Due to the VERY LARGE content of this page it may take as much as
1 minutes 43 seconds at 28kbps to load.
Thank you for your patients!
The California Masonic Code
Please note that there are several LINKS that are not available in the CMC below.
The CMC listed below has NOT been modified in any manner what so ever from the
Masonic Leadership Center Webpage - About Grand Lodge Codes - CMC as posted 03/17/2003
Go To CMC Index
Go To CMC Defined Terms
Go Back To LODGE No.297 Home Page
CALIFORNIA MASONIC CODE
containing
CONSTITUTION AND ORDINANCES
of
THE MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE of FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS of the STATE OF CALIFORNIA
San Francisco 1991
As amended 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999
Copyright 1991 by Grand Lodge F.& A.M. of California
Printed in the United States of America. All rights in this book are reserved. No part thereof may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the Grand Lodge of California, except that quotations may be embodied in reviews by such other Grand Jurisdictions as have been recognized officially by this Grand Lodge. For information, address letters to: Grand Secretary, 1111 California Street, San Francisco, California 94108-2284.
FOREWORD
The Craft, at the 1988 Annual Communication, adopted Most Worshipful Leo B. Mark's Recommendation to appoint a special committee to be known as the "Code Revision Committee," to prepare a revised California Masonic Code written in simple, understandable language, free from inconsistencies or ambiguities.
The Committee, during the past three years endeavored to accomplish the assignment in a manner that did not result in any substantive changes. It had the counsel of the Committee on Jurisprudence to assist in areas of legal interpretation.
This third edition of the California Masonic Code shall be the governing law of the Grand Lodge of California, subject to future amendments, well into the 21st Century.
CODE REVISION COMMITTEE
Jack R. Levitt (35), Chairman
Ralph M. Hinds (122)
Ralph E. Enz (708)
Melville H. Nahin (520)
Richard S. Andrews (60)
Kenneth J. Brisbin (87)
Kenneth P. Elliott (327)
Harold S. Stein, Jr. (136)
Click here to go to the Index
Click a Letter to go to an Alphabetical Subject Line: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Table of Contents
DEFINED TERMS
§10 Ballot
§11 Clandestine
§12 Constituent Lodge
§13 Dimit
§14 Fraternal Intercourse
§15 In Good Standing
§16 Masonic Association
§17 Masonic Clothing
§18 Masonic Communication
§19 Masonic Organizations
§20 Masonic Regalia
§21 Masonic Youth Orders
§22 Notice
§23 Summons
CONSTITUTION of the GRAND LODGE OF CALIFORNIA
ARTICLE I. TITLE AND SEAL
§110 Title
§120 Seal
§130 Use of Title and Emblem
ARTICLE II. JURISDICTION AND COMPOSITION
§210 Jurisdiction
§220 Sovereignty
§230 Members and Manner of Address
§240 Prerequisite to Membership
§250 Elected Lodge Representatives
ARTICLE III. POWERS AND RESTRICTIONS
§310 General Powers
§320 Executive Powers
§330 Legislative Powers
§340 Judicial Powers
§350 Grand Master
§360 Revenue
§370 Funds
§380 Politics and Religion
§390 Information Booths
ARTICLE IV. COMMUNICATIONS
§410 Annual
§420 Special
§430 Ceremonial
§440 Quorum
§450 Attendance
§460 Transaction of Business
ARTICLE V. GRAND LODGE OFFICERS
§510 Elected
§520 Appointed
§530 Jewels of Office
§540 Vacancy or Incapacity
ARTICLE VI. VOTING AND REPRESENTATION
§610 Manner of Voting
§620 Votes
§630 Cumulative Voting
§640 Tie Vote
