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Cost of Dues

Lightseeker250

Registered User
Hello All, I am new, so I am just wondering how much it would cost to join my local lodge? And if the dues are due immediately? I'm aware cost varies, I'm in the southern california area so I am wondering if I can get a ballpark cost guesstimation? Thank You All Very Much. Take Care Everyone.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
You will need to reach out and ask a few local lodges - them them that's the advicce you were given by a Freemason because Lodge dues vary.

Its common for lodges in the USA to be <$100 per year, but my dues are around $350 in an area where within the city lodges dues can range from $150 to $1,000 per year, a great factor is what the lodge does, if it has a fine dinning with an orchestra it will need to charge members differently from those who get together for some eggs on toast, while if it supports a building or if a building supports them will also be a factor.
 

MarkR

Premium Member
There will most likely be an application fee and degree fees. Actual Lodge dues probably won't come until after you're a Master Mason.
 

jrnteach

Registered User
In my lodge the application and degree fees were @300 which also covered dues for the remainder of the calendar year. Since I was raised in January, I ended up paying dues of about 200 between the 2nd and 3rd degrees.
 

CLewey44

Registered User
Hello All, I am new, so I am just wondering how much it would cost to join my local lodge? And if the dues are due immediately? I'm aware cost varies, I'm in the southern california area so I am wondering if I can get a ballpark cost guesstimation? Thank You All Very Much. Take Care Everyone.
Good answers below but definitely join as early as possible in the year. Dont want to pay for degrees in mid to late year then turn around and owe the flowing year's degrees in January.
 

Phil P

Registered User
Hello All, I am new, so I am just wondering how much it would cost to join my local lodge? And if the dues are due immediately? I'm aware cost varies, I'm in the southern california area so I am wondering if I can get a ballpark cost guesstimation? Thank You All Very Much. Take Care Everyone.

I have connections in CA, but not in So-Cal though. However from what I've been told, CA has it's fees for all 3 done up front. I would suggest actually visiting some of the lodges at their stated meeting nights when they have dinner before the meeting. That way you get to know the guys & vice versa
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
My mother lodge in Pasadena currently has dues about $150 per year. Prorated dues are due the night of your third degree.

There is a degree fee for each degree that's currently less than the dues for a year. I think $100 per degree. The petition form says how much for all 3 degree together. It doesn't mention that you can pay for each degree as it is conferred, but it also doesn't say to attach a check. Most candidates see the price and attach a check.

Dues and degree fees are different for each lodge. They might be double or half what I report.
 

hanzosbm

Premium Member
I actually just wrote out my check for my dues a few moments ago for my lodge here in San Diego. The amount is/was $227 and from what I understand, we are on the higher side of things in the area.
As others have mentioned, when you first join, there are some additional costs for the degrees and whatnot. I'm sorry, I don't have the figures in front of me at the moment.

I'd be happy to answer any additional questions you may have.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
Why ? Because the building is not looked after or the food is poor or you dont do anything for charity ??
Exactly the point. Not long ago a Companion in my Royal Arch Chapter espoused the idea of raising dues. Another older and well respected Companion stated that since we had enough money to pay our bills, assessments and contributions to charities there was no need to raise dues at that time.
 

David Duke

Premium Member
Why ? Because the building is not looked after or the food is poor or you dont do anything for charity ??

I’m a member of the same Lodge as Bro Stright , I am not speaking for him but my answer would be “all of the above”.

While we are doing okay financially it would greatly reduce our dependence on fundraising to support Lodge operations. We will be having our only fundraiser dedicated to Lodge operations this weekend and I am holding my breath worrying about the weather keeping down the response since it was already postponed due to hurricane Harvey. We will be fine even if there is a low turnout but we shouldn’t be so dependent on fundraising to support the Lodge.


Sent from my iPhone using My Freemasonry mobile app
 

Bloke

Premium Member
I’m a member of the same Lodge as Bro Stright , I am not speaking for him but my answer would be “all of the above”.

While we are doing okay financially it would greatly reduce our dependence on fundraising to support Lodge operations. We will be having our only fundraiser dedicated to Lodge operations this weekend and I am holding my breath worrying about the weather keeping down the response since it was already postponed due to hurricane Harvey. We will be fine even if there is a low turnout but we shouldn’t be so dependent on fundraising to support the Lodge.


Sent from my iPhone using My Freemasonry mobile app
The idea in our lodges to have fundraisers to meet operating costs of a lodge is a foreign idea. Some do it for buildings, but the much preferred way is appropriate lodge rent, but particularly external lodge building hire.

I hope this weekends weather does not defeat your efforts brothers...
 

Bloke

Premium Member
Exactly the point. Not long ago a Companion in my Royal Arch Chapter espoused the idea of raising dues. Another older and well respected Companion stated that since we had enough money to pay our bills, assessments and contributions to charities there was no need to raise dues at that time.
The question is - is that enough ? Most brothers will say yes, and resist any push to save beyond the bills, but having a corpus of funds is a great asset to have - esp when its invested in something like shares, which have capital growth, but generate dividends to invest or spend.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
having a corpus of funds is a great asset to have - esp when its invested in something like shares, which have capital growth, but generate dividends to invest or spend.
Totally agree. Luckily two of the three of my lodges have sold their original buildings and property and now rent space and the third has a gigantic fish fry each week and invest the proceeds into stocks so that they are all healthy financially.
 
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