Proposed Ammendments to the Code for 2009

Below are the proposed changes to the Code as will be voted on during 2009 Grand Lodge coming up in September. Please share these with your respective Lodges.

Amendment Group 1
The following amendments have been proposed by The Board of Custodians. This amendment group would more clearly state that all questions pertaining to the catechism are required except as defined in 72-2.3
REG. 72-1 DEFINED.
The term proficiency as used in connection with advancement of candidates, means the ability to satisfactorily answer the questions in the catechism of the degree on which the brother is examined in their entirety, as shown in the Official Standard of the Work, subject to the provisions of Regulation 72-2.3.
Amendment Group 2
The following amendments have been proposed by The Board of Custodians.
This amendment group would make this provision agree with the General Rules on page seven of the OSW.
REG. 59-2 MASTER.
Some, but not all, of the powers of the Master of a lodge which are also duties to be performed by him, or at his direction and under his supervision, are as follows.
49. He shall see that the place of the Junior Deacon is always filled although anytime this officer himself is outside of the may be in the lodge hall room but elsewhere temporarily performing his duties. [59-14.2].
Amendment Group 3
The following amendments have been proposed by the Grand Secretary. This amendment group would correct wording about delinquent members and the procedures of exclusion.
REG. 77-19 OFFICIAL NOTICE OF DELINQUENCY.
During the third quarter of each year the Secretary shall forward to each member of the lodge who then owes any amount for dues an Official Notice of Delinquency by first-class mail in a sealed envelope with return address thereon. (This regulation amended, effective 1/1/2004 )
1. This notice shall be over the name of the Master and the seal of the lodge, attested by the written signature of the Secretary, and sent to the last known address of the member informing him of the amount of dues then unpaid, and notifying him that unless the same is paid by the first stated communication of the lodge in October next following the date of notice, or unless he shows cause at that stated communication why he should not be excluded for nonpayment of 2009 Amendments to The Code
page 1 dues, the lodge will at that time take action on his delinquency at a stated communication during the fourth quarter of that year. [Official Form 23].
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Amendment Group 4
The following amendments have been proposed by Hiram Lodge No. 40
This amendment would allow alcohol to be served at a non-Masonic function for which a lodge facility was rented, if the lodge has amended its bylaws, obtained the proper dispensations from the grand master, and met liability protection requirements.
REG. 43-3 LIMITATIONS.
Some, but not all, of the limitations of powers and authority of a subordinate lodge are as follows. [4-2; 4-6].
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3. A lodge shall not, by any pretext, or for any purpose, or by any subterfuge introduce intoxicating liquors or beverages, or permit their use as a beverage on any of its premises, during, or as a part of any Masonic function. Nor shall it rent any of its premises to any one who thereon sells or serves intoxicating liquors with the exception of a pharmacist unless permitted to do so by its by-laws and then only in strict compliance with the laws of the State of North Carolina.[43-7; 86-2.30; 86-2.31].
4. No lodge shall authorize, sponsor, sanction, hold, conduct or permit to be held in the name of Masonry any Masonic related meeting or gathering, for business, social or any other purpose where alcoholic beverages are permitted, served or consumed as a part of such meetings or gatherings. Lodges may permit rental of their facilities provided a Dispensation from the Grand Master is obtained prior to the event. The request for Dispensation is to be sent to the Grand Secretary and must be accompanied by:
a. A copy of the rental agreement. Each lodge is free to develop its own agreement; however every agreement must contain indemnity language in a form lease as provided by the Grand Secretary.
b. A copy of the Certificate of General Liability of the Lessor naming the individual Lodge and the Grand Lodge of North Carolina as an additional insured with such limits as shall be from time to time provided by the Grand Secretary.
c. A copy of the Certificate of Alcohol Liability Insurance Coverage of the Lessor naming the individual Lodge and the Grand Lodge of North Carolina as additional insured, with such limits of coverage as shall be from time to time provided by the Grand Secretary.
All such requests for Dispensation must be made to allow ample time to review the request and permit action thereon. Any Lodge that allows the serving of alcohol without first obtaining the proper dispensation is in violation of the Code and members thereto risk suspension or expulsion.
REG. 44-7 UNIFORM BY-LAWS.
2009 Amendments to The Code

The following Provisions are Optional. Option 1 provides for rental of Lodge Property.
Option 2 allows of both rental of Lodge Property and a Masonic Festive Board.
Option 1
Article 25
Section 1. The lodge may permit the use of Alcohol on its premises provided a Dispensation from the Grand Master is obtained prior to the event. The request for Dispensation is to be sent to the Grand Secretary. If the proposed use is by a Tenant the request for Dispensation must be accompanied by:
a. A copy of the rental agreement. The rental agreement shall contain indemnity
language in a form lease as provided by the Grand Secretary.
b. A copy of the Certificate of General Liability of the Lessor naming the Lodge and the Grand Lodge of North Carolina as an additional insureds with such limits as shall be
from time to time provided by the Grand Secretary.
c. A copy of the Certificate of Alcohol Liability Insurance Coverage of the Lessor naming the individual Lodge and the Grand Lodge of North Carolina as additional insured, with such limits of coverage as shall be from time to time provided by the Grand Secretary. If the proposed use is by a Tenant the request for a Masonic Festive Board the proposal shall be accompanied by:
a. A copy of the Lodge's Certificate of General Liability naming the Lodge and the Grand Lodge of North Carolina as an insureds with such limits as shall be from time to time provided by the Grand Secretary.
b. A copy of the Lodge's Certificate of Alcohol Liability Insurance Coverage naming the Lodge and the Grand Lodge of North Carolina as insured, with such limits of coverage as shall be from time to time provided by the Grand Secretary. All such requests for Dispensation must be made to allow ample time to review the request and permit action thereon. The serving of alcohol without first obtaining the proper dispensation is in violation of the Code and members thereto risk suspension or expulsion.
Option 2
Article 25
Section 1. The lodge shall not authorize, sponsor, sanction, hold, conduct or permit to be held in the name of Masonry any Masonic related meeting or gathering, for business, social or any other purpose where alcoholic beverages are permitted, served or consumed as a part of such meetings or gatherings. The lodge may permit rental of its facilities provided a Dispensation from the Grand Master is obtained prior to the event. The request for Dispensation is to be sent to the Grand Secretary and must be accompanied by:
a. A copy of the rental agreement. The rental agreement shall contain indemnity
language in a form lease as provided by the Grand Secretary.
b. A copy of the Certificate of General Liability of the Lessor naming the Lodge and the Grand Lodge of North Carolina as an additional insureds with such limits as shall be from time to time provided by the Grand Secretary. 2009 Amendments to The Code

