Fort Wayne Chapter
DeMolay International
Chartered February 7, 1925
Bylaws
Revised
March 2005
NAME OF
CHAPTER
This
Chapter, under Charter from the International Supreme Council of the Order of DeMolay, and known as Fort Wayne Chapter of
the Order of DeMolay, shall be governed first by the Constitution, Statutes, and Chapter Regulations of the International
Supreme Council of the Order of DeMolay; and second by the following by-laws;
CHAPTER
SPONSOR
This
Chapter is sponsored by Highland Lodge #762 located at 216 E Washington Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN 46802.
Additional
sponsor ship is held by Waynedale Lodge #739 located at 7039 Elzey St Fort Wayne, IN 46809.
The
Chapter is also sponsored by The Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite in the Valley of Fort Wayne, IN.
ARTICLE
I -MEETINGS
SECTION 1. Stated Meetings:
1. The meetings and activities of the Chapter shall be held at the Fort Wayne Masonic Temple
at 216 E. Washington Blvd Fort Wayne, IN 46802 on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. The second Tuesday
will be a stated advisory council meeting and an Executive Committee meeting. The fourth and any additional Tuesdays of the
month will be used for ritual practice, visiting other chapters, and fun nights.
2. Due to excessive heat, during the months of May through August, the
meetings and activities of the Chapter shall be held at the Waynedale
Masonic Temple at 7039 Elzey St
Fort Wayne, IN 46809.
3. The Advisory Council can approve a change in location from either
of the above locations as long as sufficient notice can be given.
SECTION 2. Executive Committee Meetings:
The Master
Councilor shall have one (1) Executive Committee Meeting every month; no Official Chapter Business shall be conducted at this
meeting. The main purpose of this meeting is to review Chapter progress and make recommendations to the Committees. This Committee
shall be made up of the Master Councilor, Senior Councilor, Junior Councilor and Chapter Advisor. Following this meeting the
Master Councilor will present the current chapter status to the advisory council.
SECTION 3. Committee Meetings:
All Standing
Committee Chairman shall hold one (1) or more Committee Meetings each month, at which time they shall discuss, plan and analyze
all aspects of their committee, and they shall draw up recommendations which they shall make to the Chapter at the next Stated
Meeting following the Committee Meeting.
SECTION 4. Cancellation or Change of Meeting:
A Stated
Meeting may be cancelled or a change made in time or place by appropriate "Official" action of the voting Chapter members
or by the Chairman of the Advisory Council during inclement weather. Every effort must be made to notify all persons
involved by phone and mail.
ARTICLE
II -TERM OF OFFICE
SECTION 1. Term of Office:
The Master
Councilor, Senior Councilor and Junior Councilor of the chapter shall be elected every six (6) months; on the second meeting
of May and the second meeting of November. The Treasurer will be a year long position and will elected at the second meeting
of November.
SECTION 2. Election of Offices:
1. The elective officers
shall be elected by a paper ballot cast by the individual present members only. A majority of the ballots, not counting blank
ballots, shall be necessary for a choice.
2. All other officers will
be appointed by the Master Councilor.
3. Qualifications to Vote: A
member shall not be eligible to vote unless he has earned or received an Obligation Card or with approval of the Advisory
Council.
SECTION 3. Installation:
Officers
shall be installed within forty-five (45) days after the determination of officers has been made.
SECTION 4. Duties of Officers
1. Master Councilor
a. It is the duty
of the Master Councilor to see that the statutes of the International Supreme Council of the Order
of DeMolay and Bylaws of the Chapter are fully observed by the Chapter; that accurate records are kept and just accounts rendered;
and that initiations are held at least once in his term of office
b. He shall preside at meetings
of the Chapter. If absent, the next ranking officer will preside.
c. He is required to appoint
standing Committees, committee for visitation of petitions and all special committees.
d. He shall superintend the observance
of Obligatory days.
e. He shall perform all other
duties appropriate to his office and those assigned to him by ISC Statutes, these Bylaws and the Executive Officer of the
State of Indiana.
f. He shall be the chairman
of the communications committee.
