A Masonic Delusion
I received a call from the Master of a Lodge last week, explaining that due to the pandemic the Lodge had lost its major source of yearly income, and could not survive unless replacement funding was found.
As I understand it some of our other Lodges are in similar situations.
These situations are extremely unfortunate, but they all are the result of an irrational delusion that seems to have gripped the vast majority of our Craft.
No one in their right mind could possibly believe that a major building, perhaps four times the size of my house, could be supported by a Lodge of approximately 50 men, only half of which are actually dues paying members, while those dues are $30 per year.
Around $750 in dues per year, to support a major building. Can't be done. Yet far too many Lodges have convinced themselves that it can be done, and they have stuck with such an irrational formula for decades.
Lodges that try this manage to do nothing with their buildings but keep the lights on. No improvements, no meaningful maintenance, no modernization.
We, as today's Freemasons inherited some truly spectacular buildings from the men who went before us, but in far too many cases, we will leave nothing of value to those who come after us. Frankly, this is shameful.
Previous generations made tremendous sacrifices to provide our Lodges with the material wealth they enjoy today, yet it seems that many of us are willing to sacrifice virtually nothing to ensure a comfortable future for our Fraternity.
Not to mention the fact that building expenses are only one part of the myriad of costs a Lodge faces every year.
The present practice of selling Freemasonry cheaply can not continue. If it does, it will eventually collapse under its own weight.
I have three suggestions that I hope our Lodges will consider:
Increase dues to a rational level.
How much does it cost to run and maintain your Lodge building? How much does it cost to provide good meals at Lodge meetings? How much does it cost to provide quality, fun, educational programs to the members of the Lodge?
Figure those things out, divide it by the number of dues paying members, and now you know what each Mason should be contributing to the Lodge each year.
When increasing dues, don't forget to increase the cost of life memberships as well.
Personally, I can't see any way that a Lodge can reasonably function with dues under $120 per year, significantly more would be even better, and significantly more would still be quite a lot lower than what many service clubs expect their membership to contribute.
Set up a regular schedule for dues level reviews. Inflation happens each and every year, Lodges can't survive if they only react to inflation once every two or three decades.
Lastly, some members are going to complain and say that they already pay too much because they belong to three Lodges, the Scottish Rite, the Royal Arch, Eastern Star, and the Shrine. Well, the only answer that can be given in that case is that if a man can't afford to do everything, he should concentrate on that which is most important.
Make your Lodge building a community center again.
When our buildings were built, especially the oldest of them, they weren't just used by us. They were truly community centers. Places where weddings, parties, and all manner of events were held.
Hosting events like this has become extremely rare, as it seems that folks don't want to invest the time they require, or don't think that the income realized will be worth it.
Let me tell you, we do have Masonic buildings that specialize in weddings and similar events, and the profits are tremendous. A building can very easily pay for itself, and return income to the Lodge.
Community rentals, priced according to the quality of the facility, can easily put a Lodge back on the track to financial success.
Don't worry if your building isn't perfect now. Just adjust the price downward to properly reflect its condition. As the rental moneys begin to flow, they will pay for improvements. Once improvements are done, prices can be raised.
Consider if your Lodge really needs to own its building.
In some places, we as a Fraternity, own too many buildings. They were built in a time when roads were not good and horses or primitive cars made travel slow.
Do we really need to own two major Masonic buildings within five miles of each other in this age of freeways and the modern automobile?
I am not suggesting that Lodges consolidate and lose their identity.
I am suggesting that if there is another Masonic building in close proximity, a Lodge consider selling its building and moving into its neighboring Lodge's building.
Two Lodges working to support one building is much better than both trying to go it alone.
I hope that if your Lodge is struggling financially, you will consider bringing one or more of these ideas up to your Brothers.
#LodgeBuildings #Dues #Rentals
-Cameron
Cameron M. Bailey Past Grand Master The MW Grand Lodge F&AM of Washington
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