GENERAL REGULATIONS

OF THE MOST PUISSANT GRAND COUNCIL

ROYAL AND SELECT MASTERS OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 1982 (as amended)

REGULATION I. SUBORDINATE COUNCILS.

Section 1.1
This Grand Council shall be composed of subordinate Councils of Royal and Select Masters, each of which shall hold a warrant from this Grand Council empowering them to work. Each subordinate Council shall be composed of no less than twenty-seven (27) members and shall congregate and work in such place as the subordinate Council shall select, subject to the approval of the Grand Master. The place of assembly shall be specified in the By-laws of the subordinate Council.

Section 1.2: REMOVAL OF ASSEMBLY.
A subordinate Council shall not remove its designated place of Assembly from the city, town or village named in its warrant (or By-Laws) except by an affirmative vote (two-thirds concurring) of its members present and voting at a regular Assembly. Such Assembly must be called by SUMMONS TO ATTEND; such summons shall state the purpose of the Assembly; and such summons shall be served in every member at least ten (10) days prior to the Assembly. Any removal must receive the approval of the Grand Master prior to such removal.

Section 1.3: QUORUM.
No Council shall be opened unless there shall be present nine (9) regular Royal and Select Masters; nor shall any business of the Council be transacted unless there shall be present seven regular members of the Council; in either case, one of those present must be either the Thrice Illustrious Master, Deputy Illustrious Master or the Principal Conductor of the Work of that Council.

REGULATION II. OFFICERS AND ELECTIONS.

Section 2.1: OFFICERS.
The officers of a subordinate Council shall be a Thrice Illustrious Master, a Deputy Illustrious Master, a Principal Conductor of the Work, a Treasurer, a Recorder, each of whom shall be elected; also a Chaplain, a Captain of the Guard, a Conductor of the Council, a Marshal, a Steward, and a Sentinel, each of whom shall be appointed by the Thrice Illustrious Master-elect.

Section 2.2: ELIGIBILITY TO VOTE AND HOLD OFFICE.
Each member of a subordinate Council in good standing shall be entitled to one (1) vote in any election of officers or other business of the Council. He shall likewise be eligible to election to any office in the Council.

Section 2.3: ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
Each subordinate Council shall elect its Officers at its Annual Assembly, which shall be the regular Assembly held next preceding the 27th of December -- St John the Evangelist's Day. Officers shall be elected by ballot and by a majority of the members present and voting. If the regular Assembly in December shall fall on December 24th or 25th, then the election shall be held on the regular Assembly next preceding that date.

Section 2.4: INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS.
The elected and appointed Officers of a Council shall be installed at the Annual Assembly, or before the next regular Assembly of the Council.

Section 2.5: TRUSTEES.
Each subordinate Council shall elect a Board of Trustees for a term of three (3) years in office, one of whom shall be elected each year. Should a vacancy occur in the Board of Trustees, it shall be filled at the Annual Assembly by election, and only for the unexpired term.

Section 2.6: REPORTING ELECTION.
The results of all elections and appointments in a subordinate Council shall be reported to the Grand Recorder within seven (7) days following such election.

REGULATION III. SEAL AND RECORDS OF THE COUNCIL.

Section 3.1: SEAL.
Each subordinate Council shall have a distinctive seal with which to authenticate the documents and correspondence of the Council. A copy of this seal will be on file with the Grand Recorder in the archives of the Grand Council.

Section 3.2: RECORDS OF THE COUNCIL.
Each subordinate Council shall maintain a record book of the transactions of the Council, and such other books and records as may be required to show clearly the receipts, expenditures, accounts, roll of members, and the reports of the Treasurer and Recorder.

REGULATION IV. BY-LAWS.

Section 4.1
Each subordinate Council shall have the inherent right and privilege to make such By-laws as may be required for its government and concern. Such By-laws must be in agreement with, and conformable to, the provisions of the Grand Constitution and General Regulations of the Grand Council.