ARTICLE VII. CONSTITUENT LODGES
§710 Formation
§720 Powers and Duties
§730 Membership
ARTICLE VIII . AMENDMENTS
§810 Presentation
§820 Required Vote
§830 Time of Vote
ARTICLE IX . REPEAL
§910 Former Constitutions Repealed
ORDINANCES of the GRAND LODGE OF CALIFORNIA
PART I. GRAND LODGE
ARTICLE I. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE GRAND MASTER
§1010 General
§1020 Discretionary
§1030 Dispensation Procedure
§1040 Dispensations
§1050 Powers
§1060 Duties
ARTICLE II. POWERS AND DUTIES OF ELECTED OFFICERS
§2010 Deputy Grand Master
§2020 Grand Wardens
§2030 Grand Treasurer
§2040 Grand Secretary
§2050 Grand Lecturer
§2060 Executive Committee
ARTICLE III . DUTIES OF APPOINTED OFFICERS
§3010 Assistant Grand Treasurer (Eliminated)
§3020 Assistant Grand Secretary
§3030 Assistant Grand Lecturers
§3040 Grand Chaplain
§3050 Grand Orator
§3060 Grand Marshal
§3070 Grand Standard Bearer
§3080 Grand Sword Bearer
§3090 Grand Bible Bearer
§3100 Grand Deacons
§3110 Grand Stewards
§3120 Grand Pursuivant
§3130 Grand Organist
§3140 Grand Tiler
ARTICLE IV. INSPECTORS
§4010 Appointment
§4020 Duties
§4030 Power of Inspector to Grant Dispensations
ARTICLE V. BONDING, COMPENSATION, REIMBURSEMENT AND RETIREMENT
§5010 Official Bond
§5020 Compensation of Grand and Assistant Grand Secretary
§5030 Reimbursement of Lodge Officers and Representatives
§5040 Reimbursement of Grand Lodge Officers, Past Grand Masters, Inspectors, Board Members and Committeemen
§5050 Multiple Reimbursement
§5060 Retirement
ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES
§6010 Membership
§6020 Standing
§6030 Jurisprudence
§6040 Policy and General Purposes
§6050 Temple Properties and Taxation
§6060 Public Schools
§6065 Masonic Homes Endowment
§6070 United States Constitution Observance
§6080 Charters
§6090 Grand Lodge Week Activities
§6100 Finance
§6110 Trial Review
§6120 Credentials
§6140 Masonic History
§6150 Memorial Service
§6160 Masonic Education
§6170 Ritual
§6190 Investments
§6200 Masonic Service Bureaus
§6210 Special
§6220 Reports
§6230 Reference of Business
ARTICLE VII. FUNDS AND ASSETS
§7010 Title
§7020 Investment
§7030 Audit of Accounts
§7040 Grand Lodge Budget
§7050 Grand Lodge Endowment Fund
ARTICLE VIII. MASONIC HOMES
§8010 Purpose
§8020 Composition of Board
§8030 Management
§8040 Title to Property
§8050 Annual Reports
ARTICLE IX. MASONIC HOMES ENDOWMENT BOARD
§9010 Purpose
§9020 Composition of Board
§9030 Management
§9040 Custody of Funds
§9050 Purpose of Fund
ARTICLE X. CALIFORNIA MASONIC MEMORIAL TEMPLE
§10010 Purpose
§10020 Composition of Board
§10030 Management
§10040 Annual Reports
ARTICLE XI. CALIFORNIA MASONIC FOUNDATION
§11010 Purpose
§11020 Composition of Board
§11030 Management
§11040 Annual Reports
ARTICLE XII. CALIFORNIA FREEMASON
§12010 Management
§12020 Editors
ARTICLE XIII. REVENUE
§13010 Fees
§13020 Lodge Contributions
§13030 Masonic Homes Contributions
§13040 National Memorial and Memorial Temple Contributions
PART II. CONSTITUENT LODGES
ARTICLE I. LODGES UNDER DISPENSATION
§14010 Petition for Dispensation
§14020 Notice of Intention to Apply
§14030 Inspector's Recommendation and Certificate
§14040 Name
§14050 Charter Members
§14060 Affiliation
§14070 Rights and Privileges
§14080 Termination and Dispensation
§14090 Issuance of Charter
§14095 Change of Lodge Name
ARTICLE II. POWERS AND RESTRICTIONS
§15010 Executive
§15020 Legislative
§15030 Judicial
§15040 Masonic Intercourse
§15045 Recognition of Prince Hall Grand Lodge of California
§15050 Alcoholic Beverages
