“The Other Blue Book”
The Code Book of Masonic Law
Table of Contents
1. Act of Incorporation of the Grand Lodge
Constitution of the Grand Lodge
Charges of a Freemason
By Laws of the Grand Lodge
Resolutions of the Grand Lodge
2. Code for Government of Lodges
3. Trials and Trial Procedures
4. Ceremonies
5. Forms
6. Index
Since 1995, we have…
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… recognized the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio as a
legitimate organization.
… changed the age of majority to 19 years.
… approved Plural Membership.
… made changes in the requirements of catechism.
… eliminated the requirement that a Petition be held over
for a certain number of meetings before it can be balloted
upon.
… allowed a Past Master to carry a proxy for one of the
three principal officers of a Lodge.
… eliminated the requirement that a Masonic meeting be
opened before an social event.
… changed our code 34.01 to read “I would be proud to
sponsor you for membership.”
Code or By-Law Amendments
MUST be…
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…sponsored by not less than five members of
the Grand Lodge.
… reduced to writing and filed with the Grand
Secretary
…entered upon the minutes of the Grand Lodge
…laid over until the next Annual Communication
of the Grand Lodge. It may, however, be acted
upon immediately if no more than 25 of the
members of the Grand Lodge object.
2003 Proposed Legislation
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2003-A – Mandatory retirement for Lodge Secretaries over
70, or after 10 years of service
2003-B – Changes the SNPD effective date from 12/31 to
03/31
2003-C – Allows business in the EA Degree
2003-D – Allows alcohol in any room not dedicated to
Freemasonry
2003-E – Allows the Grand Master to suspend a Brother
who has committed a crime until he has been tried
2003-F – Institutes an “Historical Lodge” system
2003-G – Requires all Ohio Lodges to include “Masonic” in
their names
2003-H – Limits frequency of a Grand Master’s Class to no
more than one every four years
Sections 40 - 45
Masonic Trials
Conviction of a Felony
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WM appoints a committee to obtain a
certified copy of the Judgment Order and
determine if the person named is a Lodge
member.
Upon verification, the WM charges the
Brother in writing of UnMasonic Conduct
and forwards it to the Grand Secretary.
Grand Secretary transmits the charges to
the Trial Commissioner-in-Chief, RWB
Morton Negin, for proceedings.
Charges Other than a Felony
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An oral or written complaint of UnMasonic
Conduct is made to the WM.
The WM, at the next meeting, refers the
complaint to committee.
The committee must attempt to reconcile
the matter with the parties involved.
If the matter requires action, charges are
reported and entered in the minutes.
Trial Commission
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Trial Commissioner-in-Chief
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10 or more Trial Commissioners
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7 Judge Advocates
The Trial Process
Penalties of UnMasonic Conduct
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Reprimand
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Suspension
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Expulsion