These frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s), have been collated from Craft, Chapter, Mark and Royal Ark
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q1. What do Lodges/Chapters do about a meeting for which they have already sent out a Summons,
that now falls within the suspension period?
that now falls within the suspension period?
A1. We are anticipating further administrative guidance from Grand Lodge/Chapter on this matter.
This isn’t an urgent issue at the moment as we will not be reconvening for at least another 3
months and we will issue advice well in advance of a return to normal working
This isn’t an urgent issue at the moment as we will not be reconvening for at least another 3
months and we will issue advice well in advance of a return to normal working
Q2. The next meeting of the Lodge/Chapter was to elect next years’ Worshipful Master, MEZ,
Commander, how will this be addressed during the suspension?
Commander, how will this be addressed during the suspension?
A2. We are anticipating issuing further administrative guidance from Grand Lodge/Chapter on this
matter in the near future but as we will not reconvene for another three months at least we have
time to work this out.
matter in the near future but as we will not reconvene for another three months at least we have
time to work this out.
Q3. The Lodge/Chapter has already elected its Worshipful Master, MEZ, Commander, how will an
Installation meeting that falls within the suspension period be affected?
Installation meeting that falls within the suspension period be affected?
A3. We are anticipating further administrative guidance from Grand Lodge/Chapter on this matter.
We assume that this will go ahead at a convenient date for your Lodge/Chapter when Masonic
meetings recommence. We will issue further advice in due course
We assume that this will go ahead at a convenient date for your Lodge/Chapter when Masonic
meetings recommence. We will issue further advice in due course
Q4. The Lodge/Chapter has one or more regular meeting(s) scheduled to be held during the
suspension period, how will these be affected?
suspension period, how will these be affected?
A4. We are anticipating further administrative guidance from Grand Lodge/Chapter on this matter.
These have obviously been cancelled. If they need to be reconvened after the suspension you
may need a dispensation and we will advise in due course. In the meantime it is safe to assume
that unless exceptional circumstances apply those meetings will be lost.
These have obviously been cancelled. If they need to be reconvened after the suspension you
may need a dispensation and we will advise in due course. In the meantime it is safe to assume
that unless exceptional circumstances apply those meetings will be lost.
Q5. Should the suspension be recorded in a Lodge or Chapter Minute Book?
A5. Yes, since the communication from our respective Grand Lodges/Chapter is in effect a
Dispensation that enforces a suspension of all masonic activities, Lodge and Chapter Secretaries
and Scribes are advised to place a copy of the suspension instruction from their respective Grand
Body into their Lodge or Chapter Minute book.
Dispensation that enforces a suspension of all masonic activities, Lodge and Chapter Secretaries
and Scribes are advised to place a copy of the suspension instruction from their respective Grand
Body into their Lodge or Chapter Minute book.
Q6. Will the suspension affect the ‘continuous working’ of the Lodge or Chapter?
A6. Since all masonic activity has been suspended by virtue of a Grand Lodge/Chapter Dispensation,
it is not anticipated that continuous working will be affected, nor that anniversaries would be
delayed by a period equivalent to the length of the suspension. However, it is anticipated that
clarification on this subject will be forthcoming from Grand Lodge/Chapter in due course.
it is not anticipated that continuous working will be affected, nor that anniversaries would be
delayed by a period equivalent to the length of the suspension. However, it is anticipated that
clarification on this subject will be forthcoming from Grand Lodge/Chapter in due course.
Q7. We balloted for a candidate at an earlier meeting and intended them to join during the
suspension period. Will we need to re-ballot if, after the suspension period and on the day of
them joining, their ballot was longer ago than the specified period in our constitutions?
suspension period. Will we need to re-ballot if, after the suspension period and on the day of
them joining, their ballot was longer ago than the specified period in our constitutions?
A7. We are anticipating further administrative guidance from Grand Lodge/Chapter on this matter
but unless there has been some significant change it should not be necessary. We will advice
further if required
but unless there has been some significant change it should not be necessary. We will advice
further if required
Q8. We proposed a candidate at the last meeting before the suspension, will we have to re-propose
him after the suspension?
him after the suspension?
