The Bylaws of the
South Carolina Masonic Research Society
2002 Edition
Preamble
The South Carolina Masonic Research Society is a
Masonic research society subordinate to the Most
Worshipful Grand Lodge of South Carolina with the
object and for the purpose of diffusing the true
principles of Freemasonry by promoting, fostering,
and conducting Masonic research and spreading
Masonic Light.
Article I
Name and Jurisdiction
The name of the Society is the South Carolina
Masonic Research Society. Its jurisdiction is
co-extensive with that of the Grand Jurisdiction of
the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free
Masons of South Carolina.
Article II
Meetings
Section 1. The stated meetings are quarterly, held
on a Saturday in the months of March, June,
September, and December. The time and place of the
Meetings are specified by the President in the
Notice of the Meeting.
Section 2. Due and timely notice is given to all
Members of the time and place of all Meetings.
Section 3. The Annual Meeting is the December
Stated Meeting, at which time the Society shall
receive and approve all annual reports to the
Society and elect and install officers in addition
to the regular business of the Fourth Quarterly
Meeting.
Section 4. A quorum for the dispatch of business is
seven Members entitled to vote.
Section 5. To facilitate the work of the Society,
the Society may authorize members to meet and work
in local groups between regular meetings of the
Society for the furtherance of research or research
papers.
Article III
Order of Business
The following is the order of business at Stated
Meetings.
1. Reading of minutes for confirmation.
2. Reading of Treasurer's Report
3. Action on applications for Membership
4. Unfinished business
5. New business
6. Program
7. Break/Individual Committee Meetings
8. Committee Reports
9. Reading of rough minutes for correction.
The presiding officer shall have the option to
change the order of business, if circumstances deem
it necessary.
Article IV
Officers - Elections and Appointments
Section 1. The officers are President, First
Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Treasurer,
Secretary, Chaplain, and Tiler.
Section 2. The first five officers are elected by
ballot, and by a majority of the votes of Members
present, at the Annual Meeting. Length of term is
twelve months.
Section 3. At the time of installation, the
President appoints the Tiler and Chaplain.
Section 4. The President-Elect, at the time of the
election, appoints a committee of three to examine
the Treasurer's and Secretary's books. They report
at the Stated Meeting in March using the form
provided by the Grand Lodge. A copy of the report is
sent to the Grand Secretary immediately after it has
been made to the Society, but not later than April
1st. Failure to comply with the provisions of this
Article automatically cancels the Surety Bond
carried by the Grand Lodge on the Treasurer and
Secretary and the Grand Secretary officially
notifies the Society of the cancellation of the
bond.
Article V
Duties of Officers
Section 1. The President presides at all times when
present. He sees that the Rules and Regulations of
the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of South
Carolina, as applicable, as well as the bylaws of
the Society are strictly obeyed; that the officers
perform their duties faithfully. The President is
responsible for the appointment of the Editorial
Committee Chairman, Publications Committee Chairman,
and Bylaws Committee Chairman, and any other
committee chairmen he deems necessary for the
conduct and furtherance of the Society's business.
At the will and pleasure of the Grand Master the
President, or his designee, makes the report of the
South Carolina Masonic Research Society during the
Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge.
On
all questions where the votes of the Society are
equally divided, the President is entitled to the
casting vote in addition to his vote as a Member.
Section 2. The duty of the First and the Second
Vice-President is to assist the President in the
government of the Society, and in his absence, to
preside, according to seniority, unless, through
courtesy they relinquish the right of presiding to a
past President present. But, in no case is the
Society convened unless either the President or one
of the Vice-Presidents is present.
Section 3. The Treasurer keeps an exact account of
all the funds of the Society, and all scrip and
certificates of stock, and all titles of property
belonging to the Society. He pays all orders signed
by the President and countersigned by the Secretary.
He reports the state of the funds at the regular
meeting in June and December in each year. He
submits his books to inspection whenever required by
the President or the Society. The Treasurer shall be
bonded in an amount determined by the Executive
Committee.
Section 4. The Secretary issues all necessary
summonses for meetings when required by the
presiding officer. He keeps a record of all the
proceedings of the Society which may be committed to
paper, and inserts the names of attending Members
and visitors. It is his responsibility to receive,
record and respond to all correspondence received by
the Society, and to distribute the printed material
of the Society. He receives all monies due the
Society and forthwith pays them over to the
Treasurer, taking his receipt for the same. He makes
out the annual report to the Grand Lodge and
provides it to the President for transmission
He
shall keep accurate record of the membership of the
Society and shall make report at the First Quarterly
Meeting of those members who have not paid their
dues and who are in danger of being stricken from
the rolls of membership for non-payment of dues. At
the Second Quarterly Meeting the Secretary shall
read the list of members who are being stricken from
the rolls of membership for non-payment of dues, and
their names shall be so stricken pursuant to Article
VIII. The Secretary shall also keep an accurate list
of all those members who become Live Members of the
Society.
Section 5. The Tiler must be a worthy Master Mason.
It is his duty to prepare the room for the Meeting
of the Society, and carefully to collect and replace
the Jewels and furniture after the meeting is
closed.
