Raising the rent

[Number4]

The incoming Worshipful Master of our craft lodge has decided unilaterally and without consultation to double the rent paid by all the appendant bodies that use the premises. The only reason given for this is that the rent has not been increased for many years. Now the lodge is quite wealthy and owns several rental properties, with a steady source of income and a very healthy bank account. The York Rite and Eastern Star will be financially crippled by this move - $1000 rent will leave the commandery with just $300 to operate with; the WM has been advised of this but remains unmoved. The demits are a-coming!
Oh, and the Secretary and Treasurer have just been given massive pay raise, just to add insult to injury

 

[Winter]

Bylaws? Rental agreements? Finance committee? And how much do your secretary and treasurer get paid? What grand lodge is this?

 

[Number4]

Virginia, and nothing in the by laws covers this, it has always been at the will and pleasure of the Worshipful Master, who has often waived the rent entirely as there is no financial need. We have not needed a finance committee until this year.

 

[MarkR]

I don't know the statutes of Virginia, but I would think that, since there's nothing in the lodge bylaws giving this authority to the master, a member of the lodge could make a motion on the floor to override this, just as a Grand Master's edict can be negated by the members of Grand Lodge at the next communication.

 

[Winter]

I just find this very odd. Your statement, "the lodge is quite wealthy and owns several rental properties, with a steady source of income and a very healthy bank account" seems like the Lodge would almost have to have some kind of finance committee. Especially since the Grand Lodge of Virginia's Financial Manual says that it is the Duty (not option) for the incoming WM to appoint a Finance Committee at the beginning of his year. And one of their stated duties is to manage invenstments.

https://vma.grandlodgeofvirginia.org/wp-content/uploads/Documents/financial_manual.pdf

 

[Number4]

Perhaps there was a finance committee in previous years or maybe the trustees handled everything under the umbrella thereof, I neither know nor care at this point. The whole thing leaves a bad taste in the mouth