2. IF MORE THAN ONE LODGE HAS THREE OR MORE MEMBERS VISITING THEN THE LODGE WITH THE GREATEST NUMBER PRESENT CAPTURES THE GAVEL.

3. IF TWO OR MORE LODGES HAVE THE SAME NUMBER PRESENT, THE GAVEL GOES TO THE LODGE WHO HAS NOT HELD IT MOST RECENTLY.  IF NEITHER LODGE HAS HELD IT, IT GOES TO THE LODGE THAT TRAVELED THE FARTHEST DISTANCE FROM THEIR HOME LODGE.  IF THE DISTANCE IS ESSENTIALLY THE SAME, IT WILL BE DECIDED BY THE FLIP OF A COIN.  THE YOUNGEST LODGE WILL FLIP THE COIN AND THE OLDEST ONE WILL CALL IT.

4. WHEN A. LODGE CAPTURES THE GAVEL THEY MUST NOTIFY ALL OTHER LODGES THAT THEY HAVE IT AND INVITE THEM TO CAPTURE IT. IT MUST BE PRINTED IN THEIR TRESTLEBOARD AS LONG AS THEY HOLD POSSESSION OF IT.  THEY SHOULD NOTIFY THE DISTRICT DEPUTY AND DISTRICT EDUCATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE THAT THEY HAVE IT SO THEY CAN NOTIFY LODGES IN THEIR TRAVELS.

5. THE PURPOSE OF THIS GAVEL IS TO ENCOURAGE VISITATIONS BETWEEN THE LODGES.  A LODGE MAY CAPTURE THE GAVEL SEVEN (7) CALENDAR DAYS FROM THE DAY IT WAS CAPTURED. THE LODGE WHO CAPTURES THE GAVEL THE MOST TIMES (MINIMUM OF THREE) DURING THE YEAR COMMENCING ON JULY 1ST AND ENDING ON JUNE 30TH WILL BE PRESENTED AN APPROPRIATE CERTIFICATE ANNUALLY.

6. ALL MASTERS TO BE NOTIFIED IF A SCHEDULED MEETING IS CANCELED FOR ANY REASON.  HEAD COUNT TO DETERMINE CAPTURER WILL BE TAKEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER OPENING.  GAVEL WILL BE PRESENTED AT CLOSING OR IF THE CAPTURER IS NOT PRESENT THE GAVEL WILL BE PRESENTED AT SOME FUTURE TIME CONVENIENT TO THE HOLDING LODGE.

GLOSSARY:
HOLDING LODGE - LODGE IN POSSESSION OF GAVEL.
CAPTURING LODGE - LODGE CAPTURING THE GAVEL.

Meeting opened and prayer led by Wor. Ben Davis
Salute to the flag
Minutes read and accepted
Treasurers report read and accepted
No bills
Communications
S&D: Doug Blaisdell doing better, was in attendance.
 John Bond (PM St. Johns) lost his grandson.  Card Signed

Old Business:  York lodge due for bread runs in January.  Arundel will have it February, Ocean in March, Fraternal in April.

 Sanford Days, no progress thus far with a commitment.  We want to run a district CHIPS event.  Date roughly to be first Saturday in August.  It will be good exposure for the district.

 Standing Master’s degree at the Atria in Kennebunk is trying to be put together.  Wor. Smith will be contacting the Atria for further progress.  Tabled until January’s meeting.

 Ladies Night for next spring:  the last couple of them have had great places, food, prizes…. But the promotion within the lodges to get tickets sold is not working.  Masters need to do a better job promoting the event in order to get better attendance.  Secretary to send a list of masters’ emails to Brian Ingalls. biwinzer@verizon.net

 Nominating committee report:  Al locke nominated for president.  Mike Casey nominated for Sec./Treas.  Nominations voted and accepted.

 Whately family check presented earlier this month.  They lovingly accepted it.  Nick might be headed to the Shrine Hospital for further surgeries, however he is trudging through as good as could be expected.

 Scott Kearney’s letter of resignation accepted.

 Rules and Bylaw changes:  wanting to change the meeting time from 630 to 7pm, some wording corrected in terms of annual meeting.  Changes accepted.

New Business: Traveling gavel is at Ocean Lodge.  Next meeting for the taking is Wed. 1/23.

 Schools of Instruction:  VW Ferris attempting to reinstitute them.  2/16, 3/15, 4/19.  All at York Lodge around 9am-Noon.  This will be great for new officers and new masons.

 Whately family was wondering if we would be interested in another BBQ.  Matt Ferris will look into possibilities and report back in January.
  There was talk of doing a benefit dinner to assist a brother’s endeavor to send packages to troops over in the middle east.

  Grand lodge Charitable Committee is trying to donate more money to lodges who are doing fundraising events.  The committee is having problems remaining as a public trust with the IRS.  Reconfiguration and new ideas are in progress.

Lodge Reports: were given

GLO comments:  Bro. Kyllonen: 5/6 at the Holiday Inn @ Ellsworth is the GL Session.  St. Aspinquid lodge is going to host the Me. Masonic College on 5/17.  Brian Howard is the new coordinator for the American Red Cross, and is talking about trying to do more blood drives in the district.  And the Master Insurance Policy through GL is doing great.  Lodges need only to fill out a questionnaire when signing up and money can be saved.

  RW Ferris:  This morning was a good turnout, lets get things rolling for 08.