BY-LAWS

of the

GRAND ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER

of

MAINE

ARTICLE I.

ADDITIONAL OFFICERS

SECTION 1. District Deputy Grand High Priests. There shall be such number of District Deputy Grand High Priests as the Grand Chapter shall, from time to time, decide necessary as assistants to the Grand High Priest, and as his personal representatives in the supervision of the subordinate Chapters.

SECTION 2. Grand Chaplains. There shall be such number of Grand Chaplains, not exceeding four, as the Grand High Priest may deem necessary.

SECTION 3. Grand Lecturer. There shall be a Grand Lecturer who shall perform such duties as may by usage appertain to the office. He shall make an annual report to the Grand Chapter, and special reports to the Grand High Priest when requested.

SECTION 4. Grand Organist. The Grand High Priest may appoint one or more eligible companions as Grand Organist.

SECTION 5. Grand Trustees. There shall be a Board of Grand Trustees consisting of the Grand High Priest, Deputy Grand High Priest, Grand King, Grand Scribe, Grand Treasurer, Grand Secretary, and three Companions who are not acting officials of the Grand Chapter, to be elected by ballot for a term of three years.

SECTION 6. Duties Grand Trustees. The Grand Trustees shall conduct the offices relative to the investment of Grand Chapter funds, the management of any trust funds or special gifts created by will or other legal instrument in writing accepted by the Grand Chapter, and shall have authority to take, hold and convey title to any such funds or property in the name of the officers and Members of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Maine. Provided, that it shall be lawful for said Board of Grand Trustees to establish a committee from their own number with authority to make investments and exchanges of Grand Chapter funds during the interim between annual convocations.

The Board of Grand Trustees shall cause to be kept a full and accurate book record of its proceedings, and submit a report of all transactions at each annual convocation. The Grand Secretary shall be the secretary of the Board and prepare the annual report.

The Board of Grand Trustees shall meet at the call of the Grand High Priest, during the week of the annual convocation immediately following the installation of officers and at such other times as decided to be necessary or expedient for the transaction of business by the Grand High Priest.

ARTICLE II.

GRAND CHAPTER CHARITY FOUNDATION

SECTION 1. Charity Funds. The Grand Chapter Charity Foundation established by the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Maine, shall consist of the Charity Fund of the Grand Chapter, and such other funds as are established or accepted for charitable, educational or other specific purposes which are in accord with Masonic principles and practices.

SECTION 2. Principal. The principal of the Grand Chapter Fund shall not be expended for any purpose except any capital gains from investments sold could be used in the same way as income from investments. Said principal may be increased from time to time by adding thereto such moneys as may be voted into it from the Grand Chapter General Fund, from the excess of income over relief disbursements and through donations and bequests.(Adopted in 1986)

SECTION 3. Use of Income. The income arising from investments of the Charity Fund and any capital gains as covered under Section 2, may be appropriated in whole or in part for relief.(Adopted in 1986)

First, to all poor and worthy members of Chapters under this jurisdiction, their widows and orphans, in cases where the funds of their own Chapters are not adequate to the exigency.
Second, to all other worthy cases of distress, within and without the Masonic Fraternity, as the Grand Chapter or the Board of Trustees may consider worthy of assistance.
Third, if the whole income of the Charity Fund of the Grand Chapter be not expended, the residue or such part as necessary, may be used for the payment of the ordinary expenses of administration, and any amount not so used may be added to the principal.

SECTION 4. Other Funds. Transactions covering the handling of such other funds as are established or accepted by the Grand Chapter, shall be in accord with the conditions surrounding the establishment of a particular fund, or under the conditions set forth in a deed of trust of a fund accepted by the Grand Chapter. Provided, if the whole income of any such fund or funds be not expended, the residue or such part as necessary, may be used for the payment of the ordinary expenses of administration, and any amount not so used may be added to the principal.

ARTICLE III.

COMMITTEES

SECTION 1. Finance Committee. There shall be a Finance Committee of three to examine and audit the accounts of the Grand Treasurer, Grand Secretary, and of any committee charged with the distribution of Grand Chapter funds, and make report thereon at each annual convocation; to examine all accounts against the Grand Chapter, and, if found correct, approve the same for payment; to recommend appropriations for the proper conduct of the afairs of the Grand Chapter. They shall, with the Grand High Priest, designate proper depositories for the funds of the Grand Chapter. They shall report to the Grand Chapter at each annual convocation, and before the election of officers, the results of the audits of receipts and expenditures of the preceding year.

SECTION 2. Committee on Fraternal Correspondence. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Fraternal Correspondence to review the proceedings and documents emanating from other Capitular Grand Masonic Jurisdictions and report thereon; also to make recommendations in cases where other Capitular Grand Jurisdictions ask fraternal recognition by this Grand Chapter. The committee shall consist of one member.

SECTION 3. Standing Committees. There shall be appointed after the installation of the Grand Chapter Officers, and before the close of the annual convocation, the following standing committees of three members each:

1. On Credentials. The Committee on Credentials shall make a proper record and report to Grand Chapter the attendance of Grand Officers, Permanent Members, Officers and Proxies of Chapters, and the Grand Representatives of other Grand Jurisdictions in attendance at the annual convocation, and before the election of Grand Officers report the number of votes in Grand Chapter.

