Theos-Talk Archives (February 2010 Message tt00290)

--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, MKR <mkr777@...> wrote:

> 2. Autonomy of the Sections:
> 
> It is upto the section concerned as to how their constitutional structure
> is, so long it does not violate the International Constitution. In Brazil
> case, it is up to the member in Brazil how they elect their leaders and
> neither the General Council nor the International President or anyone else
> has any right to interfere with it.

Actually, all sections have to have their rules and regulations approved by Adyar. The Dutch section has gone through at least one such round since I joined the TS in 1993. Also - when the general council decides on a new rule for all sections, they have to implement it, or at least something sufficiently like it.

For instance: a few years ago the amount of time one had to be a member before being allowed in a board (of lodge or national section) was increased to three years. The Dutch section decided to implement that rule ONLY for the national board, not the lodges, as it would make our (usually very small) lodges unmanageable. 

I'm pretty sure I'm not being precise enough about these rules, but the general point is certainly correct:
The sections are NOT completely independent. They have always been subject to the rules set out by 'Adyar'. 

Though of course local situations: laws and culture, have always also been taken into account. And generally speaking sections do have the freedom to organize meetings and magazines and publications and all that to their own liking. 

And let's face it: that's the kind of organizational stuff most people care most about. 

Katinka