John G. Lewis Priory No. 19 By-Laws

JOHN G. LEWIS PRIORY No. 19 KNIGHTS OF THE YORK CROSS-OF HONOUR STATE OF LOUISIANA, U.S.A

BY-LAWS

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JOHN G. LEWIS PRIORY No. 19 KNIGHTS OF THE YORK CROSS-OF HONOUR STATE OF LOUISIANA, U.S.A Preamble This organization is dedicated to increasing the interest of the leaders of the York Rite Bodies primarily in the State of Louisiana. We proclaim this priory will promote the ideals, goals and operations of the York Rite Body of this jurisdiction. These Bylaws also define the respective roles and responsibilities of the officers and committees, provide for the election and appointment of officers, and authorize other acts and functions to promote the responsible and efficient governance and operation of the priory.

BY - LAWS ARTICLE I - Name Section 1. The Name of this Priory is – John G. Lewis Priory #19. Its authority evolves from a Charter issued by the Convent General U.S.A., (PHA) in the city of Greenville, SC on May 3, 2019.

ARTICLE II - Purpose Section 1. This Priory is established to provide a service and an organization of comradeship for those exemplary Sir Knights who have successfully served York Rite Masonry by election and service as Presiding Officer in all York Rite Bodies Section 2. It is further established as a forum for exchange of knowledge and/or ideas for expansion and perpetuation of York Rite Masonry, and to provide fellowship ties throughout the Louisiana Domain.

ARTICLE III - Membership Section 1. Membership in this Priory is by invitation and limited to Freemasons who have been regularly elected and installed as Master of a Chartered Prince Hall Lodge of Master Masons, as Excellent High Priest of a Chartered Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, and as Thrice Illustrious Master of a Chartered Council of Royal and Select Masters, and as Eminent Commander of a Chartered Commandery of Knights Templar, and served one full term in each office, and who maintains his good standing in all of said Masonic Bodies. No honorary Past 2

Masters, honorary Past Excellent High Priest, honorary Past Thrice Illustrious Master or honorary Past Eminent Commanders will be allowed to become a member of this Priory.

Section 2. Petitions for membership shall be submitted in writing with the necessary fees, by a present member in good standing (for no less than one (1) year) in this Priory.

Section 3. Petitions must receive a unanimous vote for acceptance. A petitioner who was proposed and rejected shall be eligible for proposal at any subsequent conclave of the Priory, where proposals are a part of the business. Petitions may Not be approved in the same meeting as the scheduled Exaltation.

ARTICLE IV - Officers Section 1. a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. j. k. l. m. n.

The Officers of this Priory shall be as follows: Eminent Prior Knight Deputy Prior Knight Warder Knight Treasurer Knight Registrar Knight Prelate Knight Herald Knight Orator Knight 1st Lecturer (Lodge) Knight 2nd Lecturer (Chapter) Knight 3rd Lecturer (Council) Knight 4th Lecturer (Commandery) Knight Sentinel Knight Marshal

Section 2. The first six (6) shall be elected by the membership. The Eminent Prior elect will appoint all other officers.

Section 3. Any member of a Priory may be elected to any office, except Eminent Prior unless he has served as a Deputy Prior or Past Prior. The term of office is one year for all elected officers and elections must be followed by an installation ceremony.

ARTICLE V - Duties of Officers Section 1. Eminent Prior - It shall be the duty of the Eminent Prior to call and preside over all meetings of the Priory; to superintend the Official acts of all its Officers and members; to guard against intrusions by unwarranted solicitation and behaviors; to be custodian of the security bonds of the Treasurer and the Registrar; to appoint all officers not elected annually; to appoint such Committee Chairmen as necessary for operation of the Priory; and to perform all such other duties as may be required of him in the absence of the total membership. For the performance of his required and perfunctory duties, he shall be exempt from payment of yearly dues, and be afforded a yearly honorarium at the Annual Meeting of the Priory.

Section 2. Knight Deputy Prior - It shall be the duty of the Deputy Prior to preside over the sessions of the Priory when requested to do so by the Eminent Prior or in the absence of the Eminent Prior. In the event of death or permanent removal of the Eminent Prior, he shall 3

succeed to the Office of the Eminent Prior until the next election, when he may be elected to such office by the membership. He shall perform such other duties as shall be assigned to him by the Eminent Prior.

Section 3. Knight Warder - It shall be the duty of Warder, to perform those duties as assigned to him by the Eminent Prior; to be proficient in the Opening and Closing of the Priory, as well as the Initiation of Candidates who seek membership; and to assist in promoting and effectively administering the By-Laws as they apply to members and perspective members, alike.

Section 4. Knight Treasurer - It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive and keep an accurate record of all funds delivered unto him, giving a receipt for the same; to deposit such funds in a place and account so designated by the Priory. He shall disperse funds as requested by the Priory, upon receipt of the necessary warrant and/or vote of the membership as requested or designed. For the performance of his required and perfunctory duties, he shall be exempt from payment of yearly dues.

