TRANQUILITY LODGE NO. 2000

ORGANIZATIONAL PLAN

VISION

To be the premier Masonic Lodge operating under the Grand Lodge of Texas Laws, Title II, Chapter 2, and the By-Laws of the Lodge, and known throughout the State and the Universe for fostering Masonic courtesies and charitable acts.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Lodge will promote, encourage, conduct, and foster the humanitarian principles of Freemasonry; assist in promoting the health, welfare, education and patriotism of children and members; and other acts as approved by the Grand Master and the Trustees of the Grand Lodge of Texas.

CULTURE AND CORE VALUES

Dedicated to the humanitarian and Masonic needs of our members and persons in need, we will be guided by the laws and edicts of the Grand Lodge to best serve the fraternity in keeping with the following values:

 LEGACY

We will preserve and perpetuate our heritage and principles of Freemasonry by reaching out to others in need of our services. In addition, we will foster the concept of our founding and its association with man’s journey to the Moon and beyond – extending the concepts of Freemasonry into the far reaches of the Universe.

INTEGRITY

We will protect our reputation for excellence by setting high standards and striving to consistently meet them.

RESPECT

We believe that every person is worthy of respect.  We will treat others as we would like to be treated, with honesty and compassion; being sensitive to them and respecting their differences.

QUALITY

We take pride in the quality of consideration and services we provide.  We strive to continuously improve that quality by encouraging innovation within our membership to fulfill our purposes.

STEWARDSHIP

        We will be diligent stewards of our resources:

People will be provided a respectful, stimulating, and rewarding professional environment.

Monetary gifts and assets entrusted to us by donors will be used wisely for the good of mankind and the Fraternity.

ORGANIZATION

The organization of Tranquility Lodge No. 2000 shall conform to its By-Laws and the Laws and Edicts of the Grand Lodge of Texas.

Standing Committees:

Audit:  The Worshipful Master soon after his installation will appoint a committee of three qualified members and a public accountant.  This committee will audit the books and accounts of the Treasurer and Secretary and provide a written report to be read to the Lodge in open meeting.

Nominating: Composed of five members elected by the Lodge, preferably from different areas of the State, whose terms shall expire consecutively.  The election to fill vacancies shall be conducted annually during the July meeting, and no member shall succeed himself on this committee.  This committee will place in nomination names of members qualified to hold elective office. Nominations made by this committee shall not prohibit other nominations from the floor.

Membership: The Worshipful Master may appoint as many committees on membership as desired, and in any location within the Jurisdiction of Texas where three or more members of the Lodge may reside. The duties of this committee shall be to recruit members for the Lodge, and to perform such other duties as prescribed by the Worshipful Master.  They will encourage the purchase of endowed memberships.

        Since many of the members of Tranquility Lodge were recruited via the Internet, a core membership committee comprised of the Lodge’s Past Masters and several members of the (temporary) Internet Committee will provide direction and procedural advice to extend our membership rolls.  In addition to our basic duties of fraternal love and charity, this committee will foster our connections with “Texas,” “NASA,” and the “Moon.”

        After ensuring compliance with Grand Lodge Article 11, Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction, the Lodge shall consider the establishment of “Satellites” in areas where three or more members may reside.   The purpose of these “satellite clubs” will be to meet to foster the Tranquility mission, and serve as a base of membership solicitation.  They could be located throughout the various areas of the State, e.g., the Panhandle, or in other States or Countries.  For example, a Tranquility Satellite in England could invite members from throughout Europe to celebrate “Texas” and “Space Exploration.”  These Satellites could not open a Tranquility Lodge meeting (except with the express approval of the Grand Master), but could have a simple ritual opening for the purpose of having a program and fellowship.  At their option, these Satellites could have a “Festive Board” meeting open to members, families, and non-Masons.

Time and Place: This committee will arrange for and provide proper locations for the Lodge to hold meetings within the Masonic Jurisdiction of Texas, under the direction of the Senior Warden, assisted by the Marshal.  They will make every effort to de-conflict times and location with other Grand Masonic organizations, the Lodge of Research, or important Masonic Regional meetings.  By tradition and heritage, one of our meetings will be held in the greater Houston area each year with a program solicited from NASA. The committee will make a preliminary report in the scheduled meeting prior to the required July meeting.  They will provide a final meeting calendar at the July meeting.

Goals and Activities: Under the direction of the Junior Warden, this committee will propose goals, activities and projects to fulfill the scope for which the Lodge was chartered.  They will report in the July meeting, and may be done in the form of a Strategic Plan.

Financial Assistance:  Composed of five members appointed by the Worshipful Master, preferably from different areas of the State, whose terms shall expire consecutively.  No member of this committee shall succeed himself, regardless of the duration of the term served.  This committee will evaluate all applications for financial assistance of any kind.  Such applications must be initiated by the individual seeking assistance and forwarded to the Secretary of the Lodge.  The Secretary of the Lodge shall advise the Lodge of such applications at the next meeting of the Lodge subsequent to receipt of the same. The applications will then be referred to the financial Assistance Committee, which will make its recommendation at the next meeting of the Lodge. When the lodge is not in session, and in extreme humanitarian emergencies, the three principal Officers of the Lodge, upon unanimous vote, may authorize the expenditure of up to $5000.00 in assistance and report the same to the Lodge at the next meeting.

Library and Museum:  Composed of five members, whose terms shall expire consecutively, the Worshipful Master shall appoint a new member to this committee each year.  This committee shall assist the Lodge in supporting the Grand Lodge Library and Museum, and serve as a focus point of identifying and interacting with all known on-line Masonic research archives.  For example, Tranquility Lodge will provide a link to these facilities in exchange for a link to our website.

Program:  Comprised of five members, whose terms shall expire consecutively, the Worshipful Master shall appoint a new member to this committee each year.  Their primary duty will be to arrange an interesting program at each stated meeting, except the July meeting.  This program should be presented in an open lodge setting, most frequently during a “festive board” or pseudo “Table Lodge.”

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