Texas State Priory

TEXAS STATE PRIORY

"ORDER OF KNIGHTHOOD"
BYLAWS

ARTICLE

01 NAME

02 PURPOSE

03 MEMBERSHIP

04 OFFICERS

05 DEPARTMENTAL COMMANDERS

06 COMMITTEES

07 PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE

08 CONVOCATIONS

09 BUSINESS

10 QUORUM

11 FINANCES

12 TEXAS KNIGHTHOOD REGULATIONS

13 AMENDMENTS

14 ADOPTION

ARTICLE I: NAME

This organization of Chivalric Knights of the Holy Order of the Fellow Soldiers of Jacques DeMolay shall be known as the TEXAS STATE PRIORY, ORDER OF KNIGHTHOOD.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE AND ALLEGIANCE

This Texas State Priory shall coordinate and regulate the activities of all Texas priories, promote unity of purpose and effort, and encourage qualities of leadership and service to the Order of DeMolay. The Texas State Priory Order of Knighthood owes its allegiance to the International Supreme Council of the Order of DeMolay and is under the direction and control of its Executive Officer in Texas. The Statutes of the International Supreme Council, and the orders and edicts of its Executive Officer in Texas are supreme. This State Priory shall be governed by these Bylaws to the extent they are consistent with the Statutes of the International Supreme Council and with the orders and edicts of its Executive Officer in Texas.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP

Membership shall consist of all duly authorized priories in the State of Texas, Past Illustrious Knight Commanders, and past and present State Commanders and Registrars.

ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS

Section 1: The officers of the Texas State Priory shall be: State Illustrious Knight Commander, Deputy State Illustrious Knight Commander, Departmental Commanders, and State Registrar.

Section 2: The State Commanders shall be elected and installed at the State Annual Convocation, and shall serve until their successors have been elected and installed. Elections shall be held in accordance with Article IX.

Section 3: The Deputy State Illustrious Knight Commander shall succeed to the office of State Illustrious Knight Commander when left vacant by resignation or permanent disability, and shall temporarily perform the duties of such office when an absence or temporary disability shall render it necessary.

Section 4: Each State Commander shall be under the age of twenty-one at the time of his installation.

Section 5: Each State Commander shall be, or shall have served as, an Illustrious Knight Commander of a Texas priory.

Section 6: Nominations for the State Commander's positions shall be made from the floor, with each priory being entitled to the privilege of making only one nomination for any one office.

Section 7: There shall be only one State Commander from any one priory each year.

Section 8: No officer of the Texas State Priory shall serve simultaneously as an officer of the Texas DeMolay Association, provided however, that the State Registrar may serve as State Scribe of the Texas DeMolay Association.

Section 9: The State Registrar shall be appointed by the Executive Officer, to serve at his pleasure, and shall be, or shall have served as, an Illustrious Knight Commander of a Texas priory.

ARTICLE V: DEPARTMENTAL COMMANDERS (Amended 1981)

Section 1: There shall be created within the DeMolay Jurisdiction of Texas several sub-jurisdictions known as departments.

Section 2: The number and size of the several departments shall be presided over by a Departmental Commander.

Section 3: Each of the several departments shall be presided over by a Departmental Commander.

Section 4: The Departmental Commanders shall be elected by the subordinate priories comprising the several Knighthood Departments and shall be installed at the State Annual Convocation, and shall serve until their successors have been elected and installed. Elections shall be held in accordance with the voting provisions of Article IX. (Amended 1977).

Section 5: Each Departmental Commander shall be under twenty-one years of age at the time of his installation, and shall be, or shall have served as, an Illustrious Knight Commander of a Texas priory.

ARTICLE VI: COMMITTEES

Section 1: The State Illustrious Knight Commander shall at the beginning of his term appoint the following standing committees: Jurisprudence Committee, Service Projects Committee, and Convocations Committee. These committees shall serve until the close of the next State Annual Convocation. (Amended 1975).