§15060 Public Schools Discussion
§15070 Financial Aid Solicitation
§15080 Fraudulent or Illegal Ventures
§15090 Gambling
§15095 Bingo
§15100 Commercial Ventures (Eliminated)
§15105 Commercial Ventures by Masonic Organizations (Eliminated)
§15110 Advertising (Eliminated)
§15115 Publications
§15120 Electioneering
§15130 Membership in Masonic Organizations
§15140 Social Events (Eliminated)
§15150 Public Fund Raising (Eliminated)
§15160 Sponsoring Masonic Youth Orders
§15165 Grand Master's Youth Support Award (10/00)
§15170 Notification of Identity of Applicants and Candidates
ARTICLE III. MEETINGS
§16010 Conditions for Conducting and Business to be Transacted
§16020 Presence of Charter
§16030 Stated Meetings
§16040 Special Meetings
§16050 Place
§16060 Destruction of Lodge Room
§16070 Must be Closed
§16080 Sunday Meetings
§16090 Smoking Forbidden
§16100 Display of Flag
§16110 Change of Place
§16115 Multiple Meeting Places
ARTICLE IV. BALLOTING
§17010 Manner of Voting
§17020 Tiler's Vote
ARTICLE V. MASONIC CLOTHING
§18010 Public Processions or Meetings
§18020 Aprons
ARTICLE VI. REQUIREMENTS
§19010 Seal
§19020 Official Communications
§19030 Books
§19040 Uniform By-laws
§19050 Adoption of By-laws
§19060 Representation in Grand Lodge
§19070 Annual Reports (Eliminated)
ARTICLE VII. CONSOLIDATION, SUSPENSION, TERMINATION AND SPECIAL CLASSIFICATIONS
§20010 Consolidation
§20020 Dissolution
§20030 Surrender of Charter
§20040 Suspension or Forfeiture by Neglect of Duty
§20050 Suspension
§20060 Forfeiture
§20070 Status of Members When Charter Surrendered, Arrested, or Revoked
§20080 Property Rights
§20090 Research Lodges
§20100 Past Masters Associations
§20110 Officers Associations
ARTICLE VIII. FUNDS AND PROPERTY
§21010 Control and Use
§21020 Revolving Funds
§21030 Investment
§21040 Title to Assets
§21050 Life Membership
§21060 Use of Funds
§21070 Required Expenditures
§21080 Discretionary Expenditures
§21090 Social and Fraternal Expenditures
§21100 Property of Dissolved Lodge
ARTICLE IX. TEMPLE ASSOCIATION
§22010 Organization and Operation
§22020 Investment in Temple Associations
ARTICLE X. MEMBERSHIP
§23010 Acquisition
§23020 Multiple
§23030 Race and Religion Not a Condition
§23040 Duty to Retain Membership
§23050 Dimitting
§23060 Standing of Dimitted Master Mason
§23070 Standing of Member When Charter is Revoked or Arrested
§23080 Right to Attend Meetings
§23090 Entered Apprentices and Fellow Crafts
§23100 Withdrawal and Dimits for Entered Apprentices and Fellow Crafts
§23110 Trial of Entered Apprentices and Fellow Crafts
§23120 Termination
§23130 Membership in New Lodge
§23140 Withdrawal of a Multiple Member
§23150 Golden Veteran and Diamond Jubilee Awards
§23155 Hiram Awards
§23160 Service of Notice
§23170 Duty to Obey Notice
§23180 Duty to Obey Summons
§23190 Members of Masonic Organizations
§23210 Compliance with Law of Foreign Jurisdictions
ARTICLE XI . VISITATION
§24010 Privilege
§24020 Objection to Visitor
§24030 Examination of Visitor
§24040 Avouchment for Visitor
§24050 Private Examinations and Lecturing Forbidden
ARTICLE XII . OFFICERS
§25010 Election
§25020 Special Elections of Masters and Wardens
§25030 Vacancy in Office
§25040 Appointment if Vacancy
§25050 Vacancy in Offices of Secretary and Treasurer
§25060 Qualifications of Voters
§26070 Qualifications of Master
§25080 Qualifications of Senior Warden
§25090 Qualifications of Junior Warden
§25100 Qualifications of Senior Deacon
§25110 Failure to Qualify or Appear for Installation
§25120 Installation
§25130 Powers of Master
