By-Laws of Columbia Valley Scottish Rite

BY-LAWS ADOPTED BY VALLEY OF COLUMBIA

OCTOBER 27, 1969

AMENDED AND ADOPTED APRIL 28, 1982

FURTHER AMENDED AND ADOPTED DECEMBER 18, 1996

FURTHER AMENDED AND ADOPTED FEBRUARY 26, 1997

THE BY-LAWS OF THE ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE BODIES

IN THE ORIENT OF MISSOURI, VALLEY OF COLUMBIA

ARTICLE I

NAME

Section 1. Formation.

The four Bodies of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Orient of Missouri, Valley of Columbia, were respectively chartered by the Supreme Council, Thirty-third and last Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of America, on the 27th day of October, 1969, by the names and styles respectively of Columbia, Missouri, Lodge of Perfection, Columbia, Missouri, Chapter of Rose Croix, Columbia, Missouri, Council of Knights Kadosh and Columbia, Missouri, Consistory.

Section 2. Allegiance.

These four Bodies bear true faith, fealty and allegiance to, and subscribe to, the Statutes, Resolutions, Decrees and Edicts of the Supreme Council of the Thirty-third and last Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Southern Jurisdiction' of the United States of America, and the orders of the Sovereign Grand Commander, and of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General or the Deputy of the Supreme Council in this jurisdiction.

ARTICLE II

MEETINGS

Section 1. Stated Meetings.

The stated meetings of the four Bodies shall be held at 7:30 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month, except July and August, at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center, Columbia, Missouri, or at such other place as the Bodies may provide by action at a previous stated meeting; provided that the date and hour of a stated meeting may, for reasons seemingly sufficient, be changed at any time or times by the Sovereign Grand Inspector General or Deputy of the Supreme Council or by the presiding officers of the Valley with the consent of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General or Deputy of the Supreme Council, with notice of such change to be given as if of a special meeting.

Section 2. Special Meetings.

Special meetings of any one of the Bodies may be called by the presiding officer of that Body (or in his absence or inability to serve, by the second officer, or in the absence of both the presiding officer and the second officer, then by the third officer) at such time as they, or either of them having the right to act, may think necessary or in the interest of the Body, with the approval of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General's Personal Representative, his assistant, the Sovereign Grand Inspector General or Deputy of the Supreme Council. The hour and place of the special meeting shall be specified in the notice thereof.

Section 3. Notice.

Notice of special meetings shall be given at least seven days in advance by one of the following methods: First, by notice mailed to the members, or second, by advertisement in a Columbia daily newspaper. No business shall be transacted at a special meeting except such as was specified in the notice.

ARTICLE III

OFFICERS

Section 1. Lodge of Perfection.

The elected officers of the Lodge of Perfection are: (1) Venerable Master, (2) Senior Warden, (3) Junior Warden, (4) Orator, (5) Almoner, (6) Treasurer, (7) Executive Secretary. The appointive officers are: (1) Master of Ceremonies, (2) Expert, (3) Assistant Expert, (4) Captain of the Hosts, (5) Tiler.

The Executive Secretary elected for the Lodge of Perfection shall be the same as the person elected for the Chapter and the Council and the Consistory. He shall be elected at the same time as other elective officers, except that he shall serve for two years and his election and selection must meet with the approval of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the Orient or the Deputy of the Supreme Council prior to election.

Section 2. Chapter of Rose Croix.

The elective officers of the Chapter of Rose Croix are: (1) Wise Master, (2) Senior Warden, (3) Junior Warden, (4) Orator, (5) Almoner, (6) Treasurer, (7) Executive Secretary. The appointive officers are: (1) Master of Ceremonies, (2) Expert, (3) Assistant Expert, (4) Standard Bearer, (5) Guardian of the Temple, (6) Tiler.

Section 3. Council of Kadosh.

The elective officers of the Council of Kadosh are: (1) Commander, (2) First Lt. Commander, (3) Second Lt. Commander, (4) Chancellor, (5) Orator, (6), Almoner, (7) Treasurer, (8) Executive Secretary. The appointive officers are: (1) Master of Ceremonies, (2) Turcopilier, (3) Draper, (4) First Deacon, (5) Second Deacon, (6) Bearer Beauseant, (7) Bearer White Standard, (8) Bearer Black Standard, (9) Lieutenant of the Guard, (10) Tiler.

Section 4. Consistory.

The elective officers of the Consistory are: (1) Master of Kadosh, (2) Prior, (3) Preceptor, (4) Chancellor, (5) Minister of State, (6) Almoner, (7) Treasurer, (8) Executive Secretary. The appointive officers are: (1) Prelate, (2) Marshall of Ceremonies, (3) Expert, (4) Assistant Expert, (5) Captain of the Guard, (6) Steward, (7) Tiler.

