September, 2004

Newsletter

 

The following articles appear in the current monthly FOP newsletter.

 

 

President’s Article

By Mark Donahue

 

In Memory

     Early in the morning of August 8th, while on duty, Police Officers Michael P. Gordon and John Dalcason’s vehicle was broadsided by an intoxicated motorist traveling at a high rate of speed.  The crash resulted in the death of Officer Gordon and the serious injury of Officer Dalcason.  Since the tragedy, it has been learned by those of us who hadn’t the honor of knowing  Officer Gordon that he was the type of police officer that any of us serving in his capacity would desire to emulate.  By all accounts, Mike Gordon, with the support of all who knew him, gave 100% to doing what he knew to be the right thing: working to make a difference in the community in which he served.  The outpouring of support for these two officers and their families and friends was overwhelming and suitable.  Nothing can prepare any of us for tragedies such as this but the support that we can extend to those left behind garners certain assurances for all of us.  This assurance should not serve to supplant that each and every one of us to do all that we can to assure that we return safely to them at the end of the tour.  Our support continues to go out to the Gordon Family and to John Dalcason for his quick recovery and return to duty.

Closing of District Lockups

     On July 27th we received a decision from Arbitrator Cox on the grievance filed over the closing of the 7 district lockups and the removal of those officers from their positions.  Unbelievably the Arbitrator denied the grievance.  He found that the Department had the authority to closer the lockups pursuant to Article 4, Management Rights.  Article 4 states that the employer will continue to retain the right to operate and manage its affairs in each and every aspect, unless they have negotiated something different in another contract provision.  The Lodge believes management did exactly this when they negotiated 23.9 of the agreement.  The arbitrator found that the language therein: “the employer agrees not to eliminate any Unit Duty Assignments listed in this section for the duration of this contract”, to be “ambiguous”.  Not only is this language very clear, but the Lodge and the Department negotiated an increase in unity duty assignments in the same contract.  The Lodge is going ahead with a safety complaint that was filed on this issue when the expected problems in the securing of prisoners arose. 

Soldier Field Jobs

     On August 10th, an administrative law judge ruled in favor of the Lodge regarding the unfair labor practice filed by the Lodge relative to traffic control responsibilities in and around Soldier Field.  The judge ruled that the City needs to take steps to ensure that our members a re reassigned to those duties.  Although it is probable that the City will appeal the decision from the Labor Board, we will continue to push for the security of these positions.  We may not win them all, but the City is on notice that we will extend our full efforts in protecting the rights of our union members.

Parole Denied

     We have been informed that due to the collection of more than 2400 signatures by the Lodge at the FOP picnic, requesting the denial of parole to the killer of Police Officer Terry Loftus, the Parole Board did deny the killers request.  Although there was prominent political pressure to release the killer, we have been informed that the petitions submitted by the FOP membership persuaded the Board to make the right decision in this case.  I want to thank those of you who did sign those petitions and to let all of us know that they can make a difference, so that the next opportunity you have to do so should be taken as an obligation in memory of those whom have been taken from us.

Negotiations

    This past week, the members of our contract negotiating team heard first hand from Arbitrator Benn what he plans to do in furtherance of resolving our contract.  It is apparent that Arbitrator Benn would like as many issues as possible resolved between the parties and to that he will monitor the progress before taking marginal and then total control of the process.  The Lodge had availed themselves to this process every step of the way and considers the firm stance of the arbitrator to be a positive sign. 

Labor Contract Arbitration Seminar

    The Lodge is scheduling a Labor Contract Arbitration Seminar for September 21st before the General Meeting at 1700 hours.  The seminar will cover the issues of Arbitration and the impact of the process on the collective bargaining agreement here in Chicago.  Anyone interested in attending should call Mary Pat in our office and reserve your seat.

Biennial Conference

    The FOP State Lodge held its Biennial Conference in Springfield from July 23 thru the 25th.  Besides the normal business and reports to the membership the State Lodge conducted the election of officers to serve out the 2 year terms.  It is my pleasure to announce that our current Sgt. at Arms, Kenny Watt from the 008th District trounced his competition for his bid for the office of 1st Vice President.  Pat Duckhorn was re-elected to serve Lodge 7 as the 1st District Trustee on the State Board.  The only other contested race on the Executive Board was for the office of Sgt. at Arms in which Bill Mehrtens from Carbondale won out over his worthy opponent.  Ted Street will serve another 2 years as President of the State Lodge as will Keith Turney from Joliet as 2nd V.P.   Dave Nixon will serve as 3rd V.P., Mike Vitale as Financial Secretary and Fred Scholl as Secretary.  These members of the “United We Stand” ticket are all  experienced members of the FOP both at the State level and in their individual local lodges and will serve the interests of the membership well in Springfield and across the State.  A major issue that needed to be addressed at the conference was a By-law proposal raising the per capita tax for membership in the State Lodge.  After detailed explanations of why there was a need for a dues increase at the State level, the delegates in attendance voted unanimously to increase the State dues by $5.00 per year.  This increase will take effect for fiscal year 2005 and thereafter.

