From the East
Brethren,
Greetings from the East. Our November Stated Communication is quickly approaching and looks to be busy. In addition to election of Officers for 2018 we will be balloting on an increase in dues for 2018.
For those not in attendance at the October Stated Communication, I discussed the state of our finances and the need for a Dues increase. Every year, a budget is presented to the lodge and voted on. This budget is a plan or guideline on how the Lodge will spend its money in the coming year. We have a tendency to think that that is the end of our planning, however, what we fail to do is take into account the actual spending of the prior year(s). As we meet throughout the year, various unplanned expenditures are presented to the Brethren. These being good causes and the Brethren wishing to provide relief when-ever possible, we spend outside of our budget. This has gone on for the past several years and has resulted in our spending more than we had budgeted and that spending has eaten into our reserves.
While dipping into our reserves is not necessarily a bad thing, that is what they are there for, what is bad is not restoring those reserves and keeping them healthy. In addition, this year our Temple Association, to which we pay rent, has had several unplanned expenditures to maintain the Lodge and grounds. There is a possibility that our rent may need to increase as a result.
While nobody wants to see our dues increase, it is our responsibility as Masons and men of honor to be fiscally responsible. In addition, it is required by code that our dues cover our operating costs.
Please join me at the November Stated Communication to pass this dues increase and keep our Lodge financially square.
Fraternally,
Bill Stout – Master
From the West
Hello my Brothers,
Where, oh where has 2017 gone? It seems we have flown through this year and no sooner did Halloween roll by, that Christmas music hit the airwaves, decorations glittered forth in the malls and stores, and the end of the year is in sight. The Scottish Rite, York Rite and Oasis Shriners have all completed their membership events for the year, the Grand Master has been ‘roasted’ for the first time in Greensboro, and we have a new Entered Apprentice on his Masonic journey. Meantime, I hope everyone reading this is current on his annual dues – if NOT, give us a call and let us know why. We have options.
We move forward now toward choosing our leadership for next year, so we want to see you in lodge!
Fraternally,
John Harder, SW, PM
From the South
Brothers,
Thank you Brothers. Thank you for the confidence you have put in me these last few years to include me in the line of officers. Thank you for your support and encouragement and for all the wonderful advice you have given. It has been a real privilege to serve our amazing lodge and I look forward to many years of continued fellowship with all of you. We are fortunate to have some of the strongest leaders a lodge could ever ask for, and even better is the fact that we have some outstanding brothers in line already. We also have several waiting in the wings that I expect to see great things from in the coming years. Our Junior lodge is in a good place and I know the future is bright. Thank you again for these past 10
years as an officer and I look forward to seeing you in lodge soon.
All the best,
Jim Lofton – JW, PM
From the Secretary
Brothers,
As we near the close of the 2017 year, we still have some very important items to cover before we end the year.
The November Stated Communication will be busy with the consideration and vote of the proposed increase in dues, the determination of the disposition of members who remain delinquent in their 2017 dues payment, and the election of our 2018 officers.
The 2018 dues notices will go out immediately following the November Stated, and these will be due by the end of the year. Please make sure to cue these up for payment, so that we can begin the 2018 year on a solid financial foundation.
The December Stated will follow with the closing of the Lodge of Sorrow and recognition of those who have laid down the working tools of life, and then Tuesday, December 19 will see the combined Service Awards presentation and the 2018 Officers Installation.
Fraternally,
Mike Hamrick, PM
Secretary