Section 4.2
All By-laws, after approval by the subordinate Council, shall be submitted in triplicate, under the seal and signature of the principal Officers of the Council, to the Grand Recorder. These By-laws will be approved by the Committee on Constitution and the Grand Master before they shall be deemed to be in force. The notice of the approval of such By-laws will be presented to the Grand Council by the Grand Master in his Address to the Grand Assembly.

Section 4.3
Changes, alterations, amendments and additions to a subordinate Council's By-laws will follow the same procedure for approval as noted in Section 4.2 above for original By-laws.

REGULATION V. MEMBERSHIP

The sole responsibility for membership in a subordinate Council under this Grand Council shall rest with that Council by its ballot.

Section 5.1: ELIGIBILITY TO MEMBERSHIP.
Any Royal Arch Mason, who is a member in good standing in a regular Royal Arch Chapter, may apply for membership in any subordinate Council under this Grand Council.

Section 5.2: PETITION FOR MEMBERSHIP.
The petition, or application, for membership, of every Royal Arch Mason for the degrees of the Council (Cryptic degrees) shall be made to a subordinate Council of this Grand Council by petition in the regular form, signed by the petitioner, and giving the petitioner's full name, age, residence, and occupation. He shall state whether he has ever applied previously to any Council and, if so, to which Council. His petition shall be signed by at least two (2) members of the Council to which his petition is presented, who will recommend his membership.

Section 5.3: INVESTIGATION AND BALLOT.
The petition of any applicant shall be referred to a Committee of Investigation, who shall make due inquiry into the facts of the petition, the petitioner's character and standing, and his Masonic credentials. The Committee may report and the ballot may be taken on the same, or any subsequent, regular Assembly of the Council. The ballot shall be secret and unanimous in accord with established Masonic custom and usage.

Section 5.4: EFFECTIVE PERIOD OF THE BALLOT.
Any Companion Royal Arch Mason who has been elected to received the degrees of the Council (Cryptic degrees), and who fails to present himself for initiation within one year after due notice has been given, shall thereby forfeit such election and his fee shall be returned. He may, however, before the period of one year shall expire, have the period extended by a majority vote of the Council at a regular Assembly.

Section 5.5: WITHDRAWAL OF A PETITION.
A petition for the degrees of the Council may be withdrawn by the unanimous consent of the Council to which it has been presented up to the time the Committee is prepared to report. It may not be withdrawn after the Committee has presented its report but must proceed to ballot.

Section 5.6: RETENTION OF MEMBERSHIP.
A Companion, in order to maintain membership in a Council of Royal and Select Masters, must maintain his membership in good standing in a regular Chapter of Royal Arch Masons.

Section 5.7: AFFILIATION.
Any Companion Royal and Select Master, in good standing in a recognized Council of Royal and Select Masters (Cryptic Masons), may petition, without fee, to affiliate with any Council in this Grand Jurisdiction. His petition, after a Committee has made due inquiry and report, may be balloted upon at any regular Assembly of the Council he has petitioned. If elected, he is entitled to all rights and privileges of that Council upon the presentation and filing of his dimit and his assent to the By-laws of the Council.

The Recorder will at that time endorse the dimit and imprint the seal of the Council, thus canceling it from any further use.

Section 5.8: DUAL or MULTIPLE MEMBERSHIP.
A Companion of a subordinate Council may affiliate with any other subordinate Council (or Councils) and thus hold dual or multiple membership in more than one Council. His petition shall state that he desires dual (or multiple) membership, and thus he will not be required to present a dimit. He should, however, file a proof of good standing in a regular Council. Upon acceptance by bote of the Council, he is entitled to all the rights and privileges of membership in the Council, except that he may not hold elective office in more than one Council in more than any one year. Expulsion for cause in any Council in which membership is held shall terminate membership in all Councils in which membership is held.

Section 5.9: FEES.
A subordinate Council under this Grand Council shall not confer the Degrees of this Grand Council for less a sum than twelve dollars ( $12.00), of which at least two dollars ($2.00) shall accompany the petition. The balance must be paid in full before the conferring of the Royal Master Degree. No subordinate Council shall confer the Degrees of this Grand Council on credit nor accept a promissory note for the same.

