Thoughts from the East

Brethren,

Over the past several years, it has become apparent that Sacramento Lodge has expenses that exceed its income. Previously, higher yields from our investments have enabled us to cover most shortfalls through interest withdrawals. It is now painfully clear that we cannot expect the same benefit for any foreseeable future. Our investment yields have dwindled to a trickle, and we have been forced to dip into our investment principal to cover various expenses, both regular and unplanned. This was

done just a few months ago to the tune of $10,000. If this trend continues, our investments will be depleted in less than two decades. At that point, we will be financially destitute and we run the risk of ceasing to exist as a Masonic Lodge.

I believe we must draw a line in the sand, and do it now. None of us would treat our personal finances in this manner. We have a responsibility toward ourselves and to future generations of Masons to display good stewardship of our resources.

I have made copies of the Finance Committee report of May 2010 available in the Secretary’s office. Per our current roster, we have 117 members who pay regular dues of $60 per year. Subtracting the $20 per capita sent to Grand Lodge, this gives us $4,680 in income. Our expenses in 2009 were $13,863. Our current expenses have to be covered by current income. Based on these numbers, it is my firm belief that our Lodge dues must be raised to $120 per year.

In addition to this, we must consider cost cutting measures as well as fund raising measures as outlined in the report. However, unless we address the problem with the 800 lb. gorilla in our Lodge room, we will only continue on our current path toward financial destitution.

Furthermore, I believe we must establish a separate Building Fund to address future costs associated with maintaining our aging building. Paying building maintenance as part of our monthly expenses makes for wildly fluctuation bills, and prevents any attempt at accurate budgeting. A building fund can be established in several ways. One way would be to make a lump sum payment from our investments to the Fund, and then continually keep it filled with voluntary member contributions.

Finally, I have tasked the Finance Committee with researching the possibility of creating an endowment for our investments. This is how the Grand Lodge of New Mexico and many other non-profit groups manage their money. An endowment stipulates, in binding legal language, how an investment is to be managed and used. This prevents any frivolous withdrawals. It is entirely up to the group that creates the endowment what those conditions are. The main idea behind this is to establish solid goals for the use of our funds.

An endowment would function together with our dues increase, a streamlining of our expenses, and a focused approach to fundraising. The more I have thought of this broad approach to our finances, the more sense it makes. We cannot have one without the other. That said, I want to open up for suggestions and discussion among all members. See you in Lodge !

Fraternally,

Jorgen Hallbeck, Master.

Words and thoughts from the West

It’s that time of the year again when everyone is out traveling to almost any and everywhere. If you are traveling in our state why not see if you can visit another Lodge and let them know, who you are and where you are from This in turn may be the key to having members from other Lodges visit us. If you are going north, Santa Fe (Montezuma 1) meets on the first Monday, Taos Bent 42 on the third Monday and Gallup (Lebanon 22) on the second and forth Monday.

These are but a few of the many Lodges that meet on Monday evening. There are about ten more throughout the state that meet on Monday. If you are interested check with Del Sanders he has a list of what Lodges in our state meet on what night.

Let other Lodges know that we are active and friendly and invite them to visit us. We have a great Lodge Building and we should show it to other from everywhere, not just our state but from all other states and countries.

As you travel check out newspapers from where ever you go, most Lodges publish their meeting times along with a telephone number to get information about the location of their Lodge.

Let’s show other Lodges that we are friendly and that they are welcome here. Who know it may lead to some friendly visitation challenges between lodges.

Troy Poovey, Senior Warden

From the Secretary's Desk

Brethren, we have just celebrated another Fall County Fair and I hope that you had a great time there! We began the celebration with the Fair Parade on Saturday, August 7th. The Lodge had a parade float. Two people stand out in this endeavor: Brother GL Tucker, who pulled the Float after helping to assemble it, and Brother Randy West who rode on the Float with me and then assisted in disassembling it. Sister Grace Woolsey and Daughter Joe Ann Talley rode on the Float, Grace Woolsey in front with GL and Joe Ann Talley on the trailer with Randy and myself. Joe Ann had three of her great grand-daughters with her. They just waved and waved, and I believe they waved the Float into a Second place WIN in the Float division. Yes, that’s right! We won second place in the Float Division! Sacramento Lodge also participated in manning the Tularosa Food Booth and the Masonic Information Booth. This last is the closest we ever come to soliciting new members, but it is an effective way when the people in the booth can answer the visitor’s questions promptly and correctly. Several of the visitors picked up petitions with the thought that when they had time they would fill it out and, if accepted, would become Masons in one of our District Lodges. We hope that they all will petition and the lodges will see an increase in our membership rolls.

During this time the Lodge was contacted by an out of state Lodge to present a Fifty Year Award to their Brother who was currently living in New Mexico. He was found in the Health Care Center in Mescalero and in due course presented with his award. This is an especially moving experience to all participating and it was great to see the Brother as he received his award.

By the way, Sacramento Lodge will be presenting their twenty-five and fifty year awards on the 27th of October following a Lodge dinner. The Grand Master will be in attendance and possibly other Grand Lodge Officers, so come on out and help us celebrate the Brethren who have attained this plateau. I call it a plateau, because we hope the Brother will continue to be an active member in the Lodge.

We lost seven members to SNPD this year, but I have hopes that some of them will soon be back in good standing. I believe that their failure to pay their dues was due to a lack of communication due to changes of address. We truly hope that they will be prompted to get in touch with the secretary and make their current dues payment.

This is an active month, what with the Fair Parade, the Fair itself, all the stated Meetings and a Masonic District Workshop on August 21st in Tularosa Lodge. I hope all the Brethren who had not attended a Masonic Workshop before were able to attend this one... It is the first one for this District in several years, so. We will learn floor work, some ritual and the District Deputy Grand Master had time to impart changes in the Grand Lodge Law that have been recently enacted so that we can all be better informed. One of the topics was the recent edict concerning a background check to be performed at the Grand Lodge level for all petitioners for the degrees, and how this will affect the local investigation.

There were many more topics of interest to all so that everyone who attended received Masonic pay for his time spent there.

Fraternally,

Delmar A. Sanders, PGL

Copyright © 2006-2010 Phil Grau

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