Revisions:

BY LAWS
for the 

THE EDWARD J. WILDBLOOD, Jr. - 
LODGE OF  RESEARCH OF VERMONT
No. 110, F. & A. M.

PREAMBLE

	This Lodge shall be governed by the law of the land; the landmarks, articles of incorporation, and constitution of The Grand Lodge of The Most Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Vermont; Bylaws of the Vermont Masonic Code; and these bylaws not inconsistent there with.

All Master Masons, Fellow Craft and Entered Apprentice’s in good standing are invited and encouraged to attend the Research Lodge Meetings.  They are welcome to join in the discussions on presented papers but have no voting powers in the lodge nor can they hold an elective office.  Non-members may submit papers to the Master for consideration by the lodge.  Such papers become the property of the Research Lodge for disposition.

ARTICLE  1

Name

¶ 1.1 Name.   The name and number of this Lodge shall be:
 
  THE EDWARD J. WILDBLOOD, Jr. -  LODGE OF RESEARCH  OF
  VERMONT No. 110 - F. & A. M.

ARTICLE II

Purpose

¶ 2.1 Lodge Purpose   The purpose of the Lodge is to foster research, discussions and education of the craft at large regarding topics of Masonic history, symbolism, philosophy and current events. Accordingly, the Lodge shall not confer degrees upon candidates.

ARTICLE III

Communications

¶ 3.1 Regular Communications.  Regular communications shall be held on the Tuesday of or following the full moon, as determined by the Master, in the months of April, September, and February commencing at 7:00 p.m., unless suspended by the Lodge as herein provided.  In the event that no full moon shall occur in one of the aforesaid months or in the event of other irreconcilable conflict, then the meeting shall be held on a date during such month noticed by the Master.  Communication shall be held at such duly charted lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Vermont as the Master may set forth in the notice of the communication.  Except as otherwise required by the Vermont Masonic Code or these bylaws not inconsistent therewith, all matters or motions before the Lodge shall be decided by majority vote of the members present.

¶ 3.2 Annual Communications.  The Annual Communication shall be the regular communication in April and shall be held at any duly charted lodge within the city of Rutland, Vermont.  At the annual communication, the Lodge may vote whether to suspend or add any regular communications during the year.

¶ 3.3 Notice of Regular Communication.  The Master shall be responsible for giving notice of the date, place, and time of any regular communication by having the same communicated at least 30 days prior to the communication to the Full Members as well as the Corresponding Members.  The notice shall include identification, when possible, of the individuals who will be presenting their papers at said communication together with the topics of said papers, and shall contain the minutes of the previous communication to obviate the necessity of reading the same in open Lodge.  Secretary shall be charged with mailing the notice at the direction of the Master.  Mailings and warnings may be made via internet, website, or other electronic media at the discretion of the Master and Secretary.

¶ 3.4 Communication Format.  The agenda for regular communications shall consist of the following in the order recited:  Opening and approval of minutes, payment of bills, communications, old business, new business, and presentation of papers followed by brief discussion, closing.  Agenda for the Annual communication shall be as follows;   Opening, approval of minutes, payment of bills, communication, old business, new business, Master's annual report, Secretary's annual report, Treasurer's annual report, election of officers, presentation of papers followed by brief discussion ( if time allows ), closing.  It is acknowledged by all Members that the fundamental purpose of the Lodge is to foster research, writing, and presentation of papers of Masonic interest.  Members shall therefore use discretion and refrain from irrelevant or superfluous discussion or comment in open lodge.

¶ 3.5 Special Communications.  A special communication may be called by the Master at any time, but notice must be given to each member stating the business to be considered (which business must have received the prior dispensation of the Grand Master) and no other business than that specified in the case may be transacted.  Not less than one week's notice must be given of the time of the meeting.

ARTICLE   IV

Membership

¶ 4.1 Eligibility for Full Correspondent Membership.   Any Master Mason (MM, FC or EA) who: 

(1)   Is a member in good standing of a Lodge under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Vermont or 
         of a Lodge whose Grand Lodge is recognized by the Grand Lodge of Vermont,

(2)  (4)   must, at all times remain in good standing in his other Vermont Lodge or in his Lodge  
       recognized by the Grand Lodge of Vermont. 

(2)   has submitted and had published at least two papers in the Transactions.

(3)   Submits a petition for Corresponding Membership with the required fee and satisfies the other requirements specified herein.  , may petition for full membership in the Lodge.

(4)  ¶ 4.4 Correspondent Memberships.  Requests for Correspondent status in the Lodge may be accepted from any Master Mason of a Lodge chartered by the Grand Lodge of VT, or from any Lodge recognized by the Grand Lodge of VT or from a lodge itself, that has been, duly chartered or recognized by the Grand Lodge of Vermont 

	(a)  Endorsements.  A request for Correspondent status by a lodge must be endorsed by the 
                   Master, Secretary of the Lodge of Research and by the RW Grand Secretary of the Grand 
                    Lodge of Vermont (mainly for out of state jurisdictions).
	