2. Senior Councilor
a. The Senior Councilor shall
be chairman of the fund raising finance committee.
b. He shall prepare a term plan
to be submitted to the advisory council for approval one month prior to his installation as Master Councilor.
c. He, in consultation with the
Executive Committee, shall prepare an appointment list; for the next term of office (as Master Councilor) specifying Chairman
and Vice Chairman for the following standing committees: Athletic, Auditing, Awards, Communications, Entertainment, Finance,
Membership and Sickness and Distress.
3. Junior Councilor
The
Junior Councilor shall be chairman of the Membership Committee, and perform the duties of coordinating Orientation & Proficiency
for the new members.
4. Scribe
a. The Scribe shall record all
the Transactions of the Chapter.
b. He shall keep the records for inspection.
c. He shall collect all fees
and dues and pay the same immediately to the Treasurer and take his receipts therefore.
d. He shall perform all duties
appropriate to his office, and those assigned to him by these Bylaws, ISC Statutes and Executive officer of the State of Indiana.
e. A Senior DeMolay may
hold the office of scribe.
5. Treasurer
a. The Treasurer shall perform
all duties appropriate to his office, and those assigned to him by these Bylaws, the ISC Statutes or the Executive Officer
of the State of Indiana.
b.
He shall be a member
of the fund raising finance committee.
c.
The Scribe may also
hold the Treasurer position.
6. Stewards
It shall
be the duty of the stewards to have the Chapter room prepared with all necessary regalia and equipment at least fifteen (15)
minutes before the stated start time of any Stated or Called meeting. They shall store all equipment at the close of meeting
and maintain and transport all the properties of the Chapter.
7.
Other Officers
Each
shall perform all the duties appropriate to his office, and those assigned to each by these Bylaws, ISC Statutes, or the executive
Officer of the State of Indiana.
ARTICLE
III -FEES
Section 1. Membership:
Membership
in this Chapter shall be by Life Membership or Affiliation. The Life Membership Fee is ten (10.00) dollars plus any fee due
to the International Supreme Council and State Association. The fees must be paid before conferral of the Initiatory Degree.
Section 2. Affiliation:
The fee
for affiliation in this Chapter shall be ten ($10.00) dollars and must accompany the petition for affiliation.
ARTICLE
IV -DRESS CODE
Section 1. Dress codes:
1. Dress code 1 consists
of suits and dress shoes: or sports coat, dress slacks, dress shirt, tie, and dress shoes.
2. Dress code 2 is the same as code 1 however
does not require a jacket.
3. Dress code 3 is business-casual
attire. This consists of slacks (not Jeans), a collared or button up shirt or sweater, and nice shoes.
4. Dress code 4 is casual
cloths. Jeans, tennis shoes, and t-shirts are acceptable provided they are clean and in good taste.
5. Dress code 5 is athletic
apparel.
Section
2. Attire:
The stated
meetings and all called meetings and business sessions of the chapter will be dress code 2. During degree work dress code
1 will be required. Advisory Council meetings will be dress code 4. All chapter fun nights will be dress code 4 or 5, depending
on the event. No member of Fort Wayne Chapter shall be admitted to any Stated, Called or Special meeting unless properly attired
or with permission from the Advisory Council under special circumstances.
Section 3. Dress for Masonic affiliated activities:
The dress
for Masonic affiliated activities shall be that of Dress code 1or 2 unless stated otherwise.
ARTICLE
V – VOTING
Section 1. Voting:
A Chapter
member is eligible to vote if he is in good standing, has not been validly suspended or expelled, and has a valid obligation
card. A Chapter member may also vote with permission from the Advisory Council under special circumstances.
Section 2. Proficiency:
A member
must, by examination in open Chapter at a stated or special meeting, demonstrate that he committed to memory the obligation
and examination queries, in order to be eligible to vote on petitions, the election of officers, or other matters, or to hold
office. When a member has thus demonstrated his proficiency, he will be issued an obligation card. Ruling for the demonstration
of proficiency shall be determined by a majority vote of the voting Chapter members.
