Dues--What's too low and what's too high?

I think most people will be willing to pay more and a higher amount if they felt they got a quality experience for the money. But that's another discussion.
I recently read a suggestion that one should pay 365 USD in membership. Because 1 dollar per day to be a mason shouldn't be high to anyone. Not sure if I agree, but I like the idea.

chrmc said:

I recently read a suggestion that one should pay 365 USD in membership. Because 1 dollar per day to be a mason shouldn't be high to anyone. Not sure if I agree, but I like the idea.

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I know of at least one lodge that does that, and would guess there were more.

Looking at dues from before 1960, and applying appropriate conversions, the same level of cost would be around $100-$200 annually in present dollars. Of course, this was when GL's cut was proportionally smaller.

BryanMaloney said:

Looking at dues from before 1960, and applying appropriate conversions, the same level of cost would be around $100-$200 annually in present dollars. Of course, this was when GL's cut was proportionally smaller.

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And that is true, but the really interesting statistic is comparing to dues in the 1860's. Can't remember the specific calculations, but believe it would be several thousands a year.

chrmc said:

And that is true, but the really interesting statistic is comparing to dues in the 1860's. Can't remember the specific calculations, but believe it would be several thousands a year.

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Gold was at $25 per ounce until 1933. Silver was near $1 per ounce until 1963. Neither metal has been close to either for a long time and their ratios never were as stable has the minted coin sizes suggest.

Annual dues before the civil war were around a half ounce of gold. Converting gold to inflation is of dubious accuracy but it does match actual prices better than CPI claims.

I think my lodge dues are too low. Here's why:

My lodge has several fundraisers each year that some of the brethren enjoy working on. We use these monies to support our community support programs. (Reading incentive program for Elementary School children, and a scholarship for High Schoolers)

However I feel that the time spent on fundraising could be better spent practicing our ritual, and educating newer brethren.

In my humble opinion the monies for the programs we support as a lodge should be built into the dues structure. If that is done then ALL of the members have participated, instead of the same small group of volunteers over and over again each year.

My lodge dues are $85 per year. That equates to 23 cents per day.

If I stop once a week for a coffee at Starbucks that costs about 93 cents per day, or $338 per year.

I would happily pay the price of a cup of coffee for better mentoring, Masonic education and fellowship.


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^ what he said. My dues are also $85/yr. I'd gladly pay more for better quality. If other can't afford it then I'd even chip in for a "scholarship fund type thing".


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K3vin said:

I think my lodge dues are too low. Here's why:

My lodge has several fundraisers each year that some of the brethren enjoy working on. We use these monies to support our community support programs. (Reading incentive program for Elementary School children, and a scholarship for High Schoolers)

However I feel that the time spent on fundraising could be better spent practicing our ritual, and educating newer brethren.

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Counter-point view - The lodge that works together stays together.

I'm not afraid of being in a lodge that runs on shoe strings as long as there are activities on the calendar.