MWSA BY-LAWS
Adopted February 25, 1981As Amended March 23, 2005
As Amended February 24, 2010
Must be approved by Grand Lodge Before becoming final
The name of this Association shall be: The Masters, Wardens, and Secretaries Association, A.F. & A. M., 30th Masonic Districts of Texas, and this association exists only at the will and pleasure of the grand lodge of Texas, acting through the Grand Master and in turn through the District Deputy Grand Masters in the Districts.
Section A. This Association is a cooperative service organization dependent upon the Masonic Lodges of the 30th Masonic Districts of Texas for support and has no authority or right to concern itself in any manner with the business or other affairs of the Lodges of this District, or of any member thereof. All members of this Association shall retain all rights and privileges invested in them as Masters Masons under the Constitution and Laws of the Grand lodge of Texas and nothing herein shall ever be construed to restrict such rights in any manner.
(1) This Association is organized under the auspices of the Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F. & A. M.
(2) The rules of conducting the business of this Association shall be as near as possible to the same as those prescribed by Grand Lodge.
Section B. The purpose of this Association shall be:
(1) To assist the District Deputy Grand Masters and members of any Grand Lodge Committee in the performance of their duties when requested.
(2) To promote a cooperative plan of attendance when all the Lodges of the 30th Masonic Districts act as host to the M:W: Grand Master and visiting Masons when in attendance at the annual Regional or District meetings.
(3) To foster and encourage ideas and plans determined to promote a better Spirit of Brotherhood and widen acquaintances among the Brethren of this District.
(4) To promote and support educational classes to the members and officers of the Lodges of the 30th Districts designed to bring more light to all masons concerning the Laws of the Grand Lodge and other matters of Masonic interest.
(5) Promote Freemasonry in the 30th Masonic Districts and assist individual Lodges in the Promotion and presentation of Freemasonry to its members on proper occasions to the public.
(6) Promote exchange of ideas and means of stimulating greater interest in the several Lodges.
(7) Promote the programs of the several committees of the Association and the Grand Lodge.
(8) Promote the best interest of Freemasonry, both in public and private, encourage the practice of Masonry by all members and add more light for Masonry everywhere.
(9) Provide a forum for the discussion of the problems of individual Lodges in particular and Masonry in the 30th Masonic Districts generally.
Section - A. All Worshipful Masters, Wardens and Secretaries of Lodges in the 30th Masonic Districts shall by virtue of their respective offices be regular members of this Association. All Past Presidents and Past Masters of Lodges in the 30th Districts shall also be regular members of this association, each regular member present shall be entitled to one vote (Note: There are no proxy votes).
Section - B. All Past Masters of lodges in the 30th Masonic Districts, Past District Deputy Grand Masters, Grand Lodge Officers and Grand Lodge Committee Members who are a Past Master of a lodge in the 30th Districts shall be regular members of this association.
Section - A. The Officers of this Association shall be a President, a President -Elect, a Vice-President, a Treasurer, a Secretary and a Chaplain, all of whom shall be elected except the Chaplain who shall be appointed by the President.
Section - B. No President shall succeed himself in office.
Section - C. In case of the death, resignation, inability, or refusal to serve of the President, the Vice-President shall assume the duties of that office until the next Regular meeting of the Association at which time that office shall be filled by Election. In the event a vacancy occurs in the office of Vice-President, Secretary or Treasurer, the President may appoint a pro-tem officer until the next regular meeting of the Association at which time that office will be filled by Election.
Section - D. The President -Elect shall become the President of the Association at the annual meeting in the year following his election as President-Elect.
Section - E. If the President -Elect shall resign, be unable to serve or become ineligible, the President shall be elected in the same manner as other officers.
Section - F. The President shall :
(1) Preside at all meetings of the Association.
(2) Appoint the members of all committees herein provided, except the Waco
Banquet Committee which is appointed by the President-Elect each
year. (See Article VII Section (A) and ONE YEAR COMMITTEES
Section C (2).
