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HOW CAN I HELP MY LODGE?
What
is a Lodge? It's a team. A team of brothers all acting in concert to achieve common goals. Some brothers are good at ritual
work. Some are interested in Masonic history and education. Some prepare meals. Some teach the catechisms to new Masons. Some
know all the details of Lodge administration and management outlined in the Florida Digest. Some take an interest in maintaining
the building and grounds. Someone maintains the library, cleans the bathrooms, sweeps and mops the dining room floor, and
vacuums the carpet. When the plumbing springs a leak, a fixture needs re-wiring, or the grass needs mowing, there's a
brother who takes care of it. Some simply attend meetings and give monetary support when the collection basket comes around
or give advice when the craft are considering a difficult issue. Some give rides to brothers who can no longer transport themselves.
There are many ways you can help your Lodge, to be a part of the team, to use your unique talents to help us achieve our goals.
Each man is part of the team simply by paying dues, and each is limited by the constraints of his own cable tow. No
man can judge another's level of involvement in the Lodge. But the fact is only a small percentage of our membership actually
participate at all in the workings of the Lodge. Attendance at meetings is rarely more than 10% of members. When degrees are conferred
we regularly have to rely on visitors from other Lodges to fill the chairs. It always seems to be the same small group of
regulars who shoulder the load throughout the year. We are grateful for that small group of regulars, but don't fool yourself
in thinking that they have nothing else to do with their time. They all have busy lives and yet have chosen to make time for
Lodge work. Ask yourself if you are doing everything you can to support your Lodge, to be a part of the team. We need your
help. We need your unique talents. We need your insight and advice. We need more active brothers. Hart Franklin WM,
Omega Lodge 380 Attendance at meetings is rarely more than 10% of members. When degrees are conferred
we regularly have to rely on visitors from other Lodges to fill the chairs. It always seems to be the same small group of
regulars who shoulder the load throughout the year. We are grateful for that small group of regulars, but don't fool yourself
in thinking that they have nothing else to do with their time. They all have busy lives and yet have chosen to make time for
Lodge work. Ask yourself if you are doing everything you can to support your Lodge, to be a part of the team. We need your
help. We need your unique talents. We need your insight and advice. We need more active brothers. Hart Franklin WM,
Omega Lodge 380 Men do less than they ought, unless they do all that they can. ~Thomas Carlyle
PERPETUAL MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM Since we're talking about Lodge finances and the budget
lately, now is a good time to remind everyone of the Perpetual Membership Program. This program offers tremendous benefits
to both you and your Lodge. It rids you of the requirement to pay dues annually, it protects you from future dues increases,
and it provides your Lodge with a level of financial protection against future membership declines. Please consider this important
program supporting your Lodge. Who can apply? Any member or Plural Member in good standing and
possessing a current dues card in a Lodge of this Grand Jurisdiction may become a Perpetual Member of his Lodge. Any member or Plural
Member in good standing and possessing a current dues card in a Lodge of this Grand Jurisdiction may become a Perpetual Member
of his Lodge. How much does it cost? Twenty (20) times the annual dues of your Lodge at the time of the application. Since Omega Lodge's
dues are currently $50 per year, a perpetual membership costs $1000. Twenty (20) times the annual dues of
your Lodge at the time of the application. Since Omega Lodge's dues are currently $50 per year, a perpetual membership costs
$1000. What are the benefits? Perpetual members owe no further dues to the Lodge! You will get an annual
dues card issued by the Lodge Secretary denoting you as a perpetual member. Every year thereafter, Grand Lodge will pay not
less than five percent (5%) of the fair market value of your Perpetual Membership Fund to your Lodge. Even after you've
passed away, your Lodge will continue to get annual payments from your Perpetual Membership as long as the Lodge Charter is
in effect. If your Lodge consolidates, surrenders its Charter or has its Charter arrested, your Perpetual Membership funds
will be transferred to whichever Lodge you affiliate within this Grand Jurisdiction. If, for any reason, you deside to affiliate
with another Lodge within this Grand Jurisdiction the entire perpetual membership you originally paid for shall be transferred
to the account of that Lodge. You may add funds to your Perpetual Membership at any time. Perpetual members owe
no further dues to the Lodge! You will get an annual dues card issued by the Lodge Secretary denoting you as a perpetual member.
Every year thereafter, Grand Lodge will pay not less than five percent (5%) of the fair market value of your Perpetual Membership
Fund to your Lodge. Even after you've passed away, your Lodge will continue to get annual payments from your Perpetual
Membership as long as the Lodge Charter is in effect. If your Lodge consolidates, surrenders its Charter or has its Charter
arrested, your Perpetual Membership funds will be transferred to whichever Lodge you affiliate within this Grand Jurisdiction.
If, for any reason, you deside to affiliate with another Lodge within this Grand Jurisdiction the entire perpetual membership
you originally paid for shall be transferred to the account of that Lodge. You may add funds to your Perpetual Membership
at any time. Is there an installment plan? Yes. You can pay $200 down and pay the remaining balance over
a period of the next 5 years. Until the balance is paid off, you will still owe your normal annual dues to the Lodge. Yes. You can pay $200
down and pay the remaining balance over a period of the next 5 years. Until the balance is paid off, you will still owe your
normal annual dues to the Lodge.
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