GRANDVIEW MASONIC LODGE 

                                 

WHAT ARE WE TO BE ABOUT,SPECIFICALLY? AS WITH EVERY LODGE, GRANDVIEW 266 HAS BY-LAWS. BY-LAWS ARE A DOCUMENT LARGELY SET IN CONCRETE THAT ARE PRODUCED OUT OF CONSTITUTIONAL NECESSITY. WHAT WE ALSO CREATED WAS THE GUIDELINES FOR THE OPERATION OF THE LODGE. THIS IS A LIVING, EVOLVING DOCUMENT, AND IT IS TO THIS LODGE WORKS. THE LODGES RULES AND BY-LAWS COMMITTEE REGULARLY REVIEW THE GUIDELINES AND AMEND THEM FROM TIME TO TIME. ALL MEMBERS OF THE LODGE "SUBSCRIBE" TO THEM. THEY ARE THE PRACTICAL EXPRESSION OF MEMBERS' COLLECTIVE PHILOSOPHY ON HOW A MASONIC LODGE IN GENERAL AND GRANDVIEW 266 IN PARTICULAR, SHOULD BE RUN. ALL JOINING MEMBERS RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS DOCUMENT PRIOR TO AFFILIATING AND ALL CANDIDATES UPON INITIATION. THESE GUIDELINES, WITH COMMENTARY WHERE THEY ARE NOT COMPLETELY SELF-EXPLANATORY, ARE AS FOLLOWS.



1.  THE AIM OF THE LODGE IN ALL ITS ENDEAVORS WILL BE QUALITY IN EDUCATION, CEREMONY, WORKINGS AND IN AFTER   

      PROCEEDINGS.

         THE FIRST GUIDELINE IS BASED FIRMLY ON OUR BELIEF OF HOW A SUCCESSFUL LODGE SHOULD OPERATE. WE BELIEVE IT IS A

         SELF-EVIDENT TRUTH THAT PEOPLE WILL ONLY JOIN AN ORGANIZATION IN TERMS OF WHAT THEY PERCEIVE THEY WILL GET
        OUT IF IT. THIS IS HUMAN NATURE, FOR BETTER OR WORSE. IF SOMETHING HAS LOW QUALITY THEN IT IS OFTEN VIEWED AS
        CHEAP AND EXPENDABLE, HOWEVER IF PEOPLE SEE WORTH IN SOMETHING THEN THEY WILL TREASURE IT AND BE MUCH      

        MORE HESITANT TO DISCARD IT.    

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2.  MASTER MASONS WILL BE APPOINTED TO OFFICE STRICTLY ON MERIT, AND ENCOURAGED TO UNDERTAKE THE WORK AS 

     APPLICABLE. PROGRESS TO HIGHER OFFICE WILL NOT BE AUTOMATIC, NUT WILL DEPEND ON THE DEMONSTRATED 

     PROFICIENCY, ATTENDANCE AND INTEREST SHOWN BY EACH INDIVIDUAL OFFICE BEARER AND MEMBER.

           THE PROGRESSIVE LINE AND OUR CONCERN FOR SAVING THE FEELINGS OF THE ONE BROTHER HURT ON ENTIRE LODGE OR 

           JURISDICTION. NO PLACE, MORE THAN MASONRY ALLOWS, FOR THE UNFIT TO SEEK POWER. WE MUST KEEP IN MIND THAT

          THE TRULY FIT DON'T MIND THE LABOR REQUIRED TO ACTUALLY EARN THE SPOT, TITLE OR POSITION. IN FACT, THE TRULY

          FIT WANT TO EARN IT. IT IS THE SLACK OF MIND AND LAZY OR ILL SUITED THAT WISH FOR SOMETHING EASY, MOST OF ALL

          BECAUSE THEY COULD NEVER POSSIBLY EARN IT. THEY ARE UNDESERVING AND WOULD FAIL TO GAIN A SPOT JUST AS THEY 

          FAIL TO FILL THE POSITION WITH ANY QUALITY ONCE IT IS ACTUALLY OBTAINED.

