By-Laws
CHARLOTTE LODGE OF PERFECTION
MECKLENBURG CHAPTER OF ROSE CROIX
CHARLOTTE COUNCIL OF KADOSH
CAROLINA CONSISTORY
Statutes of the Supreme Council SJ - 2007
BY-LAWS OF CHARLOTTE LODGE OF PERFECTION
ARTICLE I - TITLE
This Lodge, sitting in the Valley of Charlotte, Orient of North Carolina, shall be known as Charlotte Lodge of Perfection and acknowledges allegiance to the Supreme Council (Mother Council of the World), of the Inspectors General, Knights Commander of the House of the Temple of Solomon, of the Thirty-Third and Last Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of America, whose See is at the Grand Orient of Charleston, in the State of South Carolina, with executive offices presently located at I733 Sixteenth Street, N. W., Washington, D. C., of which Supreme Council Illustrious Ronald A. Seale, 33° is Sovereign Grand Commander, and Illustrious John E. Moyers, 33° is Grand Secretary General.
ARTICLE II - MEETINGS
The regular or stated meetings of this Lodge shall be held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 o’clock p.m., except the months of July and August. The annual meeting for the election of officers shall be held on Wednesday, at the regular or stated meeting nearest the third day of the Hebrew month Kislev (December) Amended, January 12, 2004. Special or called meetings may be held on call of the Venerable Master, or when requested by three or more members of this Lodge, for the transaction of such business as may be transacted at special meetings. No business shall be transacted at any special or called meeting other than that for which it shall have been called, and the members of the said Lodge of Perfection shall receive notice in the customary way at least ten days prior to such special meeting to be held stating the nature of the business to be transacted thereat.
ARTICLE III - REAL PROPERTY
All real property owned by the Charlotte Lodge of Perfection shall be held in the name of the Trustees of this Lodge as governed by Article XVI of these By-Laws.
ARTICLE IV - REVENUES
Section I. All revenues of this Lodge, for its own account and as financial agent for Mecklenburg Chapter of Rose Croix, Charlotte Council of Kadosh and Carolina Consistory, shall be derived as follows: (1) Fees for the degrees. (2) Dues from members. (3) Receipts from the sale of real or personal property. (4) Endowment. (5) Bequest of gift. (6) Income from Investments. (7) Donations to the Almoner’s Fund.
Section 2. The Charlotte Lodge of Perfection shall receive all funds or other assets tendered as contributions to the Almoner’s Fund from the Box of Fraternal Assistance and/or from the brethren of the Rite and other interested persons. Upon receipt of such funds they shall forthwith be placed in a special account in the name of the Charlotte Lodge of Perfection in such bank or banks as they may from time to time designate. Monies or other assets received for the Almoner are under no circumstances to be co-mingled with other funds or assets of the Rite; and monies and/or other assets received for the Almoner shall be placed in a control account designated Charlotte Lodge of Perfection, Almoner’s Fund Control Account.
ARTICLE V - FEES
The fees for the degrees in this Lodge shall be not less than $100.00 which shall also entitle the petitioner to receive a Fourteenth Degree Ring and a current year’s dues card. This fee is the minimum amount which must accompany any petition for the degrees and must be paid before any degrees may be conferred upon the petitioner.
ARTICLE VI - DUES
The dues shall be $65.00 per annum Amended, August, 2003 by an edict from Ill. William B. Brunk 33°, S.G.I.G., payable in advance on or before the regular or stated meeting in January of each year, and any member who is in arrears at least two years must be suspended, after due notice and by a majority vote of those present at a regular or stated meeting; provided, however, that the dues of any such delinquent member may be remitted, or further time, not exceeding twelve months, may be granted by a majority vote of the members present at a stated meeting. A member suspended for non-payment of dues, who shall within two years from the date of his suspension pay the arrearages due at the time of his suspension, together with such further dues as would have accrued against him to the date of such payment had he retained his membership, shall be restored to membership, but if the member fails to pay such dues within two years, he shall not be restored unless the Lodge shall so order by a majority vote at a regular or stated meeting; provided that the Lodge may for good cause shown, remit all or any part of said dues, subject, however, to the provisions of Article XVII, Section 34 of the Statutes of the Supreme Council. The list of delinquent members shall be presented and read by the Secretary at the regular or stated meeting in December of each year.
ARTICLE VII - OFFICERS
Section 1. The officers of this Lodge shall be as follows: Venerable Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Orator, Almoner, Secretary, Treasurer, Prelate, Master of Ceremonies, Expert, Assistant Expert, Captain of the Host and Tiler.
Section 2. The Venerable Master, Senior Warden and Junior Warden shall be elected by ballot at the annual meeting for the election of officers, and a majority of the votes cast shall be necessary to elect. The Secretary, Treasurer and Almoner shall be selected by the Sovereign Grand Inspector General’s or Deputy’s Advisory Conference. The other officers shall be appointed by the Venerable Master; all officers so elected and appointed shall occupy their several stations until the next regular election, or until their successors are elected, qualified and installed.