2. On Returns. The Committee on Returns shall report in tabular form an abstract of the returns of the several subordinate Chapters and submit such other statistical data relative to the work of the Chapters as may be of interest to the membership of the Grand Chapter.

3. On Doings of Grand Officers. The Committee on Doings of Grand Officers shall have referred to it the addresses and reports of the Grand Officers and shall refer all matters contained therein to the committees especially charged with particular duties under By-laws of the Grand Chapter.

4. On Masonic Jurisprudence. The Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence shall have referred to it all acts of the Grand High Priest involving questions of Capitular Masonic Law and practice, and report on such other matters as are referred to it for consideration.

5. On Amendments to the Constitution.The Committee on Amendments to the Constitution shall have referred to it all proposed amendments to the Constitution and By-laws entertained by Grand Chapter.

6. On History. The Committee on History of Capitular Masonry in Maine shall have referred to it histories of the several Chapters, as compiled, review and file the same together with such other matters of interest to Capitular Masonry in this jurisdiction as may come to their attention, in the office of the Grand Secretary.

7. On Memorials. The Committee on Memorials shall prepare a Memorial Service to be presented at the Annual Convocation, with appropriate reference and tribute to the memory of members of Grand Chapter and of the subordinate Chapters who have died during the year.

8. On Grievances and Appeals. The Committee on Grievances and Appeals shall have referred to it all matters of controversy and grievances; shall review the proceedings of a Board of Trial Commissioners, and recommend to Grand Chapter any penalties to be imposed in cases where a Companion is found guilty of a Masonic offense.

9. On Dispensations and Charters. The Committee on Dispensations and Charters shall examine the work and records of Chapters working under dispensation, and make such recommendations, on the petition of a Chapter working under a dispensation for a charter, as appears to be for the interest of Capitular Masonry and the petitioners. This Committee shall also have referred to it all matters concerning the suspension and revocation of charters, and shall ensure that all such proceedings are in accordance with Article VI of these By-laws. All issues resulting from the consolidation of Chapters shall also be referred to this Committee.

NOTE: The dispensations referred to above are those issued for the formation of new Chapters, not those issued by the Grand High Priest authorizing the temporary waiver of a regulation.

10. On Condition of the Fraternity. The Committee on Condition of the Fraternity shall examine the reports of the Grand Officers charged with the inspection of the subordinate Chapters, the annual returns of said Chapters, and make such suggestions and recommendations as may be in the interest of the Chapters and of the Grand Chapter.

11. On Unfinished Business. The Committee on Unfinished Business shall examine the printed proceedings of the previous convocation and report at the first session of the Grand Chapter all matters of business therein pending and undetermined; also before the close of the annual convocation submit a report that all matters of business presented at the convocation have been acted on.

ARTICLE IV.

PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES - GRAND CHAPTER

SECTION 1. Rules of Order.

The Grand High Priest, or in his absence the Deputy Grand High Priest, Grand King or Grand Scribe, successively, shall open the Grand Chapter precisely at the hour named in the Constitution. If all of the above are absent, the junior Past Gand High Priest present may perform this duty.
When the Grand High Priest, or presiding officer, rises in the Grand East, debate shall cease and silence be observed.
When a Companion desires to speak, he shall arise, address the presiding officer, and not proceed to speak until recognized by that officer.
All resolutions shall be submitted in writing; also all motions, if the presiding officer or any Companion desire it.
The Grand High Priest, or presiding officer, shall decide all questions of order.
No Companion shall speak more than twice upon the same question, unless to explain details. He may speak more if no member objects. If objection is made, permission to speak must be requested from Grand Chapter.
No motion shall be entertained until seconded, and no debate had thereon until it is stated by the Grand High Priest, or presiding officer
When a question is under debate, no motion shall be received except to lay on the table, or commit, to postpone or to amend, which motions shall take precedence in the order above named. A motion to amend, until decided, shall preclude all other amendments of the main question.
A member may call for a division of the question where the same will admit of it.
A motion for reconsideration may be made at any time during the annual convocation. No member, except one of the majority which decided the question, shall be allowed to move a reconsideration, and provided further that a resonsideration shall not be permitted by a less number of members than were present at the passing thereof, unless a reasonable notice of the intention to move a reconsideration be given.
All matters not finally disposed of at the close of the Annual Convocation, unless in the hands of a committee or postponed to the next annual convocation, are lost.

ARTICLE V.

CHARTERING AND ORGANIZATION OF NEW CHAPTERS

SECTION 1. Chapters Under Dispensation. Dispensations for the holding of new Chapters may be issued by the Grand High Priest, or by the Grand Chapter when in session, on the petition of not less than nine Royal Arch Masons of known skill and good standing.

SECTION 2. Petition. A petition for a dispensation for a new Chapter shall be signed by each petitioner in full, and shall show the name and location of the lodge with which he is affiliated, and the name and location of the Chapter with which he was last affiliated.

The petition for a dispensation shall be accompanied by demits from the Chapter to which the petitioners belong, or have last belonged, together with copies of the "Marks" of the petitioners, and such other satisfactory evidence of good Masonic standing as may be required.

