Brethren,
Fraternal greetings! I hope that everyone is happily returning to their work following the Labor Day holiday, feeling refreshed and invigorated.
First and foremost: a reminder that if you have yet to pay your dues, please make sure to do so as soon as possible. I want to make sure that none of our brethren find themselves in arrears. If at any point you find yourself under financial burden, please know that there is a process for relief available to you.
Last month, we had a lengthy discussion on how to best approach collective frustrations with Lodge finances. We agreed that while my initial proposal was a good starting point, it needed some massaging before we expect it to work for our needs. Period-length when averaging the return on the account, acceptable expenses, and formal steps in the process were some of the specific topics that we felt needed a closer examination before moving forward. As such, it was decided that a committee would be formed to deal with the finite details that are currently missing, and to edit the language that governs how we spend the Gowans fund. We are currently on an accelerated timeline with the expectation that we will have a complete proposal ready for Lodge approval in October. I firmly believe that this will drastically improve the way that we plan and govern our Lodge, and creates a process for growth and stability.
In addition to voting on the proposed changes to the Gowans in October, we will have Brother Marcelin, the Grand Lodge Physician, in attendance for a presentation on how to use the automated external defibrillator (AED) that we have on-hand at Almas. For those of you who have been through first-aid training, you’ll know how valuable these devices are in an effort to save someone’s life. I invite you all to join for this informative lecture: “there’s no harm in hoping for the best as long as you’ve prepared for the worst.”
Sincerely and Fraternally,
W.B. James M. Hall
Worshipful Master
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