Section 5. Tiler.

The presiding officers of the four Bodies shall appoint a suitable brother to be Tiler or Sentinel for all of the Bodies. His term of office shall be concurrent with the officers of the Lodge of Perfection.

Section 6. Executive Secretary.

The Executive Secretary of the four Bodies shall be elected each two years at the time of normal election of officers of the Bodies and in a similar manner. He is to have prior approval of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the Orient or the Deputy of the Supreme Council, who shall if need be, appoint an acting Secretary until such election may be held.

ARTICLE IV

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Section 1. Nominations, Elections, Installations.

The elective officers of the four Bodies shall be nominated and elected, and the appointive officers appointed, annually for a term of one year. All elections shall be held on the dates and at the times provided by the Sovereign Grand Inspector General of tile Orient of Missouri or Deputy of the Supreme Council. Unless otherwise designated, nominations shall be presented at the regular stated meeting in November and elections shall be held at the regular stated meeting in December; officers shall be installed by or before the regular stated meeting in January of the year in which they will serve. The installation ceremony may be performed either at a closed joint meeting or a joint and open meeting of Scottish Rite members, their families or friends, with approval of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General or Deputy of the Supreme Council. Until the new officers are duly installed the old officers hold over. Elective officers must be installed in person. Appointive officers may be installed by proxy.

Section 2. Special Qualifications and Tenure--Certain Officers.

The Executive Secretary and the Treasurer and the Almoner shall be elected from candidates who have had prior approval of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General or Deputy of the Supreme Council, and if elected or appointed, shall serve at his pleasure. The offices of Treasurer and Almoner shall not be held concurrently by the same person and neither person shall serve more than five (5) consecutive one-year terms unless approved by the Sovereign Grand Inspector General or Deputy of the Supreme Council. The term of tile Executive Secretary shall be two (2) years. No immediate retiring presiding officer shall be eligible for appointment or election to any office other than those of Secretary, Treasurer, Almoner or Tiler, except that with the prior approval of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General or Deputy of the Supreme Council, an immediate retiring presiding officer may be appointed to an appointed office in any other Body in which he has not previously held an elective office within the past five years.

ARTICLE V

DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1. Generally.

The duties of the elective and appointive officers of the four Bodies shall be such as are prescribed in the Statutes of the Supreme Council and tile Rituals of the Bodies. A Body or its presiding officer may direct any officer to perform any additional duty not inconsistent with Masonic practice and customs. Tile Venerable Master of the Lodge of Perfection shall have such additional duties as are contained in these by-laws.

Section 2. Presiding Officers.

The presiding officer of each Body shall appoint all appointive officers and all committees of such Body, except as may be otherwise provided herein, but no such appointment shall be for a period of more than one year nor extend beyond the term of his office. He may remove any such appointive officer and disband any committee of such Body at any time provided that he obtains prior approval of the Advisory Conference.

Section 3. Almoner.

The Almoner of the Lodge shall be the Almoner of the Chapter, Council and Consistory. He shall disburse the moneys deposited in the Box of Fraternal Assistance or contributed to the Almoner's Fund by the members of the Rite or others as provided for in Article VI of these by-laws, shall make monthly report of his receipts and disbursements to the Executive Secretary, and shall report annually to the Sovereign Grand Inspector General or the Deputy of the Supreme Council.

Section 4. Executive Secretary

The Executive Secretary of the Lodge shall be the Executive Secretary of the Chapter, Council and Consistory. He shall, in addition to his other duties, conduct the correspondence of all Bodies, purchase all equipment, regular maintenance items, and supplies provided for in the budget or specifically approved by the Advisory Conference and the Lodge; collect all fees and dues, keeping a record thereof; select and employ such clerical, janitorial or maintenance personnel as has been approved by the Advisory Conference and provided for in the budget. Purchase orders countersigned by the Committee head, if any, responsible for tile purchase, shall be issued by the Executive Secretary for all items or services ordered; and make such reports as required by or requested to be sent to the Sovereign Grand Inspector General or Deputy to the Supreme Council.

Section 5. Treasurer.

Tile Treasurer of the Lodge shall be the Treasurer of the Chapter, Council and Consistory. He shall be an ex-officio officer of the Advisory Conference without vote. He shall be authorized to sign, with certain other officers designated by the Advisory Conference, all checks of the Lodge of Perfection. He is the chief financial officer of tile four Bodies.

