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Constitution of Dayton Encampment of Patriarchs No. 2, of Ohio of the I.O.O.F.



CONSTITUTION

 

 

OF

 

 

DAYTON ENCAMPMENT

 

 

OF

 

 

PATRIARCHS

 

 

No. 2, OF OHIO.

 

 

OF THE

 

 

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS

 

 

[Instituted Sept. 20, 1838]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAYTON:

 

COMLYS PRINTERS : JOURNAL OFFICE

 

1839

 

 

CONSTITUTION.

 

ARTICLE I.

Title.

   The Encampment shall be known as the Dayton Encampment of Patriarchs No. 2, of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, of the State of Ohio.  It shall be  constituted of patriarchs who have taken the R.P. degree, and are regular contributing members, in good standing, of some subordinate Lodge, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Ohio.

ARTICLE II.

Elective Officers.

  The elective officers of this encampment shall be a C.P., H.P., S.W., J.W., Scribe, and Treasurer.

ARTICLE III.

Elections.

  Sec. 1. Elections for officers shall take place semi-annually, on the third Thursday of September and March.

  Sec. 2. Elections shall be by ballot, and a majority of all votes given, necessary to a choice.

  Sec. 3. When votes are equally divided upon candidates, the choice shall be determined by lot.

ARTICLE IV.

Of the C.P.

  Sec. 1. The C.P. shall preside at all meetings of the Encampment, prevent innovations, preserve strict order, and enforce the Constitution and By-Laws.  He shall decide the questions of order: an appeal however, from his decisions, may if seconded, be made, to the Encampment, and a majority shall reverse his decision.  He shall inspect all ballots for candidates for membership or degrees, and report the results to the Encampment; shall have a casting vote, when any question is before the Encampment where there is an equality of votes, excepting in cases of election of officers.

  Sec. 2.  He shall sign all orders drawn on the Treasurer, for the payment of such sums of money as may from time to time be voted or appropriated by the E., and such certificates and notices as require his signature to authenticate them; he shall appoint his subordinate officers, and all committees whose numbers do not exceed three; call special meetings of the Encampment when requested in writing so to do by seven members of the R.P. degree; he shall order the Encampment to be opened and closed according to the ancient forms, as approved by the Grand Encampment of the United States; be specially charged with enforcing all fines and penalties; and perform such other duties as are enjoined by the charges and regulations of the order, and the laws of this Encampment.

ARTICLE V.

Of the H.P.

  The H.P. shall confer the degrees, read the charges, and perform the various duties belonging to his station.

ARTICLE VI.

Of the S.W.

  The S.W. shall assist the C.P. in the execution of the powers confided to him; and in his absence shall preside.  He may appoint a S.W. for the evening in which he presides, and performs such other duties as his station demands or the Encampment may direct.

ARTICLE VII.

Of the J.W.

  The J.W. shall discharge the duties specified in the charges and perform whatever may be directed by the C.P. and the Encampment requires.

ARTICLE VIII.

Of the Scribe

  It is the duty of the Scribe to keep an accurate record of the proceedings of the Encampment, and to keep the accounts of Patriarchs correctly.  He shall receive all moneys pay the same to the Treasurer, and take his receipt; make out and serve notices for meetings, when directed by the proper officer; countersign orders on the Treasurer for appropriations made by the proper Encampment, and such certificates and papers as he may be legally authorised to authenticate.  He shall furnish the Grand Encampment with a semi-annual report, embracing all matters on which it is necessary for them to receive information; and make such communications as the Encampment may wish.  He shall deliver to his successor, all the books and papers which belong to his office, and shall also place the same in possession of the financial Committee, whenever required.  He shall perform such other duties as the Encampment may direct.

ARTICLE IX.

Of the Treasurer.

