BY-LAWS
OF
DeMOLAY LODGE No. 199
A. F. & A. M.

ARTICLE I
Name of Lodge

This Lodge was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Texas on the 21st. day of January, 1857, and shall be known by the name and style of DeMolay Lodge No. 199, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.

This Lodge subscribes to and shall be governed by the Constitution, Laws, Resolutions, and Edicts of the Grand Lodge of Texas. top

ARTICLE II
Meetings of the Lodge

Section 1. The stated meetings shall be held on the third Tuesday of June, September, December and March at 7:00 o'clock p.m.

Section 2. Called meetings may be made by the Worshipful Master (or in his absence or inability to serve, by the Senior Warden, or in the absence of both Master and Senior Warden, then by the Junior Warden), at such times as they, or     either of them,, having the right to act, may think important, or to the interest of the Craft.

ARTICLE III
Officers of the Lodge

The officers of this Lodge shall be a Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens, Treasurer, Secretary, Chaplain, Senior and Junior Deacons, Senior and  Junior Stewards,  Marshal,  Master  of Ceremonies, Musician, and Tiler . top

ARTICLE IV
Election of Officers

Section 1. The Worshipful Master, Wardens, Treasurer, and Secretary shall be  elected, all other officers shall be appointed.

Section 2. In the election of officers, should only one name be placed in nomination, the vote may be taken without ballot; but should more than one Brother be placed in nomination, the members shall-prepare their ballots, which shall be taken up and counted at the Secretary's desk, and the number of votes received by each Brother reported to the presiding officer, and he shall declare the Brother receiving a majority of all the votes cast duly elected.

Section 3. In the event no Brother has such majority., the ballot will be repeated until such result is attained. Blank votes shall not be considered in determining the result. top

ARTICLE V
Duties of Officers

Section 1. Worshipful Master - It shall be the duty of the Worshipful Master to see     that the By-Laws of the Lodge, as well as the Constitution and Regulations of the Grand Lodge are duly observed, and that the officers attend strictly to their duties.

Section 2. Treasurer - It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to hold all deeds, certificates of stock, notes, bonds, obligations, or other property of a financial character, belonging to the Lodge, and to collect and receive the same when directed by the Lodge; to receive all moneys from the hands of the Secretary, passing his receipt for the same; and pay them out only upon the order of the Worshipful Master and consent of the Lodge.

Section 3. He shall keep a correct account of the same, and report minutely the financial condition of the Lodge and report to the Lodge upon his finances whenever directed by the Lodge to do so. He shall balance his books and turn same over to the Finance Committee at the end of June each year.

Section 4. Secretary - It shall be the duty of the Secretary to carefully observe the proceedings of the Lodge; make a correct record of all things proper to be written, and to receive all moneys due the Lodge; turning them over to the Treasurer, taking his receipt for the same.

Section 5. It shall also be the duty of the Secretary:

1. To keep all books and papers relating to the proceedings of the Lodge.
   
2. To authenticate all official papers and documents emanating from the Lodge with the seal of the same.
   
3. To notify all Brethren of their election to office, if they were not present at the time of election.
   
4. To notify the Grand Secretary, as prescribed by law, of the suspension or expulsion of members, and of the rejection of applicants; to issue all summons demits, and notices as he may be directed; to make out and transmit to the Grand Secretary the annual returns of this Lodge; remit also to him the Grand Lodge due report to the Grand Secretary the names of all Brethren elected to Parent or Plural Membership; and perform all other duties appertaining to his office.
   
5. To report to the Lodge, through the Treasurer, the amounts and items of his receipts and disbursements in the General Working Fund at the end of June each year and whenever directed by the Lodge to do so.
   

Section 6. Tiler - It shall be the duty of the Tiler to see that the Lodge room is kept clean and in order; and that the various articles of furniture are in their appropriate places; to strictly guard the door during the sitting of the Lodge; and be punctual in his attendance.  top

ARTICLE VI
Standing Committees

Section 1. The Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens shall constitute a Standing Committee on Fraternal Assistance, Sickness, and Arbitration, a majority of whom may at all times act, and are responsible to the Lodge. Their duties are as follows:

1. Fraternal Assistance - It is their duty to examine all claimants for assistance, and, if necessary, they may draw upon the Treasurer, in each instance, for an amount not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100.00), reporting the facts in each case to the Lodge at its next stated meeting thereafter.
   
2. Sickness - It shall be their duty to visit all sick Brethren (unless it would be dangerous or imprudent to do so), and ascertain their condition and necessities; and to take such action as they may deem proper and necessary, both in regard to the Brother and his family.
   
3. Arbitration - It shall also be the duty of this committee to settle all differences between Brethren, unless the parties prefer to bring the matter before the Lodge.
   

Section 2. Committee on Finance - It shall be the duty of the Worshipful Master, at     the first stated meeting after his Installation, to appoint a Standing Committee on Finance, to be composed of three discreet Master Masons, members of this Lodge, and, if possible, men practically acquainted with bookkeeping.

Section 3. It shall be the duty of this committee, at the close of each Masonic year, as soon as appointed, and oftener if required, to carefully examine and check on the reports, books and vouchers of the Secretary and Treasurer, and any other financial matters referred to them; and make a full and accurate report at the next stated meeting of the Lodge, showing the condition of the books and accounts. And should any inaccuracies be found, recommend the necessary steps for their correction. In the matter of ordinary accounts referred to them, they may, if satisfied, report instanter.

Section 4. The reports of said Committee on Finance thus made, shall be read in open Lodge and spread upon the minutes, noting the action taken by the Lodge; and all accounts and claims against the Lodge, when demanded by any Brother, shall first be referred to this committee, before being allowed.