SECTION 3. Petitioners. Where a member of a subordinate Chapter desires to become a petitioner to Grand Chapter for a dispensation for a new Chapter, he shall apply in writing to the Chapter of which he is a member, setting forth that he desires to become a petitioner for a new Chapter to be located at ........................... Maine. If there are no charges pending against the companion and all dues owing are paid in full, the Chapter shall immediately grant to said companion a demit.

To said demit shall be attached a copy of the "Mark" of the companion, as recorded in the Book of Marks of the Chapter with the date of its adoption.

A companion taking a demit for the purpose of assisting in the formation of a new Chapter has his membership in the Chapter issuing the demit suspended during the continuance of the dispensation for the new Chapter, and on the warrant for a charter being issued to the new Chapter, may become a member thereof, or by returning his demit to the Chapter issuing it, shall be restored to membership therein.

SECTION 4. Action on Petition. A petition for a dispensation for a new Chapter shall not be entertained unless recommended by all the Chapters whose territorial jurisdiction would be affected by the formation of the proposed new Chapter, unless such recommendation shall be determined by the Grand High Priest to be unreasonably withheld. Provided, further, that action shall not be had in a Chapter upon the petition for approval or recommendation for a new Chapter until the same shall have been before the Chapter one month.

SECTION 5. Fee. The fee for a dispensation for a new Chapter shall be ninety dollars ($90.00), which amount shall be deposited with the Grand Secretary by the petitioners previous to the issuing of a dispensation.

SECTION 6. Investigation. Upon receipt of a petition for a new Chapter, the Grand High Priest shall thoroughly investigate the conditions and the advisability of granting a dispensation therefore, and if, in his opinion, it appears the best interest of Capitular Masonry will be served by the granting of the prayer of the petitioners, he shall thereupon grant a dispensation for such Chapter, but as a condition precedent shall require said petitioning companions not already demitted to support their signatures with demits from their Chapters. The petitioners shall also name a Companion for High Priest, one for King and one for Scribe. The Companion named as High Priest shall appoint all officers subordinate to the Scribe.

SECTION 7. Returns. A Chapter working under a dispensation shall return its dispensation, together with a written petition for a charter; an attested transcript of all its proceedings; a copy of its by-laws; together with the Grand Chapter dues, not less than twenty days prior to the holding of an annual convocation of the Grand Chapter.

SECTION 8. Recommendation. The Grand High Priest shall submit a report and recommendation on the petition for a charter, based on the report of the Committee on Dispensations and Charters, and if approved by the Grand Chapter, a Charter of Constitution shall be issued to the petitioners bearing even date with the dispensation.

SECTION 9. Refund of Fee. In case a charter shall not be granted or the dispensation not continued, the fee deposited shall be refunded to the petitioners, excepting only such part thereof as shall have been expended by means of the application.

SECTION 10. Subscriptions. Any monies subscribed and paid to assist in the formation of a new Chapter (such money being used exclusively for Masonic purposes) cannot be credited on a member's dues. A Chapter must be constituted free of debt; thence, all such subscriptions must be treated as gifts or voluntary contributions.

SECTION 11. Name. No new Chapter shall be named after any living person, nor bear the same name as that of any existing Chapter in this jurisdiction.

SECTION 12. Record. The dispensation for a new Chapter shall be copied at length upon the records of the Chapter, and the charter when issued shall be recorded in like manner.

SECTION 13. Constitution New Chapter. Every new Chapter shall be solemnly constituted by the Grand High Priest and his officers or by some competent Companion appointed by him for that purpose, and no new Chapter is recognized or entitled to representation in Grand Chapter unless it be regularly constituted, solemnly dedicated and registered, and its officers duly installed.

ARTICLE VI.

SURRENDER, FORFEITURE AND REVOCATION

OF CHARTERS AND CONSOLIDATION OF CHAPTERS

SECTION 1. Surrender of Charter. Every Charter surrendered to the Grand Chapter, whether or not with the intention of being resumed at a future period, shall be accompanied by the records, by-laws, seal, regalia, funds and all other property of the Chapter. All property of a Chapter surrendering its charter with the intention of resuming it shall be held by the Grand Treasurer of Grand Chapter in trust until such time as the charter shall be restored or the intention of reclaiming it be abandoned.

Any income arising from the funds or other property of a Chapter surrendering its charter shall be made a part of the Charity Fund of the Grand Chapter, and in case of forfeiture the principal shall be disposed of as the grand Chapter shall direct. No charter deposited for possible restoration shall be restored unless upon the petition of nine Royal Arch Masons, of whom five at least of the petitioners for its restoration were members of the Chapter at the time of the surrender or forfeiture of its charter.

SECTION 2. Duties Chapter Officers. When conditions are such that a forfeiture of a charter is made by the Grand Chapter, it shall be the duty of the last elected High Priest, Treasurer and Secretary, to surrender to the Grand Treasurer of the Grand Chapter forthwith its charter, seal, books, papers, jewels, furniture, regalia, funds and all other property; and the last High Priest shall forthwith transmit to the Grand Secretary an inventory of all Chapter effects. Members of a Chapter who shall refuse to make such surrender of Chapter property or who shall vote to divide the Chapter funds among themselves or appropriate them in any other way than is designed by the Grand Chapter shall be guilty of a violation of the rules and regulations of Capitular Masonry and be subject to discipline.

