Last approved amendment: 10 April 2024
1. Place and Dates of Meeting
The Lodge shall meet at the Masonic Hall, 22 Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9BY and shall hold regular meetings on the First Friday in the months of October/November/December/February/March and April at such hour as the Master shall direct.
2. 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.
3. 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 March.
4. Lodge Committee
The Lodge Committee shall consist of the Master, Wardens, Past Masters of [and in] the Lodge, Treasurer, Secretary and Two 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
5. Audit Committee and Annual Accounts
The Audit Committee shall consist of Twomembers of the Lodge who shall be elected annually by the Lodge at the regular meeting in March
The accounts shall be made up to January 31st in each year and shall be presented to the Lodge, duly audited, at the regular meeting in April.
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.
6. Fees and Annual Subscription
· The Initiation fee shall be £50
· the joining fee £10
· and the re-joining fee £10
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 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 due and payable in advance on 1st February 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.
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.
7. 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 February 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 visitor’s fee.
8. 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 ball(s) shall exclude.
9. 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, and he shall be entitled to the Certificate mentioned in Rule 175, Book of Constitutions, stating the circumstances in which he left the Lodge. Should he at any future time wish to rejoin he shall be subject to the rules relating to joining members.
10. Payments from Lodge Funds
Payment of any sum exceeding £150 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.
11. Amendment of By-Laws
Except as 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:-
a) Notice of Motion in writing stating the precise amendment or amendments proposed shall be given in open Lodge at a regular meeting.
b) 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.
c) 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 him 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.