       

         ONE COULD ARGUE THAT MASONRY IS A VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION, AND THIS IS TRUE. HOWEVER, IF A BROTHER WISHES 

         TO PROGRESS THROUGH THE CHAIRS THEN THAT OFTEN MEANS THEY DESIRE TO BECOME A MASTER OF THE LODGE. HOW

         COULD WE ELECT SUCH A BROTHER TO THE EAST WITH CONFIDENCE IF HE HASN'T TAKEN HIS PREVIOUS POSITION 

         SERIOUSLY? FURTHER MORE, IF A MASTER DESIRES FOR ALL OF HIS OFFICERS TO BE ACTIVE AND PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF 

         THE LODGE, HOW COULD HE EXPECT AS MUCH WHEN HR HIMSELF WASN'T DILIGENT IN HIS DUTIES WHEN HE HELD THAT 

         POSITION.

3. VISITORS WILL VOUCHED FOR BY THE "CARD SYSTEM" WITH RESPONSIBILITY, FOR THIS PLACED WITH THE TYLER, SENIOR

      DEACON AND SECRETARY. NO VISITOR MAY BE ADMITTED UNLESS PROPERLY VOUCHED FOR OR EXAMINED. 

        ALL VISITORS WILL BE ASKED TO FILL IN A VISITOR'S CARD DETAILING HIS NAME, RANK, LODGE AND WHICH MEMBER 

        VOUCHES FOR HIM. THESE CARDS GO TO THE SECRETARY AND PRIOR TO OPENING , THEY ARE REVIEWED. IF A BROTHER 

        CANNOT BE VOUCHED FOR HE MUST RETIRE TO BE EXAMINED BY THE TYLER.



4.  THE MASTER SHALL ANNUALLY APPOINT AN ESOTERIC / EDUCATION COMMITTEE. THIS COMMITTEE WILL SET FORTH AND

     REGULARLY REVIEW THE REQUIREMENTS EXPECTED OF THEM FOR EACH DEGREE. CANDIDATES SHALL NOT BE PROMOTED TO  

     A HIGHER DEGREE UNLESS THEY HAVE MET THE REQUIREMENTS AND HAVE PROVEN THEIR PROFICIENCY PRIOR TO THE NIGHT

    OF THE ANTICIPATED DEGREE PROMOTION. UNLESS THE MASTER CONSIDERS THERE TO BE AN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCE,

    THE MINIMUM PERIOD BETWEEN DEGREES SHALL BE FIVE CALENDAR MONTHS.

      WHILE SOME CONSIDER THE LODGE'S PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS TO BE RIGOROUS, IT WILL INSURE A BROTHER 

      RECEIVES THE MOST LIGHT HE IS ENTITLED TO WITH EACH DEGREE, THE LODGE IS ABSOLUTELY DETERMINED TO ENSURE

      CANDIDATES THOROUGHLY UNDERSTAND THE TEACHINGS OF THEIR CURRENT DEGREE BEFORE PROCEEDING TO THE

      NEXT; OTHERWISE THERE IS NO POINT IN THEM ADVANCING. OUR MASONIC EDUCATION COURSE IS FURTHERANCE OF THIS BELIEF.



       THE LODGE ALSO CONSIDERS THAT PROMOTION NEEDS TO BE EARNED, AND THAT  IF IT IS, IT WILL BE MORE HIGHLY VALUE. 

       CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO BE VERY REGULAR ATTENDEES AT MEETINGS, PRACTICE, ND REHEARSALS. 

       LACK OF ATTENDANCE WILL EFFECT PROMOTION. THE LODGE BELIEVES THAT CANDIDATES MUST GAIN THE REQUISITE MASONIC 

       KNOWLEDGE TO UNDERSTAND OUR TEACHINGS AND TO BE ABLE TO ADVANCE. THE LODGE ALSO BELIEVES THAT, WITHIN REASON, IF 

      SOMETHING MUST BE WORKED FOR, AND WAITED FOR, THE MORE IT WILL BE APPRECIATED.



5.   THE MENTOR SYSTEM SHALL BE SUPPORTED, AN EXPERIENCED PAST MASTER WILL BE APPOINTED AS LODGE MENTOR 

      OFFICER.

      THE LODGE BELIEVES THE MENTOR SYSTEM TO BE ONE OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE, ALL CANDIDATES ARE GIVEN A LODGE

        MENTOR, WHICH MUST BE A MASTER MASON. THIS FURTHER INVOLVES MEMBERS IN THE OPERATION OF THE LODGE AND HELPS FURTHER

        THE MENTOR'S KNOWLEDGE AS WELL AS THE TRAINEES.

