ARTICLE I: NAME
Section A – The name of this Association shall be “The Masters, Wardens and Secretaries Association, A.F. & A.M. of the 9th Masonic District 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 Master in the District.
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
Section A – This Association is a cooperative service organization dependent upon the Masonic Lodges of the 9th Masonic District 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 Master 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.
Section B – The purpose of this Association shall be:
(1) To assist the District Deputy Grand Master 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 9th Masonic District act as a 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 ideals and plans determined to promoting better spirit of Brotherhood and widen acquaintances among the Brethren of this District.
(4) To promote and support educational meetings designed to bring more light to all Master Masons.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
Section A – All Worshipful Masters, Junior Past Masters, Wardens and Secretaries of Lodges in the 9th Masonic District shall by virtue of their respective offices be regular members of this Association.
Section B – All Past Masters and affiliated Past Masters of Lodges in the 9th Masonic District shall be honorary members of the Association.
Section C – Each regular member present shall be entitled to one vote in the transaction of business. Honorary members shall have no vote in the transaction of business, but may offer suggestions for consideration, and may serve on committees when properly appointed.
ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS
Section A – The officers of this Association shall be a President, a Vice President and a Secretary/Treasurer, all of whom shall be elected from the regular membership by a majority vote of the regular members present.
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 or Secretary/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 – Any officer elected from the Regular Membership shall be entitled to Regular Member Status as long as he maintains his position in the “Line-Up.” e.g. A Sitting Worshipful Master or a Junior Past Master can be elected to the Office of Secretary or Vice-President and would maintain his Regular Member Status while consecutively serving in the succeeding offices. This is an exception to Section B of this Article.
ARTICLE V: MEETINGS
Section A – Not less than four meetings shall be held per annum.
Section B – The regular meetings of this Association shall be held on the 3rd Wednesday of the first month (January, April, July, October) of each quarter.
Section C – The election of officers shall be held at the first regular or called meeting after June 24th and prior to August 1st.
Section D – Called meetings may be held at any time on written notice mailed to all regular members by the President at least five days prior to such meeting.
Section E – Any business proper to be transacted by this Association may be transacted at either a regular or called meeting, except amendments to these By-Laws.
Section F – All meetings of this Association shall be opened and closed with prayer.
ARTICLE VI: ORDER OF BUSINESS
Section A – The order of business at regular or called meetings shall be as follows, unless otherwise ordered by the President.
- Opening Prayer
- Roll Call of Lodge
- Reading of minutes of preceding meeting
- Unfinished Business
- New Business
- Announcements
- Program
- Closing Prayer
ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES
Section A – The President may appoint such committees as he deems desirable and necessary to carry out the various activities of the Association.
ARTICLE VIII: FINANCE
Section A – The work of this Association shall be carried on only by voluntary contributions, in a manner to be determined by the Association.
ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENTS
Section A – No amendments to the 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 proposers, and presented and read at a regular meeting of this 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 considered and voted upon without further amendment and approved by a two-third majority vote of the regular members present.
(3) With approval of the Grand Lodge, the proposed amendment shall become part of the by-laws of this Association.
Adopted October 30, 2002 by Masters, Wardens and Secretaries Association, A.F. & A.M. of the 9th Masonic District of Texas.