Travelling Gavel – Algoma East Masons
Brethren the purpose of the Travelling Gavel Program aims to foster visitation and brotherhood within our District. There are a number of rules which govern its use which are listed below for your reference. The gavel is never without a copy of the rules and the ledger of its history and travel. The Lodge that holds the gavel will remain to do so until a group of Masons fitting within the requirements of the rules visits that Lodge and request that it be relinquished to them.
Travelling Gavel – Algoma East Masons
On January 8, 2024 members of Dyment Lodge No 442 (Thessalon) captured the Travelling Gavel from Penewobikong Lodge No. 487.
Left to right: W. Bro Denis McLeod, W. Bro. Rusty Joncas (Worshipful Master of Penewobikong Lodge No. 487 in Blind River), W. Bro. John Tremelling, W. Bro. Ben Webster (Worshipful Master of Dyment Lodge No. 442 in Thessalon), Bro. Tyler King, Bro. Steven Whitfield and W. Bro. Randy Bird.
Algoma East District Travelling Gavel – Rules of Use
1. This gavel is for the use of the Masonic Lodges within the Algoma East District only.
2. In order for a visiting Lodge to capture the Travelling Gavel, at least six (6) members of the same Lodge must attend a posted regular or emergent meeting of the Lodge in possession of it. Of the six (6) or more visiting: At least one (1) must be the Master or a Warden; at least one (1) must be a Past Master and at least one (1) must be an Officer other than the Master or Wardens.
3. The gavel can be obtained at any legal meeting.
4. The gavel must be asked for by the visiting brethren during the meeting to obtain it.
5. The gavel is to be presented by the Worshipful Master of the possessing Lodge to the Worshipful Master or Senior Representative of the obtaining Lodge.
6. Should more than one Lodge be present to challenge the gavel, the Lodge with the most members present will be successful in obtaining it. If each Lodge has an equal amount of members, the Lodge travelling the greater distance will obtain it. If both Lodges are from the same city and have the same amount of members present, a tie will be declared and the gavel will stay at the current Lodge unless one Lodge wishes to forfeit it.
7. The Secretary of the obtaining Lodge must notify the District Deputy Grand Master and all Lodge Secretaries within the District as soon as possible.
8. The Date, Lodge Name & Number, and the member information must be recorded in the accompanying ledger.
9. The gavel must be displayed in full view in the Lodge room of the possessing Lodge at all open Lodge meetings.