ARTICLE I
Name and Purpose

Alamo de Aztlan Teocalli No. 1836, San Antonio, Texas, exists by Virtue of a Charter granted under date of October 9, 1999, by the Supreme Teocalli, Order of Quetzalcoatl, See of North America, from which body is derived all its powers and privileges, and whose Constitution and Bylaws, and policy and Purpose Manual, are incorporated herein by reference.

The jurisdiction of Teocalli No. 1836 shall be the same as the jurisdiction of Alzafar Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S.,San Antonio, Texas.

The purpose of the Order is to bring together Shrine Masons, by invitation only, who have distinguished themselves in the service of their Shrine Temples, and who enjoy a call from labor to refreshment, and join together these Artisans of the Temple for fun and fellowship, ever remembering our commitment as Shriners to the world's greatest philanthropy, the Shrine Hospitals for Children, by our unequivocal support of the Shrine Hospital Transportation Fund.

Our emblem, the "Big Q", represents the name Quetzalcoatl, the Plumed Serpent, whose name was derived from the words Quetzal, the name of a beautiful rare bird with green feathers, and Coatl, which in the Nahuatl language means snake, but which in its essence is a combination of Co, the generic name for serpent or snake in the Maya language, and Atl, water.

Our motto is "Like the three monkeys ... See Nothing, Hear Nothing, Say Nothing". top

ARTICLE 2
Meetings

Section 1

Meetings shall be held in locations as designated by the Camaxtli, or by those appointed by the Camaxtli, to arrange meeting locations.

Section 2

Regular membership meetings shall be held in February, March, May, September and November of each year as designated by the Camaxtli. The Camaxtli shall advise the members of the time and place of said meetings. He may designate the Tlacuilo (Secretary) to perform this duty. Notice of meetings shall be given in writing to all members. Such notices shall be sent to the members' address of record according to the Tlacuilo's roster, not less than ten (10) days prior to such meeting. Notice of any meeting of members shall specify the place, day and hour of the meeting, and in case of a special meeting, the general nature of the business to be transacted.

Section 3

The annual meeting of the membership shall be the regular membership meeting in November of each year. The election of officers shall take place at this meeting. Installation of such elected, and appointed officers, shall take place no later than January 31st following their elections. Prior to the annual meeting of each year, the Camaxtli shall appoint a Nominating Committee of no less than three (3) Master Artisans, who shall at that meeting report their unanimous selection for the office of Titlacauan, and any other vacancy that may exist in the elected line officer corps.

Section 4

Special meetings of the membership may be called at any time by the Camaxtli and/or Board of Directors, or by a signed request of at least twelve regular members who are not officers of the Teocalli, by written notice to all members within ten (10) days of said meeting.

Section 5

Twelve members, which shall include therein three elected officers, in attendance, shall constitute a quorum.

Section 6

Each member, other than Honorary and Associate, is required to make a minimum of two meetings each quarter and two social events each year. Any member not making the minimum attendance requirements will be reviewed by the Board of Directors and dropped from membership unless such absenteeism is justifiable, due to illness, injury, working or foul related weather, or not residing within fifty (50) miles from the Teocalli's meeting place. These are considered justifiable excuses. Each member must notify the Camaxtli and/or Tlacuilo to be excused. top

ARTICLE 3
Board of Directors

Section 1

The Board of Directors shall consist of nine members of Teocalli No. 1836 who shall be the Camaxtli, Chimalma, Huemac, Titlacauan, Tlacuilo (Secretary), Calpixque (Treasurer), the Immediate Past Camaxtli, and two members from the general membership, who shall be appointed by the incoming Camaxtli with the advice and consent of the Board of Directors.

Section 2

Vacancies on the Board of Directors for the remainder of the year shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining Directors. The Board of Directors may not fill the vacancy of an elected officer.

Section 3

The entire Board of Directors, or any one individual Director, may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the regular members of the Teocalli present and voting at an authorized meeting of the Teocalli.

Section 4

Meetings of the Board of Directors, for any purpose, may be called at any time by the Camaxtli, or if he is absent or unable, by a majority of the Directors. The Board shall be presided over by the Camaxtli, or in his absence, the next highest elected officer present.

Section 5

The Directors shall be the governing board of this Teocalli. A majority of the number of Directors shall constitute a quorum, for the transaction of business.

Section 6

The Board of Directors, except as otherwise provided, may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Teocalli. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized by an agent of the Board of Directors, no officers, agent, or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the Teocalli by any contract or engagement, or to pledge its credit, or to render it liable for any purpose or any amount.

