Text Box: The Trestle Board Text Box: Page # Text Box: The 198th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Grand Jurisdiction of Ohio met in Cincinnati, Ohio October 18-19-20, 2007. Brethren of the craft from 529 lodges assembled in the Taft Theater. The Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio declared the session open at 9:00 am on Friday, October 19, 2007. The morning of the 19th was filled with reports, introductions, and commentary from various visiting guests. There were sixteen pieces of legislation to be considered by the voting delegates. Here is the results of those ballots. Proposed Legislation #1 changes to read that the state of Ohio is divided into districts, thereby omitting the numerical designation of 25 districts. PASSED Proposed Legislation #2 allows, under certain conditions, to confer a degree or a section of a degree upon more than one but less than six candidates. FAILED Proposed Legislation #3 changes the rate of mileage and per diem from $0.25 to $0.35 to lodge representatives attending the Grand Lodge of Ohio Annual Communication. PASSED Proposed Legislation #4 changes the rate of dues and fees paid to the Grand Lodge of Ohio by $1.25 per year over the next four years which will increase per capita from the current $10.00 per Master Mason to $15.00 per Master Mason by 2010-2011. FAILED Proposed Legislation #5 Changes Section 11.04 by removing the word Communism to read Subversive Organizations. PASSED Proposed Legislation #6 increases the level of expenditure by lodges for land purchases, repair, remodeling or erection of a building from $10,000.00 to $25,000.00. PASSED Proposed Legislation #7 would allow, at the discretion of the Worshipful Master to ballot on multiple petition collectively with certain stipulations. PASSED Proposed Legislation #8 sets forth the requirements for dispensation for a new lodge. FAILED Proposed Legislation #9 provides for each lodge to hold at least four meetings in each calendar year as opposed to one stated meeting in each of 10 calendar months. FAILED Proposed Legislation #10 removes some residency requirements within this Grand Jurisdiction. FAILED Proposed Legislation #11 Modifies requirements for exemplification of degrees. FAILED Proposed Legislation #12 Removed penalties for being in possession of a ritual not authorized by the Grand Lodge of Ohio. FAILED Proposed Legislation #13 Removes the prohibition of spirituous beverages for gatherings in Masonic Temples or organizations whose membership is predicated upon Masonry and extends to renting or leasing space where the same is sold or used. FAILED Proposed Legislation #14 Changes the number of members of the Grand Lodge needed to be present for action on a proposed alteration or amendment to the code from 25 to 50. FAILED Proposed Legislation 2007-A Addresses the minimum proficiency requirements of all three degrees. The delegates voted to hold this piece of legislation until the 199th Annual Communication Proposed Legislation 2007-B Removes the dispensation requirement and authorizes the District Deputies Grand Master to govern Lodges appearing in public as a group. PASSED As reported in the October issue of “The Trestle Board these are summations of the language of the various pieces of Legislation presented at the 198th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Ohio. For full text review of the legislation contact the Office of the Secretary. NOTE: A copy of the Annual Address of the Grand Master is on the desk of the Secretary for anyone who may wish to review the address. Report of the Grand Secretary, the Grand Treasurer and the various committee reports are also included.