COMPACT

Between Most Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons for the State of New Jersey and      

Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons State of New Jersey.

Purpose:

To establish mutual recognition between our two Grand Lodges, to establish and promote a continuing harmonious relationship, to provide for the right of each Grand Lodge to retain its sovereignty over it’s own affairs, having the legitimate right of each to continue to exist and operate within the geographical bounds of the State of New Jersey to provide for inter-visitation and to promote Freemasonry in general: Most Worshipful Larry S. Plasket, Grand Master of the Most Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons for the State of New Jersey and Most Worshipful John M. Bettis, Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New Jersey, on behalf of our respective Grand Lodges do mutually agree to the following: Resolved: That each of the above named Grand Lodges extends Fraternal recognition to the other, and grants to the other the rights of visitation as outlined in the addendum attached herein.

Resolved: 

That each of the above named Grand Lodges will remain autonomous within, and unto itself, operating hereafter as heretofore, each with its own Grand Master, Constitution, laws, rules, and regulations. Resolved: This compact, while firmly establishing, as well as guaranteeing, the Sovereignty of each Grand Lodge over itself and it’s members; it is intended to establish a relationship where each will work together to promote Freemasonry, to reside and work together in Peace, Harmony and Brotherly Love. The forgoing Compact is approved this 22nd day of September 2002 A.D.

 M.W. John M. Bettis, Grand Master  M.W. Prince Hall Grand Lodge, F&AM State of New Jersey

M.W. Larry S. Plasket, Grand Master Grand Lodge, F&AM State of New Jersey                                                   

 Attested by:

Grand Secretary Grand Lodge, F&AM

Grand Secretary M.W. Prince Hall Grand Lodge, F&AM 

ADDENDUM

This document contains suggested guidelines for visits between members of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge F&AM, State of New Jersey, and the Grand Lodge F&AM of the New Jersey. The goal of both Grand Lodges is to promote amity, brotherhood, and fraternalism between the members of Lodges chartered by them, and to promote activities of mutual benefit. At all times, the rules of each Grand Lodge will be respected by all. These guidelines are intended to be flexible and subject to change. An informal “Grand Lodges Visitation Committee will be established, which will include members from both Grand Lodges, and will continue as an advisory group to the two Grand Masters. The Grand Lodges will exchange copies of their Grand Lodge directories and other publications and information. There are two types of visits between Masons from these Grand Lodges —formal and informal. Formal visits are those formally arranged by a Lodge or Grand Lodge, to visit a Lodge chartered by the other Grand Lodge. Whenever there are to be formal visits, particularly when Grand Masters are involved, details about proposed visits should be decided upon in advance, and appropriate Grand Lodge officials should be informed. Informal visits are those involving individual members. Visits between Masons of these two Grand Lodges may begin after the two Grand Lodges sign this agreement. For informal visits, Masons from either Grand Lodge may contact the Master of a Lodge of the other Grand Lodge, to mutually decide the date and other details of a proposed visit, such as appropriate dress for the occasion. An individual member of a Lodge may invite a member of a Lodge from the other Grand Lodge to visit his Lodge with the permission of his Worshipful Master. The Brother extending the invitation should arrive with his visitor or arrange to be present at the Lodge prior to the arrival of his visitor in order to greet him and introduce him to the Brethren. When visits are agreed upon, the Masters of Lodges being visited should insure a friendly welcome for all visitors. Lodge visits between Brethren of these two Grand Lodges are definitely encouraged. The suggested guidelines in this document are intended to insure that these visits are conducted in the most friendly and appropriate manner.

Approved by the Grand Masters of these two Grand Lodges on September 22, 2002.

Most Worshipful Larry S. Plasket, Grand Master      

Grand Lodge of New Jersey, F&AM and

Most Worshipful Grand Master John M. Bettis       

Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New Jersey