SECTION 3. Report Defunct Chapter. The Secretary of a defunct Chapter or some companion duly authorized by the last High Priest of such defunct Chapter, shall make a report of the transactions of the Chapter for the period commencing with the date of the last annual report and ending with the date of surrender or revocation. This report shall be made in the same form as an annual chapter return to the Grand Chapter, and shall include a statement of the balances due from the members to date of surrender or revocation.

The Grand Secretary shall collect all balances found due from the members of such Chapter and upon demand shall give each member in good standing a certificate showing the date of surrender or revocation of the Chapter charter, which shall have the force and effect of the usual certificate of dimission from a Chapter.

SECTION 4. Member Defunct Chapter. No Companion of a dissolved or

forfeited Chapter shall be admitted into any other Chapter under this jurisdiction, or be entitled to the benefits of Capitular Masonry, until he has paid to the Grand Secretary all arrears due by him to such dissolved or forfeited Chapter and obtained a certificate thereof, which he must present with his petition for membership to another Chapter, provided that this provision shall not apply to a Companion of a Chapter whose warrant or charter shall have been forfeited for irregular or unmasonic conduct, in which case the Companion is disqualified to join or visit any Chapter without permission of the Grand Chapter obtained in writing.

SECTION 5. Consolidation of Chapters. Any two or more Chapters having concurrent jurisdiction or whose territorial jurisdictions are contiguous may consolidate into one Chapter in the manner prescribed by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Maine for the consolidation of lodges.

ARTICLE VII.

PENALTIES ON CHAPTERS

SECTION 1. Disobedient Chapters. A Chapter which shall act with contumacy to the authority of the Grand High Priest or of the Grand Chapter or shall be willfully disobedient to the Constitution, Laws and Regulations of the Grand Chapter, shall have its charter arrested until the next annual convocation of the Grand Chapter and then dealt with as the Grand Chapter shall determine.

SECTION 2. Failure to Meet. A chapter which shall neglect to meet in a stated convocation for one year or fail to be represented in Grand Chapter for three years shall forfeit its charter, unless upon opportunity being granted by the Grand Chapter a reasonable excuse for such neglect is shown.

SECTION 3. Failure to Pay Annual Dues. A Chapter which neglects or fails to pay its annual dues or assessments to Grand Chapter for two years shall forfeit its charter, unless a petition requesting and showing reasonable grounds for an extension of time to discharge its financial obligations is filed with and granted by the Grand Chapter.

SECTION 4. Expulsion of a Companion. Any Royal Arch Mason assisting in the work of a Chapter, knowing its warrant or charter to have been suspended or forfeited, shall be liable to expulsion from the rights of Capitular Masonry.

SECTION 5. Failure to Produce Chapter's Records. Any Chapter that fails to produce its Secretary's Books; Treasurer's Books; or Book of Marks, for inspection by the Grand Officer assigned to that Chapter at its annual inspection, shall be assessed the sum of $10.00 for each such failure to produce. Such penalty shall be added to the annual assessment due Grand Chapter and remitted with the annual return to Grand Chapter. Secretary's Books-$10.00; Treasurer's Books-$10.00; Book of Marks-$10.00, for a maximum penalty of $30.00 for failure to produce.(Adopted in 1993)

ARTICLE VIII.

SPECIAL MEMBERSHIPS

SECTION 1. Honorary Membership. Chapters may confer Honorary Membership upon Royal Arch Masons who are members of other Chapters, for meritorious service rendered to Royal Arch Masonry, but an election to Honorary Membership shall not carry with it any of the privileges of active membership.

The members of a Chapter shall be notified of the pendency of any motion relative to Honorary Membership, and in such cases it shall require a two-thirds vote in the affirmative. The Chapter may recall any such Honorary Membership at its pleasure.

SECTION 2. Life Membership. Chapters may enact by-laws providing for Life Membership, provided, however that the Life Membership plan is approved by the Most Excellent Grand High Priest.

All sums collected for Life Memberships shall be invested to produce income, kept in a separate fund and income only used for Chapter expenses.

After the demise of a Life Member his original investment fund may then be returned to either the Chapter's General Fund or the Charity Fund whichever the Chapter so votes.

SECTION 3. Veteran Member. A Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in this State MAY vote to declare anyone of its members a Veteran Member, provided, he has been a member in good standing in the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Maine for a minimum of 40 years, and, has reached the age of 70 years. If he satisfies this provision, and his Chapter votes to place him on the rolls of Veteran Member, his dues are to be remitted, and the Grand Chapter per Capita tax will not be assessed against him or his Chapter, and will be omitted.(Adopted in 1986)

Before the above section can become enacted in subordinate Chapters in this jurisdiction, each Chapter must vote for adoption; then revise their by-laws accordingly; and secure approval of the Grand High Priest for said change to by-laws.

ARTICLE IX.

GRIEVANCES

SECTION 1. Appeals. Any Chapter or member who may be aggrieved by the action of any Royal Arch, Most Excellent Master, Past Master or Mark Master Mason may complain to the Chapter of which the aggressor is a member.

ARTICLE X.

SUBORDINATE CHAPTERS.