§25140 Duties of Master
§25150 Decision of Master
§25160 Master's Deciding Vote
§25170 Suspension of Master
§25180 Title of Master
§25190 Title of Past Master
§25200 Resignation of Master
§25210 Duties of Wardens
§25220 Duties of Treasurer
§25230 Duties of Secretary
§25240 Duties of Appointed Officers
ARTICLE XIII. DEGREES AND AFFILIATION
§26010 Moral and Physical Qualifications
§26020 Ineligibility for Degrees
§26030 Qualification of Residence
§26040 Uniformed Services Residence
§26050 Affiliation
§26060 Jurisdiction to Receive Applications
§26070 Waiver of Jurisdiction
§26080 Jurisdiction After Rejection
§26090 Applications
§26100 Fees for Degrees
§26110 Fees and Contributions Must Accompany Application
§26120 Investigating Committee
§26130 Report of Investigating Committee
§26140 Withdrawal of Application
§26150 Balloting
§26160 Members Present Must Vote
§26170 Balloting Procedure
§26180 Method of Balloting
§26190 Unanimous Ballot
§26200 Correction of Possible Mistake
§26210 Ballot Secrecy
§26220 Objection by a Non-Member
§26230 Objection by a Member Before Ballot
§26240 Objection by a Member Before Initiation
§26250 Objection by a Member After Initiation
§26260 Committee to Resolve Objection
§26270 Decision of Lodge on Objection
§26280 Restrictions on Conferring Degrees
§26290 Ritual
§26295 Alternate Holy Writings
§26300 Cipher Rituals
§26310 Change of Ritual
§26320 Conferral of Degrees Upon Impaired Candidate
§26330 Restoration of Previously Forfeited Fees
§26340 Advancement
§26350 Initiation in Another Lodge
§26360 Advancement and Proficiency in Another Lodge
§26370 Receiving Degrees in Another Jurisdiction
§26380 Courtesy Work for Another Jurisdiction
§26390 Exclusive Jurisdiction to Confer Degrees
ARTICLE XIV. DUES
§27010 Minimum
§27020 Life Membership
§27030 Removal of Life Member from Roll Book
§27040 Receipt for Dues
§27050 No Assessments
§27060 Remission of Dues
§27070 Non-Payment of Dues
§27080 Return of Dues
§27090 Dues Increase
§27100 Restoration
ARTICLE IV. OTHER PERMITTED FINANCIAL SUPPORT
§27500 Permitted Financial Support
§27550 Masonic Lodges Not Business Establishments
§27600 Additional Financial Support for Masonic Lodges
§27700 Additional Financial Support for Masonic Organizations
§27800 Additional Financial Support for Charitable Activities
§27900 Financial Support for Masonic Youth Orders
ARTICLE XVI. RELIEF
§28010 Duties of Lodge
§28020 Masonic Service Bureaus
§28030 Burial and Burial Expenses
§28040 Funeral Services
§28050 Refunding Relief Advances
PART III. TRIALS AND RESTORATIONS
ARTICLE I. TRIAL OF GRAND MASTER
§29010 Charges
§29020 Transmission of Charges
§29030 Formation of Tribunal
§29040 Expense of Tribunal
§29050 Procedure
§29060 Penalty
ARTICLE II. TRIAL OF MASTERS
§30010 Charges
§30020 Formation of Commission
§30030 Procedure
§30040 Penalties
§30050 Record of Proceedings
§30060 Appeal
ARTICLE III. TRIAL OF LODGES
§31010 Charges (Eliminated)
§31020 Service of Summons (Eliminated)
§31030 Formation of Commission (Eliminated)
§31040 Record of Proceedings (Eliminated)
§31050 Penalty (Eliminated)
§31060 Appeal (Eliminated)
ARTICLE IV. TRIAL OF INDIVIDUAL MASONS
§32010 Masons Subject to Penalties
§32020 Unmasonic Conduct
§32030 Not Unmasonic Conduct
§32040 Foreign Conviction
§32050 Penal Jurisdiction of Lodge
§32060 Charges
§32070 No Preferment of Charges by a Lodge
§32080 Standardized Forms Required
§32090 Charges Must be Specific
§32100 Presentation of Charges
§32110 Rights Pending Trial
§32120 Procedure on Receipt of Charges
