ARTICLE I
Name of the Council

SECTION 1. This council shall be styled "San 'Antonio Council No. 14, Royal and Select Masters, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Texas. This Council subscribes to and shall be governed by the Constitution, Laws, Resolutions and Edicts of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Texas and by the By-Laws as hereinafter set forth. top

ARTICLE II
Assemblies of the Council

SECTION 1. The stated Assembly shall be held on the 1st Wednesday of the Months of March, June, September and December.

SECTION 2. Special Assemblies may be called by the Thrice Illustrious Master, or in his absence or inability to serve, by the Illustrious Deputy Master, or in the absence of both, by the Illustrious Principal Conductor of the Work, at such times as they, or either of them having the right to act, may deem necessary or desirable, at which no other business shall be transacted except that for which the call was made.

SECTION 3. Notice of Special Assemblies shall be given to the resident members and no business shall be transacted at such Assemblies other than that specified in the call. top

ARTICLE III
Officers of the Council

SECTION 1. The Officers of this Council shall be those specified in the Laws of the Grand Council of Texas for subordinate Councils and none other.

SECTION 2. The Thrice Illustrious Master, the Illustrious Deputy Master, Illustrious Principal Conductor of the Work, Treasurer, and Recorder, shall be elected by the Council; at the last stated Assembly preceding June 24 of each year, or as soon as practicable. A majority of all votes cast shall be necessary to elect these officers; all other officers shall be appointed by the Thrice Illustrious Master elect.

SECTION 3. In the election of officers, should only one name be placed in nomination, the vote may be by acclamation; but in case more than one be placed in nomination for any office, the vote shall be by written ballot, which shall be counted at the desk of the Recorder, and the number of votes received by each Companion reported to the presiding officer, who shall declare the Companion receiving the majority of all the votes cast, duly elected.

SECTION 4. In the event no Companion has such a majority, the ballot will be repeated until such result is attained. Blank ballots cast shall not be considered in estimating the number of ballots cast. top

ARTICLE IV
Duties of the Officers

SECTION 1. Thrice Illustrious Master. It shall be the duty of the Thrice Illustrious Master to exercise all the powers and perform all the duties prescribed by the Constitution and Laws of the Grand Council; to see that the By-Laws of this Council are duly observed; and to see that the officers attend strictly to their duties.

SECTION 2. Treasurer. In addition to the duties prescribed by the Laws of the Grand Council, it shall be the duty of the Treasurer to keep in a safe and secure place all deeds, certificates of stock, notes, bonds, or other securities or monies belonging to this Council, account for same from time to time, and deliver same to his successor in office: to collect and receive all monies from the hands of the Recorder, passing his receipt for same, and to pay them out upon the order of the Thrice Illustrious Master and the consent of this Council. Expenditures for charitable purposes may be made as provided by the Laws of the Grand Council.

SECTION 3. The Treasurer shall keep an accurate account of all receipts and disbursements and make a full report of the financial affairs of the Council in accordance with Article 211 of the Constitution and Laws of the Grand Council, and more often if required by the Council or the Master.

SECTION 4. The Treasurer shall submit his books and accounts for audit annually and or when requested and given a surety bond for such an amount prescribed by the Council at the expense of the Council. The annual audit shall be submitted in accordance with Articles 211 and 216 of the Constitution and Laws of the Grand Council.

SECTION 5. Recorder. In addition to the duties prescribed by the Laws of the Grand Council, it shall be the duty of the Recorder:

1. To observe carefully all the proceedings of the Council; to make a correct record of all transactions of an official nature; to collect and receive all monies due the Council, and promptly pay them over to the Treasurer, taking his receipt for the same.
   
2. To keep securely all books and papers relating to the proceedings of the Council.
   
3. To authenticate all official papers wand documents emanating from the Council with the seal of the same.
   
4. To issue all summonses, notices and emits as he may be directed.
   
5. To make out and transmit to the Grand Recorder the Annual Returns of the Council within the time required by the Laws of the Grand Council; also to remit to them all dues and fees as prescribed by law.
   
