Any Mason who has been suspended for a definite period of time shall be automatically reinstated after the completion of the period of suspension, provided that the Mason is not delinquent in any obligations to his subordinate lodge, without the necessity of applying to the Grand Lodge or the Grand Master and the Grand Master shall give notice of the same to the same people, bodies and entities to whom notice of the suspension was originally given.

Any Mason who has been suspended for an indefinite period of time may apply to the Grand Master, in writing, to be reinstated after the expiration of one (1) year. The Grand Master shall respond to such request for reinstatement, in writing, within thirty (30) days of receiving it. Such request for reinstatement may be granted (either conditionally or unconditionally) or denied, (either with or without explanation) as the Grand Master may deem in the best interest of the fraternity.

There is no limit on the number of requests for reinstatement which a suspended Mason may make, except as is otherwise provided herein.

Any Mason whose request for reinstatement has been denied may not reapply for reinstatement during the tenure of the Grand Master who denied the request.

Once reinstated, no Mason shall suffer any loss of continuous membership for such period of suspension and shall be reinstated to his previous standing in the fraternity provided, however, that he shall be current in the payment of his dues (including those imposed during the period of his suspension) and is not delinquent in any other obligation to his subordinate lodge.

All dispensations issued by the Grand Master for the continuance of lodges, whose charters are lost or destroyed, or for the establishment of new lodges, shall be returned to the Grand Lodge at the next Annual or Semi-Annual Communication succeeding the date thereof. The dispensations for the new lodges shall be accompanied by the records and the proposed by-laws of said lodges.
Amended May 21, 1928.
See Decision No. 2.

Related Decisions

No. 02. Voting In Lodges Under Dispensation

Decision: The only persons authorized to vote on a question before a lodge under dispensation, are the persons named in the dispensation. Custom in this jurisdiction, and courtesy, would allow persons raised in such a lodge to vote as though original members, but this must be left to the latter to decide. No Mason not named in the dispensation, or raised in the lodge, has any right whatever to participate in the proceedings.

Constitution, Article VI, Sec. 1.6.1. November 16, 1868. (Doyle, GM)

The continuance of a dispensation, or the granting of a charter to a new lodge, shall be decided by a majority vote. The vote shall be by ballot if one-fifth of the members present shall so decide.

For every charter originally granted, and for every duplicate charter granted in place of one lost, destroyed or so fragile that its use is deemed inadvisable, the lodge receiving it shall pay to the Grand Lodge the sum of One Hundred Dollars. And for every dispensation for a new lodge, there shall be paid to the Grand Lodge, the sum of Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars.

Any subordinate lodge may have, at its own expense, a working copy of the original or duplicate charter of such lodge on which shall be the certificate of the Grand Secretary, under the seal of the Grand Lodge, that the same is a true copy, and said lodge may use the same in lodge work, in place of the original or duplicate charter, provided, however, that said lodge may not use the same in place of the original or duplicate charter at the annual election and installation of its officers.

The original charter, or the duplicate charter issued in place thereof, or a duly certified working copy of said original or duplicate charter shall be present and displayed at every communication of a subordinate lodge.
See Standing Order No. 58.

Related Standing Orders

No. 58. Civil Charters

Ordered: That no subordinate lodge shall apply for, receive or act under any corporate charter granted by any civil government.

Constitution, Art. VI, Sec. 1.6.5. May 21, 1923.

The subordinate lodges shall be numbered according to the date of their respective charters, except as hereinafter provided. The two subordinate lodges which formed this Grand Lodge, shall bear the same number; the lodge at Newport being the eldest, shall be known as Saint John's Lodge, Number One; and the lodge at Providence, as Saint Johns Lodge, Number One, Providence. The next lodge in order shall be numbered three. The jurisdiction of the several subordinate lodges located within the State of Rhode Island shall be concurrent, one with another, and include the entire state as under the authority of Grand Lodge.
Amended November 17, 1979; November 16, 1996. Adopted 1897.

See Standing Order No. 5.

Related Standing Orders

No. 05. First Lodge In Jurisdiction

Resolved: That the edict of the Grand Lodge, adopted in February, AL 5861, changing the number of ST. JOHNS LODGE, of Providence, from two to one, shall not be construed to interfere with any of the rights or privileges of SAINT JOHN'S LODGE, NO. 1, Newport; but the said SAINT JOHN'S LODGE, NO. 1, Newport, shall hold the rank of the first lodge under this jurisdiction (which she ever has held) as long as she shall exist.

Constitution, Art. VII, Sec. 1.7.1. November 26, 1861.

Amended November 16, 1996.

Each subordinate lodge shall deposit in the office of the Grand Secretary, immediately following the Annual Communication of said lodge, a return signed by the Secretary, under the seal of said lodge, which shall contain a list of the officers of said lodge, the date of their election and installation, with the name of the installing officer.
When required, each subordinate lodge shall furnish to the Grand Secretary the name, address and occupation of all the members of the lodge, as far as the same may be known.