§32130 Time and Manner of Service
§32140 Certificate of Service
§32150 Procedure if Accused Pleads Guilty, or Nolo Contendere or Fails to Plead Not Guilty
§32160 Procedure if Accused Pleads Not Guilty
§32170 Notice to Elect Commission
§32180 Election of Commission
§32190 Trial Master
§32200 Disqualification to be Trial Master
§32210 Amending Charges
§32220 Notice of First Meeting of Commissioners
§32230 Disqualification to be Commissioner and Vacancies
§32240 Automatic Dissolution of Commission
§32250 Trial Summons
§32260 Service of Trial Summons
§32270 Counsel
§32280 Record of Trial Proceedings
§32290 Stenographic Reporter
§32300 Acquittal in Courts No Bar
§32310 Testimony
§32320 General Procedure
§32330 Continuance
§32340 Trial Pending in Courts
§32350 Verdict
§32360 Penalties
§32370 Suspension
§32380 Expulsion
§32390 Signing Record of Trial
§32400 Recording and Announcement of Verdict
§32410 Transcript of Record
§32420 Disposition of Trial Papers
§32430 Notice to Member's Lodge if Trial Elsewhere
§32440 No Charge for Services by Secretary
ARTICLE V. REVISIONS, REVERSALS AND RESTORATIONS
§33010 Grand Lodge Action on Review
§33020 Additional Evidence and Arguments on Review
§33030 Review of Judgment of Acquittal
§33040 Procedural Error
§33050 Reversal by Grand Lodge
§33060 Double Jeopardy
§33070 Application for Restoration by Suspended Mason
§33080 Lodge Restoration of Suspended Mason
§33090 Grand Lodge Restoration of Suspended or Expelled Mason
§33100 Application for Restoration by Expelled Mason
§33110 Lodge Application for Restoration of Expelled Mason
§33120 Suspension, Expulsion or Restoration Not to be Published
PART IV. AMENDMENTS AND REPEAL
ARTICLE I. AMENDMENTS
§34010 Presentation
§34020 Required Vote
§34030 Time of Vote
ARTICLE II. REPEAL
§35010 Former Ordinances and Regulations Repealed
PART V
RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR ANNUAL AND SPECIAL COMMUNICATIONS
APENDIX
Grand Masters' Decisions
Interpretation of Section 8010 of the California Masonic Code
Admission to the Masonic Homes (2000 G.M. Decision No. 1)
Interpretation of Section 15040 of the California Masonic Code.
Fraternal Dealings with Unrecognized Masons (1993 G.M. Decision No. 6)
Interpretation of Section 15050 of the California Masonic Code.
Guidelines for Use of Alcoholic Beverages by Masonic Lodges and Masonic Organizations (1995 G.M. Recommendation No. 5)
Interpretation of Section 15090 of the California Masonic Code.
Advertising for Gambling Establishments in Masonic Publications (1996 G.M. Decision No. 3)
Interpretation of Section 21090 of the California Masonic Code.
Use of Lodge Funds to Pay Dues n Community Organizations (996 G.M. Decision No. 2)
Interpretation of Section 25110 of the California Masonic Code.
Installation Dates (1993 G.M. Decision No. 1)
Interpretation of Sections 27600 and 27700 (formerly Section 15110) of the California Masonic Code.
Guidelines for Advertising in Masonic Publications (1993 G.M. Decision No. 5)
(as modified by 1996 G.M. Decision No. 3 and Recommendation No.1)
Interpretation of Section 26340 of the California Masonic Code
Optional Long Form Proficiencies (1998) G.M. Decision No. 2)
Interpretation of Section 28040 of the California Masonic Code.
Wearing Yarmulkes at Masonic Funerals (1996 G.M. Decision No. 4)
Interpretation of Lodge Publications.
Lodge Publications (1995 G.M. Decision No. 1)
Interpretation of the California Ritual.
Discussing Masonry with the Non-Mason (1993 G.M. Decision No. 2)
Grand Lodge Seal.