(3) Be an Ex Officio member of all Committees, and
(4) Perform other duties as a Master would perform in a lodge in so for as
applicable in this Association.
Section - G. The Vice President shall preside at meetings of the Association in the absence of
the President and in the event of death, resignation, or the removal of the President for
any reason, the Vice President shall assume all the duties of the President.
Section - H. The secretary shall keep full and adequate minutes of each meeting of the
Association, receive all payments from the lodges and from other sources paying them
over to the Treasurer, keeping a record of all monies received and paid over, keep a
record of attendance of all lodges at meetings of the Association and report on any such
activities when requested to do so.
Section - I. The Treasurer shall receive all funds from the Secretary and deposit them in a
depository approved by the Association. He shall render an account to the Association
whenever requested showing all funds received, funds disbursed and balance on hand.
Section - J. The Chaplain shall perform the duties prescribed to be performed by the
Chaplain of a Lodge.
Section - K. The elected officers shall form a Finance Committee and shall assist the
President in the preparation of a budget to be presented to the Association. The Finance
Committee shall consider and make recommendations on financial matters.
Section - L. Withdrawals from the depository shall be by check signed by the President and
either the secretary or the Treasurer.
Section - M. All withdrawals shall be approved by the Association.
Section - N. At the first regular meeting after the election of officers each year (August),
the President shall appoint an Audit Committee consisting of three (3)
regular members of the Association , preferably acquainted with accounting.
The audit committee report shall fully show the total amounts of receipts and
disbursements during the past year and any balance remaining on hand. The
audit committee shall make their report at a subsequent association regular
meeting on or before the October meeting of the present year. It shall be the
duty of the Treasurer and Secretary or Secretary/Treasurer to make their or
his books and records available to the Committee to audit same.
Section - A. The regular meetings of this Association shall be held on the fourth Wednesday night of each month at 7:00 P.M., except the November and December meetings which will be held on the third (3rd) Wednesday of November and December each year, account of the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays. The annual meeting, at which time the officers shall be elected and installed, shall be held on the meeting date in the month of July at the regular meeting location.
(1) All meetings shall be opened and closed with prayer.
Section - B. CALLED MEETINGS
DEFINITIONS: The word Email refers to electronic mail.
The word Mail or Written refers to U. S. mail.
NOTE: It is the responsibility of each member to notify the M.W.& S.A. of their current email address. In the event of a conflict or such other reasons as the President may deem appropriate, the President may select another date as near the regular meeting as practical, for the regular meeting. Similarly, the President may change the place for a meeting. A change of either the time or place for the meeting shall be for one meeting only without the consent of the Association. Notice of a change of date or place for the meetings shall be announced at the previous meeting prior to the date and place chosen. A five (5) day notice by email prior to the substitute date and place for the meeting will be required. At his option, the President may elect not to hold a meeting in that month. No more than one meeting may be skipped in any year.
Section - C. Called meetings may be held at any time on written and e-mail notice given to the members of the Association by the President not less than five (5) days prior to the date of such meeting.
Section - D. The notice of a called meeting shall specify the purpose of the meeting and no business may be transacted at such called meeting except that specified in the notice. Notices of regular meetings need not specify the purpose of the meeting.
Section - E. The Association shall hold its regular and called meetings at A SPECIFIED LOCATION DETERMINED BY A VOTE OF THIS ASSOCIATION FROM TIME TO TIME.
Section - F. All meetings shall be conducted in accord with the laws of the Grand Lodge of of Texas in so far as applicable.
Section - G. Masonic visitors, both from lodges in this District and from other Districts, shall be welcome at all meetings of this Associations.
Section - H. This Association shall not open a tiled meeting. Any matter, which must be discussed or disclosed only in a tiled meeting shall not be discussed or disclosed in any meeting of this Association.
Section - A. The order of business at regular or called meetings shall be as follows, Unless otherwise ordered by the President.