Section 6. The Chaplain leads in the ecumenical
devotions of the Society. The non-sectarian services
performed reflect the spirit of universal tolerance
which distinguishes our institution.
Section 7. COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS: For faithful
discharge of their duties, the Treasurer and the
Secretary shall be compensated as follows:
a. The Secretary shall be compensated
in the amount of $.50 per member of the Society as
determined on December 31 of each year;
b. The Treasurer shall be compensated
in the amount of $.25 per member of the Society as
determined on December 31 of each year.
c. The payment of such compensation
shall be made, providing that such payments do not
place the Society into a deficit, or cause deficit
spending.
Article VI
Committees
Section 1. The Grand Master is Ex-Officio member of
all committees.
Section 2. The President is Ex-Officio Chairman of
all committees and may serve as Chairman at his will
and pleasure. If the Grand Master is present, the
President shall offer the Chairmanship to the Grand
Master first, as protocol dictates, before actively
chairing the committee, if he so chooses to
undertake this duty.
Section 3. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: The President,
Vice Presidents, Treasurer, and Secretary are
members or the Executive Committee on the Funds,
whose duty it is to make sale or commutation of
stock or other property of the Society; also to
invest such cash as may be, from time to time, in
the hands of the Treasurer, and which they may be
directed to invest, in such stock or property, and
on such terms as may be determined by a majority of
the Committee.
Section 4. EDITORIAL COMMITTEE: The Editorial
Committee consists of at least three but not more
than four members appointed by the Chairman, with
the approval of the President. The Editorial
Committee reviews all original and other material
submitted for publication under the auspices of the
Research Society. The purpose of the review is to
maintain credibility for accuracy and excellence.
The Committee exercises common editorial practices
when dealing with individuals who have submitted
material.
Section 5. PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE: The
Publications Committee consists of at least three
but not more than four members appointed by the
Chairman, with the approval of the President. The
Publications Committee shall receive all material
approved for publication by the Editorial Committee
and shall provide the necessary liaison with a
publisher concerning artwork, layout, proofing, and
cost. The Committee provides follow-up until the
final product is delivered to the hands of the
Secretary. All material is subject to the approval
by the Grand Master prior to publication.
Section 6. BYLAWS COMMITTEE: The Bylaws Committee
shall consist of at least three but not more than
four members appointed by the Chairman, with the
approval of the President. The Bylaws Committee
shall propose revisions to and update the Bylaws of
the Society as necessary. The Bylaws Committee shall
also review any and all proposals to amend the
Bylaws as may come from the general membership of
the Society, prior to being read by the Secretary
and voted upon by the general membership.
Article VII
Membership
Section 1. Research Society Membership is divided
into three (3) classifications: Regular, Associate,
and Fellows.
Section 2. Master Masons may make application for
REGULAR membership on the standard Research Society
Application form, and present satisfactory evidence
of their qualifications; that of being in good
standing in a Masonic lodge under the jurisdiction
of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free
Masons of South Carolina.
Section 3. Voting Members shall consist of Master
Masons in good standing in regularly constituted
Lodges, subordinate to, and operating under Warrant
from the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free
Masons of South Carolina.
Section 4. Master Masons may make application for
ASSOCIATE membership on the standard Research
Society Membership Application form, and present
satisfactory evidence of their qualifications; that
of being in good standing in a Masonic lodge under
the jurisdiction of any Grand Lodge recognized by
the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free
Masons of South Carolina.
Section 5. Associate Members have no vote and
cannot hold office.
Section 6. FELLOW IN MASONIC RESEARCH: An Award of
Excellence for meritorious service, exemplary
conduct and/or exceptional and dedicated
contribution to the Society. The recipient of this
shall be entitled to suffix "F.M.R." to his name.
At
the September meeting, the President shall appoint
one of the Fellows In Masonic Research as chairman
of a Committee of Fellows to poll them for a
recommendation for an additional fellow, which, if
the President approves, shall be presented to the
floor of the Society at the December meeting for
approval by the members of the Society. This F.M.R.
Committee must have a minimum of eight (8) of the
existing F.M.R.s and operate under the procedures
approved and adopted at the December 2001 meeting.
Section 7. Lodges, Grand Lodges, Research Lodges,
Libraries, Appendant Bodies, or other recognized
Masonic groups or organizations desiring to
regularly receive the published work of the Research
Society are placed on the roll upon receipt and
acceptance of the required fee. These
organizatioins are not considered Members.
Section 8. Any member of the Society who loses good
standing in his lodge for any reason shall
automatically be stricken from the membership rolls
of the Society. If the member reestablishes his good
standing in his lodge, he shall be reinstated to the
membership rolls of the Society, and pay the current
year's dues if necessary.
Article VIII
Dues
Section 1. There is no application fee upon
application to the Society. All members of all
classifications shall pay annual dues of $15.00.
Dues are payable in advance and are due by the date
of the First Quarterly Meeting.