Jewels of Grand Master, Past Grand Master and Past Master.
Provisions for Gold Buttons for Veteran Master Masons.
DEFINED TERMS
The following definitions are a part of the Constitution and Ordinances of the Grand Lodge of California and shall constitute the meaning of such terms wherever used therein.
§10 BALLOT:
A secret vote by balls and cubes or in writing.
§11 CLANDESTINE:
Not recognized by the Grand Lodge of California.
§12 CONSTITUENT LODGE:
A Lodge chartered by or under dispensation from a Grand Lodge.
§13 DIMIT:
A document, bearing the seal of a Lodge and attested to by the Secretary, terminating membership.
§14 FRATERNAL INTERCOURSE:
Activities that promote fraternalism in constituent Lodges or Masonic Youth Orders and are not prohibited by this Code.
§15 IN GOOD STANDING:
When dues are current.
§16 MASONIC ASSOCIATION:
A group of Masons with common employment or profession and with a membership of not less than 25 Master Masons of this Jurisdiction in Good Standing.
§17 MASONIC CLOTHING:
White aprons.
§18 MASONIC COMMUNICATION:
Any communication involving the esoteric or secret portion of the ritual.
§19 MASONIC ORGANIZATIONS:
Any group, chapter, order, club, association or organization requiring Masonic affiliation as a prerequisite to membership, except Masonic Lodges.
§20 MASONIC REGALIA:
Aprons, jewels, implements and hats appropriate to one's station or office.
§21 MASONIC YOUTH ORDERS:
International Order of the Rainbow for Girls
International Order of Job's Daughters
International Order of DeMolay
§22 NOTICE:
A call issued by the Secretary by order of the Lodge or Master or by other competent authority to attend or perform as specified.
§23 SUMMONS:
An imperative order issued by the Master and attested to by the Secretary or by other competent authority to appear as specified. A trial summons is one issued for the purpose of answering Masonic charges.
CONSTITUTION OF THE GRAND LODGE OF CALIFORNIA
Adopted October 16, 1991
ARTICLE I
TITLE AND SEAL
§110. TITLE.
This Grand Lodge shall be entitled "The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of California."
§120. SEAL.
The Grand Lodge shall have a seal which shall be affixed to all instruments issued by or under its authority.
§130. USE OF TITLE AND EMBLEM
The title and emblem of this Grand Lodge has been registered with the Secretary of State pursuant to the California Corporations Code and Grand Lodge is entitled to control of the use thereof. The unauthorized wearing of the emblem is prohibited by the California Penal Code.
ARTICLE II
JURISDICTION AND COMPOSITION
§210. JURISDICTION.
The Jurisdiction of Grand Lodge includes all Lodges and Masons in this state and other states or territories where no other Grand Lodge exists, and all Lodges and their members outside of this state, acting under its authority, and members of Lodges of this Jurisdiction wherever residing.
§220. SOVEREIGNTY.
Grand Lodge shall recognize as a sovereign Grand Lodge only Grand Bodies that:
A. Are regularly formed by subordinate Lodges which trace their origin to regular and legitimate Ancient Craft Masonry;
B. Hold undisputed sway as the acknowledged supreme power in Ancient Craft Masonry in the territory in which they claim jurisdiction, must not render allegiance or obedience, in any sense whatsoever, to any other Masonic power or Supreme Council, must recognize the exclusive jurisdiction of all other Grand Lodges in their respective territories, and must not presume to project their authority or sovereignty into the territory of their Grand Lodge;
C. Confine their authority and the exercise thereof to the three degrees of Craft or Symbolic Masonry; and
D. Recognize and support the Ancient Landmarks which include, particularly, the Three Great Lights and belief in a Supreme Being and the immortality of the soul.
This Grand Lodge shall recognize only one Grand Lodge in any state or territory of the United States unless the Grand Lodge which we recognize with exclusive jurisdiction over that state or territory chooses to waive its right to maintain exclusive jurisdiction and permit concurrent jurisdiction. In the event of such a waiver, this Grand Lodge may also recognize such additional Grand Lodges in that state or territory as have been granted such concurrent jurisdiction.