Section 2: The Jurisprudence Committee shall survey all proposed changes and additions to these Bylaws and to the Priory Regulations, and shall submit them with its recommendations to the next State Annual Convocation. The committee shall also review the Bylaws of each Texas priory and recommend approval or disapproval to the Executive Officer through the Knighthood Director. (Amended 1975).

Section 3: The Service Projects Committee shall recommend service activities to be undertaken by the Order of Knighthood in Texas, and shall provide for carrying out those projects which are adopted by this State Priory. (Amended 1975).

Section 4: The Convocations Committee shall insure that suitable arrangements are made for the State Annual Convocation; and shall, where possible, provide for Convocations at each Area Conclave. (Amended 1975).

Section 5: The State Illustrious Knight Commander may appoint such other special committees as the business of the State Priory may at times warrant. (Amended 1975).

ARTICLE VII: PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE

The Director for the Order of Knighthood, responsible to the Executive Officer in the State of Texas of the International Supreme Council, Order of DeMolay, shall act as advisor to the Texas State Priory.

ARTICLE VIII: CONVOCATIONS

Section 1: This State Priory shall hold an Annual Convocation, which, when possible, shall meet in conjunction with the Texas DeMolay Association.

Section 2: Sir Knights in good standing, Senior Sir Knights, and Master Masons may attend all Convocations of the Texas State Priory.

Section 3: Special Convocations of the Texas State Priory may be called by the Executive Officer in Texas or his Personal Representative, or by the State Illustrious Knight Commander with the approval of the Executive Officer provided notice thereof is mailed to the constituent Texas priories at least thirty days prior to the Convocation.

ARTICLE IX: BUSINESS

Section 1: All business shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order except when provided in the Statutes of the International Supreme Council, Order of DeMolay; these Bylaws, or subsequent Texas Knighthood Regulations. (Amended 1975).

Section 2: Each of the following shall be entitled to a vote at State Convocations, provided he is under twenty-one years of age, certified by his priory, registered, and present at the time of voting: the Illustrious Knight Commander, Squire Commander, Page Commander, and Registrar from each Texas priory, each past Illustrious Knight Commander of a Texas priory; all present and past State Commanders and Registrars. (Amended, 1973).

Section 3: Only present and past State Officers and Past Illustrious Knight Commanders may hold more than one vote. (Amended 1973).

Section 4: If after five consecutive ballots for the office of State Illustrious Knight Commander or Deputy State Illustrious Knight Commander there exists a tie, the election shall be decided by a coin toss. The Sir Knight having the seniority of membership in the Order of Knighthood shall call the toss. There is no appeal from this process. (Adopted 1994).

ARTICLE X: QUORUM

A quorum shall consist of those attending the Annual Convocation, and a majority of those votes certified shall be necessary to decide any question except amendments.

ARTICLE XI: FINANCES

Section 1: The revenues of this State Priory shall be derived from fees and dues from constituent Texas priories, and from such other sources as the State Priory shall approve.

Section 2: Annual dues from each constituent Texas priory shall be fifteen dollars ($15.00), payable between October 1 and December 31 of each DeMolay year. Priories not paying dues within these dates shall forfeit their entire vote at the next State Annual Convocation. (Amended 1977).

Section 3: A registration fee may be charged each person attending the State Convocation to defray any expenses incurred in holding the Convocations. No monies shall be allotted from the state funds to defray such expenses.

Section 4: The State Registrar shall receive, maintain, and disburse all funds. Upon approval of the Knighthood Director, he may make such disbursements as may be necessary for office supplies, stationary, and materials.

Section 5: The State Illustrious Knight Commander shall be annually allotted not in excess of one hundred dollars from state funds to cover such expenses as he may incur in the official performance of his duties. (Amended 1975, 1994).

ARTICLE XII: TEXAS KNIGHTHOOD REGULATIONS

This State Priory may adopt such regulations for the governing of the Order of Knighthood in the State of Texas as may be consistent with the Regulations of the International Supreme Council, Order of DeMolay, and which are approved by the Executive Officer.

