JOHN S. DAVIDSON LODGE NO. 677 F.&A.M.
BY-LAWS

Revised 1995

Preamble

We, the Worshipful Master, Wardens, and Brethren of John S. Davidson Lodge No. 677, Free and Accepted Masons, of Augusta, Georgia (hereafter referred to as the LODGE), legally constituted by virtue of a Charter duly granted by consent and authority of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Georgia, in addition to the Grand Constitution and By-Laws of said Grand Lodge governing and affecting Subordinate Lodges, have established and confirmed the following code of By-Laws which, (By-Laws), concurrent with approval and acceptance by the Grand Lodge of Georgia become effective and thereupon constitute the full and complete By-Laws for the government of this Lodge and which By-Laws must be accepted, and acknowledged by signature on the prescribed form of receipt, by every Brother when he is Raised to the Masters Degree.

ARTICLE I

Section 1.

The regular meeting of this Lodge, Masonically called "Communications" shall be held at the Masonic Hall in Augusta, Georgia, presently located at 3201 Wrightsboro Road, at 8:00 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month.

Section 2.

All business of the Lodge shall be transacted at the Regular Communication and in the Masters Degree, except such business as may be stated for consideration at a Called Communication of emergent nature.

Section 3.

Called Communications for the purpose of conferring degrees, conducting Masonic Rites, and/or other purposes, may be convened at the discretion of the Worshipful Master, provided, however, that the business for consideration at a Called Communication must be specifically stated in ample notice to the membership.

Section 4.

The Lodge, in whatever degree shall be opened in Due Form or called on, as the case may be, at the time and place appointed, or within fifteen (15) minutes thereafter by the Worshipful Master or in his stead by the Senior or Junior Warden.

ARTICLE II - OFFICERS

Section 1.

The elective officers of the Lodge shall be: Worshipful Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer, and Secretary. The appointive officers of theLodge shall be Chaplain,Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon, Senior Steward, Junior Steward, and Tyler. The Worshipful Master may appoint a Marshal and Organist.

ARTICLE III - ELECTION AND APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS

Section 1.

The Worshipful Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer, and Secretary shall be elected by secret ballot. The Senior Deacon, Chaplain, and Tyler appointed by the Worshipful Master. The Junior Deacon appointed by the Senior Warden, and the Senior and Junior Stewrds shall be appointed by the Junior Warden. The Director of Work shall be appointed by the Worshipful Master.

Section 2.

The election of officrs of this Lodge shall take place annually at the Regular communication in December, and shall be by secret ballot. The Brother receiving a majority of the votes cast shall be declared the one elected. The Installation, if circumstances permit, shall be held at the same meeting before any further business is transacted. Public Installations are proper but not required. The officers so elected and installed shall hold their office until their successors are duly elected and installed.

ARTICLE IV - DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1.

The duties of the officers shall be the same as defined in the Masonic Manual and Code of the Grand Lodge of Georgia.

Section 2. ADDITIONAL DUTIES OF TREASURER

Section 2.A

The Treasurer shall administer the "Walter O. Suber Trust Fund" in the manner described in the document and make reports to the Lodge at the January Regular Comunication as to the activity of the fund for the previous year.

Section 2.B

He shall keep all records pertaining to his office and make a report to the Lodge in January of each year.

Section 2.C

In consideration for his services, he shall be exempt from paying dues during his term of office.

Section 3. ADDITIONAL DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY

Section 3.A

The Secretary shall open an account with each member of the Lodge in a permanent type record kept for that purpose. To list all pertinent information such as dates of Initiation, Passing, and Raising; also, if a member is suspended, expelled, dimits, or dies. This record is to be kept as a permanent record of the Lodge.

Section 3.B

The Secretary is to keep a regular account of all monies received, designating from whom and for what purpose received.

Section 3.C

The Secretary shall make a report to the Lodge in January each year of all income and disbursements for the previous year along with a statement from the Auditing Committeethat the report has been examined by them and found to be correct.

Section 3.D

The seal of the Lodge is to remain in the immediate care of the Secretary.

Section 3.E

The Secretary shall conduct all correspondence of the Lodge unless otherwise provided, and perform all duties usual to the office of Secretary.

Section 3.F

He shall be exempt from paying dues for his term in office and shall receive 10% of all dues and fees collected as his personal expense. He may draw up to $50.00 each month and the balance at the end of the year.

Section 3.G

As the personal expenses increase for the Secretary, the Lodge mayvote to increase the amount to him, provided that the total amount (including the 10% of dues and fees) does not exceed $1,200.00 per year, and the financial condition of the Lodge permits.

Section 4. DUTIES OF MARSHAL

It shall be the duties of the Marshal to make the proclamation at the Installation of Officers, to conduct processions of the Lodge, and to perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the Worshipful Master.

ARTICLE V COMMITTEES

Section 1.

The Worshipful Master shall appoint the members of the standing committees and their terms shall be concurrent with that of the Worshipful Master that makes the appointments.

