Remitting Dues for 50 Year Members 

Men who have been Freemasons for a period of more than 49 years are exempt from paying dues at least in Pennsylvania.

For some reason, unknown to me, each Lodge must make a separate motion to remit the dues for each and every 50 year member.  Since these men are exempt from paying dues because the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania says they are exempt from paying dues, I see no reason to even bother making a motion to remit these dues.  I wonder what happens if the motion does not carry?

By about September of each year the Secretary should determine which members of their Lodge will become 50 year members during the next Masonic Year. (I think it is a Masonic Year and not a Calendar Year.  This could be important if a man was made a Mason on 28, 29, 30 or 31 December.  If you know please advise me.)

Doing this is simply another waste of the Secretary's time since it is required anyway.

The Secretary is usually the one to make a motion to remit the dues of each and every man who will be a 50 year member during the next year.  It must be seconded by another Master Mason.  The Worshipful Master will call for a vote.

The motion can be something like this: "I move that the dues for Brother John D. Doe be remitted for the ensuing Masonic Year beginning on St. John's Day Next."