Masonic Musings from ME!

It had been an exciting afternoon. The officers from the several lodges in the Western-most part of the jurisdiction were enjoying a mid-afternoon break in their bi-annual ‘Best Practices’ forum. Begun nearly a decade earlier, it gave interested lodge leaders, regardless of their stations, an opportunity to share information on what worked and what didn’t. The incoming Grand Master in his travels around the state had been suggesting that every district might want to start such a program since it had proven so successful. As the men milled around, munching on snacks and drinking coffee or soda, The Old Webmaster – who was invited to talk about the value of a lodge website in a lodge’s life – was approached by a fellow he’d met quite briefly at Grand Lodge the prior year.

“I got here late this morning due to some car problems but I heard that the talk about lodge budgeting was pretty interesting. I don’t know if you remember me or not.” The two men exchanged names and a familiar handshake and they were – almost as if by magic – long time friends. “I heard some talk at lunch about this Adopt-A-Geezer program and wondered if you could tell me about it.”

“Absolutely, my Brother.” replied The Old Webmaster without hesitation. “Several years ago, our lodge’s new Treasurer attended a seminar on lodge finances. He came back to our lodge and decided to look carefully at where we’d been and where we were headed. Projecting anticipated future expenses, he realized that we’d need to be raising our dues – perhaps significantly – in the near future. Because we have a number of men who’ve been given an life membership as a result of their very conspicuous hard works over several decades, it was also clear that increases in the Grand Lodge per capita tax would result in an additional burden.”

“My Brother. I don’t mean to sound stupid but I’ve just moved to this jurisdiction and I guess I’m not really familiar enough yet with the terminology to appreciate the problem. We don’t have life memberships where I come from. We do have honorary members though. Are we talking about the same thing?”

“Maybe – but maybe not.” said The Old Webmaster. “The terms are sometimes different from one grand lodge to the next but if it’s an honor awarded by the lodge rather than something purchased by the individual member, then it’s probably pretty much the same concept. As you know, an individual lodge owes Grand Lodge an amount of money for each member on their rolls. Some may call it a poll tax, a head tax, or whatever. We call it a per capita tax. Usually, that’s part of the dues that’s collected from each member annually but in the case where dues have been remitted by the lodge – either because of an honorary or life membership or as a result of a financial hardship the member is facing which makes paying his dues impossible – there is still the amount to pay to Grand Lodge each year.”

“So how does this Adopt-A-Geezer program work then?”

“The Treasurer was at an officer’s meeting where he brought up the potential problem for discussion. One of the older Past Masters who was there chimed in that the lodge just couldn’t abandon those old geezers like himself for whom the honor had been granted – and he readily offered to pay for not only his own Grand Lodge dues but that of at least one other person. Our Treasurer – being a guy full of humor and mirth – quickly interjected that all they now needed was for someone to adopt the rest of the old geezers. Well, this struck a chord with everyone in the room and each offered to do so. They then paused: what if the older members of the lodge took umbrage at the term? ‘Ah, not to worry!’ said the Old Past Master. He’d was in contact with most of them anyway and would make it his duty to speak to every single one, telling them that this was a great idea which they, as the old geezers, should be pretty pleased about – and that it would give the lodge some fun as well.”

“And it was as simple as that?” The Mason was clearly taken by this idea.

“The Treasurer decided to make a big deal out of it. To do it humorously so that no one would feel obligated or would take offense. And it has worked awfully well for our lodge. Each year when dues bills are sent to the membership, the Treasurer includes a separate sheet which explains the program and asks for donations. If a member wishes, he’ll receive a cute ‘Adopt-A-Geezer’ certificate by return mail but nearly all of the fellows just double their dues payment and be done with it. It’s a good deal all around because it allows the lodge to make good on their honors and their financial commitments at the same time without injury to anyone.” The Old Webmaster smiled broadly. “And nobody takes umbrage at being referred to as a ‘old geezer’. You’ll want to make sure the lodge is agreeable to the concept, that you’ve got some who’ll immediately sign on, and that all of those who will benefit by it understand that they’re not being made fun of…. I think those things are VERY important.”

From the other side of the hall, the speaker was encouraging all to return to their seats for the rest of the program that afternoon. “Adopt A Geezer….. Who would have thought?” They both smiled and headed off to their seats: another lodge ‘best practice’ had been shared!

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Thanks to RW George Macdougall, PSGW from Piscataquis Lodge #44, Milo, Maine for the inspiration for this blog posting.

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