  The Treasurer shall receive from the Scribe the funds of the Encampment, as they may be received, and receipt for the same.  He shall pay all orders sanctioned by the Encampment, signed by the C.P., and countersigned by the Scribe; and acknowledge none as legal that do not bear such signature.  He shall, on the third Thursday of September and March, report in writing, the receipts and disbursements for the previous term, specifying from whom the funds were received, and to whom paid.  He shall at all times have his accounts properly posted, and ready for inspection.  He shall deliver to the F. Committee all books, papers and funds entrusted to his care and place them in the hands of his successor, as soon as they shall have passed the examination of the Committee.

ARTICLE X.

Appointed Officers.

  The appointed officers shall be, Guardian, Guide, 1st Watch, 2d W., 3d W., 4th W., 1st G. of T., two Sons of Nimrod, who are to perform, respectively, the duties prescribed in the charge.

ARTICLE XI.

Depositing Funds.

  Sec. 1.  The C.P., H.P., and S.W. shall be constituted managers of the deposited fund, for the term during which they may serve in their respective offices.

  Sec. 2.  They shall, on the third Thursday of September, December, March and June, draw on the Treasurer for the surplus funds in his hands over the sum of fifty dollars; which order shall specify the amount drawn, and be signed by the C.P. in his official capacity, and countersigned by the Scribe; and they shall make such disposal of the same in their own names as shall be most conducive to the benefit of the Encampment.

  Sec. 3. They shall report at the next meeting thereafter, the amount disposed of and in what manner; and on the first Thursday of September and March the total amount of the fund.

  Sec. 4.  At the conclusion of their term of office, they shall transfer all monies, notes, due-bills, or any other liabilities, in their possession, relative to the Encampment, to their successors in office.

  Sec. 5.  They shall make out and deliver to the F. Committee and accurate account of the disposition of such funds as they have drawn from the Treasurer, at the conclusion of their term in office.

ARTICLE XII.

Financial Committee.

  The Financial Committee shall examine the books of the Scribe, Treasurer, and managers of the deposited fund, for the term preceding their appointment, and report in writing, the state of the finances, at the next regular meeting thereafter.

ARTICLE XIII.

Bills and Orders.

  Sec. 1.  All bills against the Encampment must be acknowledged by it before the payment.

  Sec. 2.  All orders on the Treasurer must be signed by the C.P. and countersigned by the Scribe, before they can be legally paid.

ARTICLE XIV.

Membership.

  Application for membership shall be made in writing, setting forth the age, occupation, and residence of the applicant, signed by the Patriarch, recommending him to the Encampment, and must be accompanied by a certificate from a subordinate Lodge, declaring him to be a regular contributing member, in good standing, and clear of their books; and to have taken all the preceding degrees.  And no application shall be received unless accompanied by such certificate.

ARTICLE XV.

Stated Meetings.

  The stated meetings of this Encampment shall be held on the first and third Thursdays in every month.

ARTICLE XVI.

Quorum.

  This Encampment shall never be opened unless seven members be present.

ARTICLE XVII.

By-Laws.

  This Encampment shall have the power to adopt such By-Laws for its government as may be deemed expedient:  Provided, they are not contrary to the intent and meaning of this Constitution.

ARTICLE XVIII.

Force.

  Sec. 1.  This Constitution shall remain in force from and after the Second Thursday in September, 1838, and shall remain in force until disapproved by the Grand Encampment of the United States.

  Sec. 2.  Every amendment to this Constitution shall be submitted in writing, two meeting nights previous to being acted upon, and be concurred by two-thirds of the members present, before it becomes binding.

 

BY-LAWS.

 

ARTICLE I.

  The Patriarchs shall be assembled for the transaction of business at 7 o'clock, during the Spring and Fall, at half past seven during the Summer, and half past six in the Winter.

ARTICLE II.

  The Encampment shall be opened within fifteen minutes after the specified time.  Should the C.P. and the S.W. be absent, the oldest past officer shall take the chair. -

  Should there be no past officer present, a Patriarch shall be appointed pro.tem.

ARTICLE III.