Section 3. Presiding officer:
The Master
Councilor as presiding officer shall be entitled to his one (1) vote of all matters that are brought before the assembly,
except when otherwise prohibited by these bylaws.
ARTICLE
VI -COMMITTEES
Section 1. Standing Committees:
The Master
Councilor shall appoint, on the day of his installation or as soon thereafter as possible, the following Standing Committees:
1. An “Athletic Committee”
to plan and coordinate sporting activities.
2. An “Auditing Committee”
of two (2) or more members of the Chapter and one member of the Advisory Council, whose duties shall be to examine the books
of the Treasurer and Scribe and report thereon to the Advisory Council and to the Chapter at the next stated meeting, or a
later date if approved by the chapter advisor.
3. An “Awards Committee”
to keep the records of Awards and Competitions and to recommend the dispersal of awards and recognition's therein.
4. A “Communication Committee”,
whose duties include the monthly production and disbursement of the newsletter and public relation activities as needed.
5. An “Entertainment Committee”
of two (2) or more members who shall have charge of the social activities of the Chapter.
6. A “Finance Committee”
of two (2) or more members of the Chapter whose duties shall be to prepare a budget in accordance with ISC Statutes Section
352.6.
7. A “Membership Committee”
of at least two (2) or more members of the Chapter and one member of the Advisory Council, whose duties shall be to plan and
promote a proper membership program for the Chapter and to organize the Initiatory and DeMolay Degree rehearsals and performance
of these degrees at the request of the Master Councilor.
8. A “Sickness and Distress
Committee”, whose duties shall be to visit all sick members and report to the scribe, or in open chapter, the results
of their visits to any sick member, together with such recommendations as they may care to make.
Section 2. Special Committees:
The Master
Councilor, from time to time, may appoint such special committees as are deemed to be expedient or necessary. The size of
a special committee shall be at the discretion of the Master Councilor, unless the Chapter directs the size thereof.
Section 3. Chairman of Committee:
The first
named member of any committee shall be Chairman thereof or shall be appointed by the Master Councilor upon formation of the
committee, or elected by the committee with approval from the Master Councilor.
Section 4. Action by committees:
In case
of the neglect of the Chairman to call a meeting of a committee in proper time, any two (2) members of a committee shall have
the power to call together as many members of the same as are accessible, and if a majority be present, they shall be empowered
to report their conclusions to the Chapter to the Chapter either jointly or individually.
Section 5. Master Councilor, Member:
The Master Councilor shall be, by virtue of his office, a member of all committees.
Section 6. Visitation Committees on Petitions:
Visitation
committees on petitions must be appointed in accordance with ISC Statutes, Section 345.5.
ARTICLE
VII -GENERAL
Section 1. Fund Raising:
The members
of this Chapter shall not sell "door to door" involving any type of fund raising activity unless specifically approved by
a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the voting members present at any stated or special meeting of this Chapter.
Section 2. Travel Expenses:
The Chapter
shall reimburse all required drivers for gas on Chapter sanctioned trips over fifty (50) miles round trip with approval of
the Advisory Council.
Section 3. Bylaws Approval and Amendment
Amendments
to these bylaws will be written and submitted to the advisory council. After Advisory Council approval the amendment will
go before the membership for approval. It takes a 75% approval vote for the addition to be made. Thirty days notice must be
given to all members of an upcoming vote to amend the bylaws.
ARTICLE
VIII -DELEGATES
Section 1. Responsibilities:
The Four
(4) elected delegates plus Two (2) alternates shall attend all state business sessions, including the conclave business session.
Section
2. Election:
The nominations and elections shall be held at the first meeting
following Conclave of every year.
Section 3. Nominations:
All nominations
must be seconded and there is no limit to the number of nominations for these positions.