September General Meeting

    At the September General Meeting along with the normal schedule of business, we will be voting on Constitution and By-law proposals that have been properly submitted.  Although many of the proposals deal with language clean up that is long overdue, there are issues of importance to the operations of the Lodge that will also be included.  Please take the time to familiarize yourself with the content of the proposals that are published in this issue and exercise your right to vote on them.

 

Proposed Constitution & By-Law Amendments

By James Moriarty, Chairman

 

The following Constitution and By-Law Amendment proposals have been properly submitted to the Lodge.  These amendments will be voted on at the September General Meeting in accord with the current Constitution and By-Law provisions.  As you will note, many of these changes reflect language cleanup that has been long overdue and some proposals reflect more practical business practices for the Lodge.  All of the proposals that are up for consideration have been tendered by the Constitution and By-Law Committee and have the acceptance of the Board of Directors.  Both the Committee and the Board have expended extensive periods of time in formulating and discussing these changes and have recommended adoption by the entire membership.

 

(Additions are indicated with underlining, deletions by overstrike.)

 

ARTICLE VII

NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES OF CHICAGO LODGE NO. 7

The elected Officers of the Lodge shall consist of a President, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Vice Presidents, Recording Secretary, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, three (3) Sergeants-at-Arms, and seventeen (17) Trustees.  The term of office for elected officers of Lodge No. 7 shall be three (3) years.  The duly elected officers of the Lodge and elected/appointed unit representatives by virtue of their office shall be delegates to the State and National Conference.

 

ARTICLE VII

NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES OF CHICAGO LODGE NO. 7

Section 2.       The President shall promulgate election rules governing the procedures(s) and conduct of the election not inconsistent with this Constitution and By-Laws, and shall appoint an election committee and Chairman.  It shall be the responsibility of the election committee to arrange the preparation of ballots in a form which will assure a fair, secret and expeditious tally of all ballots cast, and such ballots will be processed by mail in March of the year following nominations.  Each ballot shall list the nominees by the office for which they are running so that qualified voters can vote in the manner set forth by the Election Committee.

In the event that any individual who has been properly nominated and who is eligible to hold an office or be a unit or watch representative in Lodge No. 7 is running unopposed, that individual will be declared elected by acclamation, without the need for a vote of membership.

 

ARTICLE VII

NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES OF CHICAGO LODGE NO. 7

Section 7.       With the exception of the Office of the President, the person having a plurality of the votes cast on the day of the election shall be deemed winner of the Office for which he is running.  The person having a plurality of the votes cast on the day of election shall be deemed winner of the office for which he is running.  Each candidate or slate of candidates shall be entitled to one (1) observer who shall be a member in good standing, who shall not be a candidate and who shall be entitled to be present at the polls and to watch the counting of votes by the Judges of Election.  Credentials for observers shall be given out by the Chairman of the election committee.  Any challenges shall be referred to the election committee immediately and committee ruling shall be final and binding upon this Lodge.  No candidate for office shall take active participation in the counting of the ballots.

 

By-Laws, ARTICLE II

DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS

Section 1.       Every member of this Lodge agrees that, in consideration for the benefits of membership conferred upon him or her pursuant to the terms of this Constitution, he or she shall be subject to discipline for any action, inaction or omission which constitutes a violation of his or her duties as and obligations as stated in this Constitution and By-Laws.  Every member agrees that termination of membership does not terminate his or her liability for discipline for acts occurring during the term of his or her membership.

 

By-Laws, ARTICLE II

DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS

Section 10.    Any member who shall present his membership card, auto emblem, or decal to any unauthorized person or persons, shall, upon the filing of a complaint and the presentation of proof of said actions, be immediately dismissed from the Lodge.  The President and the attorney for the Lodge may then take action to prosecute the recipient of said materials under Illinois revised Statutes (1971) Ch. 38, Section 17-2  720 ILCS 5/17-2.