6.   UNLESS IT IS THE OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GRAND MASTER, IT SHALL NOT BE THE PRACTICE OF THE LODGE TO 

      FORMALLY RECEIVE VISITORS AFTER THE LODGE HAS BEEN OPENED. ALL VISITORS WILL BE ASKED TO ATTEND THE OPENING. 

     ANY LATE MEMBERS OR VISITORS (PROPERLY VOUCHED FOR) MAY ENTER THE LODGE AT AN APPROPRIATE JUNCTURE UNDER 

     THE DIRECTION OF THE TYLER, SALUTE THE ALTAR, AND BE SEATED IN THE LODGE. ALL VISITORS MUST BE PROPERLY 

     VOUCHED FOR PRIOR TO ENTERING.

       ALL VISITORS ARE ASKED TO BE PRESENT AT OPENING. LATE VISITORS ARE ADMITTED AFTER THE OPENING AND 

       AT THE APPROPRIATE JUNCTURE. THE BROTHERS VOUCHING CARD WILL BE PASSED TO THE SENIOR DEACON AT AN 

       APPROPRIATE TIME BEFORE INTRODUCTIONS ARE MADE. LATE BROTHERS ARE ADMITTED SALUTE THE MASTER ARE 

       SEATED. THE MASTER DOES NOT RECEIVE ANY VISITORS INDIVIDUALLY UNLESS THE GRAND MASTER OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE

        ARE ATTENDING, IN WHICH CASE HE WILL BE RECEIVED FORMALLY.

7.  THE LODGE SHALL HOLD ONE REHEARSAL BEFORE STATED OR CALL MEETING ON A SUITABLE DAY NO ANY DAY HOTTER THAN

      A WEEK PRIOR UNLESS THE MASTER SHOULD RESOLVE OTHERWISE. THE MASTER MAY ALSO CALL ADDITIONAL LODGE

      REHEARSALS AS HE DEEMS NECESSARY.



8.  THE DRESS CODE FOR ALL CALLED AND STATED MEETINGS SHALL BE BUSINESS CASUAL IN THE SUMMER( OR ANY DAY 

      HOTTER THAN 80 DEGREES) AND BUSINESS FORMAL IN THE WINTER, UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED BY THE WORSHIPFUL

     MASTER.

        BUSINESS CASUAL CAN PERHAPS BEST BE DEFINED BY COMPARING IT TO SUNDAY MORNING CHURCH ATTIRE. TROUSERS,

        SLACKS, BUTTON UP / POLO SHIRTS ARE GENERALLY ACCEPTED, BLUE JEANS, SHORTS, SNEAKERS AND TENNIS SHOES ARE 

        UNACCEPTABLE.

        MASONICALLY SPEAKING, BUSINESS FORMAL SHOULD BE DEFINED AS " DRESSING TO GIVE THE FRATERNITY THE RESPECT 

        YOU BELIEVE IT'S ENTITLED".. AT THE ARE MINIMUM, A TIE SHOULD BE WORN WITH THE APPROPRIATE CLOTHING ALTHOUGH SUITS ARE PREFERRED.



9.   IT SHALL BE POLICY OF THE LODGE THAT THE MASTER SHALL INSTALL HIS SUCCESSOR, UNLESS SPECIAL DISPENSATION IS 

      REQUESTED FOR CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES. NO WORSHIPFUL MASTER CAN ACT AS INSTALLING OFFICER UNLESS HE BE A 

      MEMBER OF THE LODGE OR OTHERWISE ALLOWED FOR EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES. 

        THIS IS AN OLD MASONIC TRADITION, FOLLOWED IN ENGLAND AND AUSTRALIA. THE LODGE BELIEVES THAT IF A MASTER

        IS COMPETENT TO HOLD THE POSITION, HE MUST BE COMPETENT ENOUGH TO INSTALL HIS SUCCESSOR.



10. WHEN POSSIBLE, ATTENDING BROTHERS WILL OBSERVE AND PRACTICE MASONIC PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE, DURING

       CALLED AND STATED MEETINGS, AS IT HAS BEEN OUTLINED BY THE GRAND LODGE OF TEXAS.

          EVERY MEMBER OF THE LODGE SHOULD STRIVE TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE SUBJECT, THEREBY ASSISTING THE 

          WORSHIPFUL MASTER IN HIS CONDUCT OF THE LODGE BUSINESS AS WELL AS INSURING THE ORDERLY AND CONCORDANT

         TRANSACTIONS OF SUCH BUSINESS.

