How would you sell the per capita increase to Grand Lodge?

[tomasball]

I have been going to Grand Lodge for twenty years now, and I always come away with observations about why this or that resolution went down in flames. It's unfortunate, but a lot of the time, resolutions don't fail because they don't have merit, but because they were handled poorly by the proponents. I rarely see a resolution pass and think, now, THAT'S how to do it; that person knew how to advance their cause.

On the other thread, I gave my opinion on why I think the Grand Master's Recommendation will fail. How about some ideas on how the per capita could be sold?

 

[owls84]

That is a great way to put it. I would like to see honesty of why our Grand Lodge is struggling. Don't pitch it as everything has been cut but just be honest and let’s address the cause of the bleeding instead of the pool of blood on the floor.

The fact is our membership numbers are horrible. We have consistently declined in membership since our peak in 1964. The drop is even going to get worse with projections in the 50,000 member range. Our leaders need to flat out say "Our numbers of membership is to the point where we can no longer operate any form of quality organization without a total revamp. The money issue is just going to get worse and there will be changes to committees and how business is handled."

Currently there are so many programs that are assigned to Committees that have not been looked at in 10+ years. Examples are the ALL and LIFE Program, LAMP Program, and others. We need a commitment that Committees are no longer going to be for titles but for results. We should be assigning each and every committee with measurable goals. We need to embrace technology not shun it. I can send an email for free but I am still having to mail most everything to GL and they mail it back. I understand that some require seals and such but we need to cut back where we can.

There needs to be some sort of assistance to Lodges that are feeling the struggles of the endowment fund that is not paying out. From talking to people around the state they are very upset that they were sold this program as being a great program then when the bottom fell they were not able to adjust to the decline. I think that is apparent with 3 out of 23 resolutions having some sort of change to the endowment fund. They range anywhere from repealing the endowment fund all together to endowed members not paying GL Annual Returns. This has caused an uprising of many PMs that feel GL don't know what they are doing. It is going to be a packed hall this year and it will be an interesting debate.

The sell on this is going to be tough just because no one likes to pay out of pocket more than they have to. I am all for alternate methods of raising the money and I wish we could have had options. We could have gone to a $20 a year subscription on the Texas Mason Magazine, but it better be a way better product. We could also sell Lodge advertisements or announcements for $10 to thank 50 year members or PMs for service or perhaps a Golden Trowel announcement. We could add a $20 charge to the EA FC and MM degree.

It all had to do with how it was presented and the way they presented it. Each DDGM came by and told the Lodges that GL must have this money or Masonry will suffer in Texas and ALL areas have been cut that could be cut. Many times you could tell the DDGM was not in support of it.

When you look at it there are plenty more areas to cut but I do feel the increase needs to happen but before it happens. I think we need show some sort of CHANGE in how we do business. Consider it a good faith effort. If you have a teenager and you give them $100 and they come back the next day and ask for another $100 you will question what they did with the other $100. That is all this is but for some time GL has felt that they did not have to answer tough questions and now that they do they can't figure out why. Lodges need to see effort on GL to change and they need guidance at times and I am saddened to say that many times they are turned away or told wrong information. I think it is too little too late now but I completely agree that had this been handled differently the whole debate would have changed. I think the Grand Lodge really underestimated the constituents by thinking they would buy into it 100% with little effort. I have yet to walk into a Lodge since this announcement was made that this was not the topic of discussion and the older guys (the ones with the vote) were not happy.

If I were to present this myself I would have had it broken down where your dollar would have gone 5 years ago compared to now. Show the increase in areas of the Budget and show where our cost has gone up. But those costs need to be on value added programs. But there needs to also be a plan to change how we retain out members. 1 out of every 4 EAs is a failure. You can say it is an investigation issue or perhaps the candidate did not feel comfortable. Either way there should be a plan to change this number and should be taught at MWSAs or in the LIFE Program. Grand Lodge need to change its image period. Grand Lodge needs to be there for the Lodges. All of this sounds like poo coming from me because I am just a Master Mason from Fort Worth but if a Grand Lodge officer was to sit there and say “We get it. We understand what is happening all over the state and we have a plan for the future. We need to keep our traditional values but move forward like other Grand Lodges and that will take time and money. We need to start today but our plan has measurable goals and results will be analyzed. A report will be given to your DDGMs and your DDGMs will be knowledgeable in the GL Law and procedures and be able to assist you in your needs as a Lodge. They will work with you to increase your retention and they will get to know your membership.†Having said that DDGMs should be in office as long as they are effective and are willing. I am tired of getting DDGMs that don’t know anything about Grand Lodge Procedures but they can shake a hand pretty well. Change the image of GL and you will change the member’s perspective. We did it on a smaller scale at the Lodge and it works. We can’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results.

Great topic though.

 

[tomasball]

The Grand Lodge should immediately (actually, they should use the grand time machine to go back and do it three months ago) set up a website devoted to providing all information bearing on this issue. It should include financial reports for at least the last five years, with each entry hotlinked to a detailed explanation of the particular income or expense. It should show membership trends. It should show the dues structure of other organizations, like Elks and Rotary. It should have a forum like this one, not for debate, but where people can ask all the picky questions they want about the budget. There should be a team of several well-informed brethren monitoring the forum at all times and posting prompt, thorough answers to all questions.

