Matthew
J. Appel
Robert
Burns Lodge #243
P. O.
Box 2001
Alderwood Manor, WA 98036
May
12, 2011
Dear
Brother:
Greetings from the East.
Your Lodge is a vibrant collection of Brothers who
meet to share good fellowship, practice Masonic ritual, and improve ourselves as
Men and Citizens.
We value this entity that we call a Lodge.
It provides a place for men of many different places
in their lives to get together and meet under the umbrella of Friendship and
Brotherly Love.
As a living entity, it is from time to time
necessary to adjust the rules governing our Lodge to fit the current reality.
There are currently two proposals for changes to the
by-laws of Robert Burns #243.
The first is to change our
annual dues to $80 per year, from the current $55, and the initiation fee from
$204 to $220.
This amendment was proposed by the Worshipful
Master.
There would be an increase in the cost of life memberships,
as well.
This increase is necessitated by the continuing increase in
the cost of running the Lodge, as well as the increases in per capita charged by
the Grand Lodge.
If all of the proposals before Grand Lodge pass at
the June communication, we can expect the per capita to increase by 80%.
Similarly, the amounts currently charged for new
life memberships do not cover the per capita we pay today, aside from any
potential increases.
In order to continue our Lodge as a viable entity,
we must increase our revenue, and this is one potential path to do so.
We are exploring others, as well, including a Casino
Night fundraiser to be held in October.
The second by-laws change,
proposed by WB John Sutton, is to move the Lodge meeting place to the Edmonds
Temple from our current home in the Everett Masonic Center.
Currently, the leadership of your Lodge is
investigating all of the possible ramifications of this move, including rent
changes, storage, parking, etc.
We expect to have a representative from the Everett
Temple Board at our next officer meeting on 24 May, and will be touring the Edmonds Temple
on the 31st of May, in an effort to make a fully informed decision.
My Brother, please attend our
June stated meeting and make your opinion known; it is my intention to vote on
both amendments at that meeting. The meeting, at the Everett Masonic
Center, will begin at 7:30, after our usual dinner, which begins at 6:30.
It is my goal for us to make the best decision for
the Lodge as a whole, and the best way to do that is to have as many people
represented as possible when we vote.
That meeting will be Hawaiian shirt night, so
please, no suits and ties.
Thank you for the attention you
have paid to these matters.
They are important to the future of your Lodge, and
your considered opinion is very valuable.
Fraternally,
Matthew
J. Appel
Worshipful Master