Section 7

All checks, drafts, or other orders for payment of money, or notes, or other evidence of indebtedness issued in the name of, or payable to, this Teocalli shall be signed or endorsed by such person or persons and in such manner as shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. By the Board of Directors action the Tlacuilo/Calpixque may issue checks for petty cash purposes in the sum not to exceed $500.00 without authorization of the Board. All checks will require two signatures, which shall be the Camaxtli, Chimalma,Tlacuilo, or Calpixque. For tax reporting purposes, the Teocalli shall be on a calendar year basis (January through December.) top

ARTICLE 4
Officers

Section 1

The elected officers of this Teocalli shall be:

1. Camaxtli
   
2. Chimalma
   
3. Huemac
   
4. Titlacauan
   
5. Tlacuilo, (Secretary)
   
6. Calpixque (Treasurer)
   

The first four above named officers, are the "line" officers. The line officers shall progress automatically by a majority vote of the general membership present and voting. Any vote resulting in a tie vote shall be decided by the Camaxtli.
The positions of Cuautemoc (Inner Guard) and Nezahualcoyotl (Outer Guard) shall be appointed by the Camaxtli.

Section 2

The duties of the officers are as follows:

1. Camaxtli shall be the principal officer of the Teocalli and shall have all of the powers and duties of a president and shall preside at all meetings of the organization and the Board of Directors.
   
2. Chimalma shall have the duties usually performed by a first vice-president, shall be in charge of all degree conferrals, and in the absence of the Camaxtli, shall perform the duties of the Camaxtli and have such other duties as from time to time may be conferred on him by the Camaxtli and/or Board of Directors.
   
3. Huemac shall have the duties usually performed by a second vice-president, shall instruct the newest members in the protocol and policies of the Teocalli, ensure that the Coate obligation is rendered within thirty (30) days of the new member's acceptance, and in the absence of the Camaxtli and Chimalma. shall perform the duties of the Camaxtli. He shall have such other duties as from time to time may be conferred on him by the Camaxtli and/or Board of Directors.
   
4. Titlacauan shall have the duties usually performed by a third vice-president, shall be the protector of the Teocalli’s Charter, shall be responsible for the care and feeding of the "three monkeys", and in the absence of the ranking officers shall perform the duties of the Camaxtli and shall have such other duties as from time to time may be conferred on him by the Camaxtli and/or Board of Directors.
   
5. Tlacuilo (Secretary) shall have the duties usually performed by a secretary of an organization and shall be responsible for the keeping of all records and minutes of the Board of Directors and Teocalli, and shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be conferred on him by the Camaxtli and/or Board of Directors. His records and minutes shall always be open for inspection by the Camaxtli and/or Board of Directors.
   
6. Calpixque (Treasurer) shall have the duties usually performed by a treasurer of an organization. He shall receive all monies, keep a just and accurate account thereof, and shall expend such funds as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be conferred on him by the Camaxtli and/or Board of Directors. His books and records shall always be open for inspection by the Camaxtli and/or Board of Directors.
   
7. Cuautemoc (Inner Guard), shall introduce all visitors and guests, shall collect fines when levied, shall be responsible for the conduct and decorum of all meetings and shall attend the door of the meetings to keep out all unauthorized persons and shall attend the presiding officer and follow his direction regarding the removal of unauthorized or unruly persons in the meeting.
   
8. Nezahualcoyotl (Outer Guard) shall be in charge of the procuring and serving of all libations when called on by the Camaxtli, shall guard all the meetings and shall allow no unauthorized persons to enter the meetings or no person to leave the meeting without the permission of the presiding officer.
   

Section 3

All officers shall serve for one year, or until their successors arc elected and have been installed. No officer shall receive any compensation for his services rendered to the Teocalli. top

ARTICLE 5
Committees

The Camaxtli will appoint all committees to perform various duties. Such appointments shall automatically terminate upon installation of a new Camaxtli. top

ARTICLE 6
Membership

Section 1

Membership of Teocalli No. 1836 shall be limited to one hundred (100) active members. This number shall include the original charter members but shall not include Honorary members or members from other jurisdictions awaiting the establishment and/or dispensation from the Supreme Teocalli.

Only twelve (12) new members a year will be allowed membership until the maximum number of one hundred (100) is reached, then shall resort to ONE OUT - ONE IN. Deceased and dropped members also resort to ONE OUT - ONE IN and shall not be included in the 12 new members a year described above.

Section 2

Regular (active) members are those members who make up the regular body of the Teocalli and who pay regular dues.

Honorary members are those members who are members of another Teocalli who have held the office of Camaxtli, a Supreme officer, or a member of another Teocalli who have been recognized for extended courtesies and assistance to Teocalli No. 1836. Honorary members are not permitted to vote, hold office, and are exempt from paying dues. The Board of Directors may, by a majority vote, award honorary membership in accordance with the guidelines of the Supreme Teocalli.

Associate members are those members who residence is outside the jurisdiction of Alzafar Temple. Their dues shall be twenty (20) dollars per year, plus fees, costs, and/or assessments which may be charged by the Supreme Teocalli. Such dues may be changed by a majority vote of the members present and voting at the annual meeting.

