Per Capita for Grand Lodge of Texas

Precisely Bro Porter!!!!! I have been stressing that to deaf ears now, to the point I'm tired of saying it. We have things broken and not working, and we're giving out $1000 scholarships...

On what planet does that make sense?

Ashton Lawson said:

Precisely Bro Porter!!!!! I have been stressing that to deaf ears now, to the point I'm tired of saying it. We have things broken and not working, and we're giving out $1000 scholarships...

On what planet does that make sense?

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We still have to donate to charity to keep our tax status, otherwise that's more expense going out the door. Still, we could scale our charitable contributions back a little to make sure our house is sound so that we can keep providing charitable contributions to our communities.

I know in my Lodge, one of the things I am pushing this year is a total review of our finances. I know right now, we are bleeding some of our money just operating since our endowed memberships from GL aren't providing returns, our Building Assistance fund doesn't pay our rent, and our dues are too low. So that's one thing we are taking a good serious look at this year. I don't think we are really so much wasting money as we are just not having our money working for us as best it can.

I have a disagreement with how Grand Lodge and others are disseminating the methods to meet this requirement. Read Section 11.18 of the Texas Tax Code here: http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/TX/htm/TX.11.htm

I would strongly argue that we have no concerns when it comes to this issue, solely on the existence of the Shrine, York Rite, and Scottish Rite. These organizations consist entirely of Mason's, who cannot exist without their roots in Blue Lodge, and who must maintain their Blue Lodge memberships to be in those appendant bodies. Seeing as we are directly and unseverably connected to them (currently), we are one of the largest charities in existence by default.

I see nothing in the tax code that disagrees with that. Even without that link, I think we more than meet the qualifications anyway, based on what the tax code itself says.

I voted yes on this, for a couple of reasons. Every time dues being raised is mentioned the brothers with an endowed or lifetime membership are the ones who oppose it. If I eat at sonic twice in one year then I've paid the additional increase. Two times visiting fast food versus taking care of our craft!

What membership do you (each person here) have for a year that is $50.00 or less? I don't have any, even my professional dues are more then that. You read about lodges that were built a hundred years ago by their members this wasn't done out of fundraisers, it was done with each member digging deep in their pockets and making it happen. We have a awesome building in Waco, yes it is a building but it is a symbol of dedication, love, and brotherly solidity. We should be putting the same love and dedication into the Texas Masonry as the previous generations. This isn't intended towards any lodge but I've seen lodges abandon beautiful buildings for a metal building because it made sense financially. Whether this was due to a loss in membership or the cost upkeep etc, it was still a lost in the history of Freemasonry. History doesn't make us but it is something that we should keep a hold of and cherish.

My views may not be popular on this subject however for me it all comes back to what I spend money on. I can go to Austin Land and Cattle and spend $100-$200 on a single meal or can I spend that money for the betterment of the craft which has given me so much in so short of a time. *I use the term betterment, probably isn't the correct word* I haven't been to Austin Land and Cattle for a few years but that is a Sonic meal once to twice a month. IMHO

The idea that we have to give money away or lose money to maintain tax status is a fallacy of the worst kind. A kind of Masonic wives tale that has stopped us from thriving in many ways.

well the nays have taken the lead

This is a very difficult situation that we find ourselves in. To me the best decision would be to trim the fat in the GL's expenses, but this takes very disciplined leadership. I'm not saying that our GL officers are not the right people for the job, but I don't know if they are. In fact, I don't know anything about our GL line, because we run our elections of officers like it is a popularity contest instead of a true election of men who are best fit for the job. I think we have had some great men as leaders over the years, but we have also had some men who were lacking in leadership. Could you imagine if we voted for our President of the U.S. the way we vote for GL officers...we would end up with Miley Cyrus as President. Since I was raised as a MM, I have always been against the way we pick our leadership. I believe that the men running for office should be allowed to express to us how they plan to fix our problems, what their ideas are for the future, and what masonry means to them. I wish they were able to recognize supporters, and not financial supporters, but men who support their beliefs in the way they feel masonry should be headed. And the reason for this is because they might recognize someone that you know in masonry and that you respect for their beliefs in the craft.

