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Rules of Order of Lodge.
Rule 1. When the N.G. takes the chair, the officers and
brothers shall take their respective stations', and at the sound of the gavel there shall be a general silence; and, after examining the brethren in the Lodge, if there be a Chaplain, then join with him in prayer. The Lodge shall then proceed to open in due form.
Rule 2. The N.G. shall preserve order, and pronounce the
decisions of the Lodge on all subjects; he shall decide questions of order without debate, subject to an appeal to the Lodge by any three brothers; on which appeal no brother shall speak more than once, when the question before the Lodge shall be, "Shall the decision of the N.G. stand as the judgment of the Lodge V which question shall be taken by the V.G.
Rule 3. No question shall be stated unless moved and
seconded, nor be open for consideration until stated by the N.G., and when a question is before the Lodge no motion shall be received, unless,
- 1st. To lay upon the table.
- 2nd. The previous question.
- 3rd. To postpone to a particular time.
- 4th. To postpone indefinitely.page 78
- 5th. To re-commit.
- 6th. To refer.
- 7th. To Amend.
And they shall have precedence in the order in which they are arranged; and the first two shall be decided without debate.
Rule 4. No motion shall be made by one brother while another is speaking; and no motion shall be made or seconded without rising and addressing the N. G.
Rule 5. Any brother making a motion, shall reduce the same to writing at the request of the N.G. or any brother; in which case it shall not be before the Lodge until it be so written, and read from the Secretary's desk.
Rule 6. No resolutions shall be offered to the Lodge except in writing, and signed by the brother offering the same.
Rule 7. No brother shall be interrupted while speaking, except it be to call him to order, or for the purpose of explanation.
Rule 8. If a brother, while speaking, be called to order, he shall, at the request of the N.G., take his seat until the question of order is decided, when, if permitted, he may proceed again.
Respectful demeanour to the chair.
Rule 9. No brother shall speak without rising in his place respectfully addressing the N.G. by his title, and having his name announced by the Chair. Brothers shall confine themselves to the question under debate, and avoid all personalities and indecorous or sarcastic language.
Rule 10. If two or more brothers rise to speak at the same time, the N.G. shall decide which is entitled to the floor, and no brother shall speak more than once on the same subject or question, until all who wish to speak shall have had an opportunity to do so; nor more than twice, without permission from the N.G. Each brother, while speaking, shall designate the brother spoken of by his proper rank or title, according to his standing in the Order.
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Rule 11. When a blank is to be filled, the question shall
be first taken on the highest sum or number, and the longest time proposed.
Rule 12. Any brother may call for a division of a question
when the sense will admit of it; and any five brothers calling for the yeas and nays, they shall be ordered by the N.G. to be recorded.
Rule 13. Before putting the question, the N.G. shall
ask, "Is the Lodge ready for the question?" If no brother rise to speak, he shall rise and put it; and after he has risen to put the question, no brother shall be permitted to speak upon it. While the N.G. is addressing the Lodge or putting the question, silence shall be observed in the Lodge Room.
Rule 14. After any question, except one of indefinite
In certain cases a decision may be rescinded.
postponement, has been decided, any two brothers who voted in the majority may, at the same time or next regular meeting, move for a reconsideration thereof; but no discussion of the main question shall be allowed, unless reconsidered.
Rule 15. When a brother has been called to order, for the
Penalty for breach of order
manifestation of temper or improper feeling, he shall not be allowed to speak again in the Lodge at that meeting, unless by special permission of the Lodge.
Rule 16. No brother shall vote on any question in which
Interested members not to vote.
he is immediately interested.
Rule 17. Every brother present (not incapacitated) shall
vote, unless for special reasons;
Provided, this rule does not interfere with the provisions of the Bye-Laws regarding new members, etc.
Rule 18. in speaking on points of order, the N.G. shall
have precedence, but he cannot speak on any other subject, except to state facts within his own knowledge, without previously vacating his chair and filling it by a qualified brother.
Rule 19. No brother shall retire without leave of the
N.G.; and during opening, reading of the minutes, closing,
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recess, or taking the yeas and nays, the doors shall be kept closed.
Rule 20. On the call of three members for the previous question, the N.G. shall put the question in this form: "Shall the main question be now put?" If the motion is carried, the vote shall first be upon all pending amendments, after which, upon the main question. If decided in the negative, the question shall lay over until the next regular meeting.
Rule 21. Any brother may excuse himself from serving on a committe, if, at the time of his appointment, he is a member of two other committees. No brother can be appointed on a committee when absent from the Lodge, unless by his written consent.
Rule 22. The first brother named on a committee shall act as Chairman, until another is chosen by the members of the committee. The mover of a resolution, referred to a special committee, is usually the first named thereon.
Debts to be paid before committee discharged.
Rule 23. No committee can be finally discharged until all the debts contracted by it shall have been paid.
Rule 24. No more than two amendments to a proposition shall be entertained at the same time—that is, an amendment and an amendment to an amendment—and the question shall be first taken on the latter.
Rule 25. A motion to close is always in order after the regular business is concluded, which motion shall be decided without debate.
Rule 26. These Rules of Order may be altered or amended after one week's notice, in writing, being given, specifying the proposed alteration or amendment; but any one of them, or any clause thereof, may be suspended for the time being, by a vote of two-thirds of all present.