The North Carolina Mason

May/June 2018 The North Carolina Mason Page 9 EDITOR, from page 4 Photo by Melody McBride Proposed Code Amendments for 2018 Here are the proposed amendments to be considered at Annual Communication, Sept. 28-29: Amendment Group 1 This amendment creates a new type of membership called Legacy Membership, and would replace the current Endowed Membership program. Current Endowed Memberships would be unaffected. Legacy Membership is crafted after Endowed Membership and uses similar financial assumptions. The purchase price is increased so the amount paid out to the lodge and Grand Lodge can increase over time. This allows the dues paid to the lodge to keep up with inflation, leaving a true legacy for all time. Endowed Membership holders may upgrade to a Legacy Membership. Also, Legacy Memberships can be purchased via a bequest in a will by a brother in good standing at the time of his death. Proposed by William G. Hill #218 Amendment Group 7 The amendment requires a Master of a lodge makes certain the Treasurer makes a full and complete report at least quarterly to the lodge of its receipts, disbursements, account balances, and financial condition. Each quarterly report of the Treasurer shall be read in open lodge and recorded by the Secretary as a part of the minutes. Proposed by PGM A. Gene Cobb Amendment Group 2 Would allow a lodge to hold a stated communication in the event their regular stated communication was cancelled due to inclement weather or hazardous conditions. Proposed by Knights of Solomon #766 Amendment Group 3 This amendment restores qualifications inadvertently removed from previous editions of The Code, which stated members appointed to the Code Commission are to be a Past Masters or Secretaries of a lodge. Proposed by the Grand Secretary Amendment Group 4 Permits the Master of a lodge to order a petition or application withdrawn and returned if he discovers after it has been received that the petitioner or applicant falsely answered any question in the petition or application. Proposed by Eagle #19 Amendment Group 5 This amendment would automatically suspend a Mason criminally charged with a felony in any state court, U.S. District Court, or under U.S. Uniform Code of Military Justice. The suspended Mason may not attend any lodge until his case is adjudi- cated. If a Mason is found guilty of a felony, the Mason shall be immediately expelled by the Judge Advocate. If the Mason is found to be not guilty, or the charges are dismissed, the suspension shall be immediately withdrawn and the record of the suspension expunged from his Masonic record Proposed by Oak Grove #750 Amendment Group 6 This amendment raises the per capita to $25. Proposed by PGM A. Gene Cobb Amendment Group 8 This amendment allows the Grand Master, in cases of inclement weather, to permit a lodge to hold its annual election at a time other than a stated communication. Proposed by the Grand Secretary Amendment Group 9 This amendment would allow a lodge to have the option to open lodge on the First Degree and conduct business. Proposed by: Blackmer #127, Fellowship #84, Kenly #257, James K. Polk #759, Nichols West-Asheville #650, Eagle #19 Amendment Group 10 This amendment further defines forbidden obstructive motions. Proposed by Eagle #19 "G" poster the foundation is selling to benefit historic lodge preservation. eir expertise is evident when you look at their work, but their effort behind the scenes – working with me to brainstorm and execute new ways to tell our story – is invaluable. ey exemplify the best of what Masonry stands for, and I applaud (and thank) them! PGM Cobb our newest Monfort medal recipient Nobody was more surprised than the recipient when a routine portrait unveiling turned into a much bigger deal. Most Worshipful A. Gene Cobb, Past Grand Master of Masons of North Carolina, was given the Montfort Medal on Halifax Day after Royal White Hart #2 unveiled portraits of the two Grand Masters who have emerged from the lodge: Cobb and William Richardson Davie. Jeremy Hicklin, a descendant of Davie, was on hand for the unveiling. MW Hallman said Cobb deserved the Montfort honor for all he has given to Masonry, "most of all, his heart." Cobb recalled that 53 years earlier to the day of the award his grandfather had brought him to the lodge for the first time "just to show me around." Past Grand Master Gene Cobb, left, fights emotion after Grand Master Speed Hall- man, right, presents him with the Montfort Medal, the highest honor a Mason can re- ceive in North Carolina.

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