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23 July 2021

DISPENSATIONS MADE EASY

The Grand Master of Freemasons Victoria, MWBro. Richard Elkington, has announced a range of improvements to the dispensations process available to Lodges across the state, effective immediately.

“We are succeeding in cutting red tape. Whilst we still have a suite of rules with which all Lodges must abide, we are seeking to make the dispensation process as easy as possible,” said the Grand Master.

“For years, applications for some dispensations have had to await the decision of the Grand Master of the day. This has often caused frustrating delays. Now, we are delegating some of those dispensation authorities to the Grand Secretary's office, and sometimes to District Coordinators, and in several examples to the Worshipful Masters of individual Lodges.

“This will mean faster decisions, with less fuss. We are trying to remove Grand Lodge paperwork as much as possible from the month-to-month workings of Lodges. These latest steps are part of an ongoing streamlining across the fraternity.

“Some of the new dispensations relate to Masters deciding what attire may be worn at Lodge meetings, time limits for officer appointments being potentially eased for newer Freemasons, and greater flexibility around meeting dates and locations,” said the Grand Master.

23 improvements are made in the latest announcement:

  • “A nominee for the position of Master shall have been a Master Mason in a Craft Lodge in Victoria for a period of at least five years prior to his Installation unless a dispensation”. (Rule 167). Lodges can now make application directly to the Grand Secretary for this dispensation.
  • “If, for any reason, a Warden has not served for a full year in this office, he can only be a candidate for election as Master if the Grand Master has been advised of the circumstances and has granted a dispensation.” (Rule 168). Lodges can now make application directly to the Grand Secretary for this dispensation.
  • “No brother shall be Master of more than one Lodge at the same time, unless a dispensation has been granted by the Grand Master.” (Rule 175). Lodges can now make application directly to the Grand Secretary for this dispensation.
  • “No limitation is placed on the number of times that a brother may serve his Lodge as its Master, save that he may not continue as Master for more than two years in succession, unless a dispensation has been granted by the Grand Master.” (Rule 176). Lodges can now make application directly to their District Coordinator for this dispensation.
  • “No officer shall be invested by proxy, unless by dispensation.” (Rule 177). Lodges can now make application directly to the Grand Secretary for this dispensation.
  • “The regular days of meeting and the Lodge meeting-place shall be as specified on the warrant, unless an amendment has been made and approved by the Grand Master. Any such amendment shall be recorded in the Lodge’s Book of Resolutions.” (Rule 183). Lodges can now make application directly to their District Coordinator for this dispensation.
  • “No Lodge having its place of meeting at or within 65 kilometres of any place appointed for a Quarterly Communication or other Meetings of Grand Lodge shall meet on the day appointed for such Meeting of Grand Lodge unless a dispensation has been received from the Grand Master.” (Rule 184). Such Lodges can now make application directly to the Grand Secretary for this dispensation.
  • “Apart from the provision made in Rule 187 with respect to Public Holidays, the Grand Master may grant a dispensation for the holding of a regular meeting upon a day not more than 14 days before or after the usual meeting day. Such day shall for all purposes be deemed the regular day of meeting.” (Rule 188). This dispensation may now be made by the Worshipful Master, following discussion with the District Coordinator.
  • “A Lodge may, from time to time, alter its place of meeting” (subject to a number of provisions). (Rule 202). This dispensation may now be made by the Worshipful Master, following discussion with the District Coordinator.
  • “If it proves impossible or impractical for a Lodge to meet at its regular meeting-place, the Master shall apply to the Grand Master for a dispensation to enable an alternative meeting-place to be used until the difficulty is removed or until the proper processes to gain approval for a permanent change of venue are completed.” (Rule 203). This dispensation may now be made by the Worshipful Master, following discussion with the District Coordinator.
  • “No person shall be made a Freemason, until or unless … he has been a resident of the State of Victoria for at least 12 months preceding the ballot (unless this provision has been waived by a dispensation of the Grand Master).” (Rule 217e). Lodges can now make application directly to their District Coordinator for this dispensation.
  • “No Lodge shall on the same day initiate into Freemasonry more than four persons… unless by a dispensation of the Grand Master.” (Rule 228). Lodges can now make application directly to their District Coordinator for this dispensation.
  • “No Lodge shall work more than one degree on the same day, unless by dispensation of the Grand Master.” (Rule 236). Lodges can now make application directly to their District Coordinator for this dispensation.
  • “A brother shall not be passed to the Second Degree until the expiration of not less than 12 weeks from the date of his initiation … [this period] may be reduced by dispensation of the Grand Master.” (Rule 239). Lodges can now make application directly to their District Coordinator for this dispensation.
  • “No Lodge shall initiate a candidate until the minute relating to his election has been confirmed at a subsequent regular or emergency meeting. The Grand Master may waive this requirement by dispensation, but not without good cause being shown.” (Rule 242). Lodges can now make application directly to the Grand Secretary for this dispensation.
  • “Except by dispensation from the Grand Master, no brother shall propose or second a candidate for initiation in any Lodge unless he has had personal knowledge of the candidate for a period of not less than 12 months and is prepared to vouch for his character and fitness to become a Freemason.” (Rule 243). Lodges can now make application directly to the Grand Secretary for this dispensation.
  • “If a candidate for initiation or joining has not resided in the State of Victoria for a period of twelve months immediately prior to his proposition, his candidacy may only proceed upon dispensation being granted by the Grand Master.” (Rule 244). Lodges can now make application directly to their District Coordinator for this dispensation.
  • “If a candidate has a physical handicap, the Lodge to which application is made must refer the matter to the Grand Secretary for discussion with the Grand Master who will determine what adjustments will need to be made to the ceremonial to provide for the comfort of the candidate and for a substantial compliance with the requirements of initiation, passing and raising.” (Rule 245). This dispensation may now be made by the Worshipful Master, following discussion with the District Coordinator. The variations required must be discussed with the District Inspector of Workings before the dispensation is granted.
  • “Any proposed change of meeting place or meeting schedule of a Lodge of Instruction is subject to the approval of the Grand Master.” (Rule 298). Such Lodges can now make application directly to their District Coordinator for this dispensation.
  • “Each Lodge of Instruction shall be presided over by a Lecture Master and Deputy Lecture Master elected by the members in accordance with the Uniform Operating Rules and any relevant resolutions of the Lodge of Instruction. The brethren so elected must be at least of the rank of Past Master. The names of these brethren shall be submitted each year to the Grand Master for his approval.” (Rule 299). Such Lodges can now make application directly to their District Coordinator for this dispensation.
  • “The Grand Master may, from time to time, issue instructions as to the attire which Freemasons should wear to evening or daylight Lodges. He may also determine what constitutes “summer dress”. (Rule 387). This dispensation may now be made by the Worshipful Master, following discussion with the District Coordinator, who may give dispensation for one-off events – for special occasions.
  • “No brother shall appear in a public procession or at a public function wearing any component of Masonic regalia unless with the express permission of the Grand Master.” (Rule 390). Lodges can now make application directly to the Grand Secretary for this dispensation.
  • “Only jewels and emblems which appertain to Craft Freemasonry … the Degree of the Mark Master Mason and the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch may be worn in Grand Lodge or any individual warranted Lodge [subject to provisions].” (Rule 391).” Lodges can now make application directly to the Grand Secretary for this dispensation.

A record of all dispensations given by the District Coordinator and/or Worshipful Master must be recorded in a Register of Dispensations held by the District Coordinator or his representative. These are to be reported to the Grand Secretary on a quarterly basis.

MWBro. Anthony Bucca

 

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