Section 5.10: REJECTED PETITIONS.
The petition of the Companion Royal Arch Mason, which has been rejected by the ballot of the Council shall not be received by any other Council unless the consent of the rejecting Council is obtained. Such consent can only be given by the approval of three-quarters (3/4) of the members present and voting at a regular Assembly of the original rejecting Council.

Section 5.11: WAIVERS OF JURISDICTION.
All requests for the waiver of jurisdiction over petitioners who legal residence is outside the limits of this Grand Council shall be obtained through the Office of the Grand Recorder of this Grand Council.

Section 5.12: ELIGIBILITY TO PETITION.
Any Master Mason, in good standing in a regular Lodge and who has petitioned a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons for membership, may petition a subordinate Council of this Grand Jurisdiction for membership and the degrees of the Council. That petition may be received, referred to a committee, and balloted upon, but the degrees of Royal and Select Master shall not be conferred until the petitioner may have received the perquisite degrees of Royal Arch Masonry.

Section 5.13: HONORARY MEMBERSHIP.
Any Council, including this Grand Council, may confer honorary membership upon any Companion Royal and Select Master. This action does not require any special qualification, nor does it confer any special privilege. An honorary member is not liable for any dues or other assessment, and likewise has no voice nor vote in the Council conferring the honor. In a like manner, honorary rank may be conferred upon deserving members, but this action extends no privilege beyond the honor voted. Honorary membership or rank shall be by ballot and with three-quarters of those present and voting concurring.

REGULATION VI. DEGREES OF THIS GRAND COUNCIL.

Section 6.1
The recognized degrees of this Grand Council are three (3) in number:
     (1) The Royal Master Degree
    (2) The Select Master Degree
     (3) and the appendant degree -- The Super-Excellent Master Degree

Section 6.2: ORDER OF CONFERRAL.
These degrees must be conferred in the order given in Section 6.1.

Section 6.3: RITUAL
The Ritual this is to be used in the conferral of the degrees of the Council shall be the STANDARD WORK of this Grand Council as approved by the action of this Grand Council at its Annual Assembly.

Section 6.4: GRAND INSTRUCTOR
The Grand Instructor shall be the custodian of the STANDARD WORK and shall be a member, but not the chairman, of a committee on ritual. He shall promulgate the STANDARD WORK to the several subordinate Councils to ensure that the several Councils are correct and consistent in the conferral of the Council degrees, and that harmony may prevail in the presentation of the STANDARD WORK of this Grand Council.

REGULATION VII. APRONS AND JEWELS.

Section 7.1: Provisions for Aprons.

GENERAL:
    (a) All aprons authorized by this Grand Council shall be in the form of an equilateral triangle and measure sixteen inches (16") on a side. The basic apron shall be of white material with edging and ornamentation as listed below for specific application. Subordinate Councils may use cotton, linen, or a similar fabric; all other aprons will be made of white lambskin (or similar material), lined with purple silk or similar fabric.

    (b) The flap (also known as bib or fall) shall be made of the same material as the basic apron and shall extend across the full top side of the apron. It shall be triangular in shape with a height of five inches (5").

    (c) The apron will be secured on the person by means of a cord or belt with serpent and ring fastener. If a cord is used, it will be one hundred twenty inches (120") in length, which will include a six inch (6") tassel on either end.

SPECIAL PROVISIONS AND DIMENSIONS:

    (a) The border or edging on aprons will vary according to the station of the office of the wearer. The specific applications are indicated below and in Figures 1 & 2, following.

    (b) The emblem required on the body of the aprons of officers will be a circle circumscribed about an equilateral triangle and a trowel extending from the apex of the triangle to the base. The triangle shall be broken on the left side (right side to one facing it). The circle shall be two inches (2") in diameter, and its center shall be seven inches (7") from the top of the apron. For Grand Officers and Past Grand Masters there shall be a wreath surrounding the emblem. This emblem and wreath shall be embroidered.

