Theos-Talk Archives (February 1998 Message tt00206)

Jerry Hejka-Ekins wrote:

> Bart,  I have read through the International Bylaws and I'm unable to find where it
> specifically requires a section's bylaws to incorporate language identifying their
> allegiance to Adyar.  I would think it would be in section 37, Rules for Lodges and
> National Societies, but I don't see it here either.  Please tell me where you find
> this requirement in the bylaws.

    It's implied, by the power of the President over charters. If the section does not
recognize Adyar, then that power is not there, and therefore they are in opposition to
the International By-laws:

34. President grants, refuses Charters

The President shall have authority to grant or refuse applications for Charters, which
if issued, must bear his signature and that of the Secretary, and the Seal of the
Society, and be recorded at the Headquarters of the Society.


35
Formation of a Section

(b) Upon the application of seven or more chartered Lodges (Branches) in areas which
are territorially adjacent and in which there are not sufficient Lodges (Branches) for
each
national group to form a National Society, the President shall have authority at his
discretion to issue (and to cancel) a Charter constituting such Lodges (Branches) into
a Section. The
Charter shall confer the same powers as one issued to a National Society. In all
respects the rules applying to National Societies shall apply to any group of Lodges
(Branches) holding
a Charter under this rule.

37. Rules or Lodges and National Societies

Each Lodge (Branch) and National Society shall have the power to make its own Rules
which shall not be incompatible with the Rules of the National Society to which the
Lodge (Branch)
belongs or with the Rules of The Theosophical Society.

All Rules of Lodges (Branches) and National Societies and
amendments thereto shall be submitted for approval within thirty
days of their adoption as follows :

(b) In the case of a National Society, or of a Lodge (Branch)
not situated within the territory of a National Society, or of a
Lodge directly attached to Adyar under Rule 31 (c) all such
Rules or amendments thereto shall be submitted directly to the
international President, and shall be put into force if approval
has not been refused within nine months of acknowledgement of
their receipt.

If by a change made in a Rule of The Theosophical Society, any
Rule of a National Society, which at its inception was not
incompatible with the Rules of The Theosophical Society, ceases
to be compatible, such a Rule of the National Society shall
cease to be valid and shall be amended so as to be in consonance
with the Rules of The Theosophical Society.

If by a change made in a Rule of a National Society, any Rule of
a Lodge (Branch) which at its inception was not incompatible
with the Rules of the National Society, ceases to be compatible,
such a Rule of the Lodge (Branch) shall cease to be valid and
shall be amended so as to be in consonance with the Rules of the
National Society.

43. National Societies: Fees to Adyar

(a) Each National Society shall pay into the General Treasury
fifteen per cent of the total amount of fees payable by members
to the Section and shall remit the same to the Treasurer at
Adyar on or before the first day of March of the current year,
and the financial year of the Society shall close on 31st March.