Section 2.

Committees of three or less may be appointed by the Worshipful Master. Larger committees should be filled by nomination from the floor.

Section 3.

The Auditing Committee of three members shall be appointed at the Regular Communication in December each year to examine the books and axxounts of the Secretary and Treasurer and report there-on at the next Regular Communication of the Lodge.

Section 4.

It shall be the duty of the Worshipful Master at the Regular Communicatio  in December to appoint a Relief Committee consisting of three members. The committee shall, in conjunction with the Worshipful Master, investigate and decide on all claims for assistance or relief. If the Worshipful Master deems it expedient, he may draw upon the Treasury for any sum not to exceed $50.00 in any case except that of a member of this Lodge.

Section 5.

The Jewel Committee will be governed by the wishes of the recipient as to type, inscriptions, etc. of the Masters Jewel, provided that the purchase price thereof shall not exceed two hundred dollars.

Section 6.

The Worshipful Master shall appoint Investigation Committees consisting of three (3) members on each Petition received by the Lodge for the Degrees, Restoration, or Affiliation, and such individual committees are discharged when their reports are submitted on the prescribed forms.

Section 7. FINANCE COMMITTEE.

The three principal officers of the Lodge shall constitute the Finance committee, whose duty it shall be to examine all bills and accounts brought against the Lodge. No bill shall be paid until it has been approved by a majority vote of the Lodge.

ARTICLE VI -- DUES

Section 1.

Every Master Mason, a member of this Lodge, shall pay at or before the Regular Communication in December each year, the sum of $50.00 which shall be his dues for the ensuing year, unless he can give satisfactory reason to the Lodge why he cannot pay such sum. The Lodge may, at its discretion remit such dues if the reason given be satisfactory to the Lodge. This section does not apply to the members specifically exempted in other sections of these By-Laws.

Section 2.

Each member of this Lodge subject to the payment of dues who has failed to pay by the Regular Communication in April his dues for the preceding year, shall be notified by the Secretary along with a copy of this By-Law. If he shall have failed to pay such delinquent dues by the Regular Communication in June, he shall be reported bythe Junior Warden to the Lodge as being in arrears and shall then be subject to suspension for non-payment of dues without further notice.

ARTICLE VII -- LODGE TRUSTEES

Section 1

 There shall be elected at each annual communication from the membership of this Lodge, one Trustee to serve for a term of three years or until his successor has been electd and accepted. Should a vacancy occur in said trustees from death, resignation, or moving from the district, an election shall be held at the next regular communication for a member to fill such a vacancy for the unexpired term. Said election shall be by ballot, a majority of all votes cast being necessary for election. Nominations may be made from the floor or a Nominating Committee may be appointed by the Worshipful Master, or both.

Section 2.

The official designation, name and style of the Trustees shall be, "Trustees, John S. Davidson Lodge No. 677, F.@AM." herein, for convenience referred to as Lodge Trustees.

Section 3.

It shall be the duties of the Lodge Trustees to take charge of all money turned over to them by the Lodge for deposit or investment. They shall have charge of all real or personal property of the Lodge. After approval of the Lodge the Lodge Trustees are given full power to receive and execute in the name of the Lodge any gift or bequest, to collect the income, if any, from the same, and to see that the terms and conditions of such gifts and/or bequests are fully complied with. It is expressly understood that the provisions of this section do not include money received for regular dues and fees unless and until such money shall have been turned over to the Lodge Trustees by the Lodge for deposit or investment by the Trustees.

Section 4.

The Lodge Trustees shall, when a majority of them consent, make recommendations to the Lodge, from time to time, as to investments to be made by them for the Lodge. Likewise, they shall make recommendations as to the sale or disposal or securities or property, contemplating more lucrative investments, which recommendation shall be subject by the Lodge before the recommended action may be taken by the Lodge Trustees. It shall not be in the power of the Lodge Trustees to dispose of, or change any investment except after written recommendation has been made by them to the Lodge, and the Lodge has adopted such recommendation from the Trustees, or the Lodge orders such change without recommendation from the Lodge Trustees.

Section 5.

It shall not be in the power of the Lodge Trustees or either of them, by their signature to any instrument or pledge, mortgage, or otherwise encumber in any way, any property or permanent investment of the Lodge except after recommendation by them to the Lodge, or upon order of the Lodge in the absence of a recommendation from the Lodge Trustees, to execute such instrument of encumbrance on behalf of the Lodge, which action on the part of the Lodge confirmed by the Lodge Trustees in writing, signed by the Secretary and attested by the Worshipful Master and over the seal of the Lodge.

Section 6.