 

 

By-Laws, ARTICLE III

DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 7:            The Financial Secretary shall:

Along with the Treasurer be custodian of the funds of the Lodge.  He or she shall perform a quarterly review of the deposits to assure that all monies received by the Lodge have been forwarded to the Treasurer and deposited in the proper accounts of the Lodge.  He or she shall furnish a surety bond for the faithful performance of his or her duties in such an amount as shall be specified by the Board of Directors and paid for by the Lodge.  By virtue of his or her office, he or she shall be Chairman of the membership committee.  He or she shall assist the President in the selection of the Unit and District Representatives.  He or she shall sign all checks duly authorized by the President and Secretary and co-signed by the President and/or Treasurer for disbursement of funds.  By virtue of his or her office, he or she shall be a delegate to the Biennial State and National Conferences.

Section 8.            The Treasurer shall:

Assure that all incoming monies for the Lodge shall be delivered into the record for deposit in the proper accounts of the Lodge and shall, with the Financial Secretary be the custodian of the funds of the Lodge. He or she shall furnish a surety bond in the amount specified by the Board of Directors, which surety bond shall be approved by the Board of Directors and financed by the Lodge.  He or she shall sign all checks duly authorized by the President and Secretary, and co-signed by the President and/or Financial Secretary and/or Recording Secretary for disbursements of funds.  He or she shall keep an itemized record of all receipts and disbursements, and shall deposit all funds collected in a bank approved by the Board of Directors.  He or she shall set up special accounts for special funds and allocate to each respectively, the amounts allocated and collected therefore.  He or she shall perform such duties as usual and incident to the office.  He or she shall prepare quarterly reports for the Board on the conditions of the funds.  By virtue of his or her office, he or she shall be a delegate to the Biennial State and National Conferences.

Section 9.            The Three (3) Sergeant-at-Arms shall:

Have charge of examining dues cards of Officers and other members, ascertaining that all present at meetings are in good standing.  They shall have charge and control of all meeting places and permit only qualified persons to enter or remain.  They shall assist the President in the execution of such duties he may order.  By virtue of their office they will be delegates to the Biennial State and National Conferences.

 

By-Laws, ARTICLE V

MEETINGS AND ORDER OF BUSINESS

Section 1.            The Board of Directors shall meet once each month, the date and time to be set by the President and at such other times as the Board or the President may determine.  A quorum of fifteen (15) of its members shall be necessary for the transaction of business.

Section 2.       The regular monthly general membership meetings of Chicago Lodge No. 7 shall be upheld each month, on a date and time specified by the Board of Directors.  The monthly general membership meetings of July and August may be suspended each year by the Board of Directors.

Section 2(a).  At a regular monthly general membership meeting or any special meeting of this Lodge, a quorum shall be not less than five (5) elected officers and fifty (50) members of the Lodge in good standing.

 

By-Laws, ARTICLE VII

EXPENSES AND COMPENSATION

Section 1.       The Board of Directors members, as such, shall not receive any stated salaries for their services, but by resolution of the Board, a fixed sum and expenses, if any, may be allowed for attendance at each regular and special meeting, provided, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any Officer from serving the Lodge in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefore.

Section 2.       The Board of Directors is authorized and empowered consistent with these By-Laws and Constitution, to provide and fix the salaries and terms and conditions of employment for all Officers and employees of this Lodge, including, but not limited to such fringe benefits as vacations with pay, holidays, sick leave, time off for personal reasons, and in connection therewith to make payments covering health, welfare and pension benefits and/or the purchase or lease of automobiles and the maintenance and expense thereof, and the Board of Directors is further authorized and empowered to provide allowances, direct and indirect disbursements, expenses and disbursement of expenses for such Officers and employees.  The allowances and disbursements stated above will be reviewed at least yearly by the Board of Trustees who will present their recommendations to the Board of Directors for approval.  Provided that the salary, terms, and conditions of any Officer shall not be decreased or reduced during an officer's term of office.

PREAMBLE

We, the Police Officers of the City of Chicago, do hereby associate ourselves for the following purposes:

To support and defend the Constitution of the United States; inculcate loyalty and allegiance to the United States of America; to promote and foster the enforcement of law and order with justice; to improve the individual and collective proficiency of our members in the performance of their duties; to work for and provide improvements in the salary and fringe benefits and other terms and conditions of employment of the sworn members of the Chicago Police Department; to advocate and strive for uniform application of the Career Service Merit System for appointment and promotion; to create a tradition of esprit de corps insuring fidelity to duty under all conditions and circumstances; to cultivate a spirit of frpaternalism and mutual helpfulness among our members and the people we serve; to increase the efficiency of the Police Profession law enforcement and thus more firmly establish the confidence of the public in the service dedicated to the protection of life and property.