ARTICLE VI

ALMONER'S FUND

Section 1. Generally.

An Almoner's Fund shall be established and maintained, consistent with the Statutes and requirements of the Supreme Council, by the voluntary contributions of the members of the Rite and from other sources.

Section 2. Box of Fraternal Assistance.

The "Box of Fraternal Assistance" shall be passed at every meeting of the Bodies of the Rite and the funds deposited with the Almoner of the four Bodies who shall make a record of the amount collected and deliver the proceeds to the Almoner Account. The Executive Secretary and Treasurer shall make and keep a record of all funds that otherwise may be received by him on account of said fund and deliver such proceeds to the Almoner Account and take the Almoner's receipt therefore.

Section 3. Almoner's Fund.

All funds received by the Almoner shall be deposited in a bank in the Lodge of Perfection General Fund, to the credit of the Almoner's Fund. Separate bookkeeping records of all Almoner's Fund deposits, disbursements and current balance shall be maintained by the Treasurer. Disbursements shall be made pursuant to Article XI, Section 4 of the by-laws. The Almoner shall have personal charge of the distribution of the Almoner's Fund, with the advice of the Executive Secretary and the Personal Representative to the Sovereign Grand Inspector General. Any surplus in the Almoner's Fund shall be separately accounted for and invested under the supervision of the Investment Advisory Committee of the four Bodies.

ARTICLE VII

STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1. Advisory Conference.

The Advisory Conference shall consist of the two senior elective officers of each Body; the Executive Secretary; the Treasurer; and one other brother appointed by the Sovereign Grand Inspector General as his Personal Representative and his appointment is for a term of two (2) years or until his successor is appointed. An Assistant Personal Representative also may be appointed by the Sovereign Grand Inspector General. The Personal Representative has supervision over the day to day business of the Valley together with the Executive Secretary. He is the representative of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General in emergency matters and carries the authority of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General to the extent the authority is known, and will make decisions subject to the approval of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General. The Personal Representative may, for the best interest of the Rite, suspend an action of the Advisory Conference of the Bodies subject to such suspension being approved and sanctioned by the Sovereign Grand Inspector General.

The Assistant Personal Representative, if any, or the Venerable Master, the Executive Secretary, or some other elected officer of one of the four Bodies selected by the Personal Representative, will preside in the absence of the Personal Representative, but without the full authority of the Personal Representative. For example, he does not have any of the authority of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General, nor can he for any reason suspend the actions of the Advisory Conference or the Bodies, but will report any need of such action, in his opinion, to the Personal Representative immediately or in the event the Personal Representative is absent from the Valley, to the Sovereign Grand Inspector General directly.

The Advisory Conference may provide for and appoint such special committee chairmen as may be required for carrying out the various programs and functions of the Bodies, and they may authorize such expenditures as may be necessary, subject to the terms of the budget, and may order any changes or modifications in the budget before it is submitted to the Lodge for approval.

The Personal Representative or the Conference may invite the 3rd officer of each Body, any committee chairman or any member, to attend the open meeting of the Advisory Conference for discussion, but all voting shall be done by members of the Advisory Conference or by a Pro-Tem member appointed by the Personal Representative.

The Advisory Conference shall meet at least once a month, either in conjunction with or separate from the regularly stated four Bodies meetings. Minutes of each Advisory Conference session shall be kept by the Executive Secretary, or in his absence, by another member of the Advisory Conference. A copy of such minutes may be used and filed by Executive Secretary for the Personal Representative as his report to the Lodge.

Section 2. Budget.

The Budget Committee shall consist of the Senior Warden of the Lodge as Chairman, the Senior Warden of the Chapter, the First Lieutenant Commander of the Council, the Prior of the Consistory, the Executive Secretary and the Treasurer of the Bodies.

The Budget Committee shall submit to the Advisory Conference, not later than the December meeting of the Advisory Conference, a budget setting forth the estimated and probable income of the Lodge for the ensuing calendar year and recommendations for apportioning such income. Following submission to the Advisory Conference and securing the approval of the original or a revised budget, the Chairman of the Budget Committee shall present the budget to the Lodge at its stated December meeting. After approval by the Lodge, no transfer of funds between accounts or expenditure in excess of 10% of tile amount budgeted to an account shall be permitted unless specifically authorized by the Lodge.

Any proposed expenditure, other than routine or emergency in its nature, shall be referred, before action, to the Budget Committee for recommendation and report not later than the Advisory Conference meeting just prior to the second stated communication thereafter, and then reported to the Chairman of tile Budget Committee. The Budget Committee may from time to time during the year, revise its budget in view of actual excess or deficiency in income, or surpluses in specific amounts as compared with its original estimates and thereupon submit to the Advisory Conference and the Lodge their revised budget for approval.