Section 5. Knight Registrar - It shall be the duty of the Registrar to make and keep an accurate record of the proceedings of the Priory, be it a Call or Regular meeting; to receive and answer all correspondence submitted to his office; to be responsible for the official seal of the Priory, and to notify each member of any and all Call or Regular Meetings at least thirty (30) days in advance; to publish such documents as are necessary and beneficial to the society of Masonry in general; and to receive all monies by record and turn them over to the Treasurer with reasonable dispatch. He shall perform all other duties of his office as shall be assigned to him by the Priory and the Eminent Prior. For the performance of his required and perfunctory duties, he shall be exempt from payment of yearly dues, and be afforded a yearly honorarium at the Annual Meeting of the Priory.

Section 6. Knight Prelate - It shall be the duty of the Prelate to call upon the Grand Architect of the Universe for His Blessings and guidance in/at all of the functions of the Priory, or as may be directed and/or requested; and to perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Eminent Prior or the membership.

ARTICLE VI - Meetings Section 1. This Priory shall meet three times a year on the 1st Saturday during the month of January, 4th Saturday of July and 2nd Saturday September or at such times and places as the Priory my order. The Eminent Prior may issue a proclamation to alter the above dates when necessary and the welfare of the Priory are required. In which the membership shall be notified of the change thirty (30) prior to the meeting date.

Section 2. All agenda items may be conducted at either meeting to include the election and induction ceremony for new members Section 3. A Quorum for any meeting, Call or Regular, shall require no less that nine (9) persons, of which for (3) of the first six (6) elected officers must be present. One of these officers must be the Eminent Prior or the Deputy Prior.

ARTICLE VII - Election of Officers

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Section 1. The last item of business before adjournment at the Annual Meeting shall be the election and installation of Officers. The first six (6) officers shall be elected annually.

A proper audit of the fiscal officers must have been completed and adopted by the membership prior to the election.

Section 2. All members of the Priory are qualified to run for any office, except Eminent Prior that is open for election, provided he is in good standing and has been a member for at least one (1) full year. Election of the Eminent Prior must be a Deputy Prior or Past Prior Section 3. Vacancies shall be filled by election only. If the vacancy is that of the Eminent Prior, Treasurer or Registrar, then a "special" election is held to fill such vacancy. The Eminent Prior or the Deputy Prior shall be responsible for calling this “special” emergency meeting.

ARTICLE VIII - Committees Section 1. a. b. c. d.

The Standing Committee Chairmen of this Priory shall be: Program and Planning – Knight Warder Finance and Budget – Knights Treasurer and Registrar Sick, Welfare, and Charity – Knight Prelate Internal Audit – Knight Orator

Section 2. Other Committees may be appointed by and at the discretion of the Eminent Prior for the good and welfare of the Priory. All such committees shall be limited to three (3) members, with the exception of the Charity Committee, which shall consist of the Eminent Prior, Deputy Prior, Treasurer and Registrar.

ARTICLE IX - Dues and Fees Section 1. This body shall determine the fee for initiation into this Priory in the amount of $750.00.

This fee covers the following: Convent General Induction Fee Cord w/Jewel Lapel Pin Convent General Constitution Manual of Ceremonies John G. Lewis Priory #19 By-laws Member Crown Blue Jacket w/ John G. Lewis #19 embroidery Section 2. The Annual Dues shall be $75.00 and shall be payable and due by the Annual Meeting each year, in the month of July.

Dues covers the following: Convent General Assessment Convent General Charity Assessment General Fund 5

Section 3. Any member who fails to pay his dues by the Annual Meeting will be suspended for non-payment of dues. Suspended members must re-apply for membership and pay a reinstatement in the amount of ($100.00 + 75.00 = $175.00) Section 4. The Eminent Prior, Knight Treasurer and Knight Registrar shall be exempted from the payment of dues during their tenure in office.

ARTICLE X- Representation at the Annual CONVENT GENERAL Conclave Section 1. The Convent Constitution Article VI, section 3, requires the registration of the Eminent Prior, Deputy Prior and Warder at the Convent General Annual Conclave.

Section 2. The Eminent Prior will be afforded the cost of two (2) nights lodging and cost of registration at the Convent General Annual Conclave.

Section 3. The Knight Registrar will be allowed registration reimbursement should he attend the Annual Convent General Conclave.

ARTICLE XI - Amendments Section 1. The By-Laws of this Priory may be amended by a 2/3 majority vote of the membership voting favorably on the proposed amendment.

Section 2. Proposed amendments must be placed in the hands of the Registrar no less that ninety (90) days prior to the Annual Meeting, and he convey the same to each voting member no less that thirty (30) days prior to the Annual Meeting.

Section 3. Upon vote by the membership at its Annual Meeting, the proposed amendment is either denied and must be re-submitted; or it is approved, and thus becomes effective immediately.

Section 4. Adopted amendments of the Covent General Constitution, By-Laws, and General Regulations affecting this Body and its By-Laws shall be added as appropriate and take effect immediately.

These revised By-laws were approved on ________________ at _________________ with an addendum to Article IX and supersede all previous versions.

First Edition Rodney McFarland Eminent Prior

Joaquin M. Diaz Deputy Prior

Ronald Milburn Warder

Raywood Madison

Anthony Booker

Second Edition La’Micheal V. Eddie

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ATTEST: (seal)

Jeffrey N. Beasley Knight Registrar

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