Section 3. The annual election of officers shall be held on the first Wednesday at the regular or stated meeting in December, the installation for which will be at that or the next stated meeting. Amended, January 12, 2004
ARTICLE VIII - SOVEREIGN GRAND INSPECTOR GENERAL’S OR DEPUTY’S ADVISORY CONFERENCE
Section 1. COMPOSITION - The Sovereign Grand Inspector General’s or Deputy’s Advisory Conference shall be composed of nine members and two ex-officio members, four of whom shall be the duly elected and installed Venerable Master of the Lodge of Perfection, the Wise Master of the Chapter of Rose Croix, the Commander of the Council of Kadosh and the Master of the Kadosh of the Consistory, and each shall serve during his term of office. Five members shall be appointed by the Sovereign Grand Inspector General or Deputy of the Supreme Council in North Carolina and shall serve at his pleasure. The Senior Warden of the Lodge of Perfection and the Secretary of the Charlotte Scottish Rite Bodies shall each serve as ex-officio members and the Secretary shall serve as Secretary to the Advisory Conference.
Section 2. OFFICERS - The officers of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General’s or Deputy’s Advisory Conference shall be a Chairman and a Secretary. The Chairman shall be appointed by the Sovereign Grand Inspector General or the Deputy of the Supreme Council in North Carolina, and the Secretary shall be the Secretary of the Charlotte Scottish Rite Bodies.
Section 3. POWERS - The Sovereign Grand Inspector General’s or Deputy’s Advisory Conference shall have general supervisory control of all the activities of the four Bodies, subject, however, to the supervision of the financial affairs of the Bodies by the Lodge of Perfection as provided by Article XV, Section 18, of the Statutes of the Supreme Council, with full power and authority to constitute and appoint such committees as the Sovereign Grand Inspector General’s or Deputy’s Advisory Conference may deem necessary for the proper conduct of the affairs of the Bodies and to assign to committees so constituted such duties and responsibilities as are consistent with the Statutes of the Supreme Council and these By-Laws. The Sovereign Grand Inspector General’s or Deputy’s Advisory Conference may employ such personnel, fix their compensation and allowable expense, and specify their duties, as in the discretion of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General’s or Deputy’s Advisory Conference may be deemed for the best interest of the Rite. The Sovereign Grand Inspector General’s or Deputy’s Advisory Conference alone shall have the power to dispense with the services of any of its employees and, when dispensed with, to employ others in their steads, as may be deemed expedient. The management of the business of the Bodies shall, within policies established by the Sovereign Grand Inspector General’s or Deputy’s Advisory Conference, be vested in the Secretary of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General’s or Deputy’s Advisory Conference.
ARTICLE IX - DUTIES OF THE TREASURER
The Treasurer shall receive all monies from the Secretary, giving his receipt therefore, and shall keep an accurate account thereof; pay all debts when approved by the Secretary, provided that such debts are not in excess of that appropriated in the budget. The Treasurer shall cause to be rendered such reports to the Lodge as they may from time to time require, including an annual statement to the Lodge at its regular or stated meeting in February of each year; he shall be required to give a bond in accordance with the Supreme Council Blanket Insurance Program for the faithful performance of his duties, the cost of said bond to be borne by the Charlotte Lodge of Perfection.
ARTICLE X - DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY
The Secretary shall keep a correct record of the proceedings of the Lodge, give the required notices to the members of all regular or stated and special meetings; attend the meetings of all standing and special committees when required and keep a record of their proceedings; he shall receive all monies due to the Lodge and turn them over to the Treasurer, taking his receipt therefore, as fast as they may be collected; he shall draw all orders upon the Treasurer by order of the Lodge, and shall render to the Lodge at any time when requested, such statements of receipts and disbursements as may be required, including an annual detailed statement of assets, liabilities, income and expenses to the Lodge at the stated meeting in February of each year; he shall also perform such other duties and make such other reports as may be required by the Supreme Council, the Grand Commander, the Sovereign Grand Inspector General or the Deputy of the Supreme Council. He shall maintain an office and in the details connected with its management shall act by direction of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General’s or Deputy’s Advisory Conference; he shall be required to give bond for the faithful performance of his duties in accordance with the Supreme Council Blanket Insurance Program, the cost of said bond to be borne by the Charlotte Lodge of Perfection.
ARTICLE XI - EXPENDITURE OF SCOTTISH RITE FUNDS AND THE FINANCIAL OBLIGATION TO THE RITE OF ITS MEMBERS
Section 1. No member shall by signature or by verbal communication authorize or enter into any contract purchase, agreement or covenant which shall involve finances of the Scottish Rite Bodies except those authorized to do so, and then only in the prescribed manner.
