Voting is an essential part of Masonry, as it allows every individual to have an equal say in all votes and resolutions all of which keep the Lodge running smoothly. A vote might be to increase the subscriptions or to include a new member.
So how does someone get ‘black-balled’? It’s simply a vote against membership in the ‘Nay’ drawer.
Yes, trials occur in Lodges when members face charges of violating the Masonic Constitution. In those cases, a formal jury is formed, but solicitors aren’t involved. Instead, the Mason on trial and his accuser(s) become defendant and prosecution respectively. If found guilty, the penalties for the defendant are often serious and are always actioned.
We all know the power of the gavel, right? That simple tool has helped to pass important rulings in courtroom chambers and committee rooms alike, throughout the centuries. It’s much the same in our Lodges. The Worshipful Master wields his gavel when presiding over meetings and once sounded, the gavel is repeated in different parts…
Certain aspects of your life would need to change if you become a Freemason. So, if you enjoy a few beers during your spare time, that’s OK as we are a very social organisation – but any more than a few, runs the risk of breaking the Freemasons’ cardinal virtue of temperance. Anyone prosecuted for…
One aspect of Freemasonry is ‘networking’. You can meet two dozen new people at each meeting and easily befriend a couple of them over a dinner. You might sit next to a dustman on one side and a high court judge on the other and Masonically speaking, the dustman may far outrank both you and…
The events of every meeting are transcribed by the Lodge Secretary who sends out draft minutes after the meeting giving everyone the opportunity to examine them and request corrections. At the meeting, the Worshipful Master asks if every Brother is satisfied with the accuracy of the minutes recorded and if so, they are signed at…
We Freemasons may not be plotting how to take over the world, but our Lodges are very serious places. That doesn’t mean we can’t have a laugh in the bar or over dining, but the opportunity for humour within the Lodge is very sparse. Its like watching a play. If someone does something funny, then…
