EDICT NO. 274

PROVIDING FOR A UNIFORM PROCEDURE IN THE DISTRICT TURNOVER CEREMONIES

WHEREAS, a Uniform Code of By-Laws for Masonic District was approved by MW Reynold S. Fajardo, PGM, for implementation on July 17, 1986 through Circular No.2;

WHEREAS, in order to establish uniformity of practice in this Grand Jurisdiction, guidelines and procedures were issued and promulgated (MW Alan L. Purisima’s Manual for Grand Line Officers, M.Y. 2014-2015) in the turnover of the District by the retiring District Deputy Grand Master (DDGM) to his successor:

WHEREAS, the guidelines and procedures provide that the venue of the turn-over is the place or hall or Masonic Temple where the District Council regularly holds its meetings;

WHEREAS, notwithstanding the issuance of the district turn-over guidelines, Masonic Districts hold masonic turn-over ceremonies in hotels, restaurants or other commercial places, thereby making lodges in the Districts or the incoming DDGM incur additional expenses for food and venue.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, TOMAS G. RENTOY, III, Grand Master, by the powers in me vested by the Constitution under the jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines, hereby decree the following amendments to the current law governing the venue and manner of holding Masonic District Turn-Over Ceremonies.

1. Venue and Date of Turn-over - Masonic District Turn-Over ceremonies shall henceforth be held during any of the stated meetings of lodges under the jurisdiction of the newly-installed DDGM in May of each year as provided in the District By-laws. The choice of the lodge where the turn-over ceremonies is to take place shall be at the discretion of the newly-installed DDGM.

2. Attendances - The following must be in attendance:

a. The newly installed DDGM b. All newly appointed DGLs c. All Masters of Lodges comprising the District d. The outgoing DDGM and all outgoing District Officers.

The Grand Master or any elective Grand Lodge Officer may be invited to attend the event to witness the proceedings.

3. Opening of the Lodge and Reception of Dignitaries:

a. The Lodge will open on the 3rd Degree of Masonry;

b. At the opening of the Lodge, the retiring District Deputy Grand Master (DDGM) together with the District Officers without wearing the appropriate jewels shall already be seated inside the Lodge;

c. As soon as the lodge is opened, the newly-installed District Deputy Grand Master (DDGM) and new District Grand Lecturers (DGLs) and Grand Lodge Inspectors (GLIs) shall be received;

c. After the reception of dignitaries, the Lodge will conduct its regular order of business;

d. The first item in the Other Matters shall be the District turn-over ceremonies;

e. The newly-installed DDGM shall then proceed to install the GLI of the lodge;

f. The Lodge then proceeds to discuss other matters of the lodge, if any;

g. The Lodge then proceeds to close;

4. Physical and Sitting Arrangements/Preparations;

a. The outgoing DDGM will occupy the seat to the immediate left of the Worshipful Master in the East while the newly-installed DDGM shall occupy the seat to the immediate right of the Worshipful Master in the East;

b. DGLs and GLIs of the retiring DDGM shall occupy the South East side of the Lodge while the DGLs and GLIs of the newly-installed DDGM shall occupy the North East side of the Lodge;

c. All other brethren in attendance shall occupy the rest of the seats in the lodge.

5. Turn-over Ceremony:

a. At the appointed hour, the presiding Worshipful Master shall turn-over the gavel to the new DDGM to preside over the Turn-over ceremonies.

DDGM: (Rises) "MW GM, ______ (if present) dignitaries seated in the East, brethren. This Lodge of Master Masons is convened also for the Turnover of District No.___ by our outgoing DDGM, VW______. We have invited MW GM to witness this proceedings. "Before we proceed, may I request WB to lead us in prayer." "Please rise".

WB: (deliver opening prayer) "AMEN" (Compose short prayer and include for uniformity)

All: "So Mote it be"

DDGM: "Thank you WB_____. The brethren may be seated. Let the Turnover Ceremonies now proceed" (sits down).

Outgoing DDGM (Rises and faces the new DDGM carrying the Records) says: "

VW (new DDGM) I now turnover to you the Gavel of Authority (hands over gavel) that you may now govern our District. I also turnover to you the complete records of the District as listed in this Receipt that I hand to you and which I request you to sign to signify your receipt of District records listed herein".

DDGM: "I accept the Gavel of Authority and the District records listed in this Receipt which I now sign to complete the ceremony of Turnover." (retiring DDGM sits and DDGM delivers his message)

DDGM proceeds to install the GLI of the Lodge.

DDGM: "With the completion of the turn-over and before I declare the turnover ceremonies to be closed, let us now hear the message of the MW GM (or GL elected officer, as the case may be)."

GM: (or GL Elected Officer delivers his message)

DDGM: "I now declare these proceedings to be duly closed."

b. District Records: The Outgoing DDGM shall bring with him the following:

1. Minutes of all District Council Meetings held during the year.
2. Copies of correspondence, memos, or circulars issued, if any.
3. Other pertinent records of the District.
4. Monthly financial reports, if any, of the District.
5. Book of Accounts, if any, of the District.
6. Bank books if any showing the remaining funds of the District.
7. Any other property of the District (banners, trophies, etc.)

Item Nos. 1 to 3 shall be prepared by the outgoing District Secretary while Item Nos. 4 to 7 shall be prepared by the outgoing District Treasurer. The outgoing District Secretary shall prepare two (2) copies of a consolidated list of the above-stated District records which shall serve as the items to be turned over by the outgoing DDGM to the new DDGM and when signed by the new DDGM, shall serve as a receipt of the items received, together with the actual records received by him. Each DDGM shall have a copy of the Signed Receipt.

c. Henceforth, all Masonic Districts are hereby strictly prohibited from holding Masonic District Turn-over ceremonies in hotels, restaurants and other commercial or private places. However, fellowship after the Masonic District Turn-over ceremonies can be held in hotels, restaurants and other commercial or private places or at the designated fellowship areas of the Grand Lodge or Subordinate lodges subject to the requirements and conditions for the use thereof;

6. Organization of the District – The Election, Appointments and Installation of other District Officers shall take place during the next scheduled District meeting after the turn-over.

This Edict shall take effect immediately and shall be read in open Lodge at the stated meeting following its receipt and that action taken thereon recorded in the minutes.

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND THE SEAL of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines in Legazpi City, this 25th day of April, 2015.

TOMAS G. RENTOY, III Grand Master

Attest:

DANILO D. ANGELES, PGM Grand Secretary