tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post1318648481072289330..comments2024-03-26T12:05:58.591-04:00Comments on Freemasons For Dummies: Massachusetts to Double Dues?Christopher Hodapphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04201859873755654395noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-11667849799540282992012-06-29T11:34:02.739-04:002012-06-29T11:34:02.739-04:00By now most will know that the gl dues increase to...By now most will know that the gl dues increase to 61 was approved and the mandatory initiation fee increase was not.<br /><br />My take<br />(a). doubling a membership fee is not good judgement, reflecting lack of previous realities OR poor communication. But even more foolish is spending in the red. However greater attention to budget at grand lodge and curtailing or placing a moratorium on ELECTIVE spending such as tv/radio ads - which frankly being in the same medium and channels has reached saturation levels anyway - very much seems in order.<br /><br />(b) The dictate to lodge to increase initiation fees also seems well-intentioned, but misguided as well. First, according to GL, lodges are responsible for gl dues not an individual member. Though lodge may by definition of their dues structure/bylaw collect it from each member. SO if that is true, then by association G.L should have no direct dictate as to how much a candidate must pay for initiation. Granted lodges are REQUIRED to purchase candidate kits from grand lodge which are overpriced due to among other things hard copy books that could be easily and more cost effective replaced by paperback or kindle editions. However whether a lodge passes those cost into initiation fees and lodge fees is and should be up to each lodge and its somewhat unique organization defined by its bylaws.<br /><br />Lastly, the argument used by many that we are undervalued is risky. Often comparisons are made to cost of golf club, country club, yacht club, etc membership are used to compare. THE PROBLEM doing that is those entities provide a direct physical benefit for that cost paid. Eg. docking fees, access to private golf greens, access to target ranges (sportsmans clubs), etc. Our dues do no such thing. That is not to say it has no value; most untrue. Its just making direct comparison is very flawed logic and fraught with peril in terms of making the comparison of what direct personal value to I get vs other clubs/associations.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07169774966204081031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-61231644145309108962011-11-04T20:33:13.292-04:002011-11-04T20:33:13.292-04:00Increasing from $30 to $60 is not a big deal. Eve...Increasing from $30 to $60 is not a big deal. Even with a $30 increase that is not a large dues payment, let's be honest here. Lodges can amend their bylaws if their dues are tied to the Grand Lodge dues.<br /><br />What is more of a big deal (and a totally bad idea in my opinion) is requiring all lodges to charge at least $300 to each new candidate for them to join. During a big recession no less. Great way to scare off new applicants and force a lot of lodges to do something they do not want to do.Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13441158618984603589noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-55489449818737719512011-11-03T20:57:57.030-04:002011-11-03T20:57:57.030-04:00What shocks me is the negative reaction to a $30 i...What shocks me is the negative reaction to a $30 increase. That's less than $3 a month. Skip a latte or a pack of cigarettes every month, or don't make that $30 impulse purchase that we all make from time to time, and see how quickly that's covered.<br /><br />Recession or not, from the way some people are reacting, you'd think the GL was asking for real money.Fuzzy Curmudgeonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03802539927743643041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-47321790583310102512011-11-03T03:34:47.338-04:002011-11-03T03:34:47.338-04:00Michigan did the same two years ago but decided to...Michigan did the same two years ago but decided to split the increase over 4 years.REKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05070279153193173380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-62724150149924002372011-11-01T13:08:45.048-04:002011-11-01T13:08:45.048-04:00Br. Tom - nothing in wat I have seen in the GM'...Br. Tom - nothing in wat I have seen in the GM's letter directs Lodges to increase their dues.<br /><br />Am I missing something?<br /><br />Br. AC is right on the money with looking at the Lodges which have tied their dues to GL dues for increases, via by-laws. I expect we will see a LOT of by-laws amendments before GL in the next 6 months.<br /><br />Meanwhile, I'm definitely going to pay life membership due for GL before 31 Dec 2011.MPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15904412888243979076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-15094657929982682162011-10-31T12:34:39.134-04:002011-10-31T12:34:39.134-04:00One of the potential issues with such a such a sud...One of the potential issues with such a such a sudden, sharp increase in GL dues is that a lot of lodges in Massachusetts have set their own dues as a multiplier of Grand Lodge dues, with the assumption that adjustments would be gradual over time; so a blue lodge whose bylaws state that dues shall cost 2 x Grand Lodge dues will charge its members a total of $88 per year; $29 per year for Grand Lodge, $1 assessment for the George Washington Memorial, and $58 blue lodge dues.<br /><br />If Grand Lodge dues jump to $59 per year, members of that lodge are suddenly going to be hit with a dues bill of nearly $180 next year. <br /><br />I also believe Freemasonry is too cheap in the U.S., but I'm not sure that an overnight dues increase of 100% will have the desired effect. (If you chase half of your members away by doubling dues, you're right back where you started.)<br /><br />Increasing initiation fees to $300 is a great idea, but only if lodges can provide that kind of value.A.C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12117678093305478443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-68933766302971126682011-10-31T08:30:46.316-04:002011-10-31T08:30:46.316-04:00While I believe that a Grand Lodge may charge what...While I believe that a Grand Lodge may charge whatever it deems appropriate as a per capita. I believe that to direct a constituent lodge, an autonomous body in most respects, what they may charge as dues is heavy handed. This is further complicated in Massachusetts as I believe there are a few warranted, "time immemorial" lodges who predate the Massachusetts Grand Lodge within its jurisdiction. Of course since it has already been accepted that the grand lodge may establish a minimum dues standard; the only remaining question is one of degree. <br /><br />Tom Hathaway, Ann Arbor Fraternity #262Tom Hathawayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14478575865364326988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-61282029798476927592011-10-31T00:17:18.046-04:002011-10-31T00:17:18.046-04:00The increase of initiated masons should cover for ...The increase of initiated masons should cover for the increase of dues. There is still a recession going on. What if we just said wait.John Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09510898647775410839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-79389301148896322072011-10-30T23:04:26.736-04:002011-10-30T23:04:26.736-04:00By initiation fees, I do hope at least they mean a...By initiation fees, I do hope at least they mean all 3 degrees?Donhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00800747668821356860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-36066877102569618232011-10-30T14:58:20.338-04:002011-10-30T14:58:20.338-04:00Value to worth, what do you get at with the greate...Value to worth, what do you get at with the greater expense that your not getting already?Greg Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17688459525360750872noreply@blogger.com