Section 3. Investment Advisory.

The Investment Advisory Committee shall consist of four members of the Rite appointed by the Advisory Conference at its January meeting and the Executive Secretary. The Conference's recommendations shall be followed by the Treasurer in the purchase, sale or exchange of any security in the investment portfolio of the Lodge. The Investment Policy of the Supreme Council, which permits a substantial percentage of investment in common stocks and the securing of professional advice, should provide a guideline for this Committee's recommendations. The investment program of the Valley shall be reported annually--in January--to the Sovereign Grand Inspector General or the Deputy of the Supreme Council.

Section 4. General Petitions.

The General Petitions Committee shall consist of all the elective officers of the four Bodies of the Rite. It shall investigate or cause to be investigated all petitions for degrees or for membership and submit its recommendations to the Bodies. This Committee shall hold a meeting or meetings, of which due notice shall be given, prior to each stated communication of the Lodge. Nothing in this section shall be construed to relieve the Lodge Committee from its duties as set forth in Article X, Section 2.

Section 5. Legal.

The Legal Committee shall consist of a Chairman appointed by tile Venerable Master of the Lodge upon his election to office and two other members of the four Bodies, selected by tile Personal Representative, subject to the approval of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General or the Deputy of the Supreme Council.

Section 6. Insurance.

The Insurance Committee shall consist of a Chairman appointed by the Advisory Conference at its January meeting and four other members of the Bodies. No member of tile Committee or his employer shall receive any benefit from the premiums paid by the Rite.

Section 7. House and Grounds.

The House and Grounds Committee shall consist of a Chairman appointed by tile Advisory Conference at its January meeting and two other members of the Rite. Tile Committee shall make regular inspections of the buildings and grounds make recommendations to establish sound maintenance procedures, propose replacements or repairs and advise the Advisory Conference and Budget Committee of future building and grounds requirements.

Section 8. Education and Americanism.

A Chairman is to be recommended by the Advisory Conference and appointed by the Lodge of Perfection. Appointments are to be made by the Lodge in January of each year so long as this Committee shall remain active in Columbia Valley.

Section 9. Publications.

The Publications Committee shall consist of a Chairman and at least three other members of the Rite appointed by the Advisory Conference at the January stated meeting of the Lodge. It shall be the responsibility of this Committee to oversee the regular publication and distribution of the Valley's newsletter, reunion programs and other Valley publications, as directed by the Advisory Conference.

Section 10. Tenure.

No Chairman of a standing or special committee may be reappointed after having served five (5) one-year terms following adoption of these by-laws, unless an exception is made by the Sovereign Grand Inspector General or Deputy of the Supreme Council. He may continue as a member of any committee. No member may serve as Chairman of more than one committee or be a member of more than two committees unless expressly provided for in these by-laws or as all ex-officio member of a committee. The Advisory Conference may remove the Chairman of any standing or special committee.

ARTICLE VIII

FEES FOR DEGREES

Section 1. Degree Conferral.

Tile fees for the degrees shall be determined by the Sovereign Grand Inspector General for the Orient of Missouri. No fee shall be charged for affiliation.

Section 2. Funds Generally.

The Funds of the Lodge, Chapter, Council, Consistory and Almoners shall be managed and controlled by the Lodge of Perfection.

Section 3. Dues.

The annual dues of all members for any or all of the Four Bodies shall be $40.00 per calendar year unless changed by vote of the Lodge at a stated meeting after 30 days prior notice to the members.

ARTICLE IX

ORDER OF BUSINESS

Section 1.

At all meetings of the Lodge, unless otherwise ordered, the following shall be tile order of business:

1. Reading the records of previous meetings.

2. Report of the Almoner and roll call of the deceased.

3. Report of expenditures.

4. Reception of petitions for degrees and applications for affiliation.

5. Reports of standing committees.

6. Reports of special committees.

7. Balloting on petitions for degrees and applications for affiliation.

8. Communications.

9. Unfinished business.

10. Motions, resolutions and new business.

11. Election and installation of officers.

Section 2.

The same order of business shall be followed in the Chapter, Council and Consistory as far as the same may apply.

ARTICLE X

MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Petition.

All candidates for affiliation or for the degrees shall sign a petition in writing, and be recommended in writing by two members of these Bodies. The ballot shall not be spread for any candidate in any Body until all fees have been paid.

Section 2. Reference.