    (c) On the front of the apron worn by Grand Officers and Past Grand Masters shall be two tassels that originate under the flap of the apron. They shall be five inches (5") from either upper vertex of the apron. They shall be of purple ribbon one and one half inches (1½") in width, and hang down five and one half inches (5½"), which will also include a one and one half inch (1½") fringe on the end of each.

TYPES OF APRONS AUTHORIZED:

      (a) Companions - The apron shall be edged, or bordered by purple edging three-quarters inch (3/4") wide.

     (b) Subordinate Council Officers - The apron shall be bordered by purple edging one inch (1") wide.

     (c) Past Thrice Illustrious Master - The apron shall be bordered by purple edging one and one half inches (1½"). The design noted above shall be placed on the body of the apron as prescribed.

     (d) Grand Officers - The apron of Grand Officers shall have an edging of gold braid one-half inch (½") wide and an inner edging of purple one inch (1") wide, a total edging of one and one-half inches (1½"). The top of the flap shall have only the gold braid (one-half inch gold braid), while the two bottom sides of the flap will have the full one and one-half inch edging. Tassels, as noted above, will be provided. The emblem will be embroidered in purple and surrounded by an embroidered gold wreath.

     (e) Past Grand Masters - The apron of a Past Grand Master shall be edged with a purple ribbon one and one-half inches (1½") in width with a gold braid down the center of this ribbon, the braid to be one-half inches (½") in width, on both body and flap of the apron. The emblem will be embroidered and surrounded by an embroidered purple wreath.

Section 7.2. Description of Jewels.
     (a) Grand Council Officers' Jewels. - The jewels for Grand Council Officers shall be circular in form, one and seven-eights inches (1 7/8") in diameter, with the circle three-eights inch (3/8") wide, on the surface of which shall be cut, etched, or made in relief, a wreath of almond buds and leaves, tied at the base by an ornamental knot. Overlapping to the outer edge of the circle shall be an equilateral triangle with apex at the top and one-fourth inch (¼") in width, and in relief on top of this shall be a broken triangle (broken at the lower right side - facing - and one-eighth inch in width). There shall be a trowel in the open triangle, pointing downward, and the emblem (see below) shall be placed so that the trowel shall touch the bottom of the triangle. The jewel shall be hung from the top with a purple cord, excepting that of the Grand Master, which shall be suspended by a chain or collar, appropriately designed. The finish of the metal shall be gold. The emblems should be as follows:

Grand Master: Square and Compasses

Deputy Grand Master: Level

Grand Principal Conductor of the Work: Plumb

Grand Treasurer: Crossed Keys

Grand Recorder: Crossed Quills

Grand Chaplains: Open Book

Grand Captain of the Guard: Battle Axe

Grand Conductor of Council: Scroll

Grand Marshal: Crossed Batons

Grand Steward: Crossed Straight Swords

Grand Sentinel: Crossed Curved Swords

     (b) Subordinate Council Officers' Jewels. The jewels for officers in subordinate Councils shall be an equilateral triangle, the outside length of each side two and one-half inches (2½"). The emblems shall be the same as for Grand Council Officers of corresponding station. The jewels shall be hung from purple cord or ribbon, or made to pin on the left breast of the coat, in which case a purple ribbon should be used under the jewel.

     (c) Past Grand Officers' Jewels. The jewel for a Past Grand Master, or Past Thrice Illustrious Master, shall be made in accordance with the general design of the Grand Master or Thrice Illustrious Master, except that the emblem shall be a compass and sextant (segment with compass open to sixty degrees), with a trowel in the center attached to the apex of the triangle. It may be further decorated with precious stones and in any size, and any manner of attachment.

     (d) Companions' Jewels. Every Companion of the Cryptic Rite is entitled to wear a jewel of size and design of that of the officers in a subordinate Council, except that there shall be no emblem, other than the trowel in the center opening of the triangle.

