No. 72. Reinstatement Of Deceased Members
Decision: I ruled that the arrears of dues of a deceased member, who had been dropped for nonpayment of dues, had paid the arrears in dues, and asked for reinstatement, can be accepted as of the date of payment, providing the acceptance is the result of a vote of the lodge.
Constitution, Article VII, Sec. 1.7.27. May 17, 1937. (Knight, GM)
No. 74. Ballot Versus Vote
Decision: That inasmuch as a vote taken in regard to the reinstatement of a member who had been dropped for nonpayment of dues did not comply with Section 1.7.25 of Article VII of the Constitution, which obliges every member present to vote unless excused by the Master, I ruled that the vote was null and void and gave instructions that the vote be so declared and a new ballot taken.
That inasmuch as there appears to be an inconsistency between the wording of "ballot" as it is written in Section 1.7.25 of Article VII of the Grand Lodge Constitution, and the wording of "vote" as it is written in Section 1.7.25 of Article VII of the Grand Lodge Constitution, and the wording of "vote" as it is written in Section 1.7.27 of Article VII of said Constitution, I ruled that the wording "ballot" and "vote" were of the same meaning.
Constitution, Article VII, Sec. 1.7.25. 1.7.27. May 19, 1952. (Ruerat, GM)
No. 78. Grand Lecturers And Grand Marshals
Decision: That upon an appointment of a Grand Lecturer, his title shall be Right Worshipful, and any Grand Marshal, after appointment, shall be entitled to the title of Right Worshipful. I ruled that any brother having held these offices shall bear this title thereafter, and shall always be Right Worshipful.
Constitution, Article II, Sec. 1.2.1. May 15, 1961. (Tucker, GM)
Amended November 16,1996.
No. 80. Fifty-Year Medal Eligibility
Decision: I ruled that a brother raised in a lodge of another Grand Jurisdiction: but who now holds membership in this Grand Jurisdiction: and has been a Mason in good standing for fifty years, shall be eligible to receive a "Grand Lodge of Rhode Island Veteran's Medal."
Constitution, Article VII, Sec. 1.7.27. April 15, 1962. (Allen, GM)
No. 81. Written Evidence Of Balloting Error
Decision: I ruled that in the case of written evidence of an error having been made in balloting, within thirty days following the meeting at which the error was made, the Worshipful Master could order a new ballot without the usual six-month waiting period.
Constitution, Article VII, Sec. 1.7.25. May 1, 1962. (Allen, GM)
No. 83. Reinstatement For Plural Membership
Decision: In case of a brother holding plural membership in two or more subordinate lodges and being dropped from membership for non-payment of dues (NPD) I ruled that upon his request to be reinstated he need not become reinstated in more than one lodge provided he paid the dues owing at the time of being dropped, to the lodge or lodges which had dropped him for NPD.
Constitution, Article VII, Sec. 1.7.20. May 18, 1973. (Kettleband, GM)
Amended November 16, 1996.