CHAPTER IX

BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES
THE Board of General Purposes consists ot the Grand Master, Pro Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, the Grand Wardens of the year, the Grand Treasurer, the Grand Regis- trar, the Deputy Grand Registrar, a Presi- dent, Past Presidents, the President of the Board of Benevolence, the Grand Director > of Ceremonies, and twenty-four other mem- bers.
The President and six of such ‘ other members’ are annually appointed by the Grand Master, at the quarterly Grand Lodge in June; and the Grand Lodge, on the same day, elects by ballot from among the actual Masters and Past Masters of Lodges as many as may be required to make up the rernaining eighteen members. A Master and Past Master or more than one Past Master of the same Lodge cannot be elected as such on the same Board; but this does not disqualify any Past Master, being a subscribing mem-
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Board of General Purposes
ber and Master of another Lodge, from being elected for and representing such other Lodge as Master.
One-third at least of the members must go out of office annually, but are eligible for re-election.
The Board meets on the third Tuesday in every month at four o’clock precisely. It may also be convened at other times by command of the Grand Master, or by the authority of the President.
Five members constitute a Board and proceed to business, except in the decision of Masonic complaints, for which purpose at least seven members must be present.
The Board has full power to inspect all books and papers relating to the accounts of the Grand Lodge, and to give orders for the correct arrangement of them; and to summon the Grand Treasurer, Grand Registrar, Grand Secretary, or other Brother having possession of any books, papers, documents, or accounts belonging to the Grand Lodge, and to give such directions as may be neces- sary.
Except when otherwise specially directed by resolution of the Grand Lodge, the Board has the direction of everything relating to
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Freemasonry and its Etiquette
the buildings and furniture of the Grand Lodge.
The Board may recommend to the Grand Lodge whatever it shall deem necessary or advantageous to the welfare and good government of the Craft, and may originate plans for the better regulation of the Grand Lodge and the arrangement of its general transactions, but no recommendations or reports of the Board or of any Committee appointed by the Board may be issued for the consideration of or be voted upon by the Craft until they have been discussed by the Members of Grand Lodge in regular or especial meeting assembled.
The Board has likewise the care and regu- lation of all the concerns of the Grand Lodge, and conducts the correspondence between the Grand Lodge and its subordinate Lodges and Brethren, and communications with sister Grand Lodges and Brethren of emin- ence and distinction throughout the world.
The Board has authority to hear and determine all subjects of Masonic complaint or irregularity respecting Lodges or indi- vidual Masons, when regularly brought before it, and generally to take cognizance of all matters relating to the Craft.
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Board of General Purposes
The Board may proceed to admonition, fine, or suspension, according to the laws; and its decision is final, unless an appeal be made to the Grand Lodge.
The Board may summon the Officers of any Lodge to attend it and to produce the warrant, books, papers, and accounts of the Lodge, or may summon any Brother to attend it and produce his certificate.
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