The fundraiser question .

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

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.

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 .

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

How did you make out? Did you raise dues, or have a successful fund raiser?

We have not raised our dues . We have a yearly golf outings now (this one coming up will be the third one) , we cook the meals for a couple of other golf outings that local unions put on and they donate a substantial amount of money to the lodge . And we have a few other things going on that raise a huge amount of money for the lodge and our charities . We have more money in our checking and savings account than we have ever had , so we are doing well now .

That is good to hear. We have discussed various ideas how to raise more money. We did have to double our dues too.

Have you ever thought of a golf scramble ?

I know our Lodge does something with a golf tournament, not exactly what. We also do a bowling competition. As most of our Lodge money was tied up in stocks, we were hit hard the past few years. Our Lodge is also fairly old, and things have been breaking down regularly. Last month it was the fridge with all the food.

We have a large lodge in my area who had most of their money in stocks and were hit hard also . We keep our funds in several accounts , the general fund are in our checking account , the bulk of it is in a savings account and then we have another savings account where our money for charities/scholarship fund sets .

We have money set aside for different things like you. We have CDs, and savings. But the bulk was in stocks from what I can gather. That and the repairs we have been doing has just eaten away at what we have had.