             (b)  Rights.  Correspondent Members shall receive one copy of the Transactions as the  
                    same are published.  They shall be entitled to sit in Lodge and participate in the discussions 
                    of papers.  They shall have the right to submit papers for consideration by the Master and for  
                    publication in the Transactions.

	(c) Papers.  Correspondent Members shall not be required to submit  
                 papers, but will be required to pay all dues, assessments, etc. as set  
                 forth in future actions by vote of the lodge.

¶ 4.2 Petitions for full Corresponding Membership.  The form of the petition for membership, and the procedure for consideration following the above pre-requisites, shall be in accordance with the Vermont Masonic Code and Article V below.

¶ 4.3 Full Membership:   Request for FULL MEMBERSHIP and requirements thereof:

	(a) A Correspondent Member may request FULL Membership after the 
                submission and acceptance of two papers for publication and receive all 
                benefits as hereafter defined, refer to Article VII.

	(b)  ¶ 4.3 Papers by Full Members.  Each full member of the Lodge, to maintain that status, 
                as a minimum, shall be required to submit a paper at least two double-spaced typewritten 
                   pages in length, with or without footnotes, each year on a topic of Masonic history, 
                   symbolism, philosophy, or current events.  The format and style for the paper shall be set 
                   forth from time to time by the Master.  Each full member shall further periodically present 
                his paper or a brief summary of a paper in open Lodge at a time set by, and in the 
                  discretion of, the Master.  The topics for each year shall be discussed with and approved by 
                  the Master following the annual communication and the Master shall promptly publish a list of 
                  topics and schedules for presentation in the Lodge subsequent to each annual 
                  communication.  Papers shall be submitted to the Master at least 45 days prior to the date of 
                  the annual communication of the Lodge.   

NOTICE!  Failure without reason of a member to submit a paper for two successive years shall result in automatic reduction to Correspondent Membership status in the Lodge and all FULL Membership benefits will be forfeited.

¶ 4.4 Grand Masters.  All Past Grand Masters and the sitting Grand Master are hereby determined to be permanent members of the Research Lodge and are exempt from dues.  They will be given a copy of latest published transaction upon request and will be mailed all correspondence.

4.5 Honorary Membership:   Members voted Honorary Membership by the lodge shall receive all benefits of a Correspondent Member except they will be exempt from dues for a period of two (2) years.  After which they will be automatically made Corresponding Members and be subject to all rules and regulations of a regular VT Lodge.

ARTICLE  V

Accepting and Balloting Upon Petitions

¶ 5.1 Time.  Balloting on Acceptance of petitions for Full Correspondent Membership status  
                    shall be held at the annual next regular communication after receipt by of the Lodge Secretary. 

NOTICE! Correspondent Membership petitions, upon receipt, will be approved after the next regular
Communication after approval of the Master, the Secretary and the Right Worshipful Grand
Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Vermont.  Name of petitioner must be read aloud at that
communication with an opportunity for discussion to follow.]

¶ 5.2 Disclosure.  No brother, whether or not a member of the Lodge, shall inform a rejected petitioner, directly or indirectly, how a member of the Lodge voted or how he believes a member of the Lodge voted, on his petition.

¶ 5.3 Discipline.   A brother violating the preceding section is guilty of un - Masonic conduct.

ARTICLE  VI

Officers
¶ 6.1  Officers.  
	a) Elected Officers.  The elected officers are the Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer and Secretary.

	b)  Appointed Officers. The appointed officers are the Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon, Senior Steward, Junior Steward, Chaplain, Marshal and Tyler, and such others as may be appointed by the Master.

¶ 6.2  Time of Election or Appointment.  The officers are to be elected or appointed, as appropriate, at the annual communication and installed at the annual communication of the Lodge or as soon thereafter as practical.

¶ 6.3 Duties of Officers.  They shall have the duties recited in the Vermont Masonic Code and additional duties not inconsistent therewith which are recited in these bylaws.

      a)  Master.  No brother shall be eligible to be elected and installed Worshipful Master of the 
            Lodge unless he shall have already been elected and installed a Master of some other 
            Lodge within the state of Vermont, or of a Lodge whose Grand Lodge is recognized by the 
            Grand Lodge of Vermont.  He:    
             
	 (1)  shall be the editor in chief of the Transactions of the Lodge, as hereinafter described.

              (2)  shall have sole discretion to assign or disallow topics for papers or discussion and shall be  
                    solely in charge of scheduling, deferring or disallowing presentation and discussion of 
                    papers in the Lodge.

              (3)  may, in his Masonic discretion, bar publication of papers or limit oral presentation lengths 
                    and shall be responsible for setting the date and place of the agenda for all meetings.  His 
                    decision on all such subjects shall be final.

              (4)  shall appoint such standing, special and ad hoc committees as he deems appropriate.

     (b)  Senior Warden.  He shall, in addition to his regular duties, be responsible for making the logistical arrangements for all meetings of the lodge at a regular lodge which is the host of the particular communication.

     (c)   Secretary.  Shall be responsible for sending notices of each communications at the direction of the Master and be responsible for keeping and transporting the furniture of the Lodge, including the square and compasses, Bible, officer jewels, gavels and striking blocks and Master's chapeau, etc.