All petitions for the degrees or for affiliation shall be referred to a committee of three by the presiding officer of the Lodge of Perfection or the Executive Secretary, care being taken that their names be known only to himself and the Executive Secretary.

ARTICLE XI

BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Section 1. Business Meetings.

The stated monthly business meetings of the Four Bodies shall be conducted through the Columbia, Missouri Lodge of Perfection.

Section 2. Temple Association.

The Columbia Scottish Rite Temple Association shall be under the complete control of the Lodge of Perfection. The Temple Association shall hold legal title to all real estate, furnishings, costumes scenery, business and kitchen equipment and all other personal property of the Four Bodies under the title of "The Columbia Scottish Rite Temple Association." The Advisory Conference shall have all powers necessary and convenient to effectuate tile purpose of this section for the good of the Valley.

Section 3. Childhood Communications Disorders Clinic.

The Childhood Communications Disorders Clinic shall be under the complete control of the Lodge of Perfection. It shall operate in conjunction with the Scottish Rite Foundation of Missouri and in such a manner as to comply with the requirements of the Foundation's tax-exempt status granted by the Internal Revenue Service. The Advisory Conference shall have all powers necessary and convenient to effectuate the purpose of this section for the good of the Valley.

Section 4. Funds.

a.) All receipts shall be deposited in bank or banks approved by the Lodge in accounts in the name of Columbia, Missouri, Lodge of Perfection, General Fund, provided, however, that the Advisory Conference if deemed necessary may establish additional fund accounts for the Almoner's Fund, the Temple Association, or the Childhood Communications Disorders Clinic.

b.) Disbursements from the General Fund account for routine Valley expenses shall be made only on checks signed for the Lodge of Perfection by the at least two of the following officers: the Venerable Master, the Treasurer, the Executive Secretary, or tile Personal Representative.

c.) Disbursements from the Almoner's Fund shall be made only for charitable purposes and shall be made only on checks signed by at least two of the following officers: the Almoner, the Treasurer, the Venerable Master, the Executive Secretary, or the Personal Representative.

d.) Disbursements made under the auspices of or oil behalf of the Temple Association shall be made only on checks signed by at least two of the following officers: the presiding officer of the Temple Association, tile Treasurer of the Temple Association, the Treasurer of the Lodge of Perfection, the Executive Secretary, or the Personal Representative.

e.) Disbursements made under the auspices of or on behalf of the Childhood Communications Disorders Clinic shall be made only on checks signed by at least two of the following officers: the presiding officer of the Childhood Communications Disorders Clinic board, the Treasurer of the Childhood Communications Disorders Clinic board, the Treasurer of the Lodge of Perfection, the Executive Secretary, or the Personal Representative.

Section 5. Audit.

The Venerable Master of tile Lodge shall, annually, employ a certified public accountant approved by the Sovereign Grand Inspector General or the Deputy of the Supreme Council to audit the books of the Lodge and the Almoner for the current year. Copies of the audit shall be prepared and delivered to the Sovereign Grand Inspector General or the Deputy of the Supreme Council and submitted to but not retained by the members of the Advisory Conference.. Payment for the services of such expert accountant shall be provided for in tile budget and paid in such amount as may be deemed reasonable by the Advisory Conference.

Section 6. Official Compensation.

No officers, other than the Executive Secretary and Tiler, shall be compensated for their services and then only, if and in such amounts as the Advisory Conference may determine with the approval of the Lodge.

Section 7. Surety Bonds.

The Blanket Fidelity Bond in accordance with the Supreme Council Insurance and Surety Coverage shall be maintained in force for the faithful performance of all Officers of the Valley. The premium on the Surety Bond shall be paid by tile Lodge of Perfection.

ARTICLE XII

RETIREMENT PLAN

Section 1.

The Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Columbia, Missouri, have entered into participation in the pension plan of The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Orient of Missouri, and all rights, benefits and privileges afforded to its full time employees effective September 1, 1971, shall be governed by the terms and provisions of said Orient of Missouri pension plan and Trust set up to administer such plan, and any amendments made to the said pension plan or the said Trust.

Section 2.

Nothing herein contained shall prevent continuing payments under previously formulated and instituted pension plans or arrangements.

ARTICLE XIII

AMENDMENTS Section 1.

These by-laws may be added to, altered or amended by resolution presented in writing at a stated meeting, and acted on not less than four weeks thereafter, at a subsequent special or stated meeting, due notice of intention to act thereon being given to the members, and shall require the affirmative vote two-thirds (2/3) of the members present for adoption; and after the approval of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General or Deputy of the Supreme Council. Amendments or new by-laws shall take effect as provided in the Statutes of the Supreme Council.