Largo, FL 2159

Largo, FL Lodge News

Proposed Amendments to the Largo Lodge By-Laws and the House Rules.


Wednesday, September 21st, 2022, at 7:30pm - Come to Vote!


The amendments will be voted upon at the next regular Lodge meeting to be held on Wednesday, September 21st, 2022, at 7:30pm. You are encouraged to attend the meeting to cast your vote. If you wish to vote, please bring your Largo Elks Membership Card for identification purposes and attend the meeting.


September 8, 2022


Members All,


Pursuant to Largo Lodge By-Laws ARTICLE XVI, Section 1, you are hereby notified of the following proposed amendments to the Largo Lodge By-Laws and the House Rules.


These proposed amendments were read at the regular Lodge meeting held on Wednesday, September 7th, 2022 at 7:30pm.

The amendments will be voted upon at the next regular Lodge meeting to be held on Wednesday, September 21st, 2022, at 7:30pm.


You are encouraged to attend the meeting to cast your vote.

If you wish to vote, please bring your membership card for identification purposes and attend the meeting.



PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO BY-LAWS

ARTICLE III, SECTION 1: LIFE AND HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP 

Current Language — The Lodge, by an affirmative secret ballot of two-thirds of those present at a regular Lodge meeting, may elect a Member in good standing to Life Membership who has paid to a Lodge or Lodges required annual dues for a period of not less than 30 years preceding application, and who shall have attained the age of not less than 65 years.


* Proposed Language — Grand Lodge voted down the 65-year age requirement at the GL Convention in Atlanta in July 2022. Therefore, we must remove the age requirement.


ARTICLE V, SECTION 4: ELECTIVE OFFICERS AND DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY 

6th paragraph, last sentence

Current Language — For the faithful performance of his duties he shall receive as compensation $10,340 per annum, payable weekly.


* Proposed Language — For the faithful performance of his duties he shall receive as compensation $13,260 per annum, payable weekly.


And further - Pursuant to Section 16.020 of the Grand Lodge Statutes, upon installation, the Secretary will become a member of the Trustee or Board of Directors and shall be vested with the powers and duties conferred upon the Board by the Laws of the Order, including but not limited to Section 12.070.

 

ARTICLE V, SECTION 5 ELECTIVE OFFICERS AND DUTIES OF THE TREASURER

Current Language - For the faithful performance of his duties and shall receive as compensation for his services the sum of $7,540.00 per annum, payable weekly.


* Proposed Language — For the faithful performance of his duties he shall receive as compensation $11,700 per annum, payable weekly.


And further - Pursuant to Section 16.020 of the Grand Lodge Statutes, upon installation, the Treasurer will become a member of the Trustee or Board of Directors and shall be vested with the powers and duties conferred upon the Board by the Laws of the Order, including but not limited to Section 12.070.

Grand Lodge also voted to include the Secretary and Treasurer as voting members of the Lodge Board of Directors. Therefore, this new language must be added to our By-Laws.


ARTICLE VI, SECTION 4: APPOINTIVE POSITIONS AND DUTIES OF THE TILER

Current Language - For the faithful performance of his duties he shall receive as compensation for his services the sum of $85.00 per annum, payable annually.


* Proposed Language — For the faithful performance of his duties he shall receive as compensation for his services the amount equal to the annual dues.


ARTICLE X, SECTION 1: FEES AND DUES 

Current Language - The fee for initiation in this Lodge for an applicant making application prior to his twenty-sixth birthday shall be $20.00, all of which should accompany the proposition.


* Proposed Language —Strike entire sentence.

Current Language - The Lodge shall have a reduced initiation fee of one dollar ($1.00) for the months of June and July.


* Proposed Language — The Lodge shall have a reduced initiation fee of one dollar ($1) for the months of July and August.


ARTICLE X, SECTION 2(b): FEES AND DUES 

Current Language - The regular Lodge dues shall be $65.00 per year, which shall not include the Grand Lodge per capita fee, the Grand Lodge per capita insurance assessment, and State Association dues.


* Proposed Language - The regular Lodge dues shall be $80.00 per year, which shall not include the Grand Lodge per capita fee, the Grand Lodge per capita insurance assessment, and State Association dues.

 

ARTICLE XIII. SECTION 1: BILLS AGAINST THE LODGE 

Current Language - No orders for the payment of bills against the Lodge shall be signed by the Exalted Ruler and Secretary until such bills have been approved by a majority vote at a regular meeting of the Lodge.


* Proposed Language -Add the sentence "All checks are to have two (2) signors.




PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO HOUSE RULES


HOUSE RULE #3 

Current Language - Members, visiting Brother and guest are expected to conduct themselves as gentlemen and ladies at all times. Anyone failing to conduct themselves properly will be asked to leave immediately. Failure to do so will result in possible suspension. Remember, my Brothers, you are responsible for the action of your guest(s) and ladies. There shall be a limit of six (6) guests per Member. Family groups shall be exempt from this limit.


* Proposed Language — Members and guests are expected to conduct themselves as gentlemen and ladies at all times. When the member leaves, the guest must also leave. Anyone failing to conduct themselves properly will be asked to leave immediately. Failure to do so will result in possible suspension. Remember members are responsible for the action of your guest. There shall be a limit of six (6) guests per Member.


HOUSE RULE #4 

Current Language - It shall be at the discretion of the Bartender (or House Committeeman) present to determine if a patron has had enough. There will be no arguments permitted. Remember the Bartenders have their job at stake. In any of these matters the decision of the Bartenders will be final.

* Proposed Language — Omit "(or House Committeeman)".


HOUSE RULE #8 

Current Language - Dress shorts are allowed with sport shirts, preferably dress slacks and shirt with collar. No cut off shorts. No DUNGAREES. Dress jeans acceptable EVERY NIGHT AFTER 7:00 p.m. On Friday nights no shorts of any type shall be permitted in the Dining Room only.

LADIES: No tube, halter tops or sweatshirts allowed. Dress tank tops are acceptable. NO CUT OFF SHORTS. No worn, faded dungarees. Dress jeans are acceptable.


* Proposed Language — Dress shorts are allowed in the lodge with sport shirt and collar. At no time are ladies permitted to wear halter tops or tube tops or cut-off shorts.


On Friday night, no shorts or jeans of any type are permitted in the dining room, dress code requires dress slacks and shirt with collar for men and dresses or dress pants and appropriate top for ladies.

 

HOUSE RULE #9 

Current Language - Except for Service Dogs, no pets shall be allowed in the Dining Room or Lounge.


* Proposed Language — Except for Service Dogs, no pets, or Emotional Service Animals are allowed in the Dining Room or Lounge. Only a Service Animal as defined by the ADA as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability and the task performed by the dog must be directly related to the person's disability. The ADA does not consider emotional support animals, therapy, comfort, or companion animals as service animals, therefore; they are not allowed in the Dining Room, Lounge or in the Tiki area.




Again, this is official notification of pending changes to the Largo Lodge By-Laws and House Rules. The vote to approve these changes will take place at the regular Lodge meeting on Wednesday, September 21st, 2022, at 7:30pm. If you wish to vote, please bring your membership card for identification purposes and attend the meeting.