The amount charged for the degrees varies with each Lodge. Each Lodge is allowed to set the amount they wish to charge plus there are mandatory charges from Grand Lodge.
Payson Lodge No. 70 charges a flat $90 for all three degrees.
Added are the following:
Grand Lodge Fee $12.00
Geo. Washington Memorial Fund $15.00
Masonic Charities of Arizona $ 5.00
Arizona Masonic Foundation for Children $ 5.00
These extra fees of $37.00 are added to the $90.00 for a total of $127 charged to the Candidate and are collected from the Applicant upon his filling out and submitting the application form. If he is rejected with a black cube (rarely) then the entire amount is returned.
However, once he had received the first degree and should he choose not to advance or for any other reason, there is no refund of the balance.
Other Lodges in Arizona charge as high as $200 plus Grand Lodge fees to a low of $90 in a survey I made last year. We have discussed this amount recently at a Board of Trustees meeting and, considering the costs expended by the Lodge for Apron, Bible, Engraved Trowel plus Lodge overhead costs, are going to propose to the membeship at the next stated meeting to increase the fees to $150.
We do not charge Dues until the brother has passed his proficiency in the 3rd degree. Then he pays on a pro-rated basis depending upon the month of the year he is raised otherwise we would have a lot of 3rd degrees piling up in December and January.
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Richard Skoglund, PM
Secretary
Payson Lodge No. 70
Payson, AZ.