          ANY LODGE MEMBER WELL VERSED IN MASONIC PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE CAN ADD IMMEASURABLY TO THEE PEACE ANS HARMONY

           SO ESSENTIAL TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER FRATERNAL ATMOSPHERE; HOWEVER THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER HIMSELF, IF HE IS PRUDENT AND

          WISE, WILL ACQUIRE THE KNOWLEDGE NECESSARY TO PRESIDE WITH SURE AND CERTAIN CONFIDENCE.



11.   THE LODGE SHOULD ENDEAVOR TO DONATE THE MINIMUM AMOUNT OF MONEY REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN ITS STATUS

        AS A CHARITABLE ORIGINATION.

           WHILE MASONRY TEACHES US THE VALUE OF CHARITY, OVER TIME THIS HAS CAUSED MANY TO REACH THE 

           MISUNDERSTANDING  THAT FREEMASONRY EXISTS MAINLY AS A CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION. THIS IS SIMPLY UNTRUE

           AND WHILE THE LODGE DOES GIVE TO CHARITY AND MAINTAINS ITS STATUS AS SUCH AN ORGANIZATION BY DESIGN.



12.   THE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS, TOGETHER WITH LOCAL AND GRAND LODGE CORRESPONDENCE SHOULD BE

        MADE ACCESSIBLE TO EVERY MEMBER BEFORE STATED MEETINGS. THIS SHOULD ENABLE ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS TO BE

       DEALT WITH EXPEDITIOUSLY IN THE LODGE, AND THE NIGHT'S MAIN WORK COMMENCED SOON AFTER OPENING.

          AFTER THE LODGE IS OPENED BUSINESS SHOULD BE CONDUCTED QUICKLY. PREVIOUS MINUTES AND ALL LOCAL AND GRAND 

          LODGE CORRESPONDENCE ARE PRE-CIRCULATED TO MEMBERS AND/ OR POSTED ON THE BULLETIN BOARD BEFORE THE

          LODGE IS OPENED. THE LODGE HOLDS THE VIEW THAT THE SEEMINGLY INTERMINABLE READING OF MINUTES,

         CORRESPONDENCE, AND ADMISSION OF VISITORS IN OTHER LODGES IS BORING, UNNECESSARY, AND AT THE BEST  A

          WASTE OF TIME , AND THUS DETRIMENTAL TO FREEMASONRY.  



13.  " PROFANES" SHALL NOT BE ALLOWED WITHIN THE LODGE ROOM.

           "PROFANE " IS A MASONIC TERM WHICH STEMS FROM " FANUM:, WHICH IS LATIN FOR "TEMPLE", AND "PRO", WHICH

           MEANT "BEFORE", IN SENSE OF "OUTSIDE OF". IT IS THE PICTURE OF A MAN STANDING ON THE OUTSIDE, NOT PERMITTED

           TO ENTER. THEREFORE MASONICALLY SPEAKING, THE "PROFANE" ARE THOSE MEN AND WOMEN WHO STAND OUTSIDE OF MASONRY. 

          

           WE BELIEVE THAT THE LODGE ROOM SHOULD HOLD A SPECIAL PLACE IN EACH MASON'S HEART AND ISN'T TO BE CHEAPENED BY 

          BY ALLOWING NON-MASONS TO ENTER. THE CONTENTS AND DECOR OF THE LODGE ROOM SHOULD BE LEFT TO THE IMAGINATION

         OF THE UNINITIATED. THE ONLY EXCEPTION SHOULD BE WHEN A CANDIDATE IS RECEIVING HIS FIRST DEGREE.



14.   PROFANITY AND RACIST REMARKS SHALL NOT BE TOLERATED WITHIN THE LODGE BUILDING OR DURING ANY 

         FORM OF MASONIC ACTIVITY.

            PROFANITY, WHEN TAKEN IN CONTEXT WITH THE MASONIC DEFINITION OF "PROFANE" SHOULD BE SELF 

            EXPLANATORY. TO USE PROFANITY IS TO SPEAK INA WAY THAT'S UNBECOMING OF A MASON. WE'RE ALL GUILTY

            OF IT HOWEVER WE ARE TAUGHT WE SHOULD ALWAYS STRIVE TO BETTER OURSELVES AND IT DOESN'T REFLECT WELL

            ON THE FRATERNITY AS A WHOLE WHEN IT'S OVERHEARD.

