The Cornerstone Society

1. The Society shall be called The Cornerstone Society.

2. The aim of the Society shall be to give its members a greater understanding of the meaning and purpose of the rituals and traditions of Freemasonry.

3. The Society shall do whatever is necessary to fulfil this aim as long as it is in accord with the Ancient Landmarks and established customs of the Order.

4. These Rules shall be binding on the members.

5. The membership of the Society shall consist of any Master Masons and above who are registered as members of the United Grand Lodge of England, and in good standing.

6. For the time being there shall be no membership roll or subscription.

7. A Committee of not more than fifteen members shall be elected annually to manage the affairs of the Society.

8. Three Committee members shall form a quorum.

9. New Committee members shall be elected by existing committee members.

10. Committee members may resign after giving notice in writing to the Secretary.

11. Committee members may be expelled after an absolute majority of the Com-mittee have so voted. A motion to expel a member of the Committee shall be notified to all Committee members at least two weeks prior to the meeting.

12. The Society shall be automatically dissolved if the Committee fails to meet for a period greater than one year.

13. On the dissolution of the Society any remaining funds shall be remitted to the London Masonic Charity Benevolent Fund.

14. The Officers of the Society shall be the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, who shall be elected annually from among the Committee members by simple majority vote.

15. Should a vacancy occur among the Officers, the committee shall elect a successor at its next meeting.

16. No committee member may hold more than one Office.

17. The Chairman shall chair committee meetings and public meetings of the Society, or delegate others to do so in his absence. His ruling on points of order and his interpretation of the Rules shall be final unless overruled by a majority of the Committee. He shall have a casting vote when there is no clear majority.

18. The duties of the Secretary shall include keeping the minutes of the society, managing correspondence in time for each meeting.

19. The Treasurer shall manage the finances of the society and prepare annual accounts for the committee.

20. No monies shall be disbursed from the accounts of the society without the signatures of at least two committee members, one of whom must be the Treasurer.

21. These Laws may be amended only by a two-thirds majority of the full membership of the committee, and only after a motion has been put to the committee with no less than two weeks notice.

[Top]

What is the Cornerstone Society?		The Cornerstone Society exists to provide a forum where the meaning and relevance of Freemasonry can be discussed in an open and constructive environment, where the way our rituals are performed can be explored and enhanced and where Masons can learn together to live out the words we speak. The Society promotes no corporate view. The opinions expressed in items on this site and at Cornerstone Conferences are those of the individual and do not represent the views of the Society or Freemasonry in general. The Cornerstone Society has no formal role within regular Freemasonry. It has a light administrative structure so will be whatever its members make of it. It celebrates both the light within Freemasonry and the lighter side of it, though its subject matter is assumed to be of the deepest commitment and utmost moment. It aims no more or less than to bring Masons together to unite in the grand design of being happy and communicating happiness. [Top]
Constitution		1. The Society shall be called The Cornerstone Society. 2. The aim of the Society shall be to give its members a greater understanding of the meaning and purpose of the rituals and traditions of Freemasonry. 3. The Society shall do whatever is necessary to fulfil this aim as long as it is in accord with the Ancient Landmarks and established customs of the Order. 4. These Rules shall be binding on the members. 5. The membership of the Society shall consist of any Master Masons and above who are registered as members of the United Grand Lodge of England, and in good standing. 6. For the time being there shall be no membership roll or subscription. 7. A Committee of not more than fifteen members shall be elected annually to manage the affairs of the Society. 8. Three Committee members shall form a quorum. 9. New Committee members shall be elected by existing committee members. 10. Committee members may resign after giving notice in writing to the Secretary. 11. Committee members may be expelled after an absolute majority of the Com-mittee have so voted. A motion to expel a member of the Committee shall be notified to all Committee members at least two weeks prior to the meeting. 12. The Society shall be automatically dissolved if the Committee fails to meet for a period greater than one year. 13. On the dissolution of the Society any remaining funds shall be remitted to the London Masonic Charity Benevolent Fund. 14. The Officers of the Society shall be the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, who shall be elected annually from among the Committee members by simple majority vote. 15. Should a vacancy occur among the Officers, the committee shall elect a successor at its next meeting. 16. No committee member may hold more than one Office. 17. The Chairman shall chair committee meetings and public meetings of the Society, or delegate others to do so in his absence. His ruling on points of order and his interpretation of the Rules shall be final unless overruled by a majority of the Committee. He shall have a casting vote when there is no clear majority. 18. The duties of the Secretary shall include keeping the minutes of the society, managing correspondence in time for each meeting. 19. The Treasurer shall manage the finances of the society and prepare annual accounts for the committee. 20. No monies shall be disbursed from the accounts of the society without the signatures of at least two committee members, one of whom must be the Treasurer. 21. These Laws may be amended only by a two-thirds majority of the full membership of the committee, and only after a motion has been put to the committee with no less than two weeks notice. [Top]
FAQ's		What is the Cornerstone Society? The Cornerstone Society was set up in 1999 to promote understanding of the meaning and purpose of Freemasonry. It held its first conference in May 2000, several since then (click here) and the Northern Conference 2004 is coming up very soon! Why was it set up? Many Masons spend their lifetimes in Freemasonry and go to great effort to learn their rituals without ever asking what it all means or why we do it. There are lodges of instruction to help in the learning of ritual but little for those seeking answers to these questions. The Cornerstone Society was established to fill this gap. What does the Cornerstone Society do? It organises conferences and hosts a website (this website actually). There are no formal, regular meetings except administrative meetings of the commitee. It doesn't act as a pressure group (maybe a pressure release?) or have any specific agenda other than promoting understanding and communication. Who can join the Cornerstone Society? Membership is free and open to all Master Masons and above, from new boys to old hands. [Top]
Contact Us		How can I get involved or find out more? How nice of you to ask! Transcripts of many of our conference lectures, other articles along with other information can be found at our website... er ... here. You can contact us via email or snail-mail or subscribe to our mailing list. Email : The Secretary Snail-Mail: 13 Victoria Road Lytham St Annes Lancashire FY8 1LE UK [Top]