REGULATION VIII. AWARDS.

Section 8.1: THE HARRY AMES PUTNAM AWARD OF THE GENERAL GRAND COUNCIL MEDAL.
The General Grand Council of Cryptic Masons, International, Medal -- also known as the "Cryptic Mason of the Year" Medal -- is awarded once per year and its nomination and presentation are the sole responsibility of the Grand Master.

As a lasting tribute and a memorial to to a great Cryptic Mason in New Jersey, this General Grand Council Award shall hereafter be known as THE HARRY AMES PUTNAM AWARD OF THE GENERAL GRAND MEDAL, and shall be awarded in his name by the Grand Master at the time of presentation.

As the reverse of this medal bears no inscription or figure, the following inscription shall be henceforth be engraved thereon: ---

It shall be the duty of the Grand Master to insure that this inscription is properly engraved on the reverse of the Medal prior to presentation.

Section 8.2: THE GODFREY PITTIS MERITORIOUS AWARD CERTIFICATE.
A certificate for meritorious service may be presented each year to Worthy Companions who do not hold Grand Council rank. The purpose is to call attention and to reward in a suitable manner those Companions who have been of great service to the subordinate Councils -- "the true laborers in the erection of our Secret Vaults."

This award shall be limited to one nomination per Council annually; it is an optional award and should not ever be considered mandatory for each Council.

The Companion to be nominated for such certificate shall be selected by a vote of his Council at a regular Assembly. The name of the nominee shall then be forwarded on the proper form to the Grand Recorder; such nomination must be in the hands of the Grand Recorder no later than January 15th of each year.

The Grand Recorder shall forward the completed nominations to the Committee on Awards within ten (10) days of his receipt of such nominations. After the approval of the Committee on Awards and the Grand Master, certificates shall be prepared and presented tot he recipient by the Grand Master. The time and place of such presentation shall be at the discretion of the Grand Master, but, as this award is made to those who have not achieved nor sought Grand Council rank, it is recommended that the presentation be made by the Grand Master on his visit to the recipient's Council.

As a tribute to one who gave many years of faithful service to this Grand Council, and to one who was a familiar figure in the ways of our Secret Vault for over fifty years in many Offices and duties, this certificate shall be known and shall bear the title: --
THE GODFREY PITTIS MERITORIOUS AWARD CERTIFICATE

Section 8.3: THE COUNCIL OF ISH SODI.
Since the recipient of the Godfrey Pittis Meritorious Award Certificate has no overt sign by which he can be recognized by his Companions, and since the recipient is indeed a Select Master, a Man of My Choice, he shall be inducted into the Council of Ish Sodi and invested with the emblem of the Council, suspended by a purple ribbon.

The Most Illustrious Grand Master, on his Official Visit to a Council, will open a Council of Ish Sodi by declaring, "By the authority vested in me as Grand Master, I declare this Council of Ish Sodi open in ample form." He will then raise the recipient of the Godfrey Pittis Meritorious Award Certificate by the grip of Select Master and declare, "I acknowledge you a Man of My Choice, Ish Sodi," and will conduct him to the East to be invested with the emblem of the Council and presented with his Godfrey Pittis Meritorious Award Certificate. All other members of the Council of Ish Sodi will be recognized. The Most Illustrious Grand Master will close the Council of Ish Sodi by declaring, "By the authority vested in me as Grand Master, I declare this Council of Ish Sodi closed in ample form." All previous recipients of the Godfrey Pittis Meritorious Award Certificate shall be members of the Council of Ish Sodi and invested with the emblem of the Council.

SECTION IX. RETURNS OF SUBORDINATE COUNCILS

Section 9.1: ANNUAL RETURNS.
The Recorder of each subordinate Council shall, within four weeks after the Annual Assembly of his Council, deliver to the Grand Recorder an exact return of the names and titles of the Officers of that Council, along with a detailed account of the work of his Council during the year ending with that Annual Assembly. This detailed report will contain a list of admissions, rejections, deaths, removals, dimits, suspensions, expulsions, and reinstatements; it shall further contain a statement as to the usual meeting place of the Council and the stated time of each regular Assembly of the Council; there shall also be a financial statement which shall state the amount due to the Grand Council as noted in Sections 9.2 and 9.3 below. The Annual Report will be signed by the Thrice Illustrious Master of the Council and the Recorder as well as bearing the Seal of the Council.