§230. MEMBERS AND MANNER OF ADDRESS.
Grand Lodge shall be composed of a Grand Master (whose manner of address shall be Most Worshipful), a Deputy Grand Master, a Senior Grand Warden, and a Junior Grand Warden (whose manner of address shall be Right Worshipful), a Grand Treasurer, a Grand Secretary and a Grand Lecturer (whose manner of address shall be Very Worshipful), a Grand Chaplain (whose manner of address shall be Very Reverend), the Assistant Grand Lecturers, a Grand Orator, an Assistant Grand Secretary, a Grand Marshal, a Grand Standard Bearer, a Grand Sword Bearer, a Grand Bible Bearer, a Senior Grand Deacon, a Junior Grand Deacon, a Senior Grand Steward, a Junior Grand Steward, a Grand Pursuivant, a Grand Organist, a Grand
Tiler, and, at the discretion of the Grand Master, an Assistant Grand Organist and an Assistant Grand Tiler (whose manner of address shall be Worshipful), together with all Past Grand Officers and Past Masters of this Jurisdiction, and the Master and Wardens of the several chartered and duly constituted Lodges (except Research Lodges) or their representatives duly elected. (10/97)
A Past Grand Lodge officer is one of the elective Grand Lodge officers who has been regularly elected and installed and has served his term in Grand Lodge. (10/96)
§240. PREREQUISITE TO MEMBERSHIP.
Each officer and member of Grand Lodge must be a member of some Lodge in its Jurisdiction. If membership ceases, membership in Grand Lodge shall cease. Each officer, other than the Grand Chaplain, Grand Organist and Assistant Grand Organist, must, at the time of his election or appointment, be a member of Grand Lodge. (10/96)
§250. ELECTED LODGE REPRESENTATIVES.
The Representative of a Lodge in this Jurisdiction must be a member thereof and be one who, in the event that neither the Master nor either of the Wardens can be present at Grand Lodge, has been elected by ballot by the Lodge at a Stated Meeting or at a Special Meeting called for that purpose, and by a majority of the members present, to represent it at the next Annual or Special Communication.
ARTICLE III
POWERS AND RESTRICTIONS
§310. GENERAL POWERS.
Grand Lodge is the supreme Masonic power and authority in this Jurisdiction and is vested with all legislative, executive, and judicial powers, limited only by a strict adherence to the Ancient Landmarks, and by the provisions of its own Constitution and Ordinances. It alone has authority to charter or grant dispensations for a Masonic Lodge in this Jurisdiction.
§320. EXECUTIVE POWERS.
The executive powers of Grand Lodge include:
A. The granting of dispensations and charters to establish and perpetuate Lodges in this state and in other territory where no Grand Lodge exists, and the revocation or suspension thereof;
B. The issuing of special dispensations for all purposes permitted by any of the provisions of the Constitution and Ordinances; and
C. The exercise of all authority necessary to carry its own legislation into complete effect.
§330. LEGISLATIVE POWERS.
Grand Lodge reserves all legislative powers to itself except those specifically delegated to the Lodges in this Code. The Constitution and Ordinances which the Grand Lodge has an inalienable right to adopt and promulgate at its own convenience, and to amend or repeal at its own pleasure, are final and binding on all Lodges and Masons in its Jurisdiction until amended or repealed.
The Constitution, and Ordinances, which constitute the California Masonic Code, as amended or as interpreted by a Grand Master with the approval of Grand Lodge, shall constitute the entire law of the Grand Lodge of California.
§340. JUDICIAL POWERS.
The judicial powers of Grand Lodge are:
A. The decision of all controversies between any of the Lodges, or between one of them and a member or members of another;
B. The enforcement of discipline upon Masons and Lodges under its Jurisdiction; and
C. The review of all matters of controversy or discipline, which may have arisen in any of the Lodges, and over which it has not retained original jurisdiction.
§350. GRAND MASTER.
The Grand Master, during the interval between the Annual Communications of Grand Lodge, possesses all its executive powers, except the granting of charters. This power and the title of Grand Master applies not only to him who has been elected and installed as Grand Master, but to any of the Grand Officers who shall have succeeded to the powers and duties of the Grand Master. O