15.   NO CONTESTS OR EVENTS OF ANY SORT SHALL BE ENTERED UNDER THE GRANDVIEW LODGE WITHOUT THE 

        EXPLICIT PERMISSION OF THE LODGE.

        REQUEST TO ENTER ANY CONTEST OR EVENT UNDER THE GRANDVIEW MASONIC NAME SHOULD BE PRESENTED TO THE LODGE AT

          THE EARLIEST CONVENIENT STATED MEETING PRIOR TO THE EVENT IN QUESTION, WHICH WILL THEN VOTE ON IT. ANY TROPHIES OR 

          REWARDS WON AT SAID EVENTS WILL BECOME TH PROPERTY OF THE LODGE UNLESS VOTED OTHERWISE. PERMISSION IS ONLY GRANTED

         FOR THE SPECIFIC EVENT IN THE DATE IN QUESTION AND THE PROCESS FOR OBTAINING PERMISSION MUST BE UNDERGONE PRIOR TO 

         EVERY CONTEST OR EVENT IN QUESTION.



16.    DEGREE FEES ARE AS FOLLOWS

           INVESTIGATION FEE

                                                                                   $35

           A. ENTERED APPRENTICE      $55

                        I.    $50        DEGREE

                       II.    $5          GEORGE WASHINGTON FUND 



          B. FELLOW CRAFT DEGREE    $65

                       I.     $50         DEGREE

                      II.     $15         MONITOR

           

         C. MASTER MASON DEGREE  $145

                       I.      $50         DEGREE

                     II.      $30.50     APRON 

                     III.      $14          LAW BOOK

                     IV.      $25          BIBLE

                      V.      $25           HOME SCHOOL



17.    A" C " CERTIFICATE SHALL BE REQUIRED AS A MINIMUM FOR ANYONE WISHING TO PROGRESS TO THE POSITIONS OF 

          JUNIOR WARDEN, SENIOR WARDEN, AND WORSHIPFUL MASTER. AN " A " CERTIFICATE IS PREFERABLE FOR THE 

         WORSHIPFUL MASTER BUT NOT REQUIRED.

            IT IS OUR BELIEF THAT THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER AND WARDENS SHOULD BE CAPABLE OF OBTAINING A " C " CERTIFICATE AT THE 

               MINIMUM BEFORE BEING ELECTED TO OFFICE. THIS IS DONE IN THE INTEREST OF NURTURING THE HIGHEST STANDARDS IN RITUAL 

              THAT CAN BE ACHIEVED AT GRANDVIEW MASONIC LODGE.



18.     WHEN POSSIBLE, INVESTIGATION COMMITTEES SHALL ENDEAVOR TO FOLLOW THE PROTOCOL  AND PROCEDURES

          AS OUTLINED IN THE TEXAS GRAND LODGE PETITION INVESTIGATION MANUAL.

           NO MASON COULD BE CHARGED WITH A HIGHER OR MORE NOBLE AND REWARDING RESPONSIBILITY THAN HE WHO IS CHARGED

               WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY TO BE A GUARD AT THE ENTRANCE PORCH OF THE TEMPLE. WHEN THIS RESPONSIBILITY IS NEGLECTED, EVEN 

               AT THE SMALLEST LODGE,  THE FRATERNITY SUFFERS AS A WHOLE. THESE PROTOCOLS SERVE AS INVALUABLE GUIDES TO INSURING WE KEEP A

                KEEN EYE ON THE WEST GATE, INVESTIGATION COMMITTEES SHALL HAVE COPIES PROVIDED TO EACH MEMBER UPON THEIR FORMATION.

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19.      ALL INITIATES WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY $30.00 TO THE LODGE WHEN THEY TURN IN THEIR PETITION.

            THIS SERVES TWO PURPOSES. FIRST THE THIRTY DOLLARS WILL BE USED TO COVER ANY COSTS THAT THE LODGE MIGHT ACCRUE DURING THE 

                INVESTIGATION PROCESS, SUCH AS THE COST OF A BACKGROUND CHECK. SECONDLY THE DECISION TO BECOME A FREEMASON IS ONE THAT

                SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY, THEREFORE THIRTY  DOLLARS IS ALSO REQUIRED AS A TOKEN OF THE CANDIDATES SINCERITY TO JOIN.