Ok I want to update my response from earlier. I have heard all sides of this debate and I feel that it does both. The intentions of Grand Lodge was to do what I said earlier and create a system of unification but due to the problem with some Lodges or individuals pushing Grand Lodge Law to the edge, it has caused them to govern closer, basically micro-managing. I see areas that I am confused about why Grand Lodge would even waste their time controlling that (mainly confused due to ignorance). Things like why can I not have a raffle for the Lodge fundraiser, with the money going to the Lodge? Why make that mandatory that the money go to a charity. Why would Grand Lodge feel the need to step in and mandate how we raise money for the Lodges or what we must do with our money as a Lodge, yet we are not a charity? Just little things like that. I just see so many resolutions and edicts being passed eventually our law book will be much like the Constitution changed so many times no one knows why or what it was originally written for.
When was the last time someone from Grand Lodge read the Law book to fix the contradictions? I know at the businesses I have worked at we look at our procedures annually to see if they need to be changed, removed, or kept. I mean it seems like from year to year the past Grand Master's programs get dropped and forgotten about. Take the ALL Program or the LIFE Program. These programs are so far outdated it is a shock they are still required. How hard would it truly be to update these programs annually? I guess what my complaint is why do we appoint people to these committees but do not require them to do any real merit work. If you are going to be on an education committee give me an education program. If you are going to be on the internet committee then give me a website that will knock people’s shoes off. The sad thing is the more I see the more I wonder why some, not all, the committee members are appointed or even serving. Is it just for personal recognition? Do these members just want a name badge and be announced at each meeting? I am not saying EVERYONE on a committee is like that but I have seen some that just get down right upset if you don’t mention their name and title at a meeting yet you never see production from them. I would like to see accountability with these committees. Give reports monthly and have them sent out with the Secretaries Monthly Maintenance Report. Let the Lodges see what you are working on and how much progression you are making. Let’s hold people accountable and in turn make Lodges and Masonry stronger. Due to these reasons I am changing my answer to this to both, Grand Lodge helps and hurts individual Lodges.
Sorry for the rant but I just believe if you put good resources in then you will get a better product out and I see our Grand Lodge spinning their wheels on a lot of issues. I did not mean to step on anyone’s toes on this either but I feel like someone needs to say it and put it out there.
When was the last time someone from Grand Lodge read the Law book to fix the contradictions? I know at the businesses I have worked at we look at our procedures annually to see if they need to be changed, removed, or kept. I mean it seems like from year to year the past Grand Master's programs get dropped and forgotten about. Take the ALL Program or the LIFE Program. These programs are so far outdated it is a shock they are still required. How hard would it truly be to update these programs annually? I guess what my complaint is why do we appoint people to these committees but do not require them to do any real merit work. If you are going to be on an education committee give me an education program. If you are going to be on the internet committee then give me a website that will knock people’s shoes off. The sad thing is the more I see the more I wonder why some, not all, the committee members are appointed or even serving. Is it just for personal recognition? Do these members just want a name badge and be announced at each meeting? I am not saying EVERYONE on a committee is like that but I have seen some that just get down right upset if you don’t mention their name and title at a meeting yet you never see production from them. I would like to see accountability with these committees. Give reports monthly and have them sent out with the Secretaries Monthly Maintenance Report. Let the Lodges see what you are working on and how much progression you are making. Let’s hold people accountable and in turn make Lodges and Masonry stronger. Due to these reasons I am changing my answer to this to both, Grand Lodge helps and hurts individual Lodges.
Sorry for the rant but I just believe if you put good resources in then you will get a better product out and I see our Grand Lodge spinning their wheels on a lot of issues. I did not mean to step on anyone’s toes on this either but I feel like someone needs to say it and put it out there.
). Even if you reported the income and the subsequent donation, you would not be able to use it as an deduction. If you don't mind the tax hit you would take, then there is nothing wrong with it, and it would be a very generous gift to the lodge on your part.