Section 2. Any member desiring to purchase any material or article of supplies, enter into any contract, or otherwise expend monies belonging to the Scottish Rite, other than for the payment of rent, salaries, taxes, insurance and public utilities, shall first secure and institute a voucher or authorization to purchase. Such voucher shall state:
a. The date of the request.
b. The item or items to be purchased.
c. The reason therefore.
d. The cost of such items proposed to be purchased.
e. Name of the member instituting the request.
f. The department or group to which charge is to be made.
g. The ledger account number to which charge shall be made.
h. The name of the person approving the purchase.
Section 3. In no case shall the person who approves the voucher or purchase order be the same person who institutes such voucher. After materials covered by the voucher are received, the voucher shall be initialed by the institutor thereof. Only after such voucher has been thus initialed shall it be approved for payment.
Section 4. The Budget & Finance Committee shall scrutinize all vouchers and shall inform the Sovereign Grand Inspector General’s or Deputy’s Advisory Conference of any irregularities found therein.
ARTICLE XI (cont’d)
Section 5. Disbursements for all purposes shall be by check signed by both the Secretary and Treasurer, or the Chairman of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General’s or Deputy’s Advisory Conference or whomever the Advisory Conference designates.
Section 6. The Sovereign Grand Inspector General’s or Deputy’s Advisory Conference shall adopt such rules and regulations which, in its discretion, may be necessary to implement this article and each section thereof.
ARTICLE XI I - DIRECTOR OF THE WORK
The duties of the Director of the Work shall consist of having charge of the paraphernalia, etc., of the Bodies, and when the degrees are conferred, either at a regular or stated meeting, or at a Reunion, he shall have charge of the floor and/or stage work, and of such help as he may need for handling of the same. The Director of the Work shall be selected by the Sovereign Grand Inspector General’s or Deputy’s Advisory Conference.
ARTICLE XIII - BUDGET & FINANCE COMMITTEE
Section 1. There shall be a Budget & Finance Committee consisting of four members of this Lodge of Perfection, including the Venerable Master. The Venerable Master shall make a selection of three members, choosing from those in our ranks who are knowledgeable in the art of accounting. At the March stated meeting, the Venerable Master will announce his selections and must obtain a majority vote of confidence from the Lodge for the individuals selected. Those selected by the Venerable Master and acceptable to the Lodge must meet the approval of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General’s or Deputy’s Advisory Conference.
Section 2. The primary responsibility of the Budget and Finance Committee is to prepare an annual budget for the ensuing year, such budget shall be presented to the Sovereign Grand Inspector General’s or Deputy’s Advisory Conference for review, and then to the Bodies for acceptance at the December stated meeting. The Budget and Finance Committee shall supervise the expenditures and debts of these Coordinate Bodies as compared to the budget including special expenditures voted for by the Bodies that are not included in the budget, and being constantly aware of all sources of monies received by these Coordinate Bodies and expended by or for them.
Section 3. The Budget and Finance Committee shall submit a written report quarterly to be read at the next stated meeting of the Lodge. A copy of the report is to be sent to each member of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General’s or Deputy’s Advisory Conference. The report shall red-flag any area or areas of question or irregularity that should be called to the attention of the Bodies and/or the Sovereign Grand Inspector General’s or Deputy’s Advisory Conference.
ARTICLE XIV - COMMITTEE OF INVESTIGATION
The Sovereign Grand Inspector General’s or Deputy’s Advisory Conference shall appoint a Committee of Investigation consisting of not less than three, nor more than five, members whose names may or may not be held secret. It shall be the duty of this committee to take such steps as it may deem proper to ascertain or determine the qualifications or fitness of all petitioners for the degrees or applicants for affiliation, and to report its findings thereon to the Lodge.
ARTICLE XV - OTHER COMMITTEES
The Sovereign Grand Inspector General’s or Deputy’s Advisory Conference shall have the power to appoint and name such other committees as they may from time to time deem fitting and proper and for the best interest of the Rite, in accordance with Article VIII, Section 3, of these By-Laws. The Chairman of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General’s or Deputy’s Advisory Conference shall be an ex-officio member of any such special committee.