All monies received by the Lodge Trustees shall be deposited in the name of the Trustees of the Lodge and no withdrawals shall be made except over the signatures of at least two of the three Trustees. All securities, deeds, certificates of deposit, and other valuable papers connected in any way with the money or property entrusted to the care of the Lodge trustees shall be kept in a safety deposit box in a local bank in Augusta, Georgia, registered in the name of the Lodge Trustees. Such registration shall specify that at least two of the Lodge Trustees must be present to enter such safety deposit box. The Lodge Trustees shall incur such expenses as may be necessary in the discharge of their duties and responsibilities, including lock box rent and incidental expenses, which shall be paid by the Lodge from the General Fund.

Section 7.

The Lodge Trustees, singularly and collectively, shall turn over all funds, valuable papers, books, and other property in their hands to their hands to their duly elected successors in office.

Section 8.

The Lodge trustees shall submit at the Regular Communication in January each year a written report of their acts during the preceding calendar year, which report shall be accompanied by certification of the auditing Committee that the report has been examined and found to be actually correct, if such be the case, and further certification that all securities, valuable papers and balances held by the Lodge Trustees as reflected in the report have been individually examined and found to be actually in the hands of the Lodge Trustees. The Lodge Trustees will also make available to the Auditing Committee all books, papers, and securities and balances at any time an audit is ordered by the Worshipful Master.

ARTICLE VIII -- OFFICIAL WORK

Section 1.

At every communication, this Lodge shall be opened and closed on the Masters Degree, and shall use the Catechism taught by the custodian for Opening, Closing, and Conferring of Degrees. Also for instructing and examining of candidates in the Catechism.

ARTICLE IX -- TRIBUTE OF RESPECT

Section 1.

At the request of a Brother or his family, this Lodge will pay the Last Tribute of Respect to a deceased Brother by following his remains to the tomb and performing the usual Masonic solemnity around the grave.

Section 2.

This Lodge shall pay the Last Tribute of Respect to the memory of a departed Brother, a member of another Lodge who is a transient, provided a request to do so is made through the proper channels by the Lodge of which he was  member.

ARTICLE X -- TRUSTEES MASONIC HALL IN THE CITY OF AUGUSTA

Section 1.

There shall be nominated and elected at the November Regular Communication each year from the membership of John S. Davidson Lodge one Trustee of the Masonic Hall in the City of Augusta, herein, for convenience, referred to as Building Trustees, to serve for a term of two years. The term of office shall begin at the December meeting of the Trustees of the Masonic Hall in the City of Augusta following election, and the Building Trustees shall keep the Lodge informed on all pertinent matters pertaining to the Lodge.

ARTICLE XI -- FEES

Section 1.

The fees for the degrees conferred by this Lodge shall be as follows:

For the first degree, Entered Apprentice, (which shall include ten dollars for the Masonic Home)  $60.00

For the second degree, Fellowcraft  $20.00

For the third degree, Master Mason  $20.00

Section 2.

The fee of sixty dollars for the Entered Apprentice Degree shall accompany the Petition. The fees for the Fellowcraft and Masters Degrees shall be paid before receiving the respective Degrees.

ARTICLE XII -- LIFE MEMBERSHIP

Section 1.

A member of this Lodge may become a Life Member upon the payment of one thousand ($1,000.00) in the lump sum and shall thereafter be exempt from paying dues; however, subject to the limitations on the number of Life Members each subordinate Lodge may have. (Limited to one Life Member for every fifty (50) dues-paying members.

Section 2.

Upon approval of a Life Member, the Lodge shall turn the $1,000.00 over to the Lodge Trustees for investment at the best rate of interest available.

ARTICLE XIII -- BENEVOLENT FUND

Section 1.

A special fund designated as the "Benevolent Fund" shall be maintained by the Lodge for charitable purposes, and be perpetuated, supervised, and administered as herein provided.

Section 2.

All monies appropriated by the Lodge or received from other sources for this fund shall be held in a special account by the Treasurer and Secretary. Disbursements from this fund shall only be made on order of the Relief or Charity Committee. Such disbursements shall be restricted to members of this Lodge and/or their immediate families only, and incidental expense incurred in the administration of the fund.

Section 3.

Donations of a charitable or relief nature to any person or persons not within the scope of the Benevolent Fund, must be made from the interest derived from the "Walter O. Suber Trust Fund," or from the General Fund upon approval of the Lodge.

ARTICLE XIV -- AMENDMENTS

Section 1.

These By-Laws may be changed, altered, or deleted by resolution in due form presented by two or more Master Masons, members of this Lodge.

Section 2.

The Resolution shall be read for the first time at a Regular Communication. There shall be no discussion after the reading, but shall lay over until the following Communication at which time it shall be read for the second time. After the Second Reading, it may be discussed and considered.

Section 3.

It shall require two-thirds approval of the members present to adopt any change in the By-Laws.

ORDER OF BUSINESS

1) Open

2) Examination of Candidates

3) Reading of the Minutes

4) First Reading of Petitions

5) Second Reading of Petitions and Balloting

6) Reading of Communications and Bills

7) Sickness & Distress

8) Reports of Committees in Writing

9) New Business

10) Old Business

11) Business For The Good of the Order

12) Closing