My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Solicitation from the Grand Lodge of Texas

Blake Bowden

Administrator
Staff Member
Just got something in the mail about bags, coins or some other crap, I really didn't read through it. That being said, the budget shortfall of $400k+ caught my eye. When will the Grand Lodge realize they'll have to cut back? I know I don't want a bag, tie, nor do I want to send Grand Lodge any additional funds. I'm trying to take care of my own Lodge on a local level than worry about that monstrosity (facility) in Waco. Am I wrong? Share your thoughts...
 

Benton

Premium Member
I'd like to know why there is a budget shortfall from the Grand Lodge's own mouth. If those solicitations had a, "We screwed up making these decisions, here's what we're doing to fix it, but in the mean time please help us out," in front of them I think they might be received at least somewhat more amiably than, "Give us money because we spent too much."
 

JJones

Moderator
I agree also, I'd rather give money to maintain my own lodge rather than donate to GL so they can maintain their palace.
 

Blake Bowden

Administrator
Staff Member
This is what I posed on the MoT facebook page. It'll ruffle some feathers...


The other day I opened my mailbox and noticed there was an urgent letter from the Grand Lodge of Texas. Hurriedly, I opened it up only to notice pictures of a bag, keychain, etc.

I'm not really interested in merchandise, especially when it's being solicited. Then I see a long message from our M.W. Grand Master asking for more $$$ because the GLofTX has a budget shortfall of $400k!!! What about the local Lodges that are on the brink of demise? Where can they get help? Should they continue making Freemasonry a sign up sheet for fundraisers? That's what Masonry is evolving into.

The biggest turnoff new members have is being rushed through the "Chairs" and being asked to work their tails off because the Lodge "needs them". It should be the other way around! Does YOUR Lodge teach the symbolism of Freemasonry or do they prefer bickering over light bills, who will mow the lawn, who provides the next meal, etc?

To the Grand Lodge of Texas. A $400k+ budget shortfall this year? Why not look at ways at cutting back? How come members haven't been proposed a plan to reduce the budget? Year after year we are told sad tales on how we NEED the Grand Lodge and that we NEED to support it. What's the plan other than soliciting funds? I'm listening.

The Masons of Texas received this letter, yet continue to bust our tails trying to keep our own doors open. We're asked to perform acts of charity, keep our lights on, send GL money AND if there's any time or effort left, teach Freemasonry.

I know each year we're told that Freemasonry is growing in new membership, but what the Grand Lodge fails to mention is the hundreds, if not thousands of Brethren we loose every year. Unless we, as Texas Masons, get someone in the Grand East who understands that tough times lie ahead and difficult choices have to be made, nothing will change, it will only get worse.

Blake L. Bowden
W.M. Gonzales No. 30 A.F. & A.M.
Founder of Masons of Texas and Freemason Connect
 

California Master

Registered User
I agree with you Worshipful Master. I know that when I was raised in 1978 in South Houston 1295, there were 250,000 Masons in the state of Texas. Where are we now? I heard somewhere around 100,000 members?
 

Ashlar

Registered User
I agree with you , though I am from another jurisdiction . Every year at Grand Lodge session , I go over the Grand Lodge's advanced Treasurer's report with a fine tooth comb . What they spend (on themselves) is ludicrous ! If any Mason has not looked over their annual Grand Lodge treasurer's report , DO SO . You will then know where the money goes .

But not only in the Craft Lodge , I am tired of getting letters begging for money from the Scottish Rite also .
 
Last edited:

Brother Mark

Registered User
I have gotten two letters from grand lodge. One asking for more money, and the other saying we didn't send enough. I am not made of money. I can't send 150 dollars to grand lodge just because they can't control their spending. I agree if the letters said along the lines of look this is our mistake, we are working to fix it, and can you help us out in the mean time, but to have no plan to control spending and trying to rely on donors is not a way to run things. Just my .02 cents worth
 

Ashlar

Registered User
Maybe they need to throw a few fundraisers , say a few bake sales , grapefruit sales , fish fries , breakfasts' etc; etc; .