  The C.P. shall appoint a committee of three on every applicant for admission, whose duty it shall be strictly to investigate his character, qualifications, &c. and report at the next stated meeting.  After the reception of the report, the candidate shall be balloted for; should there be one black ball, the ballot shall be renewed, and should a black ball again be found, the election shall be postponed until the next stated meeting.  It shall be the duty of the P. who voted the black ball, to call on the C.P. in the interval, and assign his reasons for objecting to the applicant; and the C.P. shall, at the next stated meeting, communicate the objections of the P. to the E. without revealing his name.  A ballot shall then be taken, and should there be but one black ball, the candidate shall be declared duly elected; should there be more than one black ball, he is rejected: and the application, with the amount deposited, shall be returned to the applicant.  Resolved, That committees on candidates shall report in writing, signed by a majority of the committee.

ARTICLE IV.

  Candidates may receive the Initiation and P'l degrees on the night of their admission; the G.R. at the next meeting; and R.P. on the next succeeding, provided, application shall have been made for each degree one stated meeting previous.  The applicants shall be balloted for and elected in the manner prescribed for admission.

ARTICLE V.

  There shall be paid by each Odd Fellow previous to becoming a member of this E. the sum of 12 dollars; 5 dollars of which shall accompany the proposition; 4 dollars when application is made for the G.R. and 3 dollars for the R.P. degree.

  Patriarchs who have received the degrees in another E. and desire admission in this, shall make written application in the manner p0rescribed to other candidates, and the same proceedings had in relation thereto; if the applicant shall have received the P'l degree, one dollar shall accompany the proposition; two dollars if the G.R. shall have been conferred upon him; and three dollars if he has received the R.P. degree.

ARTICLE VI.

  Each member shall contribute 25 cents a month to the funds of this Encampment.

ARTICLE VII.

  The C.P. and the S.W. shall be a committee of relief; they shall visit P's within 24 hours after they are reported, and shall continue their visits regularly once a week during their illness; and, if found worthy and qualified, shall present them with their weekly benefits, and report their proceedings at the next regular meeting.

ARTICLE VIII.

  Each P. who has been a member of this E. six months, and not under suspension, if sick and unable to follow his usual occupation, shall be entitled to three dollars per week, if such sickness or disability does now proceed from drunkenness, or other immoral conduct.  Should the committee of relief believe that a P. is not so sick as to prevent his following his occupation, they may withhold the benefits.  Members absent from the city shall receive their weekly benefits on transmitting satisfactory evidence of their sickness or disability, to the E.

ARTICLE IX.

  In case of death of a P. the sum of twenty dollars shall be paid as funeral benefits.

ARTICLE X.

  Members shall pay their dues and fines every six months, in default of which, they shall not, in case of sickness receive the usual benefits.  Patriarchs residing more than four miles from the city shall be allowed and additional month.

ARTICLE XI.

  Any member negligent to pay his dues for twelve months, may be suspended or expelled at the option of the E.; and should he be a member of the Grand E. notice of his suspension or expulsion, shall be communicated by the Scribe.

ARTICLE XII.

All charges against members of the E. shall be preferred in writing, signed by one or more members, and read at a stated meeting.  The C.P. shall then appoint a committee, who shall summon the offender and complainant, and investigate the charges, and report the result at the next stated meeting of the E.; at which time the accused shall then be notified by the S. to appear and if the charges be substantiated by the report, the accused shall be called upon for his defense. After a fair consideration of the case, the E. may exonerate, suspend, or expel, as they may deem expedient.

ARTICLE XIII.

  Any P. who shall be suspended from membership, or expelled by the subordinate L. to which he belongs, shall cease to be a member of this E. for the time; but if his suspension or expulsion be reversed by the Grand Lodge, he shall resume his standing in this Encampment, in all its privileges.

ARTICLE XIV.

  Any member who shall accept an appointment to serve on a committee, and does not attend to the duties of that appointment, shall pay a fine of 25 cents, unless a sufficient excuse be offered to the Encampment and by it accepted.

ARTICLE XV.