Section 4. Attendance:
It is
not necessary for a member to be present to be nominated to a delegate position, the member must have a signed statement expressing
his willingness, and pledge to perform the responsibilities of his office. The statement must be on file with the Chapter
when nominations are held in order for his name to be considered.
Section 5. Voting:
Voting
will be cast by secret ballot. A majority is needed to win.
Section 6. Campaigning:
Before
voting, each nominee may have one Brother give a short speech in his behalf. These speeches shall last no longer than five
(5) minutes each.
Section 7. Confirmation:
The Four
(4) top vote receivers will become delegates and the first and second runners-up will become the alternates. In case of a
tie, a re-ballot shall be taken, dropping the member who receives the least amount of votes.
Section 8. Alternate delegates:
The alternate
delegates only become a delegate in the event that a delegate is absent from a business session.
ARTICLE
IX –SWEETHEART PROGRAM
Section 1. Term:
The term
of office will begin at the Sweetheart ball in February and last one year. The term will conclude with the coronation
of the new officers at the sweetheart ball the following year.
Section 2. Positions:
1) Chapter Sweetheart
2) Senior Princess
3) Junior Princess
Section 3. Eligibility:
Chapter Princess
1) Must be a Job’s Daughter in good standing
2) Must have approval from the Job’s Daughters council. Approval
will be based on their performance in the Bethel. The prospective candidate must prove herself to be capable within the
Bethel before diluting her time.
Chapter Sweetheart
1) She must meet all of the requirements above.
2) She must have served previously as one of the Chapter Princesses.
Section 4. Responsibilities:
1) The Sweetheart and Princesses will be responsible
for planning one event per month. This nature of the event, time and location will be
entirely at their discretion.
2) During the month of February they will be
responsible for planning the Sweetheart Ball along with the Master Councilor or his delegate. The Ball will be held
on the Saturday closest to Valentines Day.
Section 5. Election:
The sweetheart
and princess candidates will be required to meet three sections of and election process.
1) During the first meeting
in January the prospective candidates will attend the stated meeting and will submit a term plan for their year in office
to the chapter.
2) During the second meeting
in January the prospective candidates will attend the stated meeting and will answer twenty questions from the Chapter Dad
concerning basic DeMolay knowledge. Study material will be available from the Chapter Dad at least 30 days in advance. All
material will come from the DeMolay Leader’s Resource Guide.
3) During the first meeting
in February the prospective candidates will attend the stated meeting and give a short speech to the Chapter members about
how they can best serve the Chapter.
Following the individual speeches a secret paper ballot will be taken. The Chapter Dad, Sweetheart Advisor, and Chairman of the Advisory Council will tally the votes. The winner will be announced at the Sweetheart Ball.
Section 6. General:
1) The Sweetheart and Princess
will be expected to take the Leadership Correspondence Course with the chapter sometime during her term.
2)
The Chapter will provide a crown and sash
for the chapter sweetheart and Princess’s. If, at the end of the term, the Sweetheart or Princess’s want to keep
their Crown and or Sash they must notify the Chapter at least 60 days before the end of their term. They will be responsible
for 50% of the replacement cost.
3)
If, during her term, the Chapter Sweetheart
earns a higher title (State Sweetheart, or Job’s Grand line) which will limit her ability to represent the chapter she
will be asked to resign her position. In this circumstance the Senior Princess will assume the position of Chapter Sweetheart
and the Chapter Sweetheart will assume the Princess position.
ARTICLE
X –PUBLICATIONS
Section 1. Square and Compass:
1) The Master Councilor will
be responsible for writing an article monthly for submission in the Fort Wayne Square and Compass.
2)
This article will be submitted to the Chapter Dad or Publications Advisor by the first of the month.
3) The Article will be written
for the month following the submission date.
Section 2. Newsletter:
1) The Chapter will publish a
monthly newsletter to be sent to all members, advisors, and interested 3rd parties. The mailing list will
be at the discretion of the Chapter Advisory Council.
2) The same newsletter will also be available in electronic
format for mass distribution to anyone interested in following the progress of Fort
Wayne DeMolay.
