By-Laws of the Manor of Ashley Lodge No. 7831
Place and Dates of Meeting
The Lodge shall meet at the Masonic Hall, Portland Street, Cheltenham, and shall hold regular meetings on the fourth Tuesday in the months of October, November, January, February, March, April and May and the second Tuesday in December at such hour the Master shall direct.
Election and Installation Meetings
The Master and the Treasurer shall be elected by ballot at the regular meeting in March. The Master Elect shall be installed at the regular meeting in April.
Election of Tyler
Subject to the provisions of Rule 113, Book of Constitutions, the Tyler shall be elected by show of hands at the regular meeting in April.
Lodge Committee
The Lodge Committee shall consist of the Master, Wardens, Past Masters of and in the Lodge, Treasurer, Secretary and Deacons other members to be elected annually by the Lodge at the regular meeting in March. This Committee shall consider and report to the Lodge on all proposals for membership and on any matters specially referred to it by the Lodge. Three members of the Committee shall form a quorum.
Audit Committee and Annual Accounts
The Audit Committee shall consist of two members of the Lodge who shall be elected annually by the Lodge at the regular meeting in March.
The accounts shall be made up to the 31' of March in each year and shall be presented to the Lodge, duly audited, at the regular meeting in October.
A copy of the accounts and of the Audit Committee's certificate that all balances have been checked and that the accounts have been audited shall be sent to all members with the summons convening the meeting.
Fees and Annual Subscription
The Initiation fee shall be £200.00, the joining fee £200.00 and re-joining fee £200.00. Such fees to be exclusive of subscription.
In addition to these fees the candidate shall pay to the Lodge such registration fees as are payable to Grand Lodge and, if applicable, Provincial Grand Lodge together with any tax thereon and the candidate shall before becoming a member be informed of the total amount due.
The Annual Subscription (except for country membership as provided for in By-Law No. 7) due and payable in advance on 1st of April and exclusive of dining fees, shall be of such amount as the Lodge shall from time to time decide by resolution after notice on the summons at the previous regular meeting. The fees for members and visitors for dining shall be "at cost". The members will be informed of the dining fee by a note with the summons.
The Secretary's services shall be deemed equivalent to payment of subscription.
Any member whose subscription is unpaid for three months shall be liable to be excluded from the Lodge, after due notice, in accordance with Rule 181, Book of Constitutions.
Non-dining or Country Membership
Any member who, for reasons acceptable to the Lodge, is not in a position to enjoy the privileges of the Lodge regularly may on written application to the Secretary and by resolution of the Lodge be considered a non-dining or country member and shall pay a subscription annually in advance on 1st April of such less amount than that provided for in By-Law No. 6 as the Lodge shall from time to time decide by resolution after notice on the summons at the previous regular meeting. When attending the Lodge and dining such member shall pay the current dining fee.
Admission of Candidates
The admission of candidates for initiation and joining shall be regulated by the provisions of Rules 157 to 166, Book of Constitutions. On the ballot for a candidate for initiation or joining two black balls shall exclude.
Termination of Membership
Any member desirous of terminating his membership of the Lodge shall tender his resignation in writing to the Secretary, or orally in open Lodge, in accordance with Rule 183, Book of Constitutions, stating the circumstances in which he left the Lodge. Should he at any future time wish to re-join he shall be subject to the rules relating to joining members.
Payments from Lodge Funds
Payment of any sum exceeding £200.00 if for other than ordinary purposes may be made only by resolution of the Lodge, of which notice has been given on the summons, except in a case of emergency when such payment may be authorised by the Master and reported to the Lodge at the next regular meeting.
Amendment of By-Laws
Except otherwise required by Rule 141, Book of Constitutions, amendment of these By-Laws or of any of them may be made only in the following manner:-
Notice of Motion in writing stating the precise amendment or amendments proposed shall be given in open Lodge at a regular meeting.
The Motion shall be set out on the summons for the next regular meeting or for an Emergency meeting summoned for the purpose and shall at such meeting be put to the Lodge.
A resolution for amendment, of which notice shall have been given as aforesaid, shall be carried if a majority of the members voting shall vote in favour of it but it shall not be effective until approved by the Provincial Grand Master and by the Grand Master.
Should there be any objection to the introduction of a Candidate for Initiation, or a Brother for Joining, it is recommended that such objection be mentioned privately to the Master or Secretary who may communicate with the proposer and give hint the opportunity of withdrawing his Candidate.
N.B. The numbers of the Rules in the Book of Constitutions above are those in the edition current as at 31' July 2009.
Approved and confirmed at the regular meeting of the Lodge held on Tuesday the 25th of October 2011 at the Masonic Hall, Portland Street, Cheltenham, in the County of Gloucestershire.
Approved by the Right Worshipful Brother Adrian Frederick Raymond Davies JP Provincial Grand Master on the… day of 2012