I know I'm pulling away from the subject, but my lodge went through some tough times and if we hadn't had the outstanding leadership that we had at the time, we might have had to demise. Instead our leadership took charge and pulled us through and now we are doing better than ever. The problems we faced were not small problems, infact we were facing bankruptcy. We were losing $200 every month and we had very little money in our account. We tried everything to turn our situation around, but nothing worked. We started bringing in new members on a regular basis, but we were losing just as many to death. The only solution to our problem was selling the building, but no one wanted to see that happen. Long story short, it took a lot of time and effort from our WM, officers, and many other masons, some who weren't even members of our lodge to finally make it happen and we were able to get out of a building that was bring us down. After the sell, many thought we would fall apart and disappear, but we didn't. We came back stronger than ever. More members attend our meetings than ever before, we have more petitions than ever before, we have more money than ever before, we do more charity work than ever before, and for the first time in the history of our lodge we received the Van Gaurd Award...All because we had great leadership...and we did it all without a building of our own.

If our GL leaders cannot figure out a way to solve our problem, then I will gladly pay my share, but I believe that our leaders should first look at every option, and let us know what their finding were, before they raise our per capita.

I'd like to know how much it costs us each year to maintain the Grand Lodge facility.

You might be able to decipher that from the past year's Proceedings & the reports of the Grand Master, Grand Treasurer, & Grand Secretary. Have fun!

Address the issues we can:

I am an endowed member - who would be OK paying the GL Dues & cover any missing return on my endowment in the years the GL cannot/does not pay returns. That's still less than full dues.

I don't think that the older Mason's living on fixed incomes in retirement should pay more.

I don't think that it's right for degree fees to pick up the slack. That's not fair.

We're talking about $14.70 per head? I haven't seen the GL presentation yet. We'll receive it at our next stated meeting.

I'd have to say that you can't prolong mortal life indefinitely ~ so your only option is making Masonry more vital to the new generation coming.

It would be nice to better understand the reasons behind those who join right now. And, it would be beneficial for some "exit" survey of those we lose during candidacy to understand their reasoning - with the end goal of fixing the issues we can.

I'm fortunate that the Lodge I belong to is very welcoming of us newer Masons. I feel wanted, needed, valued, on and on. I even have the opportunity to do some work for the Lodge. Which is good for me and good for Us.

I think that Masonry will really have to look at a 2.0 version that is more in line with upcoming generations of Masons. The underlying principles will never change. However, the way younger people communicate today, building personal communities online, and interact on a daily basis in a 24X7 connected environment - sometimes literally minute by minute - Masonry needs to be able to be a part of that lifestyle.

Overall, I don't see $14.75 a year driving Masons away from Masonry. However, we have to do better than 25% retention of EA's.

Having reviewed the 2010 budget for Grand Lodge in depth, I change my vote from no, to absolutely NOT!

Grand Lodge needs to re-evaluate their priorities and learn to belt tighten. Lodges have been learning this the hard way for years, and I say now it's their turn.

This drive for a Per Capita increase is only treating a symptom and completely ignores the problem.

BrotherJ said:

Address the issues we can:

I am an endowed member - who would be OK paying the GL Dues & cover any missing return on my endowment in the years the GL cannot/does not pay returns. That's still less than full dues.

I don't think that the older Mason's living on fixed incomes in retirement should pay more.

I don't think that it's right for degree fees to pick up the slack. That's not fair.

We're talking about $14.70 per head? I haven't seen the GL presentation yet. We'll receive it at our next stated meeting.

I'd have to say that you can't prolong mortal life indefinitely ~ so your only option is making Masonry more vital to the new generation coming.

It would be nice to better understand the reasons behind those who join right now. And, it would be beneficial for some "exit" survey of those we lose during candidacy to understand their reasoning - with the end goal of fixing the issues we can.

I'm fortunate that the Lodge I belong to is very welcoming of us newer Masons. I feel wanted, needed, valued, on and on. I even have the opportunity to do some work for the Lodge. Which is good for me and good for Us.

I think that Masonry will really have to look at a 2.0 version that is more in line with upcoming generations of Masons. The underlying principles will never change. However, the way younger people communicate today, building personal communities online, and interact on a daily basis in a 24X7 connected environment - sometimes literally minute by minute - Masonry needs to be able to be a part of that lifestyle.

