitled to one (1) vote", so being allowed to hold multiple offices in Subordinate Chapters will not adversely affect voting at the Grand Chapter Session. Each member in good standing of a Subordinate Chapter has a right to one {1) vote already, so it would not skew any elections in Subordinate Chapters either. If we want to see our Order thrive, it is necessary to make appropriate changes to adapt to current circumstances. Submitted: Gaylene Alton, Past Matron, #122 Don Alton, Past Patron, #122 Yvonne Reed, Past Matron, #122 Carrie Andree, Past Matron, #125, #104, #154, #122 John Warren, Past Patron, #133, #122, #154 Dottie Vonfeldt, #98 Amanda Sawyer, Past Matron, #154, #124, #97 Beverly Eastburn, Past Matron, #98 David Kochis, Past Patron, #155, #7 ~wen Sc...'1( ec\.eu..:, d z August, /v --C.Q.,f-.-.fu_.t n t L ~ '?a_s\. \')\Q"+fe>I'\ c r+- q 1 Proposed Amendments As Submitted to Jurisprudence Committee Page 8 of 11

9 CONSTITUTION OF GRAND CHAPTER CHAPTER 7 COMMITIEES AND DUTIES PARAGRAPH 7.01 STANDING COMMITTEES K. FRATERNAL RELATIONS COMMITIEE 8 Now Reads: It shall be the duty of this committee to assist members who are moving within the state, or into or outside of Colorado to find Chapters located in the area of their new home. Change to read: ill It shall be the duty of the committee to assist members who are moving within the state, or into or outside of Colorado to find Chapters located in the area of their new home. ill It shall be the duty of this committee to establish and foster fraternal communications between the Order of the Eastern Star and other duly established Masonic bodies within the jurisdiction of Colorado, ill It shall be the duty of this committee t.o work with the Worthy Grand Matron & Worthy Grand Patron to provide assistance in implementing fraternal relations programs to further promote a strong working relationship between all members of the Masonic bodies. RATIONALE: Historically the Fraternal Relations Committee has had a very narrow focus and this has made this committee ineffective as a fraternal relations body. By expanding the duties of this Committee it will encourage better fraternal relations between members of the Masonic Family, including the Grand Lodge and other appended Masonic bodies. This committee should be a resource to the WGM and WGP in assisting them with outreach programs and policies that foster Increased communication with all members of the Masonic family. '8;7i;J Submitted by: 12 Mike Brewer, PP t/ ~ fl~ Lynda Wingate, PM Ed Peterson, PP _;ft}f!l~ ~ /1 r/~~ Anna Peterson, PM #124 ~~ ~_n<.-) August, 2018 Proposed Amendments As Submitted to Jurisprudence Committee Page 9 of 11

10 ~ i:... This proposal concerns use of electronic meetings by Boards and Committees. ~ Bylaws Grand Chapter: Add Chapter Bylaws Subordinate Chapters: Add Article XXIV 0.-1 r.:r.1 ~ 0 i:, :i 9 Bylaws Grand Chapter Add new Chapter: Chapter 14 Electronic Meetings Par Electronic Meetings of Board of Directors and Committees Meetings of the Board of Directors and Committees may be held through the use of teleconference, , or similar communications equipment so long as all members participating in such meeting can communicate with one another at the time of such meeting. Participation in such a meeting constitutes presence in person at such meeting. Information can be distributed by electronic means. If there are members who have no electronic means, information shall be mailed to them. Bylaws Subordinate Chapters Add new Article XXIV: Article XXIV Electronic Meetings Sec 1. Electronic Meetings of Committees Meetings of Committees of Subordinate Chapters may be held through the use of teleconference, , or similar communications equipment so long as all members participating in such meeting can communicate with one another at the time of such meeting. Participation in such a meeting constitutes presence in person at such meeting. Information can be distributed by electronic means. If there are members who have no electronic means, information shall be mailed to them. Rationale: This proposal permits the use of electronic meetings by the Board of Directors, Committees of the Grand Chapter, and Committees of subordinate chapters. The option of electronic meetings has the most relevance to board and committee meetings consisting of a smaller number of participants. Currently, the use of electronic meetings is not addressed in our Constitution/Bylaws. Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised stresses that electronic meetings are allowed only if authorized by Electronic Meetings Page 1 of 2 August, 2018 Proposed Amendments As Submitted to Jurisprudence Committee Page 10 of 11

11 an organization's bylaws. Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised clarifies that an organization's bylaws can authorize the conduct of official meetings of members in electronic meetings "at which, rather than all participating members being physically present in one room or area as in traditional (face-to-face) meetings, some or all of them communicate with the others through electronic means such as the Internet or by telephone." Electronic communication is currently used by the Board of Directors and Committees to facilitate the transaction of business by these groups. Rather than meeting face-to-face, the use of electronic means reduces the amount of travel required and allows more timely discussion and decisions. With a more flexible time frame, participants can take longer to think over issues and arrive at more considered decisions. Examples of electronic meetings include: , teleconference, Skype, WebEx, and other appropriate applications. Submitted by the Jurisprudence Committee:?M4.:J?~ i~sell ~~on, PGP Robin Terry, PGM William Carlson, PGP Byron Walker, PGP Patricia Mammenga, PGM Electronic Meetings Page 2 of 2 August, 2018 Proposed Amendments As Submitted to Jurisprudence Committee Page 11 of 11