Thursday, May 24, 2007
Pictures of Happenings in Our Jurisdiction
Brethren, much happens around this jurisdiction and not all become aware of it. Just as it is said that a picture is worth a thousand words, send your pictures to tell it all. Give us a short paragraph about the picture, i.e., names of those in it, when it was taken and what the occassion was.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Electioneering or Censorship?
The Hawaii Masonic Code at §2074. ELECTIONEERING. States that, "No Lodge or Mason shall send out any circular or other written communication to Lodges or Masons concerning legislation to be brought before the Grand Lodge without the permission of the Grand Master or the Grand Lodge. No Lodge or Mason shall send out any circular or other written communication to Lodges or Masons concerning the election of officers in the Grand Lodge."
With the length of notice provided, regarding proposed legislation, and the receipt of reports from the various committees required to report, our membership does not have sufficient time to arrange meetings, nor discuss, in detail the benefits or hinderances of proposed legislation.
Our Grand Lodge has opted for email in order to reduce expenses connected with communications with the Craft in our jurisdiction and further to speed the communication lines.
We still, however expect our Grand Lodge Membership less than forty minutes to determine proposed legislation or who our next Grand Lodge Officers will be. This doesn't compute! The sounds of "railroad" are voiced quite often.
The Section is called electioneering and properly would deal with Brethren working on behalf of a candidate to be elected. It doesn't pertain to legislation, not in my book any way. Of course others may have other opinions.
I believe that we should be able to utilize the email or posters etc. for the election of candidates, and also for discussions regarding upcoming proposed legislation. At least as a first start, remove the prohibition of writing anything for or against proposed legislation. We need more information as to the impact of proposed legislation, not keep it in the dark and then ask us to intelligently vote on it.
WHAT SAY YOU?
With the length of notice provided, regarding proposed legislation, and the receipt of reports from the various committees required to report, our membership does not have sufficient time to arrange meetings, nor discuss, in detail the benefits or hinderances of proposed legislation.
Our Grand Lodge has opted for email in order to reduce expenses connected with communications with the Craft in our jurisdiction and further to speed the communication lines.
We still, however expect our Grand Lodge Membership less than forty minutes to determine proposed legislation or who our next Grand Lodge Officers will be. This doesn't compute! The sounds of "railroad" are voiced quite often.
The Section is called electioneering and properly would deal with Brethren working on behalf of a candidate to be elected. It doesn't pertain to legislation, not in my book any way. Of course others may have other opinions.
I believe that we should be able to utilize the email or posters etc. for the election of candidates, and also for discussions regarding upcoming proposed legislation. At least as a first start, remove the prohibition of writing anything for or against proposed legislation. We need more information as to the impact of proposed legislation, not keep it in the dark and then ask us to intelligently vote on it.
WHAT SAY YOU?
Monday, May 21, 2007
Fundraising
The following excerpt from our Hawaii Masonic Code, deals with something near and dear to our hearts. The financial well being of our Lodges and/or to support Lodge Programs. We often hear Brothers mentioning that we can not solicit funds, others believe a Lodge can just go out and raise funds by doing car washes or other community related fundraisers. Others believe that, as Masons, we should not relegate ourselves to that level.
Our Code at §100e. says that "Use of funds by Grand Lodge is unrestricted. Constituent Lodges may use their funds only for the necessary expenses and the special calls of charity, but there is nothing in the Constitution, Regulations or Ancient Landmarks to hinder Grand Lodge from appropriating funds for any purpose it may deem proper."
Further, at §2062. SOLICITATION OF FINANCIAL AID. It says, "A Lodge shall not, by circular or otherwise, solicit pecuniary assistance from Lodge or Masons of this or other jurisdictions, other than its own members,without the permission of the Grand Master, provided, however, that a Masonic organization may send tickets to its members asking them to purchase the same. No Mason shall circulate on Lodge premises a petition asking financial aid for any matter or thing whatever, not Masonic, however worthy it may be except for statewide public school purposes, and then only as a duly appointed member of an authorized Lodge Committee."
It would appear that we can solicit funds if we have the Grand Master's approval. I would think that all that would be necesarry would be to make a written request of the Grand Master to support a proposition to raise funds by doing, such and such and if approved go for it. WHAT SAY YOU?
Our Code at §100e. says that "Use of funds by Grand Lodge is unrestricted. Constituent Lodges may use their funds only for the necessary expenses and the special calls of charity, but there is nothing in the Constitution, Regulations or Ancient Landmarks to hinder Grand Lodge from appropriating funds for any purpose it may deem proper."
Further, at §2062. SOLICITATION OF FINANCIAL AID. It says, "A Lodge shall not, by circular or otherwise, solicit pecuniary assistance from Lodge or Masons of this or other jurisdictions, other than its own members,without the permission of the Grand Master, provided, however, that a Masonic organization may send tickets to its members asking them to purchase the same. No Mason shall circulate on Lodge premises a petition asking financial aid for any matter or thing whatever, not Masonic, however worthy it may be except for statewide public school purposes, and then only as a duly appointed member of an authorized Lodge Committee."
It would appear that we can solicit funds if we have the Grand Master's approval. I would think that all that would be necesarry would be to make a written request of the Grand Master to support a proposition to raise funds by doing, such and such and if approved go for it. WHAT SAY YOU?
Timeliness of Blogging
This Blog has been held all this time so that the Grand Master would be able to put a stamp of approval on this. I think if he were to show his support for a free flow of thoughts by our Brethren, it would help to formulate his plans. However, to actually give a "stamp of approval" may indicate to some Brethren that he is making this a Grand Lodge venue. It is NOT! It is personal to each of us but lets him tap into our free flow and exchange of ideas etc., to improve our Hawaii Jurisdiction.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