Overall, I don't see $14.75 a year driving Masons away from Masonry. However, we have to do better than 25% retention of EA's.

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Great response with many great ideas but if I may go through it and make a few points and ask a few questions. On point one concerning Endowments a lodge is not allowed to require an endowed member to pay anything in the way of dues. Our lodge before rasing dues asked for about 3 years for donations from endowed members with little sucsess. I know most would be glad to send in money but in todays fast pace world it is lower on the priorty and often gets overlooked. I have always been of the mind you have a financial responsibility to lodge even if endowed but that is not how it was sold to the brotheren when it was concieved. The law would have to change to force endowed members to pay.

If you live in the Masonic retirment center you are exempt from dues but otherwise GL laws says everyone has to pay the same amount and the same way with money only. This again would require a change in GL law.

On the degree fees I would like to hear why you feel this is not fair? For every MM degree a ldoge already has to donate to the George Washington memorial in D.C. How could it hurt to add a little more so every Mason contributes to their GL. EA and FC are masons as well and I feel could help carry the burden. Let me give some numbers. In 2007 Texas Masons did 2964 EAs and if we charged an extra 15$ on that degree that went to GL tis would raise $44,460 for just an extra $15 bucks. Now on to the FC we did 1998 in 2007 and if we charged just $10 here $19,980 and then MM we did 1949 @ $10 extra a degree Gl would net $19,490 for a total of $84,420 whish for the small increase in degree fees adds up to a big number which could lower the amount we have to raise per captia this year.

The increase is from 14.25( I beleive) to $25 and since most Masons are on fixed incomes and in retirment this increase is hard to swallow as oposed to us young ones who can still work and afford such an increase.

On becoming more vital to future generations. I thin many want this increase to do just that but are not getting the feeling that much will change and all the increase will do is allow GL to continue as is.

On better understanding why new guys join that would fall on the investigation committees which all MM should help with as knowing why others join can help you better understand your own Masonic path. Exit survey i beleive is another thing that will happen if a good mentorship program is in place. Which it souns like your lodge has.

As a Master mason suspended for non payment of dues.( because of a increase I could not afford ) I see and can definitely understand the fiscal need for raising dues, while at the same time, I can see a lot of members especially those on fixed incomes, not being able to meet the price increase. 15 dollars may not seem like a large number, but there have been numerous times where 15 dollars would have gotten me through a tough spot.. I lost the thing I loved most because I was to proud to ask for money. Believe me when I say just knowing in my heart I was made a master mason has pulled me through the toughest time of my life and made me straighten up and live the life a Master Mason should.. But knowing the demands that this will put on some members especially those without endowments, I can see the loss of membership and the breaking of many a proud Masons heart.
Fraternally
Clay Christian

cchristian875 said:

As a Master mason suspended for non payment of dues.( because of a increase I could not afford ) I see and can definitely understand the fiscal need for raising dues, while at the same time, I can see a lot of members especially those on fixed incomes, not being able to meet the price increase. 15 dollars may not seem like a large number, but there have been numerous times where 15 dollars would have gotten me through a tough spot.. I lost the thing I loved most because I was to proud to ask for money. Believe me when I say just knowing in my heart I was made a master mason has pulled me through the toughest time of my life and made me straighten up and live the life a Master Mason should.. But knowing the demands that this will put on some members especially those without endowments, I can see the loss of membership and the breaking of many a proud Masons heart.
Fraternally
Clay Christian

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Brother, Thank you for your post. I really appreciate the lesson you bring and it is a good one but a question I always ask is why go suspended for NPD? Every letter is sent as Secretary stated that there are a few options from demiting for a year to the Lodge paying you dues. I have never been in a lodge that did not pay the dues for a Brother that asked. Other than the obvious ego answer is there a reason that a brother that could not pay would not ask?

Please don't take offense as I know it a troubling question but at one of my lodges I belonged to they voted to pay all of the dues for the members in arrears and I have a problem with that but I am really wanting to know the other side if you will.

