I may mention here, that unlike most Lodges in the US, all our Lodges always open in the first degree. All business matters are transacted in the first degree. Any resolution or propositions are also moved and passed in the first degree with the provision that only Master Masons are eligible to move or vote on a resolution, but in some Lodges, even the Entered Apprentices may vote on any propositions.
If there is a candidate for the Fellow of the Craft Degree or Master Mason’s Degree, then the Lodge is progressively passed and raised to the second and third degree as required. Also the Lodge is always closed in the first degree, after it is progressively reduced to the first degree, except that the Scottish Constitution permits a Lodge to be closed (only) directly from a higher degree.
The Installation of the Master of the Lodge is done in a Board of Installed Masters, which in English and Indian Lodges is opened after the first degree, whereas in the Scottish Lodges is opened after the Master Mason’s Degree. Hence, after the Installation is over in a Scottish Lodge, and the Board of Installed Masters is closed, the Lodge automatically resumes in the Master Mason’s degree. All Master Masons who were retired are re-admitted, the proclamation and salutations are done. The Lodge is reduced to the Fellow of the Craft degree, all Fellows of the Craft are readmitted, with proclamation and salutations again. The Lodge is then reduced to the Entered Apprentice degree and all Entered Apprentices are readmitted, with proclamation and salutations for the third time. Finally, the investiture of all the other officers takes place, and the Lodge is closed in the first degree.
At every Lodge meeting, just before closing, a charity box (more often a bag) is passed around and collections are made. This is an item on the agenda of the meeting, usually put down as “To honour the charity box”. The Deacons usually pass the bag around the Lodge, and while the bag is proffered to a person, the Deacon turns his face away, so as not to see the amount being deposited. The bags are then taken to the treasurer’s table, opened and counted and the total amount collected is announced. The amounts may not be great, but the fact that they are collected at every meeting, and deposited in the charity account of the Lodge every month, adds up to a fair sum for the year. At the end of the year, usually on the installations night, the donations for the year are announced. Under special circumstances, the charity fund may be drawn upon at any time during the year to provide particularly emergent relief, if it duly moved and approved in open Lodge.