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BYLAWS OF
EL KORAH SHRINERS
PREAMBLE
This temple is governed by the articles of incorporation and bylaws of The Imperial
Council, A.A.O.N.M.S. for North America, an Iowa corporation, and the following
bylaws not inconsistent therewith.
ARTICLE 1
Name, Seal & Jurisdiction

§1.1 Name. This temple shall be known as El Korah Shriners. It was granted a
Charter on June 14, 1898 by the Imperial Council.

§1.2 Location. It shall be located in the community designated in its charter.

§1.3 Seal. The seal of El Korah Shriners shall consist of two concentric circles between
the circumferences of which are the words El Korah Shriners, An impression and
facsimile shall be deposited with the Imperial Recorder.

§1.4 Flag. The official flag of this temple shall be as described by the bylaws of The
Imperial Council.

§1.5 Jurisdiction. The territorial jurisdiction of this temple is governed by the
provisions of the bylaws of The Imperial Council.

ARTICLE 2
Temple Membership

§2.1 Prerequisites. Membership in this temple, including a candidate's petition and
balloting thereon, is governed by the bylaws of The Imperial Council.

§2.2 Affiliation. Affiliation into this temple is governed by the bylaws of The Imperial
Council.

§2.3 Associate Membership. Associate membership in this temple is governed by the
bylaws of The Imperial Council.

§2.4 Retention of Membership. Retention of membership in this temple is governed by
the bylaws of The Imperial Council.

§2.5 Demit. The procedure for a demit is governed by the bylaws of The Imperial
Council.

§2.6 Suspension or Termination of Membership. Suspension and termination of
membership in this temple are governed by the bylaws of The Imperial Council.

§2.7 Life Memberships. Life memberships in this temple are governed by the bylaws of
The Imperial Council.

§2.8 Honorary Membership. Honorary membership in this temple is governed by the
bylaws of The Imperial Council.

§2.9 Discipline. The discipline of a member of this temple, for any cause other than
nonpayment of dues, is governed by the bylaws of The Imperial Council.

§2.10 Complaints to Imperial Potentate. Complaints or correspondence to the Imperial
Potentate are governed by the bylaws of The Imperial Council.

§2.11 Copies of Temple Bylaws and Imperial Bylaws. Each member of this temple
shall receive a copy of these temple bylaws; and the recorder of the temple shall allow
each member access to a copy of the Imperial bylaws so that they may be read and
understood.

ARTICLE 3
Temple Meetings & Ceremonials

§3.1 Stated Meetings. A stated meeting shall be held on the second Wednesday of
Each month (except June, July and August). The exact hour of all meetings, including the
annual meeting, shall be designated by the potentate.
(a) December Meeting. At the December stated meeting, the officers and
representatives for the ensuing year shall be elected.
(b) Annual Meeting. The annual meeting shall be held on the second
Wednesday of in January.

§3.2 Ceremonial Sessions. Ceremonial sessions may be called by the potentate at any
time.

§3.3 Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the potentate at any time, but
notice must be given to each member stating the business to be considered and no other
business than that specified in the call may be transacted.

§3.4 Sunday Meetings. No business meeting or ceremonial session shall be held on
Sunday, except upon special dispensation of the Imperial Potentate for good and
sufficient cause.

§3.5 Place of Meetings. The place of all meetings shall be determined by the potentate
except as may be otherwise required or restricted by the bylaws of The Imperial Council.

§3.6 Notice of Meetings. At least one week's notice must be given of the time and place
of all meetings and ceremonial sessions. The notice may be given in the official temple
publication or by letter.

§3.7 Rules of Order. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws of The Imperial Council,
the temple bylaws or resolution, parliamentary procedures shall be governed by Robert's
Rules of Order.

§3.8 Admission. A Noble may not be admitted to this temple unless he exhibits to the
temple an official Shrine card for the current year.

§3.9 Quorum. A quorum consists of seven members of the temple entitled to vote,
one of whom must be the potentate, chief rabban, assistant rabban or a past potentate of the
temple.

§3.10 Order of Business. The order of business shall be as follows:

 
(a) Opening ceremony
(b) Reading of minutes of previous session
(c) Reading of communications
(d) Reading financial statements
(e) Reading of petitions for membership
(f) Balloting on candidates
(g) Reports of standing and special committees
(h) Unfinished business
(i) New business
(j) Conferring the ceremonial
(k) Closing ceremony
The order of business may be changed or suspended whenever it is in the best
interest of the temple.

ARTICLE 4
Officers

§4.1 Officers. The officers of this temple are those listed in the bylaws of The Imperial
Council. No person may hold more than one of the offices at the same time.

§4.2 Nomination. Candidates for elective office and Representative must be placed in
nomination from the floor. There shall not be more than one nomination speech for a
candidate and the speech may not exceed three minutes. Seconding speeches are not
required or permitted.
§4.3 Election and Appointment. The election and appointment of officers are governed
by the bylaws of The Imperial Council.

