The Traveling Gavel is currently held by Lee Lodge #435, Prosper

The Traveling Gavel was originally designed and crafted in 2002 by R∴ W∴ Ron Underwood, District Deputy Grand Master, to encourage visitation between Lodges of Masonic District 9-A.

Features of the Gavel

  • It is made of oak, to represent the Masonic Oak of Texas.
  • The head of the gavel is six-sided, representing the six Lodges in District 9-A.
  • Each end of the gavel has three rings:
    • One end alludes to the three stages of life: infancy, manhood, and death
    • One end refers to the three degrees in Masonry: Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason
  • There are three rings on the handle that represent the three principal officers of the Lodge: Junior Warden, Senior Warden, and Worshipful Master.
  • The end of the handle alludes to the seven liberal arts and sciences. The fifth ring is more pronounced than the others, referring to geometry, which is principally essential to Masonry.
  • There is a small gap where the handle fits to the head. This is to indicate that there is still work to be done to complete the work.

Rules for Claiming the Gavel

  • A minimum of five (5) members of a visiting Lodge must attend a Stated Meeting meeting of the Lodge possessing the gavel.
    • If a Brother is a plural member of both the possessing Lodge and the visiting Lodge, he will be considered as a member of the possessing Lodge, not a visitor.
    • If a Brother is a plural member of more than one visiting Lodge, he will be considered a visitor from both Lodges.
  • If more than one visiting Lodge has a minimum of five visiting members, the Lodge with the most visiting members will claim the gavel.
  • If two or more visiting Lodges have an equal number of visiting members, the following sequence will be used to break the tie:
    • The Lodge with the most officers (Elected and Appointed), present.
    • The Lodge with the longest time since possessing the gavel.
    • The Lodge which has traveled the farthest distance to visit.
  • The losing Lodge cannot reclaim the gavel for a minimum of thirty (30) days.

The gaining Lodge will, within three business days, notify all other Lodges within the District that the gavel has moved to the gaining Lodge.  Notification can be by mail, phone, email, or any other means whereby notification can be verified.