Sorry , could not help myself .
 

A7V

Registered User
wow, I have never gotten anything like that from the Grand Lodge of Hawaii that I know of, what does the Grand Lodge of Texas have to pay for to be 400k in the hole? Is building maintenance that much?
 
E

eagle1966

Guest
We had this same discussion in our Lodge at the last stated meeting. One of our brothers had made a donation and had recieved the bag and wallet, he said that he had not donated to recieve anything and was going to return with a letter stating his discuss with the solicitation letter to begin with. He is a retired banker and told us that he could not run a bank using the Grand Lodge method and wondered how long it would be before it was too far in debt to ever recover. All of the brethren in the Lodge argeed with him and he is going to bring his letter to the next meeting and everyone is going to sign and send to Grand Lodge. Maybe more Lodges should send letters to GM and trustees.
 

Txmason

Registered User
Bro. Blake,
Perhaps take the envelope they send to you and mail it back to GL empty. Hopefully they'll get the hint. Congrats on being WM! Does your lodge have a pin with your lodges name on it?
 
Last edited:

Benton

Premium Member
Bro. Blake,
Perhaps take the envelope they send to you and mail it back to GL empty. Hopefully they'll get the hint.

Or perhaps mail it back requesting funds for a poor and penniless Master Mason who is in debt for unmentioned reasons because he spent beyond his means... maybe that would drive the point home...
 

cemab4y

Premium Member
This discussion reminds me of the federal government ,which is going into debt at the rate of $40,000 (forty thousand dollars) per SECOND.

Grand Lodges often believe that they can spend themselves rich. They also think that they can have something for nothing. If a Grand Lodge wants to spend, then they should have the backbone to go directly to the Masons in their jurisdiction, and state their needs, and then set their annual assessments at a rate, adequate to meet their expenses.

All masons should be demanding that their grand Lodges practice fiscal responsibility.

With the number of masons declining, and the resultant drop in contributions, Grand Lodges could and should switch into a "growth mode", and see about getting an increase in membership. Then these fiscal problems would disappear.

My 2c
 

Michaelstedman81

Premium Member
Following this thread, two things have come to mind for me.

First, IS there a way that we could get things changed with the way Grand Lodge (ours and any other) operates when it comes to budgeting? I mean, can we propose some sort of proposition or by-law amendment that forces the Grand Lodge to have a balanced budget? I mean, the State of Texas government itself has that requirement, why would it not be a good idea to apply to our GL's spending and budgeting habits? Or is making a proposition or resolution impacting this kind of thing not really allowed?

I mean, having a really nice building and a huge library for the GL is great. Have at it. I also understand the need to update things for the building or whatever else, but our local lodges are also in need of repair and we can only do things that our lodges have the money for. Whether you agree that fundraising for the local lodges' operating expenses is right or not, it looks to me like GL only conducts fundraisers aimed at soliciting money from Texas Masons. Either way, if a local lodge needs a new A/C, flooring, and roofing done, but only have the money for one or two of those projects, guess what happens? The lodge has to decide which one is more important and is needed sooner. They can't really just have it all done and EXPECT all the Masons and non-Masons in the community to rally up and foot the bill.

Second, really how much does it cost the GL themsleves to purchase those bags and wallets that they are offering? Also, count in the cost of printing and mailing it to all the Masons. I really don't see a huge percentage of Brothers that got the mailings just up and contributing for those items. I just don't see it as being too cost effective. Is there a way that we can see at the end of the year just how much the GL brought in on this big drive? And how much they had to shell out with the share that they got to keep?

I don't know. I haven't had too much dealings with GL in person, so I'm sure there is a ton of information that I am missing out on. I don't want to see the Grand Lodge go into a huge debt or us have the possibility of losing any part of it. I'm pretty much a fan of being able to balance the budgets and watch the doggone spending so that we don't all of a sudden look at the books and find out that this year alone we are expecting to be $400k in the hole. How many other years have they ended the year in the hole? Is that $400k combining all the previous years that there was a deficit, or is that just for this year?
 
Top