§4.4 Duties. The potentate or these temple bylaws assign the duties of officers not
governed by the bylaws of The Imperial Council.

§4.5 Enthronement and Installation. The enthronement and installation of the temple
officers are governed by the bylaws of The Imperial Council.

§4.6 Vacancies. The existence of a vacancy and filling a vacancy are governed by the
provisions of the bylaws of The Imperial Council.

§4.7 Delivery of Records. Each officer shall deliver all books, papers and other property
of the temple in his hands to his successor in office or to such person and at such time as
the temple may direct.

§4.8 Board of Directors. The composition and duties of the board of directors are
enumerated in the bylaws of The Imperial Council. The board of directors has these
additional duties.

(a) Leadership Search Committee. The board of directors shall appoint a
Leadership Search Committee as allowed by the provisions of the bylaws of The Imperial
Council. [This subparagraph (a) is not required and may, if included in your bylaws,
contain either the word shall or may.]

(b) Temple Holding Corporation. The board of directors and the immediate past
potentate shall be the board of directors of any temple holding corporation.

ARTICLE 5
Initiation Fees, Dues, Per Capita, Hospital Levy

§5.1 Initiation Fee. The initiation fee shall be determined at a stated or special meeting
of the temple after notice has been given to each member stating the proposed amount of
the initiation fee. The initiation fee shall not be less than prescribed by the bylaws of The
Imperial Council. It must be paid in full prior to initiation.

§5.2 Dues. The annual dues shall be determined at a stated or special meeting of the
temple after notice has been given to each member stating the proposed amount of the
annual, dues. The annual dues shall not be less than prescribed by the bylaws of The
Imperial Council. The annual dues do not include the hospital levy or the annual per
capita tax required by the bylaws of The Imperial Council, each of which shall be added
to the annual dues. This temple may, by affirmative vote, remit dues of a member for
good cause shown either to the temple or a committee selected for that purpose.


§5.3 Life Memberships. A member may be granted a life membership in this temple as
prescribed by the bylaws of The Imperial Council.

§5.4 Per Capita Tax. Each member of this temple, other than life per capita members
and associate members, shall pay The Imperial Council per capita tax as prescribed by
the bylaws of The Imperial Council.

§5.5 Life Per Capita. A member may pay the sum prescribed by the bylaws of The
Imperial Council and, thereafter, be exempt from the annual per capita tax.

§5.6 Hospital Levy. Each member of this temple, other than Permanent Contributing
Membership purchasers, shall pay the hospital levy as prescribed by the bylaws of The
Imperial Council. This temple may remit the hospital levy of a member whose dues have
been remitted because of hardship and so advise the Imperial Treasurer.

§5.7 Permanent Contributing Membership. A member may purchase a Permanent
Contributing Membership in the Hospitals as prescribed by the bylaws of The Imperial
Council and, thereafter, be exempt from the hospital levy.

§5.8 Assessment. The temple may levy an assessment on its members as prescribed by
the bylaws of The Imperial Council.

ARTICLE 6
Fiscal

§6.1 Budget. The procedures governing the budget of this temple, including its
requirement, preparation, inspection, presentation, adoption, appropriations, amendment,
temple reports and Imperial Recorder filing are governed by the bylaws of The Imperial
Council.

§6.2 Payment of Obligations. All checks, vouchers or orders for the payment of
obligations of this temple, any sums due The Imperial Council, and any other authorized
disbursements, shall be signed by one or more officers and countersigned by one or more
officers as determined by resolution duly adopted by the temple. All checks shall be
supported by voucher or requisitions.

§6.3 Monthly Reports. Each Noble, committee, unit or other organization of this temple
that is authorized to incur indebtedness or to disburse or collect funds, shall make a
detailed financial report, accompanied by receipts or vouchers to the recorder monthly or
at such other times as may be required.

§6.4 Construction Program and Secured or Long Term Obligations. Prior to
commencing a construction program or incurring a secured or long-term debt, as defined
by the bylaws of The Imperial Council, the temple must follow the bylaws of The
Imperial Council.

§6.5 Sale of Temple Assets. Prior to this temple, or any of its affiliates, selling, leasing,
exchanging, mortgaging, pledging or otherwise disposing of all or substantially all of its
property or assets, it must follow the bylaws of The Imperial Council.

§6.6 Fidelity Bond. The temple must procure a corporate fidelity bond as prescribed by
the bylaws of The Imperial Council.

§6.7 Insurance. The temple must procure insurance policies, and the potentate must
appoint an insurance advisory committee, as prescribed by the bylaws of The Imperial
Council.

§6.8 Fiscal Year. This temple must arrange its books of account, annual report and audit
to conform to the calendar year.

§6.9 Indemnification. The official divan, committee members, officers and employees
shall be indemnified by the temple for all expenses reasonably incurred by them in
defending themselves from any proceedings instituted or threatened against them
provided the temple votes that they have acted within the scope of their authority and are
not guilty of misfeasance or malfeasance.

