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Increasing Degree Fees

Blake Bowden

Administrator
Staff Member
I was looking at increasing the degree fees at the Lodge and our bylaws state:

Article VII
FEES FOR DEGREES

The fees for degrees of this Lodge shall be an amount not less than prescribed in Article 307 of the Constitution and Laws of the Grand Lodge and set by the Lodge from time to time. In addition to the regular fees collected by the Lodge, a $25 contribution to the Texas Masonic Charities Foundation shall be collected from each applicant for the Master Mason Degree. In addition to the regular fee for initiation, a $5.00 donation to the George Washington Masonic Memorial shall be collected from each applicant for the Entered Apprentice Degree.


Since the degree fees aren't specifically mentioned, would a simple vote by the Lodge suffice?
 

David Duke

Premium Member
I was looking at increasing the degree fees at the Lodge and our bylaws state:

Article VII
FEES FOR DEGREES

The fees for degrees of this Lodge shall be an amount not less than prescribed in Article 307 of the Constitution and Laws of the Grand Lodge and set by the Lodge from time to time. In addition to the regular fees collected by the Lodge, a $25 contribution to the Texas Masonic Charities Foundation shall be collected from each applicant for the Master Mason Degree. In addition to the regular fee for initiation, a $5.00 donation to the George Washington Masonic Memorial shall be collected from each applicant for the Entered Apprentice Degree.

Since the degree fees aren't specifically mentioned, would a simple vote by the Lodge suffice?

I would say yes a simple vote would be adequate; the key sentence to me is the first where it says the fee is set by the Lodge from time to time and no specific amount is mentioned. The way I interpret it is that the degree fee can't be judiciously adjusted/lowered but must be set by the lodge.
 
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Wingnut

Premium Member
Id suggest if you gonna do that you put in wording such as degree fees (and annual for that matter) will be established at $25 above the GL minimum. that way you dont have to update them every time something changes down in waco and go through the fight of having to increase the fees/dues.
 

rhitland

Founding Member
Premium Member
actually GL does not care to know degree fee or dues amount so long as they abide by GL law which is what you posted above. Kinda weird GL let you have GL law in your By-Laws? But it is a motion and a vote. Some lodges by-laws say it has to be in writing and lay over for a month but if your does not then it is even easier to do.
 
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