Electoral
College Criteria for Camps, Oases and Lodges
LOCAL BODY CRITERIA GUIDE
The
following is a quick reference for the criteria applied by the
Electoral College to local bodies. Most of the criteria come
directly from the Camp, Oasis and Lodge Master’s Handbook (COLMH),
though some elements have been interpreted by the College. The Camp,
Oasis and Lodge Master's Handbook is available to local body officers.
Camps:
- Financial Records
- Mailing address
- Email
- Third Degree Master
- Two first degree members
- Classes: COLMH requires Camps “to
provide such membership services and activities within its local area
as are appropriate to the Man of Earth Grade, and as it is capable of
providing.” The EC interprets this as least six classes, lectures
or discussion groups per year.
- Masses: There is no requirement for
camps to offer celebrations of the Gnostic Mass.
Oases:
- Financial Records
- Mailing address
- Email
- Third Degree Master
- Two third degree members
- 0-III initiation equipment
- Mass facility: This is interpreted
by the EC as necessary for the celebration of the Gnostic Mass (see
below).
- Initiation facility
- First Degree Deputy
- First Degree Secretary
- First Degree Treasurer
- Classes: The COLMH states,
“(Oases) should provide instruction in the form of classes and/or
written material.” The EC interprets this as offering at least
six classes, lectures, or discussion groups per year. Note that
the same criteria is currently applied to Camps.
- Masses: The COLMH states, “(Oases)
should endeavor to celebrate the Gnostic Mass on a regular
basis.” The EC interprets this as celebrating the Gnostic Mass at
least six times per year.
- Bank account in the Body's name.
Lodges:
- Financial
Records
- Mailing address
- Email
- Vth
Degree master
- Two third degree members
- 0-IV/PI initiation equipment
- Mass facility: This is interpreted
by the EC as a necessary criteria for the celebration of the Gnostic
Mass (see below).
- Initiation facility: The COLMH
states, “Lodges are expected to establish, or secure the use of, a
dedicated lodge facility in which to conduct local O.T.O. functions and
events. Such lodge facilities should be rented, leased, owned, or
otherwise controlled by the Order of the local body, and should be
clearly and permanently set apart from the normal private living
quarters of any lodge officer or member.” The EC interprets this
to mean either 1) a dedicated, full-time facility used for no other
purpose or 2) a regular by-the-day rental of a consistent commercial
facility, i.e. another fraternal hall.
- First Degree Deputy
- First Degree Secretary
- First DegreeTreasurer
- Classes: The COLMH Oases criteria
for “instruction in the form of classes and/or written material”
applies to Lodges as well. The EC interprets this to mean at
least twelve classes, lectures, or discussion groups per year.
- Masses: The COLMH states, “All
lodges are expected to celebrate the Gnostic Mass as often as
possible.” This is interpreted by the EC as at least twelve times
per year.
- Bank account in the body's name.
Please
note that these are minimum requirements.