Section 5. Budget Committee - It shall be the duty of the Worshipful Master, at the first stated meeting after his Installation, to appoint a Standing Committee on Budget, to be composed of three discreet Master Masons, members of this Lodge, and, if possible, men practically acquainted with budgeting.

Section 6. It shall be the duty of this committee to provide a budget for the Lodge for the next annual calendar year, and submit the same to the Lodge at a stated or called communication for that purpose, not later than the last day of January of each calendar year, for the approval of the Lodge. top

ARTICLE VIl
Fees for the Degrees

The fees for the degrees of this Lodge shall be an amount not less than prescribed in Article 307 of the Constitution and Laws of the Grand Lodge of Texas. Fees for degrees in this Lodge shall be as follows: For Initiation $100.00, which shall in all cases accompany the Petition; for Passing $100.00; for Raising $100.00 to be paid into the hands of the Secretary, who must in all cases declare himself satisfied before any degree can be conferred. In addition to the regular fees collected by the Lodge a $25.00 contribution to the Masonic Home and School shall be collected from each applicant for the Master Mason's Degree. (Art. 307 and 163-5) Also in addition to the regular fees a $5.00 contribution to the George Washington Masonic Memorial shall be collected from each applicant for the Entered Apprentice Degree. top

ARTICLE VIII
Dimits

A member is chargeable with the pro rata portion of his dues as provided in Art. 317. top

ARTICLE IX
Lodge Dues

Each member of this Lodge (unless herein exempted) shall pay dues from the time of his raising or affiliation, an amount set by the Lodge not less than prescribed in Article 311 of the Constitution and Laws. The dues of this Lodge shall be $55.00 per calendar year, payable in advance to the Secretary on or before the first day of January each year. A member in arrears for dues on the 24th day of June of such year shall be automatically suspended according to Grand Lodge Law, Article 319. Upon payment of all dues within one year after suspension, the Brother shall be reinstated without action of the Lodge. One Life Membership per year may be given by the Lodge in compliance with Grand Lodge Law. top

ARTICLE X
Visiting Brethren

Section 1. A visitor shall not be admitted except upon due examination or lawful information.

Section 2. In the event that the visiting Brother is a stranger and hails from some     Lodge in another Grand Jurisdiction, it shall be the duty of the Secretary to notify the visitor's Lodge that we have had the pleasure of a visit by one of its members, giving the name and date. top

ARTICLE XI
Miscellaneous Regulations

Section 1. Weapons- Weapons, either offensive or defensive, shall not be carried into the Lodge room.

ARTICLE XII
Order of Business

At stated meetings after opening the Lodge in due and Ancient form, a quorum being present, the Order of Business, unless otherwise ordered by the Lodge, or the Worshipful Master, shall be as follows:

1. Reading, correcting and approval of Minutes of previous meetings
   
2. Receiving and referring to Committees of Petitions and Applications
   
3. Reports Of Special Committees (including reports of committees on petitions)
   
4. Balloting on Petitions and Applications
   
5. Reports of Standing Committees (including reports on sickness and distress)
   
6. Communications from the Grand Master and the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Texas
   
7. Unfinished Business
   
8. Motions, Resolutions and New Business
   
9. Examinations for Proficiency in the proper degree
   
10. Voting on Proficiency
    
11. Claims and Accounts top
    

ARTICLE XIII
Rules of Business

The rules of conducting the business of this Lodge shall be as nearly as possible the same as those prescribed for the Grand Lodge, and in addition, as follows:

Section 1. When a question is decided, the same matter shall not again be acted on during that meeting, unless on motion to reconsider, which can only be made by a member voting in the majority, and at that or the next stated meeting, when there must be an equal or greater number of members present than when the action was had.

Section 2. All questions of order shall be decided by the Worshipful Master without appeal or debate; but the Master may ask the advice of any member before deciding; and he has the right., at any time, to declare the Lodge closed or called off, for the purpose of stopping angry debate or confusion. top

ARTICLE XIV
Amendments of By-Laws

Section 1. No amendments of these By-Laws, either by alteration or addition, shall be made, unless in the following manner:

Section 2. The proposed amendment must be in writing, signed by the proposer, and presented and read at a stated meeting of this Lodge, at which time it may be discussed and amended, if necessary.

Section 3. At the next stated meeting of the Lodge it shall again be considered and voted on without further amendment; and if approved by a majority of the votes of the members present, it shall become a part of the By-Laws, upon compliance with the other provisions of this Article.

Section 4. All amendments of these By-Laws must be submitted to the Grand Lodge for its approval before they take effect, except the following. The Form of Lodge By Laws set forth in Form No. 23 appended to the laws of the Grand Lodge of Texas shall be adopted by Lodges under dispensation. Such form of Lodge By Laws need not be submitted for approval.

1. Fixing, raising or lowering the fee for each degree, or the annual dues, within the minimum limitations fixed by the Laws of the Grand Lodge, except as provided in Art. 309.
   
2. Adopting its own regulations as to the payment of its Treasurer, Secretary and, Tiler.
   
3. The day and hour of meeting, or the number of stated meetings per month, may be changed to suit its convenience. Whenever a change in the number of meetings per month, or of the day of meeting, is made, the Grand Secretary must be notified at once. top
   

ARTICLE XV
Approval

The above By-Laws having been approved by the M:W: Grand Lodge of Texas, on the 2nd day of December, A.D. 2004, for adoption; this is to certify that DeMolay Lodge No. 199, A.F. & A.M., located at San Antonio, Texas, has on this 26th day of June, A.D. 2004, adopted the same.

By order of the Lodge,
James A. Rodriguez
Secretary