Masonic Home Ex-Students’ Association By-Laws

Revision Date: 06.25.2021

ARTICLE I – Name

This Association shall be known as THE MASONIC HOME EX-STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION. 

ARTICLE II Purpose

The purposes of the non-profit Association are: (1) promote the welfare of the students and the ex-students’ of the Masonic Home and School of Texas; and (2) to show due appreciation to the Masons of Texas for their sacrifices in the interests of other people.

ARTICLE III Membership

All Ex-Students’ of the Masonic Home & School shall become members of the Association automatically, and membership shall in no way depend upon the payment of dues or contributions of monies for any purposes. Non-compulsory dues shall be TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS ($25.00) per member annually, which shall help defray the costs of the newspaper, memorials, and such other costs properly incurred by the Association.

ARTICLE IV Officers

The Officers shall be a President, a Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary/Editor. (see ARTICLE VII Amendments- 2)

ARTICLE V Election, Vacancies, and Term of Officers

A Nomination Committee of three (3) to five (5) people shall be appointed by the officers to propose a slate of officers to the membership. This slate shall be published in the newsletter prior to the election.

All officers shall be elected for a two-year period and shall be elected only at the biennial meeting held in the Ft. Worth/Dallas Metropolitan area, TX. Only Ex-students of the Masonic Home and School of Texas shall have the right to vote in such biennial elections. A simple majority of those present and voting shall be required to elect.

Vacancies except by the office of President shall be filled by appointment by the President for the remainder of the term in progress. This appointment must be approved by a majority of the Officers present and voting. A vacancy in the office of President shall be filled by the Vice President, and the vacancy in the office of Vice President shall be filled using the procedure in these by-laws.

ARTICLE VI Duties of the Officers

Section 1. President

The President shall be the chief executive of the Association with all the powers ordinarily pertaining to that office that are not specifically governed by other provisions of these by-laws. He/She shall appoint all committees unless otherwise provided, and shall be an ex-officio member of all such committees. He/She shall preside at all meetings and shall cast a vote upon any issue or election at any meeting, which shall be conducted according to Roberts Rules of Order. [The President shall serve on the McCaulay Memorial Masonic Scholarship Board. (see ARTICLE VII Amendments-3)]

Section 2. Vice-President

The Vice President shall assist the President in the performance of his duties and shall preside at meetings in the event of the inability of the President to act, or in the event of the death of the President. If the President leaves or becomes unable to perform his duties before the expiration of the current term of office, the Vice-President shall assume the President's duties and powers until the next election meeting of the ex-students. [The Vice President shall Chair the Reunion Committee and shall serve on the McCaulay Memorial Masonic Scholarship Board. (see ARTICLE VII Amendments-3) (see ARTICLE VII Amendments- 5)]

Section 3. Secretary/Editor 

The Secretary/Editor shall keep correct minutes of any meetings and be the custodian of the minutes, and past minutes of the Association. The Secretary shall keep the historical records not given to the Masonic Home Memorial Museum. Such minutes and historical records may be examined upon written notice to the Secretary.

The Secretary/Editor shall keep the roster of this Association and shall provide mailing labels to the Editor upon request. The Secretary shall publish the membership directory.

The Secretary/Editor of THE NEWS shall be responsible for collecting data, information, and news for inclusion in the ex-students' newspaper and shall be responsible for causing the publication and distribution of THE NEWS. The Secretary/Editor shall have authority, in performing the foregoing duties, to incur such reasonable costs as determined necessary in obtaining copying, cuts, photographs, newspaper articles, and the like, as well as stationery, postage, and costs of printing. The Secretary/ Editor shall be in charge of publicity for the Association and may, from time to time, designate persons to aid and assist such Editor in the performance of the functions of such office. (see ARTICLE VII Amendments- 2)

Section 4. Treasurer

The Treasurer shall maintain all records and accounts of the Association, which may be examined at any time upon written notice to the Treasurer. The treasurer shall be responsible for all collections and payment of bills properly incurred by the Association or the Masonic Home Memorial Museum. These include, but are not limited to, costs associated with THE NEWS, the membership directory, the Museum, and annual reunions.

The Treasurer shall submit written accounting of income, expenses, and current account balances in each edition of THE NEWS.

Section 5. Masonic Adviser

In the event that no officer of the association is a Texas Mason, then the President shall appoint a Texas Mason as adviser to the association. This would facilitate communication between Masonic organizations and the association and from the association to Texas masons. The Masonic adviser would be a non-voting member of the officer team. The advisor would coordinate efforts for ex-student speakers at Texas Masonic organizations including Grand lodge if requested. [New (see ARTICLE VII Amendments- 6)]

ARTICLE VII Amendments

1. The Officers at any meeting may amend the by-laws of this Association, provided that the changes are within normal operating procedures. If any change would be of a major consideration, it should be voted upon by the membership. The proposed amendment would be published in the newsletter and the by-laws would be amended by a majority vote of those members presently at the business session of the biennial meeting. (Amended 6/4/05)

2. The Association Combined the position of Secretary and the position of Editor since many of these duties overlap. (Amended 6/23/13)

3. There is no longer a requirement to have Ex-Student Officers present on the McCauley Memorial Scholarship Fund Board. (Amended 6/27/15)

4. The Officers are required to attend and stay onsite at the hotel during reunion at the cost of the individual officers and not the association. Officers may be exempt for non-attendance due to family emergency such as family death or hospitalization.  Sporting events and vacation are not exempt. (Amended 6/24/17)

5. The Vice President is chair of the reunion committee. Nominations are made from the floor at the biennial meeting held in Fort Worth for a location to hold the following yearly reunion. The person making the nomination is automatically made the “traveling reunion chair.” Provided the membership approves the location nominated. It’s the responsibility of the Traveling Reunion Chair to assist the Vice President by researching hotels, planning activities, naming local Ex-Students to committees. Committees to include, hospitality room, registration, activities, auction and others deemed necessary. In the event that the Traveling Reunion Chair has not fulfilled his/her responsibilities by the first week of October of the year preceding the reunion. Then the officers can make the executive decision to hold the reunion in Fort Worth. (Amended 6/25/21)

6. In the event that no officer of the association is a Texas Mason, then the President shall appoint a Texas Mason as adviser to the association. This would facilitate communication between Masonic organizations and the association and from the association to Texas masons. The Masonic adviser would be a non-voting member of the officer team. The advisor would coordinate efforts for ex-student speakers at Texas Masonic organizations including Grand lodge if requested. (Amended 6/25/21)