  The Scribe shall receive as a compensation for his services, the sum of 50 cents, for every regular, stated, special, and adjourned meeting of this Encampment.

ARTICLE XVI.

  Any P. against whom there may be no charge of misconduct and who is clear of the Books and has taken the R.P. degree may become an honorary member by paying the sum of ten dollars: Provided, such a P. shall not be considered a beneficial member nor be required to pay the regular monthly dues.

ARTICLE XVII.

  No Patriarch shall be permitted to enter the Encampment, without the permission of the presiding officer.

ARTICLE XVIII.

  Propositions for candidates for office shall be made on the stated meeting night previous to, and on the night of election.  No Patriarch shall be permitted to vote or stand a poll, who is not clear of the Scribe's books.

ARTICLE XIX.

  Every Patriarch present shall vote on an application for membership to this Encampment; and for the degrees.

ARTICLE XX.

  Any elective officer of this Encampment who shall be absent from any stated or special meeting thereof, shall be fined 50 cents; appointed officers 25 cents, unless sufficient excuse be offered, and accepted by the Encampment.  Any person accepting an appointment or commission, and neglecting to perform the duties thereof shall be fined 25 cents.

 

RULES OF ORDER.

 

1.        When the presiding officer takes the chair, the officers and the members shall take their respective seats; and at the sound of the gavel there shall be a general silence, under the penalty of public reprimand.

2.        The presiding officer shall preserve order and decorum, and pronounce the decision of the Lodge on all subjects; he may speak to the points of order in preference to the other members, rising from his for that purpose; he shall decide questions of order without debate, unless entertaining doubts on the point, subject to an appeal to the Lodge, by any two members; on which appeal no member shall speak more than once.

3.        No member shall disturb another in his speech, unless to call him to order, nor stand up too interrupt him, nor when a member is speaking, pass between him and the chair.

4.        Every member when he speaks, shall rise and respectfully address the chair; and when he has finished, shall sit down.  Members speaking shall confine themselves to the question under debate, and avoid all personality, indecorous and sarcastic language, as well as any reflection upon the Lodge or its members.

5.        If two or more members rise to speak at the same time, the chairman shall decide which is entitled to the floor.

6.        No member shall speak more than once on the same subject or question, until all the members wishing to speak shall have an opportunity to do so, nor more than twice without permission of the chair.

7.        If a member, while speaking, be called to order by the chair, he shall cease speaking and take his seat until the question of order is determined, and permission given for him to proceed.

8.        No motion shall be subject to debate until it shall have been seconded, and stated by the chair; and it shall be reduced to writing, if desired by any member.

9.        When a question is before the Lodge, no motion shall be received, except to close - for the previous question - to lie on the table - to postpone indefinitely - to postpone to a certain time - to divide - to commit, or amend; which motions shall severally have preference in the order herein arranged.

10.     On the call of five members, the Lodge may demand that the previous question shall be put; and until it is decided, all amendments to the main question, and all further debate, are precluded.

11.     Where a blank is to be filled, and different sums, numbers or times shall be proposed, the question shall first be taken upon the highest sum or number, and the longest and latest time.

12.     Every member present shall, if required, vote on any question before the Lodge, unless for special reasons the Lodge shall excuse him.

13.     No motion for reconsideration shall be received, unless moved by a member who voted in the majority in the first instance.

14.     Any member may excuse himself from serving on any committee, at the time of his appointment, if he is then a member of one other committee.

15.     The person first named on a committee shall act as chairman thereof, until another is chosen by themselves.

16.     The consequences of a measure may be reprobated in strong terms; but to arraign the motives of those who propose or advocate it, is a personality, and against order.

17.     While the chairman is putting a question, or addressing the Lodge, no member shall walk about or leave the Lodge, or entertain private discourse.

18.     No motion can be made by one member while another is speaking; and no motion can be made without rising and addressing the chair.

19.     The chairman or any member doubting the decision of the question, may call for a division of the Lodge, and a count of the affirmative and negative votes.