SECTION 1. Chapter Officers. The officers of a subordinate Chapter shall be styled and take rank as follows:

Excellent High Priest
Companion King

Companion Scribe
Companion Treasurer
Companion Secretary
Companion Chaplain
Companion Captain of the Host
Companion Principal Sojourner
Companion Royal Arch Captain
Companion Master Third Veil
Companion Master Second Veil
Companion Master First Veil
Companion Stewards
Companion Organist
Companion Sentinel

The first five of said officers shall be elected annually by ballot. The remaining officers may be elected, or appointed, as the by-laws of the Chapter may provide.

SECTION 2. Installation. The officers must be installed as soon as convenient after election, and shall hold office until their successors are elected and installed.

It is the duty of every High Priest to see that his successor is properly installed, which duty may be performed by any Past High Priest.

Public Installations of Officers may be held without dispensation granted by the Grand High Priest. Robes shall not be worn when other than Royal Arch Masons are present.

SECTION 3. Succession. A High Priest, duly installed, cannot resign. In the event of the absence, death, disability or refusal of the High Priest to perform his duties, it is the duty of the King and Scribe, in the order of seniority, to assume the powers and prerogatives of his station, as acting High Priest until the next annual convocation.

SECTION 4. Duties of High Priest. It shall be the duty of the High Priest to see that the by-laws of his Chapter, as well as the Constitution, By-laws, and Regulations of the Grand Chapter, are duly observed; that all subordinate officers of his Chapter faithfully perform the duties of their respective stations and are examples of diligence and industry to their Companions; that the Treasurer keeps and renders exact and just accounts of all moneys belonging to the Chapter; that true and exact records be kept of all transactions of the Chapter by the Secretary; that regular and prompt returns are made to the Grand Chapter, and that the annual dues thereto be paid at the time required by Grand Chapter law. The charter of his Chapter is committed to his special care and charge. It shall be his duty together with the King and Scribe to attend the convocations of the Grand Chapter, either in person or by proxy.

SECTION 5. Duties of King and Scribe. The King and Scribe shall perform the duties which devolve on them by usage or shall be required by law; actively assisting and supporting the High Priest in the discharge of his duties; counseling and instructing their subordinates They shall attain such proficiency in the ritual, and knowledge of the laws, as will fit them to discharge the High Priest's duties whenever they may succeed to his office.

SECTION 6. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall perform the duties which devolve on him by usage, or shall be required by law; have charge of the Chapter funds; render a formal receipt to the Secretary for all moneys received; account for the same annually and at such other times as the Chapter may order; and give such bond for the faithful discharge of his duties as the Chapter may require. He shall deposit all funds in his care in the name of the Chapter, in such depository as may be designated by vote of the Chapter and shall pay out such funds only as authorized by vote of the Chapter and are attested by the Secretary and signed by the High Priest.

SECTION 7. Secretary. The Secretary shall perform the duties which devolve on him by usage or shall be required by law; collect all moneys due the Chapter, endorsing to the order of the Treasurer all evidences of payment which together with any cash shall be immediately turned over to the Treasurer, who shall receipt for the same.

He shall render an account of funds received, at the annual convocation, or at such other times as the Chapter may order, and give bond for the faithful discharge of his duties in such security as the Chapter may require. He shall record the proceedings of the Chapter, keep an account with its members, conduct its correspondence, issue its orders, and have the custody of its books, papers, records and seals.

SECTION 8. Duties of Other Officers. The other officers shall perform the duties which devolve on them by usage, being obedient to the orders of the High Priest, King and Scribe, and qualifying themselves for the proper discharge of the duties required of them.

9. Duties of Members. The members of a Chapter shall perform such duties as the Chapter or the High Priest may require of them. They shall support and enforce the Regulations of Capitular Masonry, defending, maintaining and extending the honor of its name.

SECTION 10. Chapter Trustees. Chapters may enact a by-law creating a Board of Trustees, who shall be elected by ballot at the annual convocation, and perform such duties as the Chapter may, from time to time, direct. They shall make due report of their transactions at each annual convocation, or more often if ordered by the High Priest.

ARTICLE XI.

CANDIDATES

SECTION 1. Fees. No Chapter in this jurisdiction shall confer the several

degrees of Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master and Royal Arch Mason for a less sum than twenty dollars ($20.00), and no Chapter shall confer any degree or admit to membership any petitioner until the prescribed fee shall have been paid to the proper officer, nor shall any written or verbal promise to pay the same be received in lieu thereof, or shall any portion of any fee be remitted, either directly or indirectly.

SECTION 2. Petitions. The application of every candidate for the degrees in any Chapter in this jurisdiction shall be in writing, signed by the applicant, shall give the date and place of his birth, his residence, his occupation, accompanied with a copy of his current dues card from the Lodge of which he is a member.

The petition shall state whether or not he has ever been rejected by any Chapter, and shall bear the recommendation of two Royal Arch Masons.

The petition shall be presented to the Chapter at a Stated Convocation, accompanied by the required deposit. If the applicant does not reside within the jurisdiction of this Chapter a waiver of jurisdiction from the Chapter having such jurisdiction must also accompany the petition.