1. Opening Prayer.
2. Roll Call of Lodges
3. Reading minutes of preceding meeting
4. Reports of Committees
5. Unfinished Business
6. New Business
7. Announcements
8. Program
9. Closing Prayer
Section - A. The President may appoint such committees as he deems desirable and and necessary to carry out the various activities of the Association, except the Waco Banquet Committee (see Article IV Section - F (2), and ONE YEAR COMMITTEES Section C (2) and shall designate one of such appointees to be the Chairman. Any vacancy may be filled by appointment by the President.
Section - B. The following Committees of the Association, each consisting of five (5) members, except the Internet Committee which shall consist of two (2) members, shall be permanent:
(A) Grand Master's Visitation
(B) Institute of Masonic Proficiency
(C) Executive Board of Directors
(D) Internet Committee
(1) The term of office of each member of each Committee is five (5) years. The present members of such committee shall serve to the end of their respective term. Thereafter, on the date of his installation, the President shall appoint a successor to the member of each Committee whose term expired. The President, by appointment, shall fill any vacancy which may occur for the unexpired term.
(2) The President shall appoint the Chairman of each Committee who shall serve only for the term of the President but may be re-appointed by the succeeding President.
Section - B. DUTIES OF COMMITTEES
(1) The Grand Master's Visitation Committee, (I) Chairman or in his absence a member selected by the President, at the President's option, shall set a date with the Grand Master or his representative for the Grand Master s Annual Official Visit to the Masters, Wardens and Secretary s Association each year. They shall also assist and cooperate with any committee or individual appointed by the Grand Master in connection with any official visit or meetings, concerning this Association, advertise such meetings, arrange for (II) a suitable meeting place, (III) a Master of ceremonies or such functionary as may be required for such meeting. (IV) reception and introduction of dignitaries if desirable, (V) examination or vouching for all who may attend and in general, do all things necessary to promote and conduct such meeting in a manner which will bring credit upon this Association in particular and Masonry in general. (VOTED ON AND PASSED SEPTEMBER 23, 2009)
(2) The institute of Masonic Proficiency shall provide instructors and conduct a school for the instruction of officers of the lodges, particularly the Masters, the Senior the Junior Wardens and Secretaries. The purpose of such instruction shall be to provide the lodges of this Association with the best qualified Masters and Leaders possible. The Junior Wardens shall receive instruction in the Laws of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge. The Senior Wardens shall receive instruction in various problems they will face as Masters such as appointment of Committees, arranging, advertising, and conducting the business of the Lodge and such other matters as the Committee may deem necessary to better prepare the Senior Wardens for their duties as Master. The Masters and Secretaries shall discuss the problems of their respective Lodges and seek assistance from those who may have experienced similar problems.
(3) The Executive Board of Directors shall be an advisory board for the President and other officers of the Association and shall meet upon call of the President, the President-Elect, or Chairman of the Executive Board. It is intended the officers of the Association , and particularly the President and President-Elect, shall confer with the members of this committee, individually and collectively. If this Committee shall determine that any officer is not acting in accord with the laws of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge or these By-Laws, it shall call the infraction to the attention of the officer and if he shall not make appropriate changes, the Executive Board of Directors shall report to the Association and recommend the action that should be taken.
(4) a. The Internet Committee, consisting of a chairperson and at least one member- Web Editor shall promote MWSA through the development and maintenance of electronic communications, including a Web site.
b. Duties/Guidance: The Internet Committee Chairman / Web Editor are appointed to create content and maintain the content of the MWSA Web site. The Web Editor works closely with other committees to coordinate efforts in communicating effectively with the MWSA membership.
c. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MWSA WEB EDITOR
1. Attend Membership meetings.
2. Take suggestions and submissions from the various Committees and the membership to expand and develop new content for the web site.
3. Work with the President-Elect to secure updated information about events for the web site or to be sent to the members of the 30th Masonic Districts.
OTHER DUTIES OF THE WEB EDITOR
Meeting Schedule, Programs, Map, Directions and Parking - Web Editor or Internet Committee Member. The following shall be done throughout the year.
a. Update URL Resources page.
b. Update Locator page (links).
c. Update Other Organizations page.
d. Update Calendar.
e. Update Ritualist listing as needed.