ARTICLE XVI - TRUSTEES
There shall be a Board of Trustees of the Charlotte Lodge of Perfection consisting of five members elected, one for a term of one year, one for a term of two years, one for a term of three years, one for a term of four years, and one for a term of five years. Thereafter, at the annual meeting for the election of officers of the Charlotte Lodge of Perfection, and upon the expiration of the term of office of a member of the Board of Trustees, his successor shall be elected for a term of five years by majority vote of the members present. The duties of the Trustees shall be:
a. To receive, take and hold in trust for this Lodge the property of every nature and kind belonging to the Charlotte Lodge of Perfection as its own or as agent for others, which may be committed by the Lodge to their care; to have the care and management of the real and personal property belonging to the Lodge as its own or as agent for others when committed to them; and to hold the same in trust solely for the use and benefit of the Lodge but the control thereof shall always be subject to the By-Laws, rules and orders of the Charlotte Lodge of Perfection.
b. To make leases, purchases, sales, deeds or mortgages upon property of any nature or kind at the discretion and upon majority vote of the Lodge
c. To insure and keep insured al Lodge property committed to them by the Lodge.
d. To do all other legitimate or proper acts that the Lodge may direct or the law may require.
e. To give such fidelity bonds as the Lodge may require.
f. A majority of the Trustees shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of their business.
Section 1. Each Trustee of the Charlotte Lodge of Perfection shall be and remain at all times during his term as Trustee a member in good standing thereof and a resident of the State of North Carolina; and if his membership in this Lodge should cease for any cause, or if he should remove permanently from the State he shall, ipso facto, and at once cease to be a Trustee. He shall not be reinstated therein or by return to the jurisdiction of this Lodge; but before he shall again serve as Trustee, he shall be elected and qualified as such Trustee.
Section 2. In the event of a vacancy among the Trustees by resignation, death or otherwise, the Lodge shall elect, by a majority vote of the members present, a qualified member at the next regular or stated meeting of the Lodge, and such member so elected shall fill the unexpired term to which he is so elected.
Section 3. The Lodge may remove any Trustee of the Lodge by two-thirds of the votes of the members present at a regular stated meeting of the Lodge; provided, not less than five days written notice that such action will be considered by the Lodge is given in person or by first class mail to the Trustee to be voted upon, and the Lodge may at the same, or a subsequent meeting, fill any vacancy thus created among the Trustees.
Section 4. The Charlotte Lodge of Perfection shall always retain control over its own property and financial affairs and the property of others entrusted to it, and shall administer them by a majority vote of its members present at any regular or stated meeting without the interposition of a board of control, board of trustees, or any similar board; and any by-law resolution or other enactment which shall be in conflict with this subdivision is void and of no effect. The Trustees shall not make any disposition of the property of this Lodge without proper authorization from the Lodge to do so.
Section 5. The Trustees shall have no authority, unless expressly given to them by the Lodge, to require the Treasurer to purchase a bond, or other security, or property as an investment and pay for the same out of Lodge funds without a vote of the Lodge and without an order upon the Treasurer drawn in the regular way.
Section 6. The Trustees shall not have authority to prevent or obstruct an appropriation of funds which have been voted by the Lodge.
Section 7. The Trustees at the end of each year, and more often if required by the Lodge, shall file with the Secretary an inventory of all Lodge property in their possession, and unless otherwise ordered by the Lodge, shall account for and turn over to the Secretary all monies in their possession.
Section 8. It shall be the duty of the Trustees to report and make recommendations to this Lodge in matters affecting the property of this Lodge committed to them, and it shall be the duty of this Lodge to give such reports and recommendations due respect and consideration, and either to adopt, amend or reject them.
Section 9. The failure or refusal of a Trustee to comply with any of the provisions of these By-Laws or with any directive or mandate of the Lodge in any particular shall be justifiable cause for his removal from office and the Lodge shall proceed forthwith to do so as provided for in subsection 3 of this Article XVI.
ARTICLE XVII - THE ALMONER
The Almoner (Hospitaller) shall be the dispenser of the Almoner’s Fund. He will give monies to the sick, the suffering, the destitute, and any other person who, in his judgment, is a charitable cause. His choice of amount, and to whom he gives, shall not be questioned by the Bodies. Under no circumstances will a contribution be made to another charitable organization. The Almoner shall select geographically a committee of no more than five (5) to keep him knowledgeable of the needy throughout our jurisdiction. The Almoner shall keep on hand a reasonable amount of funds, and as he dispenses same, he will request and be given additional monies from the Almoner’s Fund Control Account to maintain a desired balance on hand. He shall be required to give a fidelity bond in accordance with the Supreme Council Blanket Insurance Program for the faithful performance of these duties; cost thereof to be borne by the Lodge of Perfection. In accordance with page 105 of the Governing Resolutions of the Statutes of the Supreme Council, disbursements for all purposes shall be made by check signed by both the Almoner and either the Secretary or the Treasurer.
At each stated meeting of the Lodge of Perfection, he shall report on the Almoner’s working fund in the following manner:
1. Cash on hand at last report.
2. Cash requested and received from the Almoner’s Fund Control Account.
3. Number of requests for assistance received.
4. Number of requests for assistance granted.
5. Total distributed.
6. Any other information he wishes to disclose to the Bodies.
7. Balance on hand.
He shall not be required to identify by name, or otherwise, any recipient of assistance from the Fund, however, he shall be required to maintain sufficient written records to satisfy any tax official and/or the Sovereign Grand Inspector General’s or Deputy’s Advisory Conference.