In the absence of any objection to the procedure, the High Priest shall declare the candidate accepted and if desired commence the conferring of degrees. If there be any objection, the petition shall be referred to a Committee of Inquiry for investigation and resubmission at the next Stated Convocation, at which time he Committee's recommendation shall be read and the petition voted on by secret ballot, with a clear ballot being required for acceptance.(Adopted in 2000)

SECTION 3. Chapter Membership. Every candidate accepted by any Chapter in this jurisdiction, upon receiving the Royal Arch Degree and signing the by-laws, shall thereby become a member of the accepting Chapter, and the secretary shall record his name upon the membership rolls.(Adopted in 2000)

Any Chapter in this Grand Jurisdiction may confer any degree upon a candidate lawfully elected thereto by a Chapter in any other Grand Jurisdiction with which this Grand Chapter holds fraternal relations, on request under seal of the electing Chapter, the identity and standing of the candidate being fully established; and provided further, that at least one degree shall have been conferred within the electing Chapter and the fees for the degrees paid in full, in which case the membership of the companion shall remain in the electing Chapter.

SECTION 4. Withdrawal of Petition. A petition for the degrees or application for membership shall not be withdrawn after it has been referred to a committee without the unanimous consent of all members present when action is taken, nor until after a report of the committee and ballot had thereon, nor unless the ballot be clear. But if it shall be determined at any time before rejection that the Chapter has not jurisdiction over the petitioner or that he is not eligible for any other reason, the conditions shall be entered of record and the petition and fee returned to the petitioner, in which case the status of the petitioner is the same as before the petition was presented.

SECTION 5. Ballot. No ballot shall be required for the degrees of a Royal Arch Chapter within the Grand Jurisdiction, providing the procedures initially set forth in SECTION 2 above are fully complied with.

If however, as a result of objection under the terms of SECTION 2, a ballot is taken, it must be at a Stated Convocation and under the same procedures as required for the degrees of the Symbolic Lodges, viz: If more than one negative vote appear the petitioner must be declared rejected; however, if only one negative vote appers, the High Priest shall immediately cause a second balloting to take place, and if a negative vote appears the petitioner is rejected.(Adopted in 2000)

SECTION 6. Objection. An objection by a member of a Chapter before the conferring of the degree of Mark Master Mason is equivalent to rejection by ballot and must be so recorded; such objection may be made privately to the High Priest or in open Chapter, and the reasons therefore cannot be required; and if any member of the Chapter shall declare the name of the objector or assist in the conferring of any degree of Capitular Masonry on any Master Mason against whom he has knowledge or information that objection has been made after acceptance, he shall be liable to be expelled from the Institution; but if objection is made after a candidate has received the Mark Master Mason degree, they must be made known to the Chapter and their sufficiency determined by a two-thirds vote of the members present when action is taken, provided, however, that if the objection is based on moral grounds or on an allegation of charges involving moral turpitude, action shall devolve on the Chapter to cause an investigation to be made, and if reasonable cause to sustain the objection appears, to make due report of the charges to the Grand High Priest for a hearing and trial before a Trial Commission.

SECTION 7. Failure of Candidate to Appear. A candidate for the degrees of Capitular Masonry whose petition has been accepted, who does not present himself to receive the Mark Master Mason degree within one year from such acceptance, shall forfeit all right by reason of such acceptance and shall not be entitled to receive the degrees except on a new petition.

SECTION 8. Rejection. No petition for the degrees shall be received by any Chapter from any petitioner who has been rejected by that Chapter until six months after the date of such rejection, and no petition whose application shall have been rejected in any Chapter under this jurisdiction shall be received in any other Chapter than that to which the petitioner first applied except after five years from such rejection, unless the Chapter having jurisdiction recommend him to another Chapter by a unanimous vote taken by secret ballot. The application for such recommendation shall in every case take the course of a petition for the degrees.

A Companion knowingly assisting or recommending for initiation to any Chapter whatever any person who has been rejected by any Chapter shall, if a member of a Chapter under this jurisdiction, be suspended or expelled as may be determined after hearing of charges and on due trial.

SECTION 9. Healing. Chapters in this Grand Jurisdiction are authorized to

confer the degrees of Mark Master, Past Master and Most Excellent Masters', free of charge, on any worthy Companion from without the jurisdiction of the United States, who has not heretofore received them, and who may present himself as a Royal Arch Mason, and produce evidence of having received that degree, to the end that he may be "healed" and become a regular Royal Arch Mason. The Companion does not thereby become a member of the Chapter conferring the degree.

ARTICLE XII.

JURISDICTION

SECTION 1. Jurisdiction. A Master Mason may apply for the degrees of Royal Arch Masonry to any Chapter within the jurisdiction of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Maine, regardless of his Lodge location or distance from his legal residence. A member of any Chapter within this Grand Jurisdiction, subsequently desiring membership in another Chapter within the jurisdiction, may do so either via the route of demission or dual membership.(Adopted in 2000)

SECTION 2. Degrees in a Foreign Jurisdiction. A Chapter within this jurisdiction may make request of the Grand High Priest, through the office of the Grand Secretary, that a Chapter of another Grand Jurisdiction confer the degrees upon a candidate who has been duly accepted to receive them, provided that at least the Mark Master Mason degree has been conferred by the Chapter having jurisdiction and the fees for all degrees paid in full.