Section 9.2: PER CAPITA ASSESSMENT.
Each subordinate Council shall pay annually into the Treasury of the Grand Council the sum of Two Dollars ($2.00) or every member in good standing; this total amount shall be delivered to the Grand Recorder simultaneously with the Annual Report (Sec. 9.1). The only exceptions to this assessment are Life Members by reason of twenty-one (21) years of continuous membership, if reported to the Grand Recorder prior to the Grand Recorder prior to April 19, 1939; all such Companions will be reported on the Annual Report.

Section 9.3: GREETING ASSESSMENT.
Each subordinate Council shall pay annually into the Treasury of the Grand Council simultaneously with the Annual Report (sec. 9.1) the sum of Three Dollars ($3.00) for each Companion greeted as a Select Master in that Council and admitted a member of that Council during the Cryptic Year covered by that Annual Report.

Section 9.4: PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO MAKE RETURNS.
Any subordinate Council that shall neglect or refuse to pay any per capita assessment, greeting assessment, or any special assessment levied by the Grand Council, or shall fail to make the required Annual Report to the Grand Council, shall not be entitled to be represented in Grand Council, or to vote on any matter before the Grand Council.

REGULATION X. CONSTITUTING A NEW COUNCIL.

Section 10.1: The necessary procedures to be followed for the formation of a new Council shall be: --
    (1) A request shall be made for a dispensation by no less than nine (9) regular Royal and Select Masters. They shall file such a request with the Grand Master and include the sum of forty dollars ($40.00) which shall be the fee for a Warrant.

    (2) The Grand Master may issue them a dispensation if, after due investigation, he shall find that their request is valid.

    (3) Upon receipt of their dispensation, the members of the new Council, U.D., shall obtain their dimits or certificates in good standing in their present Councils (that is, should thy desire to retain membership in a dual status). These dimits or certificates shall be field with the Grand Recorder, and will be returned to the Recorder of the new Council at the time of the constituting of the New Council. The Recorder would at that time endorse or cancel them with the seal of the New Council placed thereon.

    (4) If the Grand Council should, in its wisdom, grant their request for a Warrant, or Charter, then the Grand Master should in due time present the Warrant. At such time the Grand Recorder should inform him that the number of Companions has reached the constitutional number of twenty seven (27), the Grand Master shall present the Warrant and constitute the New Council.

Section 10.2: REFUND OF FEE.
If, in the opinion of the Grand Master, it would be unwise to present such a Warrant, or if, within a reasonable period of time the number of new members has not reached the constitutional number of twenty seven (27), the Grand Master may order the return of the fee to the founders and withdraw his dispensation. He shall report such actions to the Grand Assembly for their approval. The Grand Recorder will likewise return the dimits or certificates of good standing to the Companions concerned in order that they may either affiliate with their prior Council or another Council of their choice.

REGULATION XI. ARREST OR FORFEITURE OF WARRANT.

Section 11.1: ARREST OF WARRANT.
The Warrant of a subordinate Council may only be arrested by the Grand Master for cause, and only after due hearing when such cause has been announced. The Grand Master must report to the Grand Council at the next Annual Assembly explaining his action.

Section 11.2: FORFEITURE OF WARRANT.
The Warrant of a subordinate Council can be declared forfeited only by this Grand Council. Such action can be taken at the Grand Assembly, or at a Special Assembly of this Grand Council specifically called for that purpose. Notice of such action must be given to all Councils no less than thirty (30) days prior to calling such a Special Assembly to order. Due process will be observed at all such hearings, and a two-thirds (2/3) majority of those present and voting by ballot shall be necessary to declare a Warrant forfeited.

