Page 23 - Sojourner Newsletter-Spring 2023 v.3

Volume 100, Issue 2 23
Be it further resolved that ARTICLE IX, Section 16 and Section 16 (d), to be amended with the deletions
shown below (strike through) and word changes in BOLD:
Section 16: CITATIONS, CERTIFICATES, AND OTHER DEVICES FOR PRESENTATION AT
CHAPTER LEVEL: The following awards may be presented at the National Convention or Chapter level by
the National President, other National Officers, Committee Members, or the Chapter President: a) 50-Year
Sojourner Bar, b) 25-Year Sojourner Bar, c) Membership Sponsoring Device, and d) Bridge of Light
Awards— Bridge of Light Certificate and e) Chapter Excellence Award.

d. Bridge of Light Awards: These awards include the Bridge of Light Certificate and the Chapter Excellence
Award. The Bridge of Light Certificate may be presented to a Sojourner or non-Sojourner for supporting
Bridge of Light ideals. The Bridge of Light Committee selects the Chapter(s), which most completely perform
the criteria annually established by the Committee, generally based on Bridge of Light-established criteria.

RESOLUTION 2023-04
DISTRIBUTION OF EARNINGS FROM TRUST FUND

Whereas Section 2b, ARTICLE XVIII of the National Constitution and Bylaws states: The annual net
income from the Trust Fund must be disbursed in the following manner: Fifty percent (50%) retained in the
National Treasury for use in the National Sojourners® General Fund and fifty percent (50%) distributed to
each Chapter in proportion to the number of Members-In-Perpetuity accredited to said Chapter for the
effective period of such membership, whether such member is living, deceased, or resigned. The distribution
of dividends is subject to be decremented by penalties for violations of the National Constitution and Bylaws
as described in National Bylaws ARTICLE 5.
Whereas the entire amount of the interest and dividends are used as budget income and the principal
remains the same each year.
Whereas we need to be more prudent and plan for future generations of Sojourners and for the budget
income needs that will be required to effectively run the organization.
Therefore be it resolved that Section 2b, ARTICLE XVIII, of the National Constitution and Bylaws be
®
amended to read as follows: The annual net income from the National Sojourners Trust Fund shall be
disbursed in the following manner: Ten percent (10%) of the yearly interest and dividends earned will be
withheld and reinvested with the principle balance in order to grow the corpus and the balance thereafter be
disbursed as follows: forty-five percent (45%) of the yearly interest and dividends earned shall be retained in
®
the National Treasury for use in the National Sojourners General Fund and forty-five percent (45%) of the
yearly interest and dividends earned shall be distributed to each Chapter in proportion to the number of
Members-In-Perpetuity accredited to each Chapter for the effective period of such membership, whether such
member is living, deceased, or has resigned. The distribution of dividends is subject to be decremented by
penalties for violations of the National Constitution and Bylaws as described in ARTICLE 5 of the National
Bylaws.

RESOLUTION 2023-05
HONORARY MEMBERSHIP LIMITATIONS

Whereas Section 9c of ARTICLE V of the National Constitution and Bylaws needs to be clarified
Therefore be it resolved that Section 9c that reads as follows:

“c. Honorary Membership Limit: If an operational Chapter exceeds the fifteen percent (15%) Honorary
Member Limit, it is placed on probation and prohibited from initiating any new Honorary Members, except
Elected Grand Lodge Officers, If the until compliant. Chapter fails to steadily progress toward compliance,
its Charter is subject to suspension.”, be amended to read:
“c. Honorary Membership Limit: If an operational Chapter exceeds the fifteen percent (15%) Honorary
Member Limit, it is placed on probation and prohibited from initiating any new Honorary Members, except
Elected Grand Lodge Officers until compliant. If the Chapter fails to steadily progress toward compliance, its
Charter is subject to suspension.”