A candidate accepted to receive the degrees in a Chapter under this jurisdiction, who shall by request of the accepting Chapter receive the degree of Royal Arch Mason in a Chapter in a Grand Jurisdiction in fraternal relations with this Grand Chapter, shall become a member of the accepting Chapter on receipt of his signature to be attached to the Chapter by-laws.(Renumbered in 2000)

ARTICLE XIII.

DUES

SECTION 1. Dues. A Chapter shall have power to assess and collect from its members such amounts as necessary for its successful operation and as established by its by-laws. The dues of any member may be remitted in cases of financial exigency in whole or in part, but no dues shall be remitted in advance. A member in arrear for dues who states in open Chapter or in writing to the High Priest that he cannot pay them without material injury to his family and such statement be confirmed by the High Priest, his dues shall be remitted.

SECTION 2. Official Receipt for Dues. No Chapter within this jurisdiction shall issue a receipt for dues, except upon a prepared blank form, which shall contain on the reverse side a printed or lithographed certificate with a facsimile signature of the Grand Secretary and the Seal of the Grand Chapter, to the effect that the Chapter issuing the receipt is a lawfully constituted Chapter of Royal Arch Masons working under the jurisdiction of the M.E. Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Maine. Said receipts may be printed either in card or paper form, as the Chapter may desire.

ARTICLE XIV.

DELINQUENT MEMBERS

SECTION 1. Suspension for Non-payment of Dues. Any member in arrears for dues may be suspended from membership at a stated convocation of the Chapter by a majority vote of the members present; provided, that he must first have been cited to appear before the Chapter at a stated convocation, the date whereof shall be therein stated, and to then and there show cause why he should not be suspended for the non-payment of his dues to the Chapter. Such notice to appear shall not be less than thirty days before action is to be taken. Suspensions without notice are void.

Suspension for non-payment of dues shall operate as a suspension of all rights to attend the convocations of any Chapter in this jurisdiction.

SECTION 2. Restoration. A Companion suspended from membership for nonpayment of dues will be restored to membership in his Chapter at any time within three years thereafter by the payment or remission of the amount due at the time of his suspension, but after the expiration of the three-year period, he can be restored only upon a petition for restoration and payment of the amount in arrears, which petition shall take the same course as an application for initiation; and if rejected, said applicant shall not again be permitted to petition again until six months after the rejection.

SECTION 3. Dependent Membership. Membership in a Chapter in this jurisdiction shall be based upon the affiliation of a Companion in a duly constituted Lodge of Master Masons, and when that affiliation ceases, the membership in the Chapter shall also cease; provided, however, this law shall not apply to the transfer of membership form one Chapter to another Chapter during a period of six months pending such transfer.

Before a Chapter shall suspend a member for non-affiliation in a Master Mason's Lodge, it shall first serve a formal notice upon him by registered mail directed to his last known post office address, requiring him within four weeks from the date of said notice to show either of the following acts:

That he is now affiliated with a regular Lodge of Master Masons. naming it; or
That his petition for membership has been presented to and is now under consideration by a regular Lodge of Master Masons, naming it, awaiting action.

The failure of a companion after proper notice so to refute the charge of non-affiliation, shall be construed as an admission of its truth, and the companion shall for such failure thereupon be declared suspended.

A member under suspension for non-affiliation with a regular Lodge of Master Masons, who may thereafter effect affiliation with a regular lodge, may, upon notifying the Chapter in writing of this fact and naming the lodge with which he has become affiliated, be restored to membership in the Chapter automatically, and the High Priest shall immediately declare such restoration.

ARTICLE XV.

DIMISSION

SECTION 1. Membership. Chapter membership may be terminated under either of the following conditions:

A demit shall be granted to a Companion who wishes to terminate his membership provided that all dues are paid and no charges pending against him. Said demit shall be an honorable discharge from membership.
A member, first getting permission from his Chapter, may apply to another Chapter for membership, in which case he shall state in his petition that he desires to affiliate with ................... Chapter (naming it), and that if accepted by said Chapter, he will request a demit and file it with the accepting Chapter. The permission granted to affiliate with another Chapter shall be consummated with three months from the date of permission; otherwise said permission is void, and membership remains in his Chapter.

SECTION 2. No Rights Under Demit. A Companion holding a demit is unaffiliated and not entitled to any rights and privileges of Capitular Masonry, except the right to make application for membership in a Chapter.

SECTION 3. Affiliation. A Royal Arch Mason holding a demit from a regular Chapter of Royal Arch Masons may apply to any Chapter for membership by affiliation, whether or not he resides within the jurisdiction of the Chapter to which he applies.

ARTICLE XVI.

VISITATION

SECTION 1. Visitors. No visitor shall be admitted into a Chapter if a member of such Chapter who is present objects; provided, that no objection shall be valid against any Grand Officer visiting in an official capacity nor against any Companion specially deputized by the Grand High Priest to visit said Chapter. And objection shall not extend beyond the convocation at which it is made and shall not be restored.

NOTE: When examination is required to establish the membership of a visitor in a Royal Arch Chapter, Standing Regulation 30 of the Grand Lodge of Maine may be used as a guide.

ARTICLE XVII.

DEGREE WORK

SECTION 1. Conferring Degrees. The degrees of Mark Master Mason, Past Master Mason, and Most Excellent Master Mason may be conferred on a plurality of candidates.