The Grand Secretary's monthly maintenance note should strongly urge all masons with any concerns about this issue to go to this site to have their questions answered. DDGMs should be ordered to publicize it.

Don't leave anyone an excuse to say the Grand Lodge hasn't been open and transparent. Leave them with nothing to do but vote.

Then when we get to Waco, make this the first item for consideration (those always pass, think back and you'll see I'm right) and open up by saying, we've done our best to make all the information available to everyone. Administrators come and go, but money is what fundamentally decides the quality of the service you get from your Grand Lodge. We think Texas Masons want and deserve the best, and expect to pay for it. Please tell us if we are right or wrong.

 

[rhitland]

Sold I vote yes!! Wait that is just a good idea not reality durnit.

 

[owls84]

Alot of stuff would pass if it had that kind of transparancy. Problem is I think they are ready to take that leap. Soon I think but not just yet. I would be happy with an easier to navigate GL website. I personally think the old one was better. Quoting a wise man I know, "I can't find anything on there unless it is by accident."

 

[MacFie]

1 out of every 4 EAs is a failure. You can say it is an investigation issue or perhaps the candidate did not feel comfortable.

Sorry, was in this post but off subject. One thing some of the smaller Lodges have been doing is actually calling the EA's! Hey, looks like we haven't heard from you since initiation, has anyone at all been in contact with you about learning your work yadayada?

But also, a lack of transparency seems to be an issue. From what I've heard from other lodges in the area, every time they bring up a question it tends to be responded with, "I am just here to give the idea and numbers, not answer for them" or the such. So to say, things just don't make sense.

 

[owls84]

"I am just here to give the idea and numbers, not answer for them" or the such.

That is exactly the response I have heard around here as well.

 

[rhitland]

Sorry, was in this post but off subject. One thing some of the smaller Lodges have been doing is actually calling the EA's! Hey, looks like we haven't heard from you since initiation, has anyone at all been in contact with you about learning your work yadayada?

But also, a lack of transparency seems to be an issue. From what I've heard from other lodges in the area, every time they bring up a question it tends to be responded with, "I am just here to give the idea and numbers, not answer for them" or the such. So to say, things just don't make sense.

Most do not want to hear anything but the numbers or at least that is what gets their attention. Getting up and advising others how to conduct their business works only when you are getting paid to carry out said directives. This organization is funny like that. I read your post and thought that is all it took all it took in our lodge as well but others as essential as they know it is will come back with excuses like "well if they do not come then they do not want it" or " not my job to call a bunch o people" or "they know where we are and have my number" on and on until the one carrying this message becomes exhausted and confused. I guess I am trying to say it is harder to convince someone you are right than it is to let them conceive the idea for themselves and support it. So I am left to believe the numbers are what enact change if I am not eloquent enough to tell you how to do it then I can show you through the numbers that what we are doing now is not working then let the ideas come to you on how to fix it or give you reason to come to me* and ask for help out of your free will.
(* me refers to someone intelligent and not myself so call Bill Linns or someone not me)

 

[rhitland]

I would like to have seen options instead of the only way is to nearly double per-capita. A PM in my Lodge had a great idea I thought of tacking on a GL degree fee of like $15 a degree. Maybe a prioritized list of committees and their bare bone budget so the Grand West could drop the ones least needed for time being. The doom and gloom message that all has been done and this is the last ditch effort to save Grand Lodge and their programs that are growing our fraternity so fast did come off wrong. I think you tapped into your Nostradamus Brother tomasball because from what little I know of the Grand West I bet it goes down almost word for word as your prediction in the other thread.
Great thread by the way.

 

[MacFie]

Would we really want to tack it on to the new members though? Might seem like it might hinder getting new members...then again, maybe not at all!

 

[rhitland]

we charge $150 at Ft Worth 148 and $200 at Tarrant 942 per degree and they never complain as a matter of fact when asked they are usually surprised by the low cost for the fraternity. just fyi

 

[MacFie]

Man I'd have to move a lot slower LOL

 

[rhitland]

we also already do it with the G Washington fund and Home and School fund

 

[rhitland]

Man I'd have to move a lot slower LOL

That is not a bad thing. to slow the process I mean, not you personally

 

[MacFie]

Glad I waited until Dallas to look into Masonry through...150 may have scared me away on something which at that point I was unsure of.

 

[owls84]

Glad I waited until Dallas to look into Masonry through...150 may have scared me away on something which at that point I was unsure of.

That is also the beauty of it. The people that have invested $150 are also sticking around a little longer and get a better taste. It is not the flavor of the month and these guys are "really sure" of their decision when it happens. We get about 10+ people inquire every month and we run about a 5-8 petition rate every month. It has got to the point we are having to outsource (courtesy degrees) some of our work because we can't keep up. Even with those prices we did over 100 degrees last year. I actually think it was closer to 150 but I can't remember the exact number. As Rhit says, usually when you are talking about the cost it has been the response of "Is that all?" I hear most.