Although the donations are at the sole discretion of the Almoner, he shall not permit himself to be influenced by race, color, creed or origin of birth.
ARTICLE XVIII - AUDIT
It shall be the duty of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General’s or Deputy’s Advisory Conference to engage the services of a Certified Public Accountant to audit the books and accounts of the Secretary, Treasurer, Almoner and Trustees, who shall make written statement in detail of the finding of same at the regular or stated meeting in February of each year.
ARTICLE XIX - APPLICATIONS
Section 1. Every application, petition, or proposition for the degrees, or for affiliation, must be made in writing and presented at a regular or stated meeting at least one month before being voted upon except as provided for in the Statutes of the Supreme Council, or authorized by the Sovereign Grand Inspector General or Deputy of the Supreme Council.
Section 2. Every application, petition, or proposition for the degrees, or for affiliation, must be made in writing and signed by one member of the Scottish Rite and seconded by another, also in writing, or by the Master and attested by the Secretary of the Blue Lodge of which the applicant is a member, and seconded and signed by at least one member of the Rite.
ARTICLE XX - ORDER OF BUSINESS
The order of business at regular or stated meetings shall be as follows:
1. Reading and approving the minutes.
2. Almoner’s Report.
3. Treasurer’s Report.
4. Reports of Standing Committees.
5. Reports of Special Committees.
6. Receiving applications for the degrees or affiliation.
7. Balloting on petitions or affiliations.
8. Communications and bills.
9. Unfinished business.
10. New business.
If extenuating circumstances require, this Regular Order of Business may be changed by order of the Venerable Master.
ARTICLE XXI - OATH
Every Perfect Elu must subscribe to the oath of Allegiance to the Supreme Council, its officers and members, having jurisdiction over the Subordinate Bodies in the Valley of Charlotte.
ARTICLE XXII - FINANCIAL AGENT
The Charlotte Lodge of Perfection accedes to the expressed wish of Mecklenburg Chapter of Rose Croix, Charlotte Council of Kadosh and Carolina Consistory, and herewith agrees to act as agent of and to manage and control the funds and the properties of these Coordinate Bodies. (Article XV, Section 18, of the Statutes of the Supreme Council.)
ARTICLE XXIII - QUORUM
Nine members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business in this Lodge of Perfection, except as provided by Section 3 of Article XV of the Statutes of the Supreme Council.
ARTICLE XXIV - AMENDMENTS
These By-Laws may be amended by at least a two-thirds majority of the votes cast at any regular or stated meeting of this Lodge; provided, however, that the proposed amendment shall have been submitted in writing at a prior regular or stated meeting, and provided further that due notice of such proposed amendment be sent to each member of this Lodge by mailing the same to the members last known address at least ten days prior to such regular meeting.
ARTICLE XXV - MISCELLANEOUS
All By-Laws, sections or parts thereof, heretofore enacted by this Lodge and in effect at the time of the adoption of these By-Laws, are hereby repealed. On all points not covered by these By-Laws, reference shall be had to the Statutes of the Supreme Council, 33°, and Regulations for the government of subordinate bodies, issued by the Supreme Council for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States and they shall govern.
ARTICLE XXVI - AFFILIATION
An applicant for the degrees or for affiliation in any of the Charlotte Bodies who has received any of the degrees of the Rite, either in the Orient of North Carolina, in any other Orient of the Southern Jurisdiction, or in the jurisdiction of any other Supreme Council, must regularly affiliate in the Valley of Charlotte in all of the degrees previously received by him, and, further, any member of a Body subordinate to any Supreme Council other than The Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A., affiliating with these Bodies shall be obligated in the highest terminal degree attained in such other Supreme Council, as provided in Section 18 of Article XVII of the Statutes of the Supreme Council.
ARTICLE XXVII – TOBACCO-FREE FACILITIES
The use of tobacco products within the temple is prohibited. Amended, March 24, 1997.
ARTICLE XXVIII – BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE VALLEY OF CHARLOTTE CHILDREN’S LANGUAGE LEARNING CENTER Amended, June 7th 2006.
There shall be a Board of Governors of the Valley of Charlotte Children’s Language Learning Center (or CLLC) consisting of five members of this Lodge of Perfection, including the Venerable Master and four members elected, one for a term of one year, one for a term of two years, one for a term of three years and one for a term of four years. The Valley General Secretary shall be an ex-efficio member of the CLLC Board. Thereafter, at the annual meeting for the election of officers of the Charlotte Lodge of Perfection, and upon the expiration of the term of office of a member of the CLLC Board, his successor shall be elected for a term of four years by majority vote of the members present. The duties of the CLLC Board shall be:
a. To use all due diligence in providing oversight and inquiry into the operations, procedures and practices of the CLLC.
b. To make recommendations to the Sovereign Grand Inspector General’s or Deputy’s Advisory Conference and to the Lodge regarding the operations, procedures and practices of the CLLC.
c. A majority of the CLLC Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of their business.