All terms used herein to denominate gender shall be generic and, whenever appropriate, the singular shall include the plural and the plural shall include the singular.  Titles to articles, sections and subsections have been included for clerical convenience and are not deemed conclusive as to the contents or meaning of an article, section or subsection.

 

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP

Section 3.       Every member, below the rank of Sergeant as described by the Illinois Labor Board, by virtue of his membership, authorizes the Lodge to act as his exclusive representative relating to his wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment with his employer, and grants to the Lodge final authority to present, process and adjust any grievance or dispute arising under a collective bargaining agreement or out of employment as is determined by the officers to be in the best interest of the Lodge.

 

ARTICLE VI

DELEGATES

Section 2.       Nominations of additional candidates, if needed desired, to represent this Lodge as delegates to the State Conference or National Biennial Conference of the National Lodge, shall be held at a regular business meeting, at the discretion of the President of the Lodge.

Section 3.       The Lodge shall may elect as many additional delegates and alternates as they may be entitled to according to its membership, or as they otherwise desire.  After the election of additional delegates, the candidates shall be listed in numerical order according to the number of votes received.  Upon final determination of the number of delegates desired, that number highest on the list shall be declared delegates and a like number immediately following on the list shall be declared elected as alternates to the delegates and shall receive preference in order listed in case of a vacancy among the delegates.

 

Constitution, ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS

Section 1.       Only Active members, in good standing of this Lodge, may propose an Amendment to this Constitution.  Such proposals shall be in resolution form, stating the reasons for the amendment, and shall be attested by the signature of eleven (11) Active members in good standing.  The signatures will not be necessary when the proposals are made by the Constitution and By-Laws Committee appointed by the President and 1st Vice President.  An amendment on a particular subject may be presented and/or voted upon only once in a twelve (12) month period, unless reconsideration of the proposed amendment is approved by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

 

By-Laws, ARTICLE XII

AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS

Section 1.       Only active members, in good standing of this Lodge may propose an amendment to these By‑Laws. Such proposals shall be in resolution form, stating the reasons for the amendment, and shall be attested by the signature of eleven (11) active members in good standing. The signatures will not be necessary when the proposals are made by the Constitution and By‑Laws Committee appointed by the President and 1st Vice President. An amendment on a particular subject may be presented and/or voted upon only once in a twelve (12) month period, unless reconsideration of the proposed amendment is approved by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

 

BY-LAWS, ARTICLE I

MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY

Section 2.       An Active member is any person in good standing who is employed by a sworn employee or on pension from sworn employment with the City of Chicago Police Department; any salaried Officer or Trustee of Chicago Lodge No. 7, the Illinois State Lodge, the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police State Labor Council, or the Grand Lodge; any non-salaried Officer or employee of the Illinois State Lodge, the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police State Labor Council, or the Grand Lodge,.   if the President The Board of Directors of Lodge No. 7 may determines that the circumstances warrant acceptance of, or extension of, the a qualified individual's active membership.  Only Active members in good standing shall be permitted to vote, except that only those members in good standing below the rank of Sergeant, in a bargaining unit may vote on ratification of the collective bargaining contract and related matters affecting that bargaining unit.

 

By-Laws, ARTICLE II

DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS

Section 4.       Charges shall be in writing and shall describe the alleged violations.  Upon receipt of such charges, the Recording Secretary shall immediately distribute copies of the charges to the accused member and to the members of the Board of Directors of the Lodge.  The President, with the advice and consent of the Board of Directors, shall appoint an impartial trial panel special committee of three (3) members of the Board, including a Chairperson, who shall act by majority vote.  The Chairperson shall schedule a date, place and time for a hearing on the charges, not less than two weeks thirty (30) days from the date on which a copy of the written charges are served upon the accused member.  Written notice of the trial panel special committee hearing, date, time and place of the hearing shall be provided to the parties and reasonable requests for a continuance shall be directed to the panel for decision.

Section 5.       At the hearing, a transcript recording of the proceedings shall be maintained, and the accused member shall be provided with an opportunity to present evidence in opposition to the evidence presented in support of the charges against the member.  At the conclusion of the hearing next scheduled board meeting, the panel committee shall issue a decision on  present its recommendation as to whether the evidence as a whole supports the charges against the member, and what, if any, penalty the panel special committee believes is appropriate in the event that the accused member is found guilty.  Penalties may include fines, suspension, loss of privilege and/or expulsion from membership in the Lodge.

