I am very pleased that the brethren have elected me as your secretary. In the 48 years that I have been a Master Mason the craft sure has changed. Participation has dropped off and our brothers have been failing to contribute to support the success of the lodge. The Grand Lodge continues to increase our per-capita each year to insure their financial survival. Within a few year the per-capita tax may surpass our dues which are now $60.00 per year. The Grand Lodge per-capita tax is $51.00. Our membership dues have failed to keep pace with the cost of operating the Lodge. For example,. the lodge underwrites the Hall Association around $50k/year to insure that we have a beautiful and safe place to meet.
We have 21 Entered Apprentices, 5 Fellowcrafts and 259 Master Masons for a total of 285 members as of January 15th. We have lost 6 members who have passed away and 3 members who have demitted. As of January we have 12 members who have not paid their 2017 dues and 78 members who still have not paid their 2018 dues. We have 66 life members and 36 members whose dues are being remitted. Neither of these two groups is required to pay any additional monies to the lodge annually.
We have a great group of officers this year and a lot of planned activities for the benefit of our members and their families. The thing that I look forward to is our potluck dinners. These will happen any time there is a fifth Thursday in any given month.
Our annual crab feed will be held on the 23rd of February. This has been the biggest event of the year. Our kitchen crew does themselves proud. Great meals come out of our kitchen thanks to the staff who really works hard to please our members.
This year we will honor five of our members with their Golden Veteran’s Award - 50 years a Master Mason.
The officers are working hard to have a very successful year, come and be a part of that success.