¶ 6.4  Dress.  The dress for the officers and members at communications shall consist of a dark business suit or jacket and tie,  officer jewel and plain aprons without markings or other adornment.

¶ 6.5 Compensation.  The officers, other than the Treasurer and Secretary, shall serve without compensation.  The Lodge may determine whether the Treasurer and Secretary shall receive any compensation and , if so, the amount thereof.

¶ 6.6 Indemnifications.  All officers and committee members shall be indemnified by the Lodge for all expenses reasonably incurred by them in defending themselves from any proceedings instituted or threatened against them provided the lodge votes that they have acted within the scope of their authority and are not guilty of misfeasance or malfeasance.

ARTICLE  VII  

Dues, Fees and Assessments

¶ 7.1 Rejections or Dismissal.  If a candidate for Membership or Correspondent status is rejected or his petition dismissed, the requisite petition and fee shall be returned with no further explanation for rejection.

¶ 7.2 Dues.  The annual dues (for Correspondent Members) is are the amount in effect or as may be subsequently revised and set at the Annual Communication each April (refer to attachment #1 or past minutes for voted figures).  Any brother that submits a petition six months or less before the commencement of a new dues period (Last day of April) shall not be required to pay dues until the next dues period.

¶ 7.3 Assessments.  A proposal for an assessment shall be presented at a regular communication.  The proposal is then laid over to the next regular communication or a special communication called for action thereon.  The notice of the communication must be sent to every member of the Lodge and must recite the text or substance of the proposed assessment.

¶ 7.4 Remissions.  By the approval of the first three elected officers, the lodge may remit the dues of a brother, or extend the time for payment, for good cause shown either to the Lodge or a committee selected for that purpose.

7.5 FULL Membership.  Designated full membership members will not be subject to any dues or assessments set by the lodge for the ensuing year.  Master and Secretary will review membership in March to assure status of each member and that minimum requirements have been met before dues notices are mailed, refer to 4.3 (b).
	
	(A) Full Members will have reduced rates, as set by lodge vote or top five 
                 officers, for all functions and events sponsored by the Research Lodge 
                 through out the ensuing year.

ARTICLE VIII

Budget and Revenue

¶ 8.1 Fiscal Year.  The fiscal year of the Lodge shall commence on the first day of May and end on the last day of April of each year.

¶ 8.2 Budget.  The Treasurer and Secretary shall prepare and complete a proposed lodge budget for the ensuing year in time for submission at the Lodge’s Annual Communication.

¶ 8.3 Adoption.  The annual budget shall be adopted at the annual communication or at a special communication called for that purpose.

¶ 8.4 Fidelity Bond.  The trustees of the Grand Lodge of Vermont have purchased and carry a blanket position fidelity bond covering the officers of the Lodge and indemnify the Lodge against loss resulting for infidelity, defalcation or misappropriation by officers, employees or members of its funds, assets or property.  The Lodge if assessed will be required to pay to the Grand Lodge its proportionate share of the premium annually, based on coverage provided.

ARTICLE XI

Transactions

¶ 9.1 Publication in Transactions.   At the conclusion of each Masonic year or at the discretion of the Worshipful Master, the Lodge shall publish the papers submitted in the preceding year or years, as approved and edited by the Master, as well as the proceedings of the annual communication of the Lodge, in a bound or booklet format to be known as the "Transactions of the Vermont Lodge of Research, No. 110".  The Transactions may contain such other relevant and appropriate material as the Master of the Lodge may determine.  Portions of the Transactions may be made available via Internet, website or other electronic media at the discretion of the Master.

ARTICLE  X

Amendments

¶ 10.1 Amendments.  These Bylaws may be amended as provided in the Vermont Masonic Code.

¶ 10.2 Code.  If a change is made in the Vermont Masonic Code and that change affects the Bylaws of this Lodge, these Bylaws are amended, ipso facto, to conform to the code.

CERTIFICATION

	I hereby certify that a proposal to adopt the foregoing Bylaws was presented to the regular communication of the Vermont Lodge of Research, U.S. (subsequently assigned No. 110), F& A.M. on September 7,  1998.  The proposal was approved by at least two-thirds of the members present at the communication.

	Dated this 20th day of December, 1998.
						       --  JAMES P. W. GOSS
								-Master

					      Attest:    -- ROBERT W. WHITAKER
								-Secretary

APPROVALS

	We have reviewed and considered the foregoing revised Bylaws and find them in proper form and consistent with the provisions of the Vermont Masonic code.

						            -- CORTLAND CORSONES
							Cortland Corsones - Chairman
							Jurisprudence Committee

	The foregoing revised Bylaws of Vermont Lodge of Research, U.D. (subsequently assigned no. 110) F.& A.M. are effective this 10th day of JUNE, 1999.

					                     -- EDWARDJ.WILDBLOOD,Jr. --
						Edward J. Wildblood, Jr. - M.W. Grand Master

						Attest:      -- CEDRIC L. SMITH --
							Cedric L. Smith - R.W. Grand Secretary