A8. We are anticipating further administrative guidance from Grand Lodge/Chapter on this matter
Q9. Will members be refunded an element of their annual subscription proportional to the period of
the suspension?
the suspension?
A10. Annual subscriptions are due for each masonic year as defined by a specific period of time,
irrespective of the number of times per year that particular Lodge or Chapter may choose to
meet. As such, annual subscriptions are not related to, or dependent on, the number of
meetings held or attended by members. Furthermore, should a member resign shortly after the
beginning of a new masonic year, our constitutions are clear that they remain liable for the whole
subscription for that year, which they must remit to enable them to resign in good standing. For
these reasons is it not therefore anticipated that members would be entitled to such a refund.
irrespective of the number of times per year that particular Lodge or Chapter may choose to
meet. As such, annual subscriptions are not related to, or dependent on, the number of
meetings held or attended by members. Furthermore, should a member resign shortly after the
beginning of a new masonic year, our constitutions are clear that they remain liable for the whole
subscription for that year, which they must remit to enable them to resign in good standing. For
these reasons is it not therefore anticipated that members would be entitled to such a refund.
Q10. Will the Lodge/Chapter still be required to pay rent to their Hall for a meeting or meetings that
do not take place as a result of the suspension?
do not take place as a result of the suspension?
A10. We are aware that there will be a significant number of different arrangements and contracts
between Lodges and Chapters and their meeting place ‘Landlords’. Lodges and Chapters are
therefore advised to review their rent agreements and contact their Hall landlords to ascertain
how the current suspension might affect them. It is essential that we all do whatever we can to
support colleagues in our Masonic halls who may also be able to get some help from the
government. The PGMs and MEGS have written to those who run our Masonic meeting places.
between Lodges and Chapters and their meeting place ‘Landlords’. Lodges and Chapters are
therefore advised to review their rent agreements and contact their Hall landlords to ascertain
how the current suspension might affect them. It is essential that we all do whatever we can to
support colleagues in our Masonic halls who may also be able to get some help from the
government. The PGMs and MEGS have written to those who run our Masonic meeting places.
Q11. Can a masonic Hall choose to host a ‘young masons’ club event during the suspension?
A11. NO! Whilst the Constitutions of Masonic bodies do not apply to Hall Management Committee’s
or Trustees, and Halls are therefore free to operate as they see fit, (in relation to non-masonic as
well as masonic lets and events), Wwe would not expect any masonic-related meetings to be
held during the period of the suspension. The view is that to hold such meetings would not only
be contrary to the spirit of the masonic suspension but would also be contrary to current
Government advice; specifically, the avoiding of unnecessaryall but essential social contact. In
addition, by being contrary to Government advice, such meetings may also thereforewill have the
potential to bring Masonry into disrepute.
or Trustees, and Halls are therefore free to operate as they see fit, (in relation to non-masonic as
well as masonic lets and events), Wwe would not expect any masonic-related meetings to be
held during the period of the suspension. The view is that to hold such meetings would not only
be contrary to the spirit of the masonic suspension but would also be contrary to current
Government advice; specifically, the avoiding of unnecessaryall but essential social contact. In
addition, by being contrary to Government advice, such meetings may also thereforewill have the
potential to bring Masonry into disrepute.
Q12. Can a Lodge or Chapter hold a ‘virtual’ meeting using internet facilities?
No. Whilst it is appreciated that the facilities afforded by modern digital communications could
enable such a meeting to take place, whether ‘virtual’ or ‘actual’ it would still be a ‘Masonic’
meeting, all of which have been suspended by decree direction from our respective Grand
Lodges.
There is, however, no reason why such facilities shouldn’t be used for almoner purposes or for
maintaining ‘social’ contact during the suspension.
enable such a meeting to take place, whether ‘virtual’ or ‘actual’ it would still be a ‘Masonic’
meeting, all of which have been suspended by decree direction from our respective Grand
Lodges.
There is, however, no reason why such facilities shouldn’t be used for almoner purposes or for
maintaining ‘social’ contact during the suspension.
Q13. The WM/MEZ will have served two consecutive years during the suspension, what should we do?
We are anticipating further administrative guidance from Grand Lodge/Chapter on this matter.