6. To read aloud before the Council all official communications received and note the same in the minutes.
   
7. To submit his books and accounts for audit annually or when requested by the Council or the Thrice Illustrious Master.
   
8. To give surety bond in such amount as may be prescribed by the Council at the expense of the Council.
   

SECTION 6. For his services, the Recorder may receive an honorarium fro time to time at the discretion of the Council. top

ARTICLE V
Standing Committees

SECTION 1. The Thrice Illustrious Master, Illustrious Deputy Master, and the Illustrious Principal Conductor of the Work shall constitute a standing committee on Charity, a majority of whom may at all time act. Their duties shall be done as follows: It is their duty to examine all claimants for assistance and if necessary, they may draw upon the Treasurer, in each instance for an amount not exceeding an amount as voted by the Council from time to time, reporting the facts in each case to the Council at its next Assembly.

SECTION 2. The Thrice Illustrious Master shall appoint the following committees whose duties shall be:

1. Sickness. It shall be their duty to visit all sick companions, and ascertain their condition and necessities and to report same to the Council together with such recommendations as they deem necessary.
   
2. Finance. It shall be the duty of the committee to carefully check the reports, books and deposits of the Recorder and Treasure, and any other financial matter referred to them and make a full and accurate audit report to the Council in accordance with Articles 211 and 216 of the Constitution and Laws of the Grand Council. top
   

ARTICLE VI
Fees and Dues

SECTION 1. The fees for the Degrees of this Council shall be an amount not less than prescribed by Article 274 of the Constitution and Laws of the Grand Council which must be paid in advance to the San Antonio Royal Arch Chapter No. 381. It shall be $25.00.

SECTION 2. Each member of the Council shall, unless exempted, pay dues at the rate set by the Council fro time to time in as much as they shall not be less than prescribed by the Constitution of the Grand Council. It shall be $8.00 per annum, which must be paid to the Recorder on or before December 31 of each year.

SECTION 3. A member requesting a demit must be current in his dues to the time of his application as filled with the Recorder and before issuance of the same. top

ARTICLE VII
General Provisions

SECTION 1. Reports of Committees, when not otherwise ordered, shall be made in writing and signed by the least majority of the committee, and all resolutions presented to the Council for action shall be in writing.

SECTION 2. Each retiring Thrice Illustrious Master shall be presented with a PTIM jewel or gift of his choice, same to be selected and provided for by a standing committee consisting of the Illustrious Deputy Master, Illustrious Principal Conductor of the Work, Treasurer, and Recorder, with the cost not to exceed an amount voted by the Council from time to time.

SECTION 3. Each retiring Thrice Illustrious Master shall be presented with an apron, same to be selected and provided for by a standing committee consisting of the Illustrious Deputy Master, Illustrious Principal Conductor of the Work, Treasurer, and the Recorder, and the cost of same shall not exceed an amount voted by the Council from time to time.

SECTION 4. Claims and Accounts-Presentation and payment of all claims shall be made by filing the claim with the Recorder, and being duly voted on by the Companions attending the assembly. top

ARTICLE VIII
Amendment of By-Laws

SECTION 1. No amendments of these By-Laws either by alteration or addition shall be made unless in the following manner:

SECTION 2. The proposed amendment must be in writing, signed by the proposer, and presented and read at a stated Assembly of this Council, at which time it may be discussed and amended, if necessary.

SECTION 3. At the next stated assembly of this Council, it shall again be considered and voted upon without further amendment and if approved by two thirds of the votes of the members present, it shall become a part of the By-Laws upon compliance with the other provisions of this article.

SECTION 4. All amendments of these By-Laws must be submitted to the Grand Council for its approval before they take effect, except the following:

1. Amendments changing the time of holding Assemblies.
   
2. Amendments relating to dues and fees.
   
3. Amendments exempting members from dues.

Attest: Gerald F. Nowotny
Recorder, 4/7/1993
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