Page 18 - Sojourner Newsletter-SPRING 2022-5

18 THE SOJOURNER

H I S T O R I A N’ S CORNER (NSI)

HONORARY MEMBERS

By Edward W. Nolte, Acting National Historian

Honorary Members (HMs) have been and are an important part of our Order from its founding, and their
definition, rights and limits have changed significantly over time. HMs were first mentioned in Chicago
Chapter’s 1921 Bylaws, which stated HMs must “have rendered conspicuous and meritorious service to the
Nation.” An HM could not make motions, vote, or hold office, did not pay any Chapter Dues, and there were
no percentage limits. It was the Chapter’s honor to have him as a member and pay his Per Capita Fees to
National Headquarters. HMs were limited by a Chapter’s financial ability to pay his Per Capita. Originally the
definition included the Chief of Staff of the Army and the Chief of Naval Operations if they were Masons.
Payment of Dues, rights, and percentage limits evolved slowly via membership-approved resolutions from
1935 to today. This article only addresses approved resolutions not disapproved/tabled resolutions proposing
increasing percentages (20% to 33%), expanding exemptions (to Scottish and York Rite Grands, sons of
members), holding office (Chapter and National), and voting.
1935: Created National HQ Chapter but excluded HMs because they paid no fees.
1938: Added Grand Masters (GMs) as Active or Honorary Members in Chapters.
1949: Established HM’s Per Capita ($1.00) at half the Active Member’s (AM) ($2.00).
1961: Restated HMs may not make motions, vote, hold office, appointment, or assignment in any Chapter or
at National level, or be an ANC Delegate.
1966: Enabled HMs to make motions and hold appointive office, but not to vote or hold elected Chapter or
National office.
1973: Made HM and AM Per Capita equal ($5.00).
1975: Established 10% HM limit based on total Chapter membership (not 10% of AM) and exempted Past
and Present Grand Masters, but not elected Grand Lodge Officers (EGLO).
1977: Exempted deceased Honorary MIPs from the 10% limit.
1982: Approved HMs serving as Chapter President/Secretary and to be ANC Delegates and vote.
1989: Counted HMs only in their original Chapter, not in every MMIP Chapter.
1994: Excluded MMIPs, EGLOs, and deceased HMs from 10% limit and prohibited Chapters over 10% limit
from initiating any additional HMs until compliant.
1997: Exempted elected EGLOs from HM limit, vice just the PGM and GM.
1999: Increased 10% HM limit to 15% and first referred to HMs in Purposes.
2000: Enabled HMs to be Delegates to vote and be elected to all national elective positions, except the
National Progressive Line and the Honor Awards Committee.
2022: Currently, the Order has 166 operating Chapters with 63 Chapters over 15%.

Honorary Membership is our Order’s highest and most limited form of membership. It connects our
Chapters to our Grand Lodges and to Freemasonry itself. It is an opportunity to recognize a limited number of
Brother Master Masons who have rendered “meritorious service to the nation and/or Masonry,” but it should
not be used as a means to increase Chapter membership. It is a special honor and we need to hold it in high
esteem.

The opinion or assertions contained herein, unless otherwise noted, are the private ones of the
writers and are not to be construed as official or reflecting the views of National Sojourners,
Inc., or any branch of the Federal Government.