ARTICLE XIII: AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may be amended at any Convocation by a two-thirds vote of those certified, provided the proposed Amendment has been submitted to the State Registrar thirty (30) days before the date of the Convocation, and approved by the Executive Officer. (Amended 1979).

ARTICLE XIV: ADOPTION

These Bylaws shall be placed into full force and effect upon approval in the manner prescribed for amendments to the existing Bylaws, and shall then supersede all previous Bylaws for this organization.

AMENDMENTS & DELETIONS

The word "Imperial" is replaced by the word "State" wherever it appears in these Bylaws. (Adopted, 1973).
The words "Knighthood Governor" are replaced by the words "Knighthood Director" wherever they appear in these Bylaws. (Adopted, 1974).
Article V, Section 4: Departmental Commanders shall be appointed by the State Illustrious Knight Commander to serve the Knighthood Departments and shall be installed at the State Annual Convocation, and shall serve until their successors have been appointed and installed. (Adopted, 1977).
Article V, Section 6: A Departmental Commander may be removed from office for non-performance of duties by the State Illustrious Knight Commander with the approval of the Knighthood Director. All such vacancies created in this manner shall be filled by appointments to have the approval of the Executive Officer of DeMolay in Texas. Notice of all such appointments shall be mailed to all constituent priories. (Adopted, 1975).
Article V in its entirety deleted, 1981.
Article VI, Section 1: (Deleted, 1975).
Article VI, Section 2: (Deleted, 1975).
Article VI, Section 3: (Deleted, 1975).
Article VI, Section 4: (Deleted, 1975).
Article VI, Section 5: The State Illustrious Knight Commander may appoint such committees as the business of the State Priory may at times warrant. (Adopted 1975).
Article IX, Section 1: All business shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order, latest edition, except when provided in the Statutes of the International Supreme Council, Order of DeMolay; these Bylaws or subsequent Texas Knighthood Regulations. (Adopted 1975).
Article IX, Section 2: Each of the following shall be entitled to a vote at State Convocations, provided he is under twenty-one years of age, certified by his priory, registered, and present at the time of voting: the Illustrious Knight Commander, Squire Commander, Page Commander, and Registrar from each Texas priory, each past Illustrious Knight Commander of a Texas priory; all present and past State Commanders and Registrars. (Adopted, 1973).
Article IX, Section 3: Only present and past State Officers and Past Illustrious Knight Commanders may hold more than one vote. (Adopted 1973).
Article IX, Section 4: If after five consecutive ballots for the office of State Illustrious Knight Commander or Deputy State Illustrious Knight Commander there exists a tie the election shall be decided by a coin toss. The Sir Knight having the seniority of membership in the Order of Knighthood shall call the toss. There is no appeal from this process. (Adopted 1994).
Article XI, Section 2: Annual dues from each constituent Texas priory shall be fifteen dollars ($15.00), payable June 1 of each DeMolay year. Priories not paying dues by this date shall forfeit their entire vote at the next State Annual Convocation. (Adopted, 1977).
Article XI, Section 2a: No candidate for State Knighthood office can be certified to run for office if his priory has not paid its State Priory dues as prescribed in Article XI. (Adopted, 1977).
Article XI, Section 5: The State Illustrious knight Commander shall be annually allotted at least one hundred dollars from the State funds to cover such expenses as he may incur in the official performance of his duties. He may also receive such other funds as approved by the Knighthood Director or Executive Officer. (Adopted, 1975).
Article XI, Section 5: (Deleted, 1994).
Article XI, Section 6: Each constituent Texas priory shall remit two dollars per new member invested to the Texas State Priory. (Adopted, 1974; amended 1977).
Article XI, Section 6: Each constituent Texas priory shall remit three dollars per new member invested to the Texas State Priory. (Adopted, 1977; amended 1979).
Article XI, Section 6: Each constituent Texas priory shall remit ten dollars per new member invested to the Texas State Priory. (Adopted, 1979; rescinded November 23, 1985).
Article XIII, Section 1: (Article XIII as present) (Adopted, 1979).
Article XIII, Section 2: These Bylaws may be amended by an edict by the State Knighthood Director. (Adopted, 1979; amended 1994).
Article XIII, Section 2: Any action of the International Supreme Council or of its Executive Officer in Texas which may effect or alter these Bylaws in any respect is hereby declared to be an Amendment. (Adopted, 1994).
Housekeeping changes were made to Article II, adding a provision regarding allegiance to the International Supreme Council and its Executive Officer in Texas; Article III, adding Registrars and thus making it consistent with Article IX, Sections 2 and 3; deleting references to the Personal Representative of the Executive Officer in Article IV, Section 9, Article VIII, Section 3, and Article XII; references to State DeMolay Association of Texas were updated to reflect Texas DeMolay Association; Article V is shown to be amended by the same having been deleted in 1981, and the term in "Priory" in Texas Priory Regulations was updated to read "Texas Knighthood Regulations"; and Article XI, Section 5 was deleted because of the number of constituent local priories. This document was revised, updated and made effective September 30, 1994. top