Section 1. Each CLLC Board Member shall be and remain at all times during his term as such, a member in good standing of the Charlotte Lodge of Perfection and a resident of the State of North Carolina; and if his membership in this Lodge should cease for any cause, or if he should remove permanently from the State he shall, ipso facto, and at once cease to be a CLLC Board Member. He shall not be reinstated therein or by return to the jurisdiction of this Lodge; but before he shall again serve as a CLLC Board Member, he shall be elected and qualified as such.
Section 2. In the event of a vacancy among the CLLC Board by resignation, death or otherwise, the Lodge shall elect, by a majority vote of the members present, a qualified member at the next regular or stated meeting of the Lodge, and such member so elected shall fill the unexpired term to which he is so elected.
Section 3. The Lodge may remove any CLLC Board Member by two-thirds of the votes of the members present at a regular stated meeting of the Lodge; provided, not less than five days written notice that such action will be considered by the Lodge is given in person or by first class mail to the CLLC Board Member to be voted upon, and the Lodge may at the same, or a subsequent meeting, fill any vacancy thus created among the CLLC Board.
Section 4. The CLLC Board shall not have authority to prevent or obstruct an appropriation of funds which have been voted by the Lodge.
Section 5. It shall be the duty of the CLLC Board to report and make recommendations to this Lodge in matters affecting the Valley of Charlotte Children’s Language Learning Center, and it shall be the duty of this Lodge to give such reports and recommendations due respect and consideration, and either to adopt, amend or reject them.
Section 6. The failure or refusal of a CLLC Board Member to comply with any of the provisions of these By-Laws or with any directive or mandate of the Lodge in any particular shall be justifiable cause for his removal from office and the Lodge shall proceed forthwith to do so as provided for in subsection 3 of this Article XXVIII.
BY-LAWS OF MECKLENBURG CHAPTER OF ROSE CROIX
ARTICLE I - TITLE
This Chapter, sitting in the Valley of Charlotte, Orient of North Carolina, shall be known as Mecklenburg Chapter of Rose Croix, and acknowledges allegiance to the Supreme Council (Mother Council of the World) of the Inspectors General, Knights Commander of the House of the Temple of Solomon, of the Thirty-Third and Last Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of America, whose See is at Charleston, in the State of South Carolina, now sitting in the City of Washington in the District of Columbia.
ARTICLE I I - OFFICERS
Section 1. The officers of this Chapter shall be the Wise Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Orator, Almoner, Secretary, Treasurer, Master of Ceremonies, Expert, Assistant Expert, Standard Bearer, Guardian of the Temple and Tiler.
Section 2. The Wise Master, the Senior Warden and the Junior Warden, shall be chosen by ballot at the regular annual meeting for the election of officers. The selection of the Secretary, Treasurer and Almoner shall be as provided by Article VII, Section 2 of the By-Laws for the Charlotte Lodge of Perfection. A majority vote shall be necessary to elect. All other officers shall be appointed by the Wise Master; all officers so elected, selected and appointed shall occupy their stations until the next regular election unless by proper action their successors are elected, selected or appointed and installed.
ARTICLE III - MEETINGS
Section 1. The regular or stated meetings of this Chapter shall be held on the first Wednesday of each month, following the meeting of the Charlotte Lodge of Perfection, except July and August as long as Section 9 of Article XV of the Supreme Council Statutes which reads as follows, is complied with:
“Section 9. Stated meetings of a Lodge of Perfection must be held at least monthly, and of a Chapter Rose Croix and a Council of Kadosh at least once in two months, except during the months of July, August and September. A Consistory must hold regular meetings at least once every three months.”
Section 2. The meeting for the election of officers shall be held on the first Wednesday at the regular or stated meeting in December, the installation for which shall be coincident with the installation of the officers of the Charlotte Lodge of Perfection. Amended, January 12, 2004
Section 3. The obligatory meetings of this Chapter shall be held on the Saturday before Easter Sunday.
ARTICLE IV - FEES AND DUES
Section 1. The fees for the degrees in this Chapter shall be not less than $35.00.
Section 2. The annual dues in this Chapter of Rose Croix shall be $65.00 Amended, August, 2003 by an edict from Ill William B. Brunk 33°, S.G.I.G.; provided, however, that the dues of any member of this Chapter, who is also a member of the Charlotte Lodge of Perfection and paying dues therein as provided by its By-Laws, shall be waived.
ARTICLE V - FINANCIAL AGENT
Section 1. Charlotte Lodge of Perfection is hereby appointed the Financial Agent of this Chapter and shall receive, manage and control the funds and property of this Chapter. (Article XV, Section 18, of the Statutes of the Supreme Council.)