Wow, Its still a wonderfull feeling to be addressed as Brother!!
In all fairness to the discussion and thread I want all to know that It was a series of events that led to my going into arrears. I was a member of Garland lodge #441, Garland chapter, council, A.C. Garrett Comandery, & Rose of Sharon council # 49.. SO I already Had A huge chunk budgetted every year... I was 29 years old and making great money, then I got married lol.. When I lost my job that year I was a newlywed And My wife who had a misuderstanding of our wonderfull fraternity, was in charge of the inglorious duty of bill paying. And it "miraculosly" got over looked. On top of that My first wifes ( and only other wife) father was in the same lodge and york rite bodies. It was a rather uncomfortable situation.
My ego was huge then And Orville one of the best men I have been lucky enough to be on the level with, had covered my previous year, It was a feeling of helplessness and I did not want to feel like I was using others to pay my dues.
Now Soon to be 35 I have realized the impact that masonry has had in my life.. Knowing that I have received the most valuable emblem and the badge of a mason. is what saved my life when I gained my sobriety back late last year.
I am sure that the secretaries of my mother lodge and appendant bodies sent the notices, why I never saw them remains an issue between my wife and I.
But being Raised is and always will be the most honorable personal acheivement I will ever accomplish..

Fraternally Yours,

Clayton

P.S. My cable tow is extended through the Personal Message system. I would Absolutely love to hear from all.

I would hate to see the Grand Lodge demise for lack of funds. So for now I feel that we have no other option but to vote for the increase. But, I would like to add that the Grand Lodge building was constructed in 1953 when we had many more brothers to contribute to it's support.
Maybe it's time to think about taking the building out of the discussion. The building is only used less than 2 weeks a year for Grand Lodge and the York Rite. The parking is non existent and the building needs thousands of dollars in repairs.
The offices, museum and the library could be moved to a more modern building and the meetings could be held in the Heart of Texas Colosseum. It has sufficient parking and the facility is more than adequate for our needs.
Our numbers are falling and we need to think out of the box on this issue. I know that these comments will stir up many negative comments. But I believe that we must explore ALL options as far as cost and expenses are concerned.
Jim McCormick
Sr. Warden
Cedar Bayou #321
Baytown, Tx.

Well said Bro. McCormick!

BrotherJ said:

We're talking about $14.70 per head? Overall, I don't see $14.75 a year driving Masons away from Masonry.

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I'm told that the proposal is to increase the current per capita by $10.00- from $14.25 each to $24.25 each- an increase of 70%. In our Lodge, the annual return, currently $684.00, will increase to $1,164.00- a pretty healthy jump.

macjames53 said:

I would like to add that the Grand Lodge building was constructed in 1953 when we had many more brothers to contribute to it's support.
Maybe it's time to think about taking the building out of the discussion. The building is only used less than 2 weeks a year for Grand Lodge and the York Rite. The parking is non existent and the building needs thousands of dollars in repairs.
The offices, museum and the library could be moved to a more modern building and the meetings could be held in the Heart of Texas Colosseum. It has sufficient parking and the facility is more than adequate for our needs. We need to think out of the box on this issue. I believe that we must explore ALL options as far as cost and expenses are concerned.

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I agree, in principle. If we were to sell the property we currently have & build or buy an office building, we could rent out the space we were not using & make the building pay for itself. Why should that building in Waco? Austin is much more accessible & the seat of our state government. There is also a greater demand for office space in Austin, which would make our excess space easier to lease.

As to the Grand Communication, why not move it around to different areas of the state every year, such as other bodies do? This year- Dallas. Next year- Houston. The following year- Lubbock, and so on. This way we could have various hotels & meeting centers compete for our business, rather than be a sitting target for the Waco hotels as we have been for years. This would also let the Lodges in the area in which the Grand Communication is being held that year act as hosts & give them a chance to shine.

I don't claim that this is the best idea, but I believe it's worthy of consideration.

I think that would be a great idea, because it would allow a lot of lodges who never even send anyone to the Grand Communication to have the event closer to home occasionally. I know that there is no excuse for not sending someone in your lodge to GL, but many lodges don't due to the distance and the lack of feeling needed. This would give them the feeling that they are needed, especially if they are asked to help host, and they wouldn't be able to use the excuse of distance if it was in there area. Also I think this would make them feel more like Grand Lodge truly belongs to them. I think you are on to something Brother Lins.