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Montana Freemason April 2017 Volume 93 Number 1
GRAND MASTER’S PROPOSED RECOMMENDATION NO. 2
GMR-2017-2

A Recommendation to amend Section 25050 of the Code of Statutes to provide a penalty should a A Recommendation to amend Sections 240, of the Constitution to provide for the position of Assistant
Masonic Lodge of this Jurisdiction fail to attend the Annual Grand Lodge Communication for three Grand Treasurer.
years in a row and to provide for an exemption to the penalty upon the Grand Master requesting said
dispensation from the majority of the Brothers assembled at the Annual Communication. Be it resolved that:
Section 240 of the Constitution be amended to read as follows:
Be it resolved that:
Section 25050 of the Code be amended to read as follows: 240. TITLES AND MANNER OF ADDRESS. The Grand Officers of Grand Lodge shall be addressed as
follows:
25050. Representation at Grand Lodge. Each chartered and duly constituted lodge shall be represented in
Grand Lodge at every non-ceremonial communication by one or more of its Master and Wardens or by an The Most Worshipful Grand Master
elected representative. Where a Master or Warden is unable to attend the lodge Instructor shall be given the …
preferential representation. Any Lodge failing to be represented at the Annual Communication after three The Worshipful Assistant Grand Secretary
consecutive years shall have their Charter suspended. If the Grand Master is provided reasonable rationale The Worshipful Assistant Grand Treasurer
for non-attendance prior to the conclusion of the Annual Communication, he may waive the suspension after
a majority vote (620). Submitted February 22, 2017.

Submitted February 22, 2017. Lewis K. Smith
MW Grand Master AF & AM of Montana
Lewis K. Smith
MW Grand Master AF & AM of Montana

Grand Master’s Explanation for the Recommendation
The current Constitution does not provide for the position of Assistant Grand Treasurer. Providing for this
Grand Master’s Explanation for the Recommendation position permits us to appoint an Assistant Grand Treasurer to work with and learn the position should the
The current Code does not spell out the penalty for not having a representative at the Annual Communication. current Grand Treasurer indicate plans to resign or not seek election at or before an Annual Communication.
This resolution provides a proposed action to be imposed and a method for avoiding the action should the The duties of the position will be to assist the Grand Treasurer in the performance of his duties. It is not
Grand Master believe there is reasonable justification for failing to attend the Annual Communication and anticipated that the position be permanently filled.
the Craft agrees.

Committee on Jurisprudence Comments:
Committee on Jurisprudence Comments: This Grand Masters Recommendation was received in proper form and meets the requirements of proposed
This Grand Masters Recommendation was received in proper form and meets the requirements of proposed Legislation. It seeks to amend Section 240 to allow for the addition of an Officer to the Grand Lodge Officers
Legislation. It seeks to allow for a penalty to be imposed on any Lodge failing to have representation at the Line, that of an Assistant Grand Treasurer. Due to the reference of a Constitutional amendment; as per
Annual Communication after three consecutive years shall have their Charter suspended. This legislation will “Section 810, this legislation, by direction of the Grand Master will be referred to a special committee for
amend Section 25050 of the Code of Statutes and will require, as per “Section 50320 A two-thirds vote of the review and corrections as needed without changing its original intent and reported to the craft recommendation
member’s present shall be required to alter, amend or repeal these Statutes.” of passage or defeat. The Special Committee may concurrently recommend substantive amendments or a
substitute Constitutional amendment. This will then require a simple majority for this legislation and/or
amendments to be referred to the Committee on Jurisprudence, who shall report thereon at the next annual
communication at which time a three-fourths vote is in favor is required to be adopted and shall become a
part of this Constitution at the close of that Communication.”

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