June 4, 2010
To: Worshipful Masters and Officers of All Particular Lodges
Grand Lodge Officers
Past Grand Masters
District Deputy Grand Masters
Re: Summary of Legislation
181st Annual Grand Communication
Dear Brethren:
In compliance with Chapter 13.04 of the Digest of the Masonic Law of Florida, listed below are the Resolutions enacted at the 181st Annual Grand Communication held in Orlando, Florida, on May 31, June 1 and June 2, 2010. This summary shall be reviewed by the Elected Lodge Officers and reported to the Brethren in Open Lodge at the next Stated Communication after its receipt.
At the 181st Annual Grand Communication of The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Florida the following Grand Lodge Officers were Elected and Installed:
MW J. Dick Martinez, Grand Master
RW Jim J Harris, Deputy Grand Master
RW J. L. “George” Aladro, Senior Grand Warden
RW Danny R. Griffith, Junior Grand Warden
MW Elmer G. Coffman, P.G.M., Grand Treasurer
MW Richard E. Lynn, P.G.M., Grand Secretary
This report contains one (1) Constitutional change sanctioned and ten (10) Regulation changes adopted.
Constitutional Amendments Adopted:
- Resolution to change the Constitution to allow the Committee on Work to be composed of not fewer than ten nor more than fifteen.
Resolutions adopted to change Regulations:
- Resolution to remove the Standing Committee on Education from the list of Standing Committees of the Lodge.
- Resolution to make the Committee of Masonic Education one of the seven standing Committees required by all Lodges; also creates a Sub-Committee for the Masonic Education of Candidates to be named the Lodge Mentor’s Committee with attendant duties.
- Resolution to allow Mothers of Master Masons to become Residents of the Masonic Home of Florida under the Private Pay Plan.
- Resolution to increase the penalty for late payments of Grand Lodge dues and assessments from $10.00 to $50.00 or five percent of the balance past due whichever is greater.
- Resolution to allow the Endowment and Investment Committee to develop a pooled investment account of funds voluntarily invested by Particular Lodges with oversight of said investment account to be the same as for other Grand Lodge investment funds.
- Resolution to allow the Grand Master to appoint additional designees from a list submitted to him by the Committee on Work for opening duplicate copies of the Forms and Ceremonies.
- Resolution to make it clear that the Blue Proficiency Card recognizes being proficient in the questions and answers of the Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason Catechisms in addition to its other requirements.
- Resolution to amend Regulation 44.67 to allow Grand Lodge, after review and recommendation by the Jurisprudence Committee, to adjust the penalty in all cases of appeal to the Grand Lodge for the action of a Lodge or Special Trial Commission.
- Resolution to make the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Senior Grand Warden, Junior Grand Warden, and Grand Treasurer non-voting members of the Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence.
- Resolution changes Regulation 44.26 to state that charges of unmasonic conduct are not considered formally filed until such charges are either accepted by the Lodge or Grand Lodge for prosecution.
This Summary has been prepared by MW Robert P. Harry, Jr., P.G.M., Chairman of the Jurisprudence Sub-Committee on Masonic Digest.