Section 11.3: MINIMUM ACTIVITY OF A COUNCIL.
Every subordinate Council is required to hold a minimum of one regular assembly per year, and every subordinate Council shall make Annual Returns with appropriate fees to the Grand Council. Failure to do either of these requirements shall be grounds for the suspension of the Warrant of such subordinate Council by the Grand Master. The Grand Master shall make a full report of any such suspension to the Grand Council at the Annual Assembly. The Grand Council shall then investigate and determine if such Warrant should be declared forfeit.

Section 11.4: SURRENDER OF WARRANT.
A subordinate Council may, by a two-thirds (2/3) ballot of the membership present and voting, at a regular Assembly, surrender its Warrant to this Grand Council. Notice of this pending action must be given to all members of the subordinate Council in a summons handed to all members no less than thirty (30) days prior to this action at a regular Assembly of the Council. The acceptance of such surrender of a Warrant must receive the approval of the Grand Council at its next Annual Assembly.

Section 11.5: CERTIFICATES OF GOOD STANDING.
A member of a subordinate Council whose Warrant has been, or may be hereafter, forfeited or surrendered may make application to the Grand Recorder for a Certificate of Good Standing that will permit him to affiliate with any other Council. Such Certificate shall be supplied to him, without charge, provided that his dues shall have been paid to the subordinate Council before the date of forfeiture or surrender, or shall be paid to the Grand Recorder up to the date of the forfeiture or surrender of the Warrant.

Section 11.6: CONSOLIDATION OR MERGER OF COUNCILS.
Two or more subordinate Councils may determine that, in the best interests of each Council, the Councils should consolidate or merge into one subordinate Council. The necessary actions to accomplish such merger or consolidation shall be: --

    (1) The action must be acceptable to each of the subordinate Councils concerned, as expressed by a favorable vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present and voting at a regular Assembly of each Council, to which all members have been summoned for that purpose.

    (2) The name and number of the new Council (either number of the existing Councils may be adopted) will be selected by mutual consent. The selections shall be made by majority bote of the Councils at the time that each shall assemble to vote upon the question of merger.

    (3) Upon approval of the resolutions as outlines in (1) and (2) above, these facts shall be transmitted to the Grand Master for his approval. He shall determine the propriety of the action, and he may issue a dispensation to effect the consolidation or merger at that time, or he may defer any action at that time. In either case, a new Warrant will be issued only by action of the Grand Council.

    (4) Upon approval of the consolidated of the Councils, all records, funds, property, resources and paraphernalia of the Councils involved shall become the property of the consolidated Councils, which shall assume all members and obligations of the separate Councils.

    (5) Each of the Councils concerned shall furnish the Grand Master a complete inventory of members, property, obligations and financial position of the separate Councils prior to the approval of the consolidation or merger.

    (6) Each Council concerned shall in turn surrender to the Grand Master the original Warrant prior to the acceptance of the new Warrant.

REGULATION XII. GRAND REPRESENTATIVES.

Section 12.1: OF THIS GRAND JURISDICTION.
The Grand Master is authorized to appoint and to exchange Grand Representatives of this Grand Council to the several Grand Councils with which this Grand Council enjoys Fraternal Communication. The purpose of such exchange is to develop a continuing fraternal relationship between this and the several Grand Councils near the Grand Council of New Jersey. Grand Representatives so appointed shall have no authority to act in behalf of this Grand Council except with specific written instructions. The term of a Grand Representative is at the will and pleasure of the then incumbent Grand Master.

Section 12.2: NEAR THIS GRAND JURISDICTION.
Grand Representatives of other Grand Councils near this Grand Council who fail to attend, or make a report in writing to this grand Council, at three successive Annual Assemblies of this Grand Council, may be considered as resigning their commission as a Grand Representative. The Grand Master may then recommend to the Grand Master of the Grand Council, for which that Grand Representative had received his commission, a successor to fill the vacancy thus created.

