Dontrell Stroman
Premium Member
I have often wondered what happens when a freemason is in their later years and can't remember everything pertaining to the craft. Does someone vouch for them ? Can they just show a dues card ? Does anyone know ?
This is excellent, totally agree.If you mean when he visits other lodges, they probably shouldn't be making their examination of visitors so demanding that someone whose ritual proficiency has slipped can't pass. When I've been asked by the WM to examine an unknown visitor, I check the dues card, ask a couple of simple questions that any Mason should know, hit a mode of recognition or two, and call it good. I certainly don't expect anybody to be doing a "prove-up" to visit.
If I was visiting, and they started raking me over the coals in the examination, I'd probably apologize for bothering them and take my leave.
Under the Grand Lodge of Texas, any Brother who has been in good standing for 50 years or more is exempt from dues. There was a proposed resolution @ our Annual Communication this past December to raise the exemption age to 60 years. That proposal crashed & burned.after you reach a certain age, do you have to continue paying dues ?
This is great!I've seen brothers away from lodge long enough they only knew one sign. That and a current dues card got them in with a reminder of when to stand and sit. We take care of our own.
This is very sad.They never came to take the picture and this guy became disappointed. He had spent so much time in the craft and they never even came and saw him while he was in the nursing home. I went to his funeral and never saw a Masonic burial.
Same here in Kentucky.Under the Grand Lodge of Texas, any Brother who has been in good standing for 50 years or more is exempt from dues.
Which broings the me to my next question, after you reach a certain age, do you have to continue paying dues ?
Total.Buy an endowment long before I ever have to ask if that's 50 years total or 50 years in that jurisdiction.
I'm now paying on an life membership for the AASR. When that is done I will get one for my mother lodge. After that I will get one for the York Rite. That way if I become unable to pay dues in my latter years I will be O.K.Bro Bill already posted the Texas answer. Note to self - Buy an endowment long before I ever have to ask if that's 50 years total or 50 years in that jurisdiction. Then continue to send my lodges checks most years anyways just as I always have.
The Grand Lodge of Scotland no longer allows the purchasing of what it calls 'life membership'. The reason given is that the lodge is then burdened with annual expenses such as the brother's share of Grand Lodge Assessments and other lodge expenses every year. The point out that the money charged for such a membership was seldom invested to generate revenue, and that even if it was the annual interest usually failed to keep up with increasing expenses.Knowing there would be a time when my income will be drastically reduced I have purchased a perpetual blue lodge, a perpetual SR, and a Perpetual knights of St Andrews. Working on one for York Rite and Shrine. I'm in my mid 60s so the perpetual memberships are insurance against that time.
The Grand Lodge of Scotland no longer allows the purchasing of what it calls 'life membership'. The reason given is that the lodge is then burdened with annual expenses such as the brother's share of Grand Lodge Assessments and other lodge expenses every year. The point out that the money charged for such a membership was seldom invested to generate revenue, and that even if it was the annual interest usually failed to keep up with increasing expenses.