All other pages shall be updated as needed. Update this list of duties each year and submit to the President and Executive Board Committee at the May meeting. The President and Executive Board Committee Members shall also review the Web site and determine how they can expand or update information that already exists on the site, or what might be added to the website as a committee project for the coming year.
The MWSA web site maintains a standard design, set by the Internet Committee Under the direction of the President and Executive Board Committee, to present a consistent appearance. Submissions shall maintain the design theme that is already in use. Do not submit pages with buttons, bars, or other graphics that are not consistent with the web site.
Email communications to the editor about web page changes / new pages to Upload to the server should include:
1. Identification of the sender
2. What the file contains
3. Where it should go on the web page.
4. Any linked pages that need updating as a result of the change.
5. Specific directions on changes to existing pages.
6. Full signature information for further contact.
Section - C. ONE YEAR COMMITTEES
(1) The following Committees of the Association consisting of five (5) members shall serve during the term of the President.
(A) Waco Banquet Committee
(B) Masonic Funeral Service Committee
(C) Blood Bank Committee
(2) The President-Elect shall be the Chairman of the Waco Banquet Committee and shall select four (4 ) others to serve with him.
See Article IV Section F (2) and Article VII Section A).
(3) The Waco Banquet Committee shall be in charge of the 30th Masonic District s Banquet in Waco during Grand Lodge. It shall select the place for the banquet, arrange for the meal to be catered , advertize the banquet among the lodges of this District and urge attendance, set tickets at a price determined by the Committee, arrange for the program and the Master of Ceremonies, invite guests and do any and all things necessary or appropriate for the success of the Banquet.
(4) The Masonic Funeral Service Committee shall assist upon Masonic Funeral services in this District. It shall encourage competent brothers to learn the funeral service and conduct it with dignity and solemnity and in a manner that will impress favorably all those whom may attend. It shall provide Masters to conduct a funeral service for any Lodge, which does not have anyone qualified to perform the service its purpose shall be to present Masonry in it best light at this most important and solemn event when Masonry is before the public paying its respect to a deceased brother.
(5) The Blood Bank Committee shall be in charge of the blood bank for the 30th Masonic Districts. It shall advertise the blood bank, encourage blood donors, encourage lodges to promote the blood bank, make reports with reference to the activities, when requested to do so authorize withdrawals for Masons and their immediate families and do any and all things necessary or appropriate in the premises.
The dues of this Association shall be determined from year to year by the Association upon recommendation of the President. The dues shall be voluntarily paid by the several Lodges of this District and shall be determined by the number of members of said Lodges multiplied by the amount determined by the Association.
Section - A. No amendment of these By-Laws, either by alteration or addition, shall be made, unless in the following manner:
(1) The Proposed amendment must be in writing, signed by the proposer, who must be a member of this Association, presented and read at a regular meeting of the Association, at which time it may be discussed and amended, if necessary.
(2) At the next regular meeting of this Association, it shall again be read and voted upon without further discussion or amendment, and if approved by a two third majority of the members present shall become a part of these By-Laws. Notice of any proposed amendment shall be included in the notice of the meeting at which there is to be a vote upon the amendment.
(3) A complete set of by-laws shall be forwarded to the Grand Lodge for approval. All subsequent amendments to association By-Laws shall be submitted to this Grand Lodge for approval.
(4) With approval of the Grand Lodge, the proposed amendment shall become a part of the by-laws of this Association.
(5) The Secretary of this Association shall forward to the Grand Secretary a list of the newly elected and appointed officers no later than August 15 each year.
The above By-Laws having been adopted by the said Masters, Wardens and Secretaries Association of the 30th Masonic Districts, on the 24 day of February A.D., 2010, of which witness my hand. _____________________________ Secretary
First Reading and Discussion, December 16, 20019
Second Reading and Ballot, February 24, 2010
Passed
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Created On:
January 1, 2010
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