CONSTITUTION

FORT WORTH MASONIC SERVICE BUREAU, INC.

Article I

The name of this organization shall be the Fort Worth Masonic Service Bureau, Inc. It will be hereafter termed the “Bureau”.

Article II

Objectives and Purposes

The Objectives and Purposes of the Bureau shall be as follows:

A.      To render financial or other relief to distressed worthy Masons, their widows and orphan not affiliated with any of the member organizations of the Bureau, but who are sojourning in our midst, agreeable to the Laws of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas, the rules of the Bureau, and Masonic principals.

B.      To exercise the privileges of Masonic charity and brotherly love by providing Masonic ceremonies, if requested, at the burial in Tarrant County of deceased Master Masons in good standing.

C.      To endeavor to find suitable employment for any and all worthy Masons and their families.

D.      To guard the fraternity against impostors.

Article III

Membership

A. All Lodges of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, all Chapters of Royal Arch Masons, all *Councils of Royal and Select Masters, all Commanderies of Knights Templar in Tarrant County, Texas, also Moslah Temple, Fort Worth Scottish Rite Bodies, National Sojourners, El Texa Grotto and *Past Presidents of the Bureau are eligible for membership in this Bureau.

B. Membership is obtained by contributions to the Bureau as set forth in Article VI of this Constitution (and any amendments thereto).

C. One representative of each body, and the *Past Presidents, shall constitute the Board of Directors of the Bureau.

D. *For the purpose of voting, only members of the Bureau, as shown in A above are entitled to vote. No members shall have more than one vote.

Article IV
Officers

A. The Officers of the Bureau shall be a President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary.

B. The President, Vice-President and Treasurer shall be elected from the membership of the Bureau.

C. The Secretary

1. Shall be appointed by a majority vote of the representatives of the Bureau.
2. Shall hold office at the will and pleasure of the representatives of the Bureau.
3. Shall be a member in good standing of a member organization of the Bureau.

D. Elective Officers shall be regularly nominated and elected at the June meeting of the Bureau. A majority of votes must be in favor of the nominee for each office before he is declared elected.

E. Any vacancy occurring in the office of President, Vice-President or Treasurer shall be filled by election to be held at the first succeeding stated meeting following the vacancy.

Article V
Executive Committee

A. The President, Vice-President and Treasurer shall compose the Executive Committee of the Bureau.

B. The business affairs of the Bureau shall be administered by the Executive Committee during the interim between stated meetings.

C. Two members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

D. All actions of the Executive Committee shall by approved by the representatives at the next stated meeting.

Article VI
Finance Committee

A. There shall be a Finance Committee consisting of three members from the representatives of this Bureau.

B. No member shall succeed himself on this committee.

C. The President shall appoint a new member of this committee at the beginning of his term and fill any vacancies that night occur.

D. Their duties are as follows

1. To audit the books of the Secretary and Treasurer and report their findings at the August stated meeting, or cause the same to be done.

2. They shall serve this Bureau and the Executive Committee on matters of finance when requested to do so.

Article VII
Revenue

A.     Current revenue of the Bureau is derived from the membership on the following basis *for the annual period from July 1 through June 30 next.

B.   Contributions are payable in advance, and can be made monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually.

C.   Contributions can only be waived by a majority vote of the representatives of this Bureau.

D.   Changes in the contribution structure shall be made in accordance with Article III, except that the member organizations shall be notified that there is a resolution affecting the structure of the contributions to be voted at the succeeding stated meeting.

Article VIII

Amendments

A. This Constitution may be Changed or amended upon affirmative vote of three-fourths of the representatives present.

B. Any proposed Change or amendment shall be presented in writing at a stated meeting and lay over until the next stated meeting before final action is taken.

This amended and revised constitution was adopted at the Stated Meeting held on January 10, 1990.

This constitution was amended at a Stated Meeting on September 10, 1997. These changes are indicated by a “*”.