The fundraiser question .

**Ashlar521** · 01-11-2008, 08:04 AM

Our new Master asked if we had any ideas for fundraisers the other night , because we just don't have the money coming in to cover our yearly expenses . He put me on a commitee to come up with ideas . I stood up and told them that the best , easiest and smartest way to raise money to cover our expenses was to raise dues . Boy , I got some dirty looks over that one . They said that was the easy way out , and I said that was the only way out . There was alot of talk of how we would lose members , the ones that never come to lodge , if we raised dues . Then I really got got some nasty looks when I said that may get rid of the fence setters and ring wearers . That's me though , I'm very vocal , sometimes a little to vocal . The dues have never been raised in our lodge in over 20 years ,except a two or three dollar Grand Lodge increase here or there . If a Mason thinks that a lodge can run this day and age on the same dues they were paying 20 years ago or better needs to think again .

So here's my question . Do you have trouble from your members when and if there is a need to raise dues ?

**BG_TRBL** · 01-14-2008, 05:42 AM

Absolutely yes, We have encountered the same problems as well, however, it is my opinion to avoid raising the dues if at all possible. Monies are difficult to come by, I truly understand that, but raising dues shouldn't be your first choice. Fund raisers do definately help, energy conservation should also be a concern. We have run into this problem with our lodge, and with the temple association in our lodge, needing money to keep things going. Luckily we were able to acquire a yearly fund raiser, which assists us with our yearly drought. Just remember, If you raise dues, (I'm sure you will probably lose a few members) you will never decrease them if/when your lodge is supported again.

Of course this is just my opinion, and with what my/our lodge has gone through in the past.

**Ashlar521** · 01-14-2008, 06:57 AM

I wouldn't mind a fund raiser here or there . But it's always the same handful of Brothers donating there time and money to put it on . I know I've worked everyone , myself . We have some new blood coming into our lodge so that might help though .

Papa · 01-26-2008, 12:12 PM

The quickest fund raiser is for the same 10+- brothers that always seem to show up and remain active to pass the hat and take up a collection.
Doesn't cost anything and you might average about $100.00 per, netting $1,000.00 without having to hold an event for those same members to have to spend the money, time, and effort for a lot less result.?

**Ashlar521** · 01-28-2008, 05:17 AM

That is what I stated our last meeting . It would be easier than going to all the fuss for little results .

01-11-2008, 08:04 AM	#1 (permalink)
Ashlar521 Semper fidelis Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kentucky Posts: 616 Blog Entries: 3	The fundraiser question . Our new Master asked if we had any ideas for fundraisers the other night , because we just don't have the money coming in to cover our yearly expenses . He put me on a commitee to come up with ideas . I stood up and told them that the best , easiest and smartest way to raise money to cover our expenses was to raise dues . Boy , I got some dirty looks over that one . They said that was the easy way out , and I said that was the only way out . There was alot of talk of how we would lose members , the ones that never come to lodge , if we raised dues . Then I really got got some nasty looks when I said that may get rid of the fence setters and ring wearers . That's me though , I'm very vocal , sometimes a little to vocal . The dues have never been raised in our lodge in over 20 years ,except a two or three dollar Grand Lodge increase here or there . If a Mason thinks that a lodge can run this day and age on the same dues they were paying 20 years ago or better needs to think again . So here's my question . Do you have trouble from your members when and if there is a need to raise dues ? __________________ Freemasonry is "veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols" because these are the surest way by which moral and ethical truths may be taught. It is not only with the brain and with the mind that the initiate must take Freemasonry but also with the heart. -C. H. Claudy

01-14-2008, 05:42 AM	#2 (permalink)
BG_TRBL "Laus Deo" Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: #232 Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania Posts: 298	Absolutely yes, We have encountered the same problems as well, however, it is my opinion to avoid raising the dues if at all possible. Monies are difficult to come by, I truly understand that, but raising dues shouldn't be your first choice. Fund raisers do definately help, energy conservation should also be a concern. We have run into this problem with our lodge, and with the temple association in our lodge, needing money to keep things going. Luckily we were able to acquire a yearly fund raiser, which assists us with our yearly drought. Just remember, If you raise dues, (I'm sure you will probably lose a few members) you will never decrease them if/when your lodge is supported again. Of course this is just my opinion, and with what my/our lodge has gone through in the past. __________________ P.M. LaBelle Vallee Lodge #232 P.H.P. Lafayette Chapter #167 Sir Knight (Hospitallier Commandry) Prophet (Zafar Grotto) Enlightenment is for those who can open their blinds and realize, there is more to life and understanding.

01-14-2008, 06:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
Ashlar521 Semper fidelis Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kentucky Posts: 616 Blog Entries: 3	I wouldn't mind a fund raiser here or there . But it's always the same handful of Brothers donating there time and money to put it on . I know I've worked everyone , myself . We have some new blood coming into our lodge so that might help though . __________________ Freemasonry is "veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols" because these are the surest way by which moral and ethical truths may be taught. It is not only with the brain and with the mind that the initiate must take Freemasonry but also with the heart. -C. H. Claudy

01-28-2008, 05:17 AM	#5 (permalink)
Ashlar521 Semper fidelis Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kentucky Posts: 616 Blog Entries: 3	That is what I stated our last meeting . It would be easier than going to all the fuss for little results . __________________ Freemasonry is "veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols" because these are the surest way by which moral and ethical truths may be taught. It is not only with the brain and with the mind that the initiate must take Freemasonry but also with the heart. -C. H. Claudy

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01-26-2008, 12:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
Papa Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Baja, OK Posts: 6	The quickest fund raiser is for the same 10+- brothers that always seem to show up and remain active to pass the hat and take up a collection. Doesn't cost anything and you might average about $100.00 per, netting $1,000.00 without having to hold an event for those same members to have to spend the money, time, and effort for a lot less result.?