Pa Freemason November 03 - Grand Master Open Letter

To: The Worshipful Masters, Wardens and Members of Pennsylvania Lodges

Dear Brethren:

After announcing that the Resolution to amend the Ahiman Rezon would be voted on at the December 3, 2003 Quarterly Communication, I offered the following comments:

I would like to comment briefly on the Resolution for the dues increase. As noted in the Resolution you have just heard, the last dues increase for Grand Lodge took place in 1991 12 years ago. Since that time, our membership has been steadily decreasing from 172,542 in 1991 to our current membership of 130,822, a loss of 41,720 Members.

The need for a dues increase has been considered for several years. Although the Grand Lodge has explored every possible avenue available to avoid this increase, we realize that we must face the necessity of it.

Realizing that some of our Subordinate Lodges will have to increase their Lodge dues to meet this proposed Grand Lodge increase, I have authorized the Subordinate Lodges to increase their dues by $8.00 and to bill this increase for their dues for 2004 in anticipation of the adoption of the Resolution in December. After adoption of the Grand Lodge dues increase at the December Quarterly Communication, it will be necessary for each Lodge to amend their By-Laws by the end of the year 2004.

I would reiterate that Grand Lodge has not increased their dues since 1991, or 12 years ago. We have worked extremely hard to avoid the increase, but circumstances in recent years have caused us to face the same economic hardships that are being experienced by our Lodges and throughout the world. We have "tightened our belts" in every way available to us to deal with the downturn in the economy. Now we need your help in adopting this $8.00 increase in December. When spread over every day of the year, the increase amounts to slightly over two cents a day.

Our Lodges have been the beneficiaries of significant outlays by the Grand Lodge over the years. The Grand Lodge funded the cost of the entire computerized membership database and audit programs, which the Lodges now have access to on a daily basis. Training sessions are held every year for the Lodge Secretaries to familiarize them with new changes in Masonic Law and to assist them in understanding their responsibilities with respect to reporting requirements. Masonic Training Sessions are held yearly for the Wardens of the Lodges. Lodge Secretaries are provided mailing labels of their Members for every meeting of the Lodge and for extra mailings to their Members. When publications are reprinted, the Lodges receive enough copies for their Masters, Wardens and Secretaries. Lodges also receive updates to their copies of the Ahiman Rezon, Digest of Decisions, Secretaries Manual, and Book of Edicts. All the costs associated with these programs, publications and updates are borne by the Grand Lodge; the Lodges have not been billed for any of these items.

The Masonic Temple in Philadelphia, PA, is a world-renowned treasure that reflects Masonic traditions and values of the past and the future. The building has been carefully maintained throughout the decades, but the need for renovations and repair has become urgent. Preserving and restoring this architectural wonder is critical to the future of Freemasonry. We must all work together to protect and preserve this Heritage of Freemasonry and one of its most valuable treasures.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
macsign

Marvin A. Cunningham, Sr.
R.W. Grand Master