- Parents Auxiliary or Mother's Clubs or Mother's Circles: Installing Officials shall be either Past or Present Presidents of local bodies or Past State Presidents or the present State President of the Texas State DeMolay Auxiliary.
- Advisory Councils: The Installing Officials shall be either the Executive Officer or his Personal Representative, Members of the International Supreme Council, Past or Present Chairmen of an Advisory Council, or the Present Presiding Officer of the Masonic Sponsoring Body of the DeMolay Chapter or the Knighthood Priory.
  This Regulation restates the custom and tradition that only those who have held the highest office or who are holding the highest office may install others into that office and conforms to Texas Masonic practice.
  
  [Amended 2009]
The Executive Officer has set the following Requirements for Running for a State Office as of May 25, 2005:

Must file a "Declaration of Interest" application with the Executive Officer prior to the date specified by the Executive Officer in the year of the Conclave in which he intends to run for office.

Both the Chapter Dad and the Chairman of the Advisory Council of your chapter must sign the “Declaration of Interest” affirming all requirements have been met (this includes Chapter Dad and Chairman of all chapters of which you are a dual member) or the permission of the District Governor may suffice.

Must have the on-going FULL SUPPORT of his parents and/or legal guardians in order to run for and remain an elected State Officer. This must be in writing and submitted along with his "Declaration." If the parents/guardians have not had a meeting with the Executive Officer the District Governor or a personal representative of the Executive Officer must also certify that a meeting has been held with the parents/guardians regarding the responsibilities of State Office

As required by the State Bylaws and as a requirement of the Executive Officer, candidates must be a Past Master Councilor at the time of election. He must have received his Representative DeMolay Award and also passed the first course of the Leadership Correspondence Course. He must also be proficient in his ritual work, and have attended a Leadership Training Conference or a State Master Councilor's Retreat prior to running for office.

He must, at all times, have a valid driver's license and not have received more than two (2) moving violations in the previous twelve (12) months. A moving violation is speeding (other than reckless driving), red light violations, stop sign violations, etc. The E.O. may waive this rule.

He must not have reached his 21st birthday at the time of his installation as a State Officer.

He must submit a complete and full list of all his social internet sites, included but not limited to Face Book; My Space; You Tube; twittering sites; and/or any other sites that he has access to along with the other required documents. He must maintain an accurate list with the Executive Officer and/or his designate during his term of office.

The Deputy State Master Councilor will automatically advance to the Office of State Master Councilor and will not need to stand for election for the year in which he is to be installed State Master Councilor, provided he has filed a current “Declaration of Interest” and has met the membership requirement for the current year. In the event the office of State Master Councilor is vacated, the Deputy State Master Councilor may automatically advance to complete the vacated term. He must then fill his own term to receive the title Past State Master Councilor.

Must have and subsequently retain a 2 or 3 piece SUIT with the designated accessories after his election. He may also need a BLACK TUXEDO for certain Installations, Chevalier Investitures, etc.