 

[Blake Bowden]

That is also the beauty of it. The people that have invested $150 are also sticking around a little longer and get a better taste. It is not the flavor of the month and these guys are "really sure" of their decision when it happens.

Bingo!

 

[Dave in Waco]

That is also the beauty of it. The people that have invested $150 are also sticking around a little longer and get a better taste. It is not the flavor of the month and these guys are "really sure" of their decision when it happens. We get about 10+ people inquire every month and we run about a 5-8 petition rate every month. It has got to the point we are having to outsource (courtesy degrees) some of our work because we can't keep up. Even with those prices we did over 100 degrees last year. I actually think it was closer to 150 but I can't remember the exact number. As Rhit says, usually when you are talking about the cost it has been the response of "Is that all?" I hear most.

This goes along with what I keep hearing that Texas Masonry is too cheap. The more invested people are in an organization, the more time they will invest to watch over their investment.

 

[JEbeling]

If they were shaper they would have started a few years back and gone up and dollar or two every year.. ! would have made it simpler to swallow.. ?

 

[owls84]

I agree Bro. Ebeling.

Below is a quote found from the preceedings of the GL Annual Communication in 2008. It is a report from the finance committee. My question is if we knew in 2008 why did nothing get done last year or the year before. Surely Tommy Griffin did not hear the Finance Report first at the Annual Communications. As you said alternative ideas could have been generated all last year.

2008-2009 Budget

In accordance with 2003 Grand Lodge Resolution No. 36 and Article 121
a proposed budget for the Grand Lodge of Texas for the 2008-2009 Masonic
year has been prepared and made available at registration.

The proposed 2008-2009 Grand Lodge budget has total expected revenue
of $1,120,000 and a slightly lesser amount of expenditures. If adopted, this
represents a proposed income that matches the 2007-2008 actual income
with some adjustments for more membership and $166,000 less than the
2007-2008 budget expenses. Deputy Grand Master Counts was insistent
that a significant reduction in expenses be accomplished. The proposed
budget is attached to this Report by reference.

The proposed budget is based upon forecasts and assumptions developed
by Members of your Committee on Finance, assisted by Grand
Lodge Trustees and the Chairmen of other Grand Lodge committees, and
reflects proposed activities and programs for the 2008-2009 Masonic Year.
Circumstances unforeseen at this time by your Committee may result
in significant deviation from our expectations. However, your Committee
believes the proposed budget is adequate to support the objectives of the
Grand Lodge Officers and their committees.

Your Committee on Finance recommends adoption of the proposed
Grand Lodge of Texas Ancient Free and Accepted Masons budget for the
2008-2009 Masonic Year.

Grand Master, I move the adoption of this portion of the Report.

(The report was adopted).

Other Matters and Recommendations

The review of the financial affairs of the Grand Lodge and preparation
of the proposed budget should not be considered complete without analysis
of trends in membership, cash flows and our collective expectations for
the future. During such a review, certain matters, procedures, or information
relating to the affairs of the Grand Lodge of Texas, Ancient, Free and
Accepted Masons may be developed by, or come to the attention of your
Committee on Finance. Some of these, we believe, are worthy of inclusion
in our annual report.

Grand Lodge Per Capita Income

The Finance Committee previously reported that the per capita income
to Grand Lodge for operations was set at $10.45 by legislation passed in
1997 and has not changed since that time. Additional fees have been added
to the per capita amount but the amount for operations has not changed.
As the number of 50-Year members increase, the income to Grand Lodge
decreases.

The Finance Committee recommends that the per-capita for operations
should be set at $20 per member and that some form of annual automatic
escalation should be enacted to reflect the increase or decrease in the cost
of living. After analysis in the coming year, we will present legislation at the
next Grand Lodge Session to increase per capita.

Minimum Lodge Dues

The Finance Committee also notes that the Minimum Lodge dues of $30
per year was also set in 1989 and should be raised to $50 immediately.
Your Committee on Finance recommends approval of the Report and
other items referred to it.

Grand Master, I move the adoption of this portion of the Report.

GRAND MASTER GRIFFIN: Brethren, the motion has been made and
seconded that we accept this portion of the Report.
Is there any discussion?

Brethren, I recognize myself. We have - on the per capita situation we
have voiced our thoughts about it across the State in the 17 Conferences
and I know our Grand Master-Elect will do so this coming year. The programs
that we have set in the Grand Lodge of Texas, we feel like, are very
important and our per capita is at $14.25 per Member from each Lodge of a
paying Member, those that are qualified and eligible to pay their per capita.
Other States are $58 and $60 and just - we are one of the lowest States
that are paying per capita. We have quite a few Members, but we are losing
membership. We are right on the plane right now that we may be gaining
a little bit either at the end of this year or the coming year, but we have
to start thinking about raising it a little bit in order to keep the programs
that we have in place.

I just wanted you to think about that during this next year.

(The report was adopted).​