c. A copy of the Certificate of Alcohol Liability Insurance Coverage of the Lessor naming the individual Lodge and the Grand Lodge of North Carolina as additional insured, with such limits of coverage as shall be from time to time provided by the Grand Secretary. All such requests for Dispensation must be made to allow ample time to review the request and permit action thereon. The serving of alcohol without first obtaining the proper dispensation is in violation of the Code and members thereto risk suspension or expulsion.

Amendment Group 5
The following amendments have been proposed by the lodges in the 13th Masonic District. This amendment group would allow Entered Apprentices and Fellow Craft to have Masonic Funeral Rites. It will also allow them to participate in Masonic Funeral Rites.
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REG. 82-2 WHO MAY RECEIVE MASONIC RITES.
Only a Master Mason, Entered Apprentice, or Fellowcraft who at the time of his death was a member in good standing in a regular lodge and under no charges, shall be buried with Masonic rites. [59-2.43; 82-4; 87-5].

REG. 82-7 ENTERED APPRENTICE - FELLOW CRAFT.
An Entered Apprentice or Fellow Craft shall not be permitted to may take part in a burial procession or ceremonies.


Amendment Group 6
The following amendments have been proposed by the Grand Secretary. This amendment brings The Code in alignment with modern practice.

REG. 28-9 REGULAR MEETINGS.
Regular meetings of the Board of General Purposes shall be held at the place and hour
by the Grand Master in each January, March, June and September. and at ten o’clock in the morning of the day preceding the first day of the annual communication of the Grand Lodge at place where the Grand Lodge is convened.
Amendment Group 7 The following amendments have been proposed by the Grand Secretary.
This housekeeping issue addresses changes previously made in lodge annual communication rules.

REG. 53-2 QUALIFICATIONS.
The qualifications of the officers of a lodge shall be as follows: [11-6].
3. Acting as Warden of a lodge under dispensation does not make a brother eligible to the office of Master in a chartered lodge, but a brother nominated in the charter of a lodge and regularly installed, who serves from the date of the charter to the annual communication of the lodge in December, and who has also served as Warden while the lodge was under dispensation, thereby becomes eligible to the office of Master.
2009 Amendments to The Code

REG. 56-1 TERMS OF OFFICE.
Each officer of a subordinate lodge duly elected or appointed and installed, shall hold office until the next annual communication and until his successor is duly chosen and installed or until he is removed or his office shall have become vacant under the provisions of THE CODE. [55-1].
2. A brother who has served as Master of a lodge from the date of the charter to the annual communication of said lodge in December, and who also served in that office while the lodge was under dispensation, is entitled to the rank of Past Master of the said lodge.

Amendment Group 8 The following amendments have been proposed by the Grand Secretary. These changes address the increased use of computers in lodge record keeping and reporting. Amend Regulation 62-1

Reg. 62-1 C. The minutes must be written in ink, or on typewriter, or on a computer and a marginal index may be used. They shall show the day of the month, the year, and the hour that the lodge was opened. [45-2.3, 45-3.3; 45-2.4; 62-2.6]
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F. Minutes shall be printed annually and kept in a proper record or minute book which may be a loose leaf binder system but not on loose and unbound sheets as memoranda, and must be signed officially by the Secretary but need not be signed by the Master. [62-2].

Reg 62-1.4. A roll book in which shall be recorded, upon pages alphabetically arranged the full name of each member of the lodge, the place and date of his birth, the date of his initiation, passing, raising, and affiliation, the name, number, and location of the lodges of which those affiliated have been members, and the dates of expulsion, suspension, exclusion, demission, death, or restoration. A roster shall be printed and filed annually from MORI.
Amendment Group 9
The following amendments have been proposed by the Stokes Lodge No. 32.
This amendment addresses the problem many lodges face in obtaining reliable criminal
background information on petitioners. Grand Lodge would have a professional vendor do the searches and charge a small fee for handling this for the Lodge. Local Law enforcement agencies are restricted on the assistance they can offer to committees of investigation.
REG. 64-4 REFUNDS. The fee for initiation less the charge by the Grand Lodge for the Criminal Background check shall be promptly returned
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REG. 65-8 FORWARDED TO GRAND SECRETARY.
2009 Amendments to The Code
When a petition for degrees is received by a lodge, the Secretary shall, within five days after presenting and reading in open lodge at a stated communication, forward the original petition to the Grand Secretary. The Grand Secretary shall order a Criminal Background check of the petitioner and attach it, an invoice therefor, who shall attach thereto such record and information with respect to the petitioner as he may possess, verify the appropriate membership of the recommenders and return the same with his record to the Secretary of the subordinate lodge within five days from its receipt by him. [59-12.19; Official Form 49].
2009 Amendments to The Code
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