Privileged membership may be granted to a member of this Teocalli who has been a member of the Order of Quetzalcoatl for fifteen (15) or more years, who, because of illness, infirmities, advanced age or other legitimate reason as determined by the Board of Directors, must relinquish his active status. He shall have the right to vote and be entitled to all other privileges of membership except to right to hold office. His dues shall be one-half (1/2) of the regular dues.

Life membership may be bestowed by the Board of Directors on an individual who has served as Camaxtli, or has maintained continuous membership as a member of the Order of Quetzalcoatl for twenty (20) or more years and has rendered outstanding service to this Teocalli upon:

(1) Recommended by the Board of Directors
(2) Approval of the general membership by majority vote
(3) One time payment to the Teocalli the sum of one-hundred ($100) in lieu of all future dues to the Teocalli. (Granting of Life membership does not relieve payment of per capita to the Supreme Teocalli)
A Life member shall have all privileges of regular (active) membership as long as he fulfills all obligations thereof

Section 3

To be eligible for membership in Teocalli No. 1836 a person must be a Shrine Mason, in good standing, with a minimum of three (3) years of membership, and must reside within the jurisdiction of Alzafar Temple, To be considered for membership, a candidate must have rendered outstanding, conspicuous and unselfish service to his Temple, and Shrinedom. He must be recognized in his Temple for his accomplishments. He must be able to attend the sideboard with dignity, and always be a gentleman. He must also be well regarded in his community. Above all, he must be a Noble who will do credit to Teocalli No. 1836, and project a positive image among men and Masons, for the good of our Order.

Section 4

Only regular members in good standing in Teocalli No. 1836 may submit a name for membership. MEMBERS CANNOT SOLICIT CANDIDATES TO JOIN THEIR TEOCALLI AND NO MEMBER SHALL MENTION MEMBERSHIP TO A PROBABLE CANDIDATE UNTIL SAID CANDIDATE HAS BEEN ELECTED. Such nomination for new members may be made at any regular meeting. The candidates name, employment and information as to character, accomplishments and leadership in Shrinedom, along with all reasons he should be considered for membership shall be presented at the time of nomination. Such nomination shall be made on the appropriate form provided by the Tlacuilo. Nominations shall then be referred to the Board of Directors for further consideration.

Section 5

A regular member may nominate no more than two (2) candidates per year. All new candidates must be administered the "Coate" obligation within thirty (30) days after election at a time and place designated by the Camaxtli and/or Board of Directors. Coates have a vote in all matters coming before the Teocalli but they cannot hold any office.

Section 6

After due inquiries are made as to the character of the nominee, made without the nominees knowledge (inquiries are usually made through the Recorder's office as to statistical data and through other Nobles in a casual and non-obtrusive manner), the Board of Directors shall make its recommendation to the general membership for final approval, after endorsement by the Board of Directors.

Section 7

The general membership shall vote on all nominations for membership. Election into membership shall be conducted by a secret ballot based on numerical popular vote with the Teocalli accepting into membership those twelve (12) most popular nominees who accept membership into the Order. The ballot shall list the nominees in alphabetical order and the name of the sponsor. If the nominee declines his invitation to membership, or fails to pay his initiation fee within thirty (30) days after election, be shall be denied membership and the next popular nominee (if any) invited into membership in accordance with the same conditions.

Section 8

A nominee who declines membership, or is rejected by the Board of Directors for membership, cannot have his name again submitted for proposal for at least one (1) year from the time of rejection. top

ARTICLE 7
Degrees of the Order

Coate - While not a degree of the Order, an individual who has been duly elected to membership in this Teocalli but has not received the full feathered Artisan degree. The Coate must have conferred upon him the approved "Coate" vow (obligation) within thirty (30) days after notice of election. The Coate has one (1) year from the date of receiving this vow to receive the Artisan degree or shall be dropped from membership in the Teocalli, unless a waiver of time is authorized by the Supreme Teocalli.

Artisan - A member of the Teocalli who has received the Artisan degree (full feathered degree).

Master Artisan - A member of the Teocalli who has previously had conferred upon him the "full feathered" Artisan degree, and has been consecrated a Master Artisan at an approved Master Artisan ceremony (consecration) recognized by the Supreme Teocalli. top

ARTICLE 8
Grievances and Suspension

Section 1

Any conduct unbecoming a member and reported to the Board of Directors in writing and signed by a member shall be cause for the Board of Directors to investigate the complaint.

Section 2

The Board of Directors shall, if the complaint if found to be correct, recommend to the membership that the member be suspended from membership. If the Board of Directors find there are no grounds in the complaint, the complaint is closed and no further actions taken.