§6.10 Audit. The financial accounts must be audited or reviewed, and reported on, as
prescribed by the bylaws of The Imperial Council.

ARTICLE 7
Committees

§7.1 Leadership Search Committee. This temple shall have a Leadership Search
Committee. Its appointment and duties are governed by the bylaws of The Imperial
Council. [As noted before, this provision (§7.1) is not required.]

§7.2 Insurance Advisory Committee. This temple shall have an Insurance Advisory
Committee. Its appointment and duties are governed by the bylaws of The Imperial
Council.

§7.3 Finance Advisory Committee (optional). This temple shall have a Finance
Advisory Committee.
(a) Composition. It shall consist of four at-large members of this temple.
Two of the four at-large members are to be elected each year at the annual meeting for a
term of two years.
(b) Duties. It shall:
(1) Analyze and make recommendations as to the financial affairs of the
temple.
(2) Examine the proposed major financial obligations and expenditures
before such obligations or expenditures are incurred or made.
(3) Review all necessary current expenses.
(4) Examine whether any officer, department, committee, organization,
unit or individual having authority incurs expenditures that exceed the
appropriations set out in the budget.
(5) Examine the system under which the financial affairs of the temple
and every subordinate body thereof, are administered and make such
recommendations from time to time as may be deemed for the good of the temple
or any subordinate body thereof.
(6) Review any bill for travel, hotel or entertainment expense of any
officer or representative to determine if it is reasonable and necessary and within
the budget.
(7) Have access to all financial books, papers ad accounts of the officers
and review them on a periodic basis, and recommend certified public accountants
for examination and audit.
(8) Review the financial institutions in which the funds of the temple are
to be, or already are, deposited.
(9) Investigate suitable investments and investment institutions for the
funds of the temple.
(10) Evaluate the proper coverage and limits of the bonds for the treasurer
and recorder, and any other officers required to be bonded.
(c) Reports. This committee shall issue its findings, recommendations and
reports to the board of directors of this temple.
(d) Quorum. Three members of this committee shall constitute a quorum for
the transaction of business.

[This provision (§7.3) is not required.]

§7.4 Other Committees. The potentate shall appoint such other committees as may be
required for the operation of the temple's affairs. Their duties and responsibilities shall
not conflict with any provisions of the bylaws of The Imperial Council or these bylaws.

ARTICLE 8
Prohibited Practices

§8.1 Unlawful Activities. It is unlawful for this temple, or any unit or club under its
control, or any group of its members, or any member acting for or on behalf of the
temple, to promote or take part in any engagement or enterprise prohibited by the law of
the land.

§8.3 Shrine Law. A Noble may not violate Shrine law. The provisions of Shrine law are
found in the articles of incorporation and bylaws of The Imperial Council and any general
or special orders at the time in effect.

§8.3 Alcoholic Beverages. The consumption of alcoholic beverages during parades and
ceremonials is forbidden by those Nobles participating therein.

ARTICLE 9
Temple Units & Shrine Clubs
§9.1 Government. Shrine temple units and shrine clubs are governed by the provisions of the
bylaws of the Imperial Council.
ARTICLE 10
Temple Publication

§10.1 Official Publication. Unless otherwise provided in Imperial Council bylaws or these
bylaws, a magazine or newsletter may be established as the official publication of this temple. It
shall be proper to publish all official calls and notices therein.

§10.2 Advertising. All advertising accepted for the official publication shall be non-offensive
and in compliance with the bylaws of The Imperial Council and these bylaws.

§10.3 Staff. The potentate shall appoint the editor and approve the appointment of staff
members by the editor. The editor and staff members may be known as the "Press Corps."

ARTICLE 11
Amendments

§11.1 Amendments. These bylaws may be amended as provided by the bylaws of The Imperial
Council.

§11.2 Inconsistencies. In the event of an inconsistency between these bylaws and the bylaws of
The Imperial Council, the bylaws of The Imperial Council supersede these bylaws.

CERTIFICATION

I, _________________________________, potentate of ____________________
Shriners, certify that the attached resolution relating to bylaws (amendments to bylaws)
was submitted in writing at a stated meeting on _______________________, 20______.

The resolution was laid over to the next stated meeting (a special meeting called
for action thereon).

On ______________________, 20______, a notice of meeting to be held on
____________________, 20_____, was sent to every member of the temple and it recited
the text or substance of the proposed bylaws (amendments to bylaws). There were
______ members of the temple present at this duly warned meeting and ______voted in
the affirmative and _______voted in the negative to adopt the proposed bylaws
(amendments to bylaws). They were approved by at least two-thirds of the members
present and voting.

A copy of the notice of the duly warned meeting and three copies of the bylaws
(amendments to bylaws) are attached.

A copy of the temple’s current bylaws is enclosed.

I certify that the bylaws (amendments to bylaws) were adopted.

Dated this ________day of ______________________, 20_____.


_________________________________
- Potentate


Attest: _________________________________
- Recorder

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