Section 2. As long as Section 1 of Article V of these By-Laws is effective, any action, while this Chapter is not in session, taken by the Charlotte Lodge of Perfection on matters pertaining to its own affairs, but affecting this Chapter, shall in all respects be ratified, confirmed, approved and adopted, and shall be considered by this Chapter to be as binding upon it as had said action been taken by this Chapter.
ARTICLE VI - ALMONER, SECRETARY AND TREASURER
As long as Article V of these By-Laws is effective, by which Charlotte Lodge of Perfection is made the Financial Agent of this Chapter, the Almoner, Secretary and Treasurer selected for said Lodge shall serve as the said officers of this Chapter as if elected by it as its own.
ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENTS
Any proposed amendment to these By-Laws shall be presented in writing at a regular or stated meeting of this Chapter, lie over to the next stated meeting, during which time a copy of the same shall be mailed to each member at his last known address at least ten days prior to such stated meeting, and must receive at least a two-thirds majority of the votes cast to become effective.
BY-LAWS OF CHARLOTTE COUNCIL OF KADOSH
ARTICLE I - TITLE
This Council, sitting in the Valley of Charlotte, Orient of North -Carolina, shall be known as Charlotte Council of Kadosh and acknowledges allegiance to the Supreme Council (Mother Council of the World) of the Inspectors General, Knights Commander of the House of the Temple of Solomon of the Thirty-Third and Last Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of America, whose See is at the Grand Orient of Charleston, in the State of South Carolina, now sitting in the City of Washington in the District of Columbia.
ARTICLE II - OFFICERS
Section 1. The officers of this Council shall be Commander, First Lieutenant Commander, Second Lieutenant Commander, Chancellor, Orator, Almoner, Recorder, Treasurer, Master of Ceremonies, Turcopilier, Draper, First Deacon, Second Deacon, Bearer of Beauseant, Bearer of White Standard Bearer of Black Standard, Lieutenant of Guard and Sentinel (Tiler).
Section 2. The Commander, First Lieutenant Commander and Second Lieutenant Commander, shall be chosen by ballot at the regular meeting for the election of officers. The Secretary-Recorder, Almoner and Treasurer shall be selected by the Sovereign Grand Inspector General’s or Deputy’s Advisory Conference as provided by Article VII, Section 2, in the By-Laws for the Charlotte Lodge of Perfection; officers so selected shall serve as if elected by this Council as its own. A majority vote shall be necessary to elect. All other officers shall be appointed by the Commander. All officers so elected, selected and appointed shall occupy their stations until the next regular election, unless by proper action their successors are elected or appointed, qualified and installed.
ARTICLE III - MEETINGS
Section 1. The regular or stated meetings of this Council shall be held on the first Wednesday of each month, following the meeting of the Mecklenburg Chapter of Rose Croix, except July and August as long as Section 9 of Article XV of the Supreme Council Statutes, which reads as follows, is complied with:
“Section 9. Stated meetings of a Lodge of Perfection must be held at least monthly, and of a Chapter Rose Croix and a Council of Kadosh at least once in two months, except during the months of July, August and September. A Consistory must hold regular meetings at least once every three months.”
Section 2. The meeting for the election of officers shall be held on the first Wednesday at the regular or stated meeting in December, the installation for which shall be coincident with the installation of the officers of the Charlotte Lodge of Perfection and the Mecklenburg Chapter of Rose Croix. Amended, January 12, 2004
ARTICLE IV - FEES AND DUES
Section 1. The fees for the degrees in this Council shall be not less than $35.00.
Section 2. The annual dues in this Council of Kadosh shall be $65.00 Amended, August, 2003 by an edict from Ill. William B. Brunk 33°, S.G.I.G.; provided, however, that the annual dues of any member of this Council, who is also a member of the Charlotte Lodge of Perfection and paying dues therein as provided by its By-Laws, shall be waived.
ARTICLE V - FINANCIAL AGENT
Section 1. Charlotte Lodge of Perfection is hereby appointed the Financial Agent of this Council and shall receive, manage and control the funds and property of this Council.
Section 2. As long as Section 1 of Article V of these By-Laws is effective, any action, while this Council is not in session, taken by the Charlotte Lodge of Perfection on matters pertaining to its own affairs, but affecting this Council, shall in all respects be ratified, confirmed, approved and adopted, and shall be considered by this Council to be as binding upon it as had said action been taken by this Council.
ARTICLE VI - ALMONER, SECRETARY AND TREASURER
As long as Article V of these By-Laws is effective, by which Charlotte Lodge of Perfection is made the Financial Agent of this Council, the Almoner Secretary and Treasurer selected for said Lodge shall serve as the said officers of this Council as if elected by it as its own.
ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENTS
Any proposed amendment to these By-Laws shall be presented in writing at a regular or stated meeting of this Council, lie over to the next regular or stated meeting, during which time a copy of the same shall be mailed to each member at his last known address at least ten days prior to such regular meeting, and must receive at least a favorable or affirmative two-thirds of the votes cast to become effective.
BY-LAWS OF CAROLINA CONSISTORY
ARTICLE I - TITLE
This Consistory, sitting in the Valley of Charlotte, Orient of North Carolina, shall be known as Carolina Consistory and acknowledges allegiance to the Supreme Council (Mother Council of the World) of the Inspectors General, Knights Commander of the House of the Temple of Solomon, of the Thirty-Third and Last Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of America, whose See is at Charleston, in the State of South Carolina, now sitting in the City of Washington in the District of Columbia.
ARTICLE II - OFFICERS
Section 1. The officers of this Consistory shall be the Master of the Kadosh, Prior, Preceptor, Chancellor, Registrar, Treasurer, Almoner, Prelate, Marshal of Ceremonies, Expert, Assistant Expert, Captain of the Guards and Tiler.
Section 2. The Master of the Kadosh, Prior and Preceptor shall be chosen by ballot at the regular meeting for the election of officers. The Secretary-Registrar, Treasurer and Almoner shall be selected by the Sovereign Grand Inspector General’s or Deputy’s Advisory Conference as provided by Article VII, Section 2, in the By-Laws for the Charlotte Lodge of Perfection; officers so selected shall serve as if elected by this Consistory as its own. A majority vote shall be necessary to elect. All other officers shall be appointed by the Master of the Kadosh; all officers so selected, elected and appointed shall occupy their stations until the next regular election, unless by proper action their successors are elected or appointed, qualified and installed.
ARTICLE III - MEETINGS
Section 1. The regular or stated meetings of this Consistory shall be held on the first Wednesday of each month, following the meeting of the Charlotte Council of Kadosh, except July and August as long as Section 9 of Article XV of the Supreme Council Statutes, which reads as follows, is complied with:
“Section 9. Stated meetings of a Lodge of Perfection must be held at least monthly, and of a Chapter Rose Croix and a Council of Kadosh at least once in two months, except during the months of July, August and September. A Consistory must hold regular meetings at least once every three months.”
Section 2. The meeting for the election of officers shall be held on the first Wednesday at the regular or stated meeting in December Amended, January 12, 2004, the installation for which shall be coincident with the installation of the officers of the Charlotte Lodge of Perfection, the Mecklenburg Chapter of Rose Croix and the Charlotte Council of Kadosh.
ARTICLE IV - FEES AND DUES
Section 1. The fees for the degrees in this Consistory shall be not less than $35.00.
Section 2. The annual dues for this Consistory shall be $65.00 Amended, August, 2003 by an edict from Ill. William B. Brunk 33°, S.G.I.G.; provided, however, that the annual dues of any member of this Consistory, who is also a member of the Charlotte Lodge of Perfection and paying dues therein in accordance with its By-Laws, shall be waived.
ARTICLE V - FINANCIAL AGENT
Section 1. Charlotte Lodge of Perfection is hereby appointed the Financial Agent of this Consistory and shall manage and control the funds and property of this Consistory. (Article XV, Section 18, of the Statutes of the Supreme Council.)
Section 2. As long as Section 1 of Article V of these By-Laws is effective, any action, while this Consistory is not in session, taken by the Charlotte Lodge of Perfection on matters pertaining to its own affairs, but affecting this Consistory, shall in all respects be ratified, confirmed, approved and adopted, and shall be considered by this Consistory to be as binding upon it as had said action been taken by this Consistory.
ARTICLE VI - ALMONER, SECRETARY AND TREASURER
As long as Article V of these By-Laws is effective, by which Charlotte Lodge of Perfection is made the Financial Agent of this Consistory, the Almoner, Secretary and Treasurer selected for said Lodge shall serve as the said officers of this Consistory as if elected by it as its own.
ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENTS
Any proposed amendment to these By-Laws shall be presented in writing at a regular or stated meeting of this Consistory, lie over to the next regular or stated meeting, during which time a copy of the same shall be mailed to each member at his last known address at least ten days prior to such stated meeting, and must receive at least a favorable or affirmative two-thirds of the votes cast to become effective.
THIS CERTIFIES that the foregoing are the complete By-Laws of CHARLOTTE LODGE OF PERFECTION, MECKLENBURG CHAPTER OF ROSE CROIX, CHARLOTTE COUNCIL OF KADOSH and CAROLINA CONSISTORY as of July 7th, 2006.
John R. Litaker, 33°
General Secretary
Charlotte Scottish Rite
4740 Randolph Road
Charlotte, NC 28211
(704) 365-3579
scottishrite@bellsouth.net
APPROVED:
William B. Brunk, 33°
Sovereign Grand Inspector General in North Carolina