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Exclusion of a member may occur under two circumstances: First by an automatic process of cessation if the member is in arrears of dues for a prescribed period. Second by an action of the Lodge terminating the membership of an erring Brother. Under Rule 148, a member whose subscription to the Lodge remains unpaid for a period of two years ceases to be a member, by an automatic process of exclusion. The Lodge may, in its bylaws, provide for a period shorter than two years at the end of which a Brother in arrears shall lose his membership. It should be noted that automatic cessation cannot be waived, condoned or interfered with in any manner. If any Brother behaves in such a manner as to disturb the peace and harmony in the Lodge, W.M may formally admonish him. If he persists in his unruly behaviour he may be punished with censure or may be suspended from the Lodge for the rest of the meeting, as may be decided by vote by the members present. The matter may also be reported to the District Grand Master, if the majority of the brethren present so decide. More serious offences call for harsher treatment such as exclusion or expulsion. The Lodge may, by a majority resolution, decide to terminate the membership of a Brother, for a sufficient cause, by the process of exclusion. The procedure for exclusion is detailed under Rule 181, which in brief contains the following conditions and steps: 1. There must be sufficient cause warranting exclusion. 2. A notice of intention to Exclude should be served on the member by registered post. 3. There must be a clear interval of 14 days between the date on which the notice is served and the date on which the meeting to consider exclusion is held, not including the day of service of notice and the day of the meeting. 4. The notice must be enclosed in a plain envelope, sealed and marked on the outside "Private and Confidential" 5. The notice should state clearly · the full particulars of the complaint to be considered · time and place appointed for the meeting and · that he may attend the meeting to answer the complaint in person or may answer in writing if he so prefers. 6. Not less than ten clear days' of notice (i.e excluding the day of dispatch of the notice and the day of the meeting) should be served on the members of the Lodge of the intention to propose the resolution to exclude a member. 7. Notices shall be sent to the last known address of each member. 8. The name of the brother against whom the action is being proposed should not appear on the summons or the notices served on the members. It must be disclosed only when moving the resolution at the meeting. 9. The voting must be by ballot. 10. The resolution must obtain support of at least two thirds of the members present. 11. If the resolution is carried, the exclusion becomes effective immediately. 12. The name of the Brother excluded should be communicated forthwith to the District Grand Secretary and through him, the Grand Secretary. The member excluded from a Lodge may prefer an appeal before the District Grand Master within a period of three months after the exclusion. If the District Grand Master is satisfied that the Brother was excluded without sufficient cause or that the procedure laid down under Rule 181 was not properly adhered to, he may on his own motion or on the receipt of a complaint of the Brother concerned, nullify the resolution and order him to be reinstated. If the Lodge fails to comply with this instruction, it may be liable to be suspended. The decision by the District Grand Master is final, except in cases where the Grand Registrar is of the opinion that it needs further consideration. In such a situation the Excluded Brother may prefer an appeal before the Appeals Court under Rule 185. |
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exclusion |
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membership |