Section 2. The Secretary shall send a dues reminder
to members who have not paid by the date of the
first Quarterly Meeting. If a member has not paid
his dues by the Second Quarterly Meeting, he shall
be subject to being eliminated from the membership
rolls for non-payment of dues. If dues still have
not been received by the Secretary by the Third
Quarterly Meeting, the member shall be stricken from
the rolls of membership for non-payment of dues.
Section 3. If a member who has been stricken from
the active membership roster for the non-payment of
dues seeks to be reinstated to the Society, he may
do so by requesting such reinstatement in writing to
the Secretary and remitting the current year's dues.
Section 4. By majority vote of the membership
present, the Society may remit the dues of any
member for good cause.
Section 5. Life Membership Program.
Section 5.1. Regular and Associate Members may
purchase a "Life Membership" in the South Carolina
Masonic Research Society for $300.00 (U.S.
currency).
Section 5.2. "Life" shall be defined as Masonic
life.
Section 5.3. A member who desires life membership
must be in good standing in the Society and must
provide proof of current lodge dues upon application
for life membership to the Secretary.
Section 5.4. After application has been processed
by the Secretary, the member will receive a Life
Membership certificate from the Society.
Section 5.5. Should a life member be stricken from
lodge membership for any reason, the member shall
forfeit his life membership. Life membership in the
society shall be restored upon proof of being
reinstated to lodge membership.
Section 5.6. All fees for the Life Membership
Program shall be invested in an endowment fund at
the direction of the Executive Committee.
Section 5.7. The interest from the endowment fund
can be used at the discretion of the Executive
Committee and consent of the membership present at a
stated meeting.
Section 5.8. The principle of the endowment fund
can only be spent after a 3/4 majority vote of the
Society members present at a stated meeting with due
and timely notice. The vote will be for a specific
amount and purpose.
Section 5.9. Life membership in the Society does
not grant any additional rights or privileges with
respect to voting or holding office in the
organization.
Article IX
Rules of Order
Section 1. When the presiding officer takes the
chair, every officer and member immediately takes
his place and observes strict order and decorum.
Section 2. No member speaks until he first rises
and respectfully addresses the presiding officer;
nor does he speak more than twice on any subject,
unless to explain or by permission from the chair.
Section 3. All questions of order are decided by
the presiding officer, without appeal to the
Society.
Section 4. No motion is entertained until seconded,
and no debate is allowed thereon until it is stated
by the presiding officer.
Section 5. When a question is under debate, no
motion is received but to postpone, indefinitely or
to a time certain, to refer, to substitute, or to
amend, which motions are always in order, and take
precedence in the order named.
Section 6. All questions before the Society not
otherwise particularly defined are decided by a
majority of the Society.
Section 7. No person is permitted to leave the room
during the session of the Society but by permission
of the presiding officer.
Section 8. No officer leaves his seat except it be
in the discharge of his official duties.
Section 9. No brother moves his place, nor is any
Member or visitor permitted to enter, at any time
during the opening or closing of the Society, or the
reading of the minutes.
Section 10. If any Member or visitor is guilty of
indecorum during the session of the Society, the
President may, at his discretion, reprimand or
exclude him from that meeting of the Society.
Section 11. The Constitution of the Grand Lodge and
the Landmarks of the Order, as set forth in the
Ahiman Rezon are the governing principles of this
Society, and is referred to in all cases of doubt.
In all decisions of the Society, appeals may be had
to the Grand Lodge, but until the opinion of the
latter is made known, the decision of the former is
held valid.
Section 12. All members of the Society are to be
provided a copy of the bylaws and any revisions and
should be familiar with them at all times.
Article X
Publications
Section 1. The Society, at annual intervals, or at
other intervals as the Society may decide, shall
publish its proceedings and transactions, in whole
or in part, such addresses, studies, articles, and
discussions of the Society. Such publication shall
be known as "Transactions."
Section 2. The publication of "Transactions" shall
be the joint responsibility of the Editorial and
Publication Committees.
Section 3. The Society may also publish new Masonic
works of merit, reproduce, reprint or print Masonic
works, documents or writings historically or
otherwise important, and other such material as may
be desirable to publish in the furtherance of
Masonic research, where copyright restrictions do
not apply. However, the primary purpose of the
Society is to solicit and publish original research
material.
Section 4. While the Society reserves the right to
publish any and all papers presented at its
meetings, or submitted to it, the author shall also
have the right to publish the research papers, or
portions thereof, provided proper credit is given to
the South Carolina Masonic Research Society, unless
rejected.
Article XI
Amendments
No
additions, alterations, or amendments shall be made
to these bylaws unless it has been presented in
writing to the Secretary, reviewed by the Bylaws
Committee, read at three Quarterly Meetings,
approved by three fourths of the members present at
the third Quarterly Meeting after first reading,
approved by the Grand Master and attested by the
Grand Secretary.
Signed on behalf of the South Carolina Masonic
Research Society this Twenty First day of March,
2002 A.D., 6002 A.L. by:
Greely R. Palmer, Jr., S.G.D.
President
Attest: Henry E. Smoak, P.G.Swd.B. (ACGL), F.M.R.
Secretary
Approved:
G.
Kent Elkins
Date:______________________
Grand Master
Attest: G. Ray Marsh, P.G.M
Grand Secretary
