Consolidation

[Warrior1256]

Last night my home lodge, St. Matthews 906, voted to consolidate with Pleasure Ridge Park Lodge 959. In a way it is sad that more and more lodges need to do this because of declining numbers. On the bright side we are joining forces with some really great guys at PRP. They had previously voted for the consolidation and the vote by both lodges were unanimous vote. Now the By-Laws Committee of each lodge will get together and hash out a new set of by-laws for the new lodge which will be St. Matthews PRP Lodge 906. The proposal will then be turned over to the Grand Lodge for their approval. Both lodges will be starting a new and, I don't doubt, successful course.

 

[dfreybur]

I've been on the receiving end of consolidation in my California lodge and on the being absorbed end of consolidation in one of my Illinois lodges. It's better than just giving up a charter and having the members be "at large" Masons who have to handle their own affiliations.

Their are plenty of unwise consolidations. A healthy lodge can absorb a sick lodge and as long as it's not sick from personal problems do fine. But two sick lodges have to complement each other very well to result in a healthy lodge. Cash consolidating with a building. An active line consolidating with an advancing candidate pool. Two lodges that complement in such ways can make a healthy complete lodge. Unfortunately I've seen two lodges merge just because they were close to each other. And then several years later ask if we would like to absorb them. Yes we would be happy to absorb you.

While I was in the line Pasadena 272 absorbed Lamanda Park-Carmelita and Arabic lodges. One had been the result of a previous merger.

While I was in line the third time Arlington Heights 1162 was absorbed by Monitor-Lounsbury 522 then we changed our name to Barrington lodge.

 

[Warrior1256]

Two lodges that complement in such ways can make a healthy complete lodge.

In my opinion this is the case with our two lodges.

 

[hanzosbm]

My old lodge in KY was absorbed. My current lodge in CA is giving very serious thought to consolidating with another lodge. The problem here is that the brethren are from a wide range of locales, so there's no easy choice of which lodge to consolidate with. Almost our entire lodge holds dual membership, but with all different lodges. If the time comes (and I'm pretty sure it will), it's going to be a very tough decision.

 

[Brother_Steve]

What happens to the officers?

 

[Warrior1256]

What happens to the officers?

Before consolidation occurs a committee is formed within each lodge. These two committees get together and decide various matters including who the officer line up will consist of. In my case I will remain Master of the lodge until my term is completed in December.

 

[Glen Cook]

I've been on the receiving end of consolidation in my California lodge and on the being absorbed end of consolidation in one of my Illinois lodges. It's better than just giving up a charter and having the members be "at large" Masons who have to handle their own affiliations.

Their are plenty of unwise consolidations. A healthy lodge can absorb a sick lodge and as long as it's not sick from personal problems do fine. But two sick lodges have to complement each other very well to result in a healthy lodge. Cash consolidating with a building. An active line consolidating with an advancing candidate pool. Two lodges that complement in such ways can make a healthy complete lodge. Unfortunately I've seen two lodges merge just because they were close to each other. And then several years later ask if we would like to absorb them. Yes we would be happy to absorb you.
.

Excellent summary and comports with my experience.

 

[dfreybur]

What happens to the officers?

Some officers are new and active. They get interleaved into the line of the merged lodge. When my mother lodge absorbed a couple of lodges I ended up with a Brother before and after me from the absorbed lodges. but those were the only ones who remained in the line. And they remain active to this day.

If a lodge is considering consolidation there's a good chance several of the officers are retreads holding the lodge together by their efforts. What started as volunteering the help the lodge out became many years of holding the lodge up. This part of the line will breath a sigh of relief and join the corps of active past masters. This happened with me to rescue me from serving in the east a 4th time. Of course I've since moved to a new jurisdiction and may well do that anyways.

While the actual line is a part of the written agreement it's generally obvious if you know the individual men involved.

 

[Warrior1256]

If a lodge is considering consolidation there's a good chance several of the officers are retreads holding the lodge together by their efforts. What started as volunteering the help the lodge out became many years of holding the lodge up.

That's the case with the two lodges in question.

While the actual line is a part of the written agreement it's generally obvious if you know the individual men involved.

True!