Section 6.       A member who is dissatisfied with the decision of the panel may appeal this decision in writing within ten (10) days to the full Board which may affirm, reverse or modify the decision or penalty of the trial panel.

                                    The accused member may appear before the Board to contest the recommendation.

 

By-Laws, ARTICLE III

DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1.            The President shall:

(b)       He or she shall call special meetings of the Board of Directors when he or she deems it necessary or upon petition of a majority of the Board of Directors.  At each session of the Board, he or she shall submit ensure that a full and complete report of the official business transacted by him or her subsequent to the last meeting of the Board is submitted, together with such recommendations as he or she may deem advisable.  He or she shall submit his budget to his ensure that a budget is submitted to the Board of Directors for approval.  He or she shall convey to his or her successor all unfinished business of the Lodge.

(f)         He or she shall fill vacancies not otherwise provided for in this Constitution and By-Laws for the term of such office, provided that the individual appointed to fill the vacancy shall fulfill the same eligibility requirements as stated for that position and the appointment shall be approved by a majority of the Board of Directors.

(g)       The salary of the President shall be equal to a D-8 level as set forth in the 1987 Chicago Police Department Position and Salary Schedule and shall be increased periodically in the same amount as percentage increases granted to bargaining unit officers that position.

 

By-Laws, ARTICLE VII

EXPENSES AND COMPENSATION

Section 2.       The Board of Directors shall set the salary of the Lodge Representatives at an amount equal to the D-5 level as set forth in the 1987 Chicago Police Department Position and Salary Schedule and shall be increased periodically in the same amount as percentage increases granted to bargaining unit police officers represented by Chicago Lodge No. 7 that position.

 

By-Laws, ARTICLE V

MEETINGS AND ORDER OF BUSINESS

Section 3.            ORDER OF BUSINESS

1.            Reading of roll call of Officers

21.            Opening Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance

32.            Reading of previous meeting minutes

43.            Report of Officers

54.            Report of Board of Directors

65.            Report of Board of Trustees

76.            Bills and Communications

87.            Reports of Committees

98.            Introduction of resolutions

109.            Unfinished Business

1110.            New Business

1211.            Nomination petitions accepted and filed

1312.            Election of Officers

1413.            Good of the Order

1514.            Installation of Officers

1615.            Adjournment

 

By-Laws, ARTICLE VI

DUES

Section 1.       The Active membership dues of this Lodge shall be collected pursuant to the checkoff provision of the relevant collective bargaining agreement and shall be increased by a majority secret ballot vote, except as specified below, upon reasonable advance notice, of those Active members in good standing at the meeting where the vote is taken.  Any increases in the state and/or national per capita taxes will be passed along to the active membership to the nearest  $ .25 (twenty-five cent) increment per pay period.

 

By-Laws, ARTICLE VI

DUES

Section 1.            The Active membership dues of this Lodge shall be collected pursuant to the checkoff provision of the relevant collective bargaining agreement and shall be increased by a majority secret ballot vote, except as specified below, upon reasonable advance notice, of those Active members in good standing at the meeting where the vote is taken.

Dues as of ratification of the 1987 Amendments, shall be $7.50 per pay period and shall be increased each year thereafter (to the nearest half-dollar) by the percentage annual increase in pay provided to members of the bargaining unit under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

Effective 30 days after ratification of this amendment or by 1 January 93, whichever is sooner, the dues for members covered by Legal Defense will be increased by one dollar ($1.00) per pay period.  This increase will be used exclusively for Legal Defense.  The Legal Defense Committee will establish the guidelines for disbursement from this fund and said guidelines will be subject to approval by two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Board of Directors.  The Legal Defense Fund will be audited separately and the audit results will be published annually.

 

By-Laws, ARTICLE VII

EXPENSES AND COMPENSATION

Section 2.            The Board of Directors is authorized and empowered consistent with these By-Law and Constitution, to provide and fix the salaries and terms and conditions of employment for all Officers and employees of this Lodge, including, but not limited to such fringe benefits as vacations with pay, holidays, sick leave, time off for personal reasons, and in connection therewith to make payments covering health, welfare and pension benefits and/or the purchase or lease of automobiles and the maintenance and expense thereof, and the Board of Directors is further authorized and empowered to provide allowances, direct and indirect disbursements, expenses and disbursement of expenses for such Officers and employees.  The allowances and disbursements stated above will be reviewed at least yearly by the Board of Trustees who will present their recommendations to the Board of Directors for approval.  Provided that the salary, terms, and conditions of any Officer shall not be decreased or reduced during an officer's term of office.