Section 12.3:
The holding of a commission as a Grand Representative does not confer any special title other than the title of his appointment.

REGULATION XIII. MEMBERSHIP CARDS.

Section 13.1: DUES AND IDENTIFICATION CARDS.
Every member of a subordinate Council, having paid his dues and assessments for the current year, shall receive a Dues and Identification (D&I) Card signed by the Recorder of his Council and bearing the imprint of the Seal of the Council. The D&I Card will have a space for the signature of the member, which, when signed, validates the card. This card shall bear the certificate of the Grand Recorder and a printed Seal of the Grand Council, attesting to the regularity of the Council issuing it. This D&I Card shall serve as a receipt for dues and as identification for the bearer.

Section 13.2: LIFE MEMBERSHIP.
Subordinate Councils may establish a Life Membership Program and establish a fee for the same. Establishment of such a program does not relieve or exempt that Council from the payment of the member's per capita assessment to the Grand Council.

Section 13.3: PREPARATION OF D&I CARDS.
All membership cards (D&I) shall be prepared by the Grand Recorder and supplied to the subordinate Councils at the actual cost of preparation and distribution.

REGULATION XIV. CHARGES AND TRIALS.

Section 14.1:
All charges and subsequent trials shall be conducted in accordance with "CODE OF TRIAL BY CHARGES" in use by the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of New Jersey. (See "Constitution, et al., Grand Royal Arch Chapter of New Jersey, pages 7 and 8.)

[Note: The above reference was rendered inoperative by revision and republication of the Constitution of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of New Jersey.]

REGULATION XV. AMENDMENTS.

Section 15.1:
A General Regulation may be amended, altered, repealed, or a new one made and adopted (or any section of a General so acted upon) at any Annual Assembly of this Grand Council. Such amendment, alteration, repeal or new General Regulation shall be made by an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present and voting, providing it is not inconsistent with the Grand Constitution of this Grand Council.

Section 15.2:
Such proposition for alteration, amendment, repeal, or new Regulation must be submitted in writing to the Grand Recorder and bearing the signature of at least three (3) members of this Grand Council.

APPENDIX

SCHEDULE OF BALLOT - VOTING AND ELECTION

The determination of all questions by the members of this Grand Council and subordinate Councils is to be decided by:

    A. The secret ballot using balls and cubes, deposited in a receptacle so constructed so as to conceal the act of selection and deposit.

    B. Written Ballot.

    C. The manual or voting sign of a Mason. (This may also be a vote by voice [viva voce], or by dividing the house by rising to record the vote.)

A. THE SECRET BALLOT USING BALLS AND CUBES

Necessary for Affirmative

    1. Petition for Initiation: Unanimous

    2. Petition for Affiliation: Unanimous

    3. Honorary Membership: Two Thirds

    4. Waiver of Jurisdiction: Three Fourths

    5. Suspension for Non-Payment of Dues: Two Thirds

    6. Restoration to Membership within Five Years for NPD: Majority

    7. Restoration to Membership After Five Years for NPD: Two Thirds

    8. Restoration After Suspension Other Than NPD, or after Expulsion: Two Thirds

    9. Finding of Guilt on Charges: Two Thirds

    10. Determination of Punishment After Un-Masonic Conduct: Majority

    11. Withdrawal of Charges of Un-Masonic Conduct with Written Consent of All Parties: Two Thirds

B. WRITTEN BALLOT

    1. All elections of officers shall be by written ballot only: Majority

    2. On such questions as required to to insure the secrecy of the vote, or as requested by a member: As required

C. THE MANUAL, OR VOTING SIGN OF A MASON.

     1. Approve the withdrawal of a petition before the investigating committee has reported: Unanimous

    2. Request for a dimit: Objection to a request for Dimit must take the form of charges.

    3. Request for the extension of time for initiation: Majority

    4. Request to permit one Companion to cast the vote of the Council when there is no opposition in an election: Unanimous

    5. Request to be excused from voting: Ruling by the chair

    6. All other questions except as specifically provided otherwise: Majority

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