The degree of Royal Arch Mason may be conferred on a plurality of teams of three candidates each, provided the teams are properly prepared in teams of three, except that part of the work when the G. and S.N. and the G.O.R.A.W. are communicated.

Past Master. The Grand Chapter recommends that Chapters abridge the ceremonies of the Past Master's degree within the narrowest constitutional limits, only retaining the inducting of the candidate into the Oriental Chair and the communicating the means of recognition.

ARTICLE XVIII.

PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS

SECTION 1. Physical Qualifications. The physical qualifications required to permit the conferring of the Capitular degrees are that a candidate shall be able to understand and exemplify or explain the arts and mysteries of Capitular

Masonry and that any physical defect or deformity does not amount to an inability honestly to acquire the means of subsistence for himself and his family.

ARTICLE XIX.

CHAPTER BY-LAWS

SECTION 1. Chapter By-Laws. Every Chapter chartered by this Grand Chapter shall adopt by-laws for its government, and the same must conform to the Constitution and Regulations of the Grand Chapter. Said by-laws shall fix the date and hour of the Stated Convocations, the fees for the several degrees, the annual dues of the members, the time of the Annual Convocation, and election of the officers, and such other regulations as may be deemed advisable for the welfare of the Chapter.

SECTION 2. By-Laws Restrictions. A Chapter's by laws shall provide for a minimum of four (4) Stated convocations per year, one of which must be the Annual Convocation. The months in which Stated Convocations are scheduled, as well as the scheduled weekday and opening hour, for each Chapter in this Grand Jurisdiction shall be provided to the Grand Secretary for inclusion in the Annual Proceedings.(Adopted in 1995)

ARTICLE XX.

ANNUAL RETURNS

SECTION 1. Returns. A Chapter shall annually on the last day of February make duplicate returns of the names of the officers and all other information required by the Constitution and Laws of the Grand Chapter, and on or before the first day of April transmit one full copy to the Grand Secretary, one full copy and an abstract with their dues to the Grand Treasurer; and any Chapter which fails to so transmit its aforesaid returns and dues on or before the first day of April shall be penalized the sum of five dollars for the first day of such delinquency and one dollar for each day thereafter the said returns and dues are delayed; and further, that such delinquent Chapter shall be deprived of representation in the Grand Chapter until such returns and dues are received by the Grand Treasurer and all penalties imposed are paid in full.

SECTION 2. Forfeiture of Charter. Any Chapter which refuses or neglects to make the returns required by the preceding section shall forfeit its charter, unless upon opportunity being granted by the Grand Chapter a reasonable excuse for such neglect is shown.

ARTICLE XXI.

MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS

SECTION 1. Opening and Closing Chapters. It is the duty of the High Priest to open and close his Chapter in the full form prescribed by the ritual in conformity with the Grand Chapter Constitution and By-laws, except in cases of emergency.

SECTION 2. Loss of Charter. The loss or destruction of a charter does not in any manner affect the integrity of a Chapter. In such event work may be continued and a duplicate (copy) of the charter will be issued on proper application to the Grand Chapter.

SECTION 3. Avouchment by Demit. Documentary evidence alone is not sufficient to establish an avouchment; hence, a Chapter demit of itself will not establish the fact that the holder thereof is a Royal Arch Mason.

SECTION 4. Absence of Council Officers. No Chapter in the absence of the High Priest, King and Scribe, shall transact any work or business, unless a Past High Priest is present to preside.

SECTION 5. Restriction on Dispensations. A Grand High Priest cannot annul or change by dispensation any specific provision of the laws of the Grand Chapter or the By-laws of a subordinate Chapter.

SECTION 6. Recourse to Grand Lodge Regulations. In the absence of specific provisions of the Constitution, By-laws and Regulations of the Grand Chapter, recourse may be had to the Constitution, Laws and Regulations of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Maine for the determination of any authority of law.

SECTION 7. Amendments to By-Laws. Amendments and alterations to the By-laws of the Grand Chapter may be made if proposed in writing at any Annual Convocation, if adopted by a majority vote of the members present and voting, provided such proposed amendment or alteration be given with the notice of the convocation at which it is to be acted upon, and further provided that such amendment or alteration shall have been referred to the Committee on Amendments to the Constitution.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. All By-laws, Standing Regulations, Resolutions and Decisions in conflict herewith are hereby repealed, and all resolutions and decisions not in conflict herewith shall stand as rulings of the Grand Chapter until repealed or rescinded.

SECTION 9. Grand High Priest Jewel. As the cost of providing a Past Grand High Priest Jewel is extremely expensive, and is a burden on the finances of the Grand Chapter, be it resolved that from the adoption of this section all Past Grand High Priest Jewels in the future shall be the property of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter and must be returned to the Grand Chapter on the death of the recipient.(Adopted in 1995)

SECTION 10. Table Chapters. A Chapter may apply for a dispensation to the Grand High Priest to hold a Table Chapter to honor a Companion or Companions. The Grand High Priest, in turn, must apply to the Grand Master of Masons in Maine for such a dispensation, and if granted, may grant such dispensation to the Chapter. On receiving the dispensation from the Grand Master, he should also assign a Grand Lodge representative and will inform the Chapter of said officer who shall receive an invitation from the requesting Chapter.(Adopted in 1997)