BY-LAWS
OF THE
MASTERS, WARDENS, AND SECRETARIES
ASSOCIATION
64th Masonic District of Texas

ARTICLE I
NAME

Section A – The name of this association shall be “The Masters, Wardens and Secretaries Association, A.F.&A.M., of the 64th Masonic District of Texas”. This Association exists only at the will and pleasure of the Grand Lodge of Texas, acting through the Grand Master and in turn through the District Deputy Grand Masters in the District.

ARTICLE II
PURPOSE

Section A – The Association is a cooperative service organization dependent upon the Masonic Lodges of the 64th Masonic District of Texas for support and has no authority or right to concern itself in any manner with the business or other affairs of the Lodges of this District, or of any member thereof. (Amended March 7, 2013).

All members of this Association shall retain all rights and privileges invested in them as Master Masons under the Constitution and Laws of the Grand Lodge of Texas and nothing herein shall ever be construed to restrict such rights in any manner.

Section B – The purpose of this Association shall be:

(1) To assist the District Deputy Grand Masters and members of any Grand Lodge Committee in the performance of their duties when requested.

(2) To promote a cooperative plan of attendance when all the Lodges of the 64th Masonic District act as host to the Most Worshipful Grand Master and visiting Masons when in attendance at the Regional or District Meeting.

(3) To foster and encourage ideas and plans determined to promoting better spirit of Brotherhood and widen acquaintances among the Brethren of this District.

(4) To promote and support educational meetings designed to bring more light to all Master Masons.

ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP

Section A – Regular members of the Association shall be 1) Worshipful Masters, Wardens, and Secretaries and Junior Past Masters of the Lodges in the 64th Masonic District, 2) Officers of the Association and 3) Past Presidents of the Association.

Section B – Except for Junior Past Masters, all Past Masters and affiliated Past Masters of Lodges in the 64th Masonic District shall be honorary members of the Association.

Section C – Each regular member present shall be entitled to one vote in the transaction of business. Honorary members shall have no vote in the transaction of business, but may offer suggestions for consideration, and may serve on committees when properly appointed.

ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS

Section A – The officers of this Association shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. All of whom shall be elected from the regular membership and by majority vote of the regular members present. The office of the Secretary and Treasurer may be combined at the discretion of the Association.

Section B – No President Shall succeed himself in office.

Section C – In case of death, resignation, inability, or refusal to serve of the President, the Vice-President shall assume the duties of that office until the next regular meeting of the Association at which time that office shall be filled by election. In the even a vacancy occurs in the office of Vice-President, Secretary, or Treasurer, the President may appoint a pro-tem officer until the next regular meeting of the Association at which time that office will be filled by election.

ARTICLE V
MEETINGS

Section A – No less than four meetings shall be held per annum.

Section B – The regular meetings of this Association shall be held on the 4th Monday of the months of January, April, July, and October. The President may, with just cause, reschedule or cancel a regular meeting. (Amended October 22, 2012)

Section C – The election of officers shall be held at the first regular or called meeting after June 24th and prior to August 1st.

Section D – Called meetings may be held at any time on written notice mailed to all regular members by the President at least five days prior to such meeting.

Section E – Any business proper to be transacted by this Association may be transacted at either a regular or called meeting. except amendments to these By-Laws.

Section F – All meetings of this Association shall be opened and closed with prayer.

ARTICLE VI
ORDER OF BUSINESS

Section A – The order of business at regular or called meetings shall be as follows, unless otherwise ordered by the President:

(1) Opening Prayer
(2) Pledge of Allegiance
(3) Roll Call of Lodges
(4) Reading Minutes of Preceding Meeting
(5) Reports of Committees
(6) Unfinished Business
(7) New Business
(8) Announcements
(9) Program
(10) Closing Prayer

ARTICLE VII
COMMITTEES

Section A – The President may appoint such committees as he deems desirable and necessary to carry out the various activities of the Association.

ARTICLE VIII
FINANCE

Section A – The work of this Association shall be carried on only by voluntary contributions, in a manner to be determined by the Association.

ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS

Section A – No amendment to the By-Laws either by alteration or addition shall be made, unless in the following manner:

(1) The proposed amendment must be in writing, signed by the proposers, and presented and read at a regular meeting of this Association, at which time it may be discussed and amended, if necessary.
(2) At the next regular meeting of this Association, it shall again be considered and voted upon without further amendment and approved by a two-third majority of the regular members present.
(3) With approval of the Grand Lodge, the proposed amendment shall become a part of the By-Laws of this Association.

Adopted March 28, 1960
Amended March 7, 2013