Since the Officers and employees are constantly performing duties on behalf of this Lodge, during all hours of the day and night and they are also incurring expenses for the benefit of the Lodge, the Board is hereby authorized to provide weekly expense allowances to be received by the Officers and employees.  These allowances are to be paid over and above salaries, it being estimated that well over the amounts of such allowances are expended by the Officers and employees in connection with the work of this organization.  These allowances will be reviewed at least yearly by Board of Trustees who will present their recommendations to the Board of Directors for approval.

In addition to the allowances set forth above, all Officers and employees may be reimbursed for all other expenses incurred in connection with their activities upon presentation of appropriate written statements or accounts.  The written statements will be subject to audit by the Board of Trustees who will present their recommendations to the Board of Directors for approval.

Any actions taken by the Board of Directors in this Section must be approved reported at a General Meeting following the Board of Directors meeting at which such actions take place.

The Board of Directors shall set the salary of the Lodge Representatives at an amount equal to the D-5 level as set forth in the 1987 Chicago Police Department Position and Salary Schedule and shall be increased periodically in the same amount as percentage increases granted to bargaining unit police officers represented by Chicago Lodge No. 7.

 

By-Laws, ARTICLE X

COMMITTEES

Section 1.       After the installation of Officers of this Lodge and no later than the May  June Board meeting, the President and 1st Vice President shall appoint the standing committees.  Any member in good standing may serve as a committee member and each committee shall have at least three (3) members.  The President will start the appointments by naming the committee chairperson and the appointments will alternate with the President appointing the majority and the 1st Vice President appointing the minority of the members.  A complete list of the Standing Committees and their members shall be presented to the Board of Directors at by the May June Board meeting for the Boards approval.

A.        The following will be the Standing Committees:

1.            Grievance                  5.            Fair Share Retiree

2.            Safety                         6.             Constitution and By-Laws

3.            Legal                          7.            Legislative

4.            Salary & Working Conditions Disabilities

B.        Each of the Standing Committees will meet monthly or as needed and report to the Board of Directors at each a Board meeting.

                       

Constitution, ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS

Section 2:       Proposed amendments to this constitution shall be submitted in writing to the Recording Secretary within a two month period commencing April 1st and ending May 31st of each year or when an issue has been identified as having significant importance to the Lodge by the President, with the consent of the Board of Directors. The Recording Secretary upon receiving any proposed amendments in the proper manner will then attest his or her signature, date of receiving, attest the Seal of the Lodge and forward the proposed amendment to the Board of Directors for review, consideration and recommendations.

And,

 

By-Laws, ARTICLE XII

AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS

Section 2:       Proposed amendments to this constitution these By-Laws shall be submitted in writing to the Recording Secretary within a two month period commencing April 1st and ending May 31st of each year or when an issue has been identified as having significant importance to the Lodge by the President, with the consent of the Board of Directors. The Recording Secretary upon receiving any proposed amendments in the proper manner will then attest his or her signature, date of receiving, attest the seal of the Lodge and forward the proposed amendment to the Board of Directors for review, consideration and recommendations.

 

Constitution, ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS

Section 6.       When an issue has been identified as having significant importance to the Lodge by the President, with the consent of the Board of the Directors, the President shall propose an amendment to these Constitution and By-Laws.  Members will be given notice of any impending vote on such amendment by use of the regular monthly mailing of Lodge 7 prior to any vote.  The Board of Directors shall have the option of determining whether such vote shall be by mail ballot or voice vote of members who attend the applicable membership meeting.  If the proposed amendment is sent for a mail ballot, it shall be returned and counted within twenty-one (21) days of the mailing.

Section 67.

 

By-Laws, ARTICLE XII

AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS

Section 6.       When an issue has been identified as having significant importance to the Lodge by the President, with the consent of the Board of the Directors, the President shall propose an amendment to these Constitution and By-Laws.  Members will be given notice of any impending vote on such amendment by use of the regular monthly mailing of Lodge 7, prior to any vote.  The Board of Directors shall have the option of determining whether such vote shall be by mail ballot or voice vote of members who attend the applicable membership meeting.  If the proposed amendment is sent for a mail ballot, it shall be returned and counted within twenty-one (21) days of the mailing.

Section 67.