Section 3

For a member to be suspended from membership, a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the membership present and voting is required. Suspension for nonpayment of dues is exempt from this provision.

Section 4

The Camaxtli may appoint a committee comprised of two Past Camaxtli's and three (3) individuals from the general membership for the purpose of hearing grievances. The complaint shall be submitted to the Committee in writing and signed by the member or members. The committee will review the complaint and make its recommendations to the Board of Directors. Depending on the nature of the grievance, if possible, the Board of Directors will attempt to resolve the complaint within forty-five (45) days after submission to the Committee. Elected officers of the Teocalli shall not serve on a Grievance Committee. top

ARTICLE 9
Fees, Dues, Assessments and Fines

Section 1

The initiation fee for new members into this Teocalli shall be set from time to time by the Board of Directors but nevertheless, not less than three hundred ($300) dollars including the initiation fee required by the Supreme Teocalli.

Section 2

The annual fee (dues) shall be seventy five ($75) dollars, including per capita or any fees, costs and/or assessments, which may be charged by the Supreme Teocalli, payable in full by the January meeting of the year to which dues pertain. Such dues may be changed by a majority vote of the members present and voting at the annual meeting. If a new member is elected on or before June 30th in any year, the full year's dues shall be payable. If elected after June 30th, one half of the year's dues shall be payable,

Section 3

Any member having not paid his annual dues by the 1st day of March shall be automatically dismissed from Teocalli No. 1836. A member suspended for non-payment of dues may be reinstated upon payment of his delinquent dues. To regain membership after having been dismissed for a period of more than one year, a member must again be elected in the manner as prescribed herein for a new candidate, unless such provision is waived by majority vote of the Board of Directors for due cause.

Section 4

The fee for affiliation on demit from another Teocalli shall be twenty-five ($25) dollars, plus annual dues pro-rated for the remainder of the year, if not a full year, providing such demit is valid.

Section 5

An assessment may be ordered when presented in writing stating the purpose and recommended by the Board of Directors, and approved by a majority vote of the general membership present and voting.

Section 6

The Camaxtli may when required levy fines on the members for the telling of disagreeable witticisms purported to be jocular in nature, the telling of puns of low worth, unpleasant flatulent noises and odors (but only if the member can be specifically identified), and to keep order. A fine for a single violation of this Section may not exceed $2.00, and a member's fine may not exceed $10.00 per meeting. The Camaxtli may issue fines in excess of this amount for flagrant violations, i.e., loss of charter or monkeys and/or Chimalma not properly clothed. Fine monies collected will be used to defray expenses, but may not be restricted to same. top

ARTICLE 10
Governing Rules

Section I

It is not intended, and these bylaws do not purport to include all parliamentary procedures and general rules of order, but only particular procedures and rules. Accordingly, where these bylaws are silent in such matters, Sturgis's Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure shall prevail.

Section 2

All announcements at any meeting or social event SHALL PERTAIN TO THE ORDER OF QUETZALCOATL ONLY. No member or visiting member may make any announcements or sell any tickets to any events not pertaining to the Order, nor shall any Shrine or other affiliated Masonic business be discussed. If a violation occurs, a fine may be levied if ordered by the Camaxtli.

Section 3

This Teocalli shall be a member of the “Q” Association, when such Association is chartered. top

ARTICLE 11
Amendments

Section 1

Changes to these bylaws shall be submitted in writing, signed by at least two members in good standing andpresented to the Board of Directors or at any regular meeting of the Teocalli for consideration.

Section 2

The Tlacuilo shall mail to the members any proposed changes to the bylaws and the recommendations of the Board of Directors, which will include the present wording as well as the proposed changes of that portion of the bylaws. Mailing shall be postmarked no later than fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting at which the change will be voted on. A vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the general membership present and voting is required for approval. Mail ballots may not be taken. top

ARTICLE 12
Emblem

The authorized emblem of the Order of Quetzalcoatl shall be the Plumed Serpent. A small replica of the emblem may be purchased and worn by all members of the Order. top

ALLEGIANCE STATEMENT

This Teocalli acknowledges the supreme jurisdiction wherein it is situated, in all matters of Masonic and Shrine law, Traditions and Ethics. It pledges never to interfere with or meddle in the affairs of any Masonic Lodge or Shrine Temple; nor engage in, or sponsor, any activity prohibited by said Grand Lodge or Shrine Temple under whose jurisdiction one serves; nor to permit its members to engage in unseemly conduct which might reflect adversely upon the institution and character of the Order of Quetzalcoatl specifically, and Masonry in general.

These bylaws have been duly approved by proper vote of the general membership of this Teocalli at a meeting held on July 26, 1999, in San Antonio, Texas, herewith are submitted to the Supreme Teocalli for approval. These bylaws shall take effect upon date accepted by the Supreme Teocalli, but in no instance later than ninety (90) days after submission. top