All State Officers must have available, at all times, transportation with which to travel throughout the state to fulfill his duties. They are also required to have an operating cell phone and workable email address during their terms in office.

Operating cell phone means one that they can be contacted at anytime during non-school hours, while on the road or at home. Workable email address is defined to mean one that they will be able to send and receive emails on a daily basis when required to keep contact with the Executive Officer and other State Officers. All email messages and cell phone contacts from the Executive Officer or one of his staff are to be responded to within 24 hours.

He must have been the 1st line signer (within 12 months prior to the current deadline specified by the Executive Officer) on two (2) new members’ petitions. The petitioners must have been subsequently initiated at the time of the Declaration.

He must have served as State Junior Councilor or State Senior Councilor or District Deputy State Master Councilor or State Illustrious Knight Commander or Deputy State Illustrious Knight Commander to run for the office of Deputy State Master Councilor.

Failure to perform the duties or responsibilities assigned to him by the Executive Officer or any of his designated representatives, or any noncompliance with any applicable Section of the ISC Statutes, will be cause for removal as any of the elected State Officers.

The Executive Officer is the only person who may interpret this Policy and/or authorize any deviations there from.

All applicants must attend the E.O. interview session at Conclave, the E.O. conference after Conclave, and all state DeMolay functions designated by the Executive Officer as a state DeMolay function. Each State Officer is also required to attend the annual communications of the Grand Lodge, Grand Chapter of the Eastern Star, Grand Royal Arch Chapter, Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters, and the Grand Commandery, if directed to do so. Only those who have prior approval to be absent are excused. Simply failing to show up at any event will be cause for removal of office.

All expenses pertaining to the State Officer’s position which you occupy will be incurred by you, the state officer and/or his parents / guardians. Texas DeMolay may cover housing at certain Masonic events.

No State Officer, during his term of office will consume alcoholic beverages nor use controlled substances while involved in, or enroute to or from, any Masonic or DeMolay event.

Violation of any Laws of the State of Texas will be cause for immediate removal. Any activity in violation of municipal laws; the Laws of the State of Texas or Federal Government; or any activity/conduct etermined to be unbecoming of a DeMolay will be cause for immediate removal.

All "Declarations" must be completed and returned to the Executive Officer by the specified date, prior to the State Conclave at which the applicant desires to be considered for an elected state office. “Declarations” do NOT carry over from year to year. The postmark on the envelope will determine the date the Declaration is mailed. Any Declarations not sent in by the required date will not be considered. Remember, it is the responsibility of the DeMolay running for office (not his Advisors) to get it in on time. NO EXCUSES.

The Interview with the Candidates (and their parents) with the Executive Officer or his designate must be in person or by phone prior to the candidate being considered for the office in which he is a candidate. The Executive Officer's meeting will be held on Thursday evening of Conclave. All candidates MUST attend this meeting.

SEE ALSO: Appendix A; B and C

[Amended 2009]
Random Searches

The presence of any controlled substance or alcohol at any DeMolay event is specifically prohibited. All persons herein defined in Article 3 as Active, Senior, Delegates or Visitors shall, at the request and discretion of the Executive Officer or his Personal Representative, make themselves and any vehicle; luggage; backpack or any item containing personal property available for a random and reasonable search procedure.

Any individual defined herein found to be in possession of said items shall immediately be subject to the provisions of DeMolay International By-Laws; Rules and Regulations; Texas DeMolay Association By-Laws and Rules and Regulations. Any such individual shall be subject to dismissal from the DeMolay event and additional disciplinary action.
Texas DeMolay Crown

The State Master Councilor, Deputy State Master Councilor, State Senior and Junior Councilors and State Illustrious Knight Commander shall each be responsible for regular submission of articles for the TEXAS DEMOLAY CROWN at the direction of the Executive Officer.

The District Deputy State Master Councilors shall be responsible for regular submission of articles for the TEXAS DEMOLAY CROWN. They shall be submitted to the Deputy State Master Councilor who will check them for accuracy and forward them to the Executive Officer.