"When if comes to fundraisers, be careful not to go to the well too often."
- Bryce's Law
In many grand jurisdictions, January represents the start of a new Masonic year.
It also represents the beginning of a new year of fundraising or "begging" as I
call it. I have already received quite a few donation requests this year from a
few Lodges and other Masonic bodies. Like many Masons, I do not mind the
occasional request to kick in a few bucks now and then, but it gets rather old
when you are constantly barraged with requests. Even if you are a Perpetual
Member (someone who has paid their dues for life) you are asked to pony up
additional money for various Masonic causes. It kind of gives you the impression
that Freemasonry is some sort of shakedown operation.
One myth I want to clear up is that fundraising events are NOT a normal part of
Masonic life. You should only do fundraising events when the operating funds of the
Lodge are insufficient to accommodate the normal activities of the Lodge, but it should
never be regarded as a routine or regular part of the operations of the Lodge.
Frankly, a lot of members find the requests to participate in fundraisers or donate
to them as an affront to their sensibility. If the annual dues are adequate
to serve the operating needs of the Lodge, and the Lodge officers are competently
managing Lodge finances, then there should be no reason to ask for another nickel.
But such is rarely the case and, consequently, Lodges ask for additional donations
from its members time and again. Instead of harassing members throughout the
year for additional money, I know a lot of Brothers who would rather have the
dues adjusted accordingly and pay one fee at the start of the new year (and be left
alone the rest of the time). In other words, Lodge members are asking, "Aren't
my annual dues sufficient for running the Lodge?" If not, perhaps it is time to
consider a dues increase.
Some Lodge officers have gotten into the habit of fundraisers so much, they believe
it to be an integral part of their social agenda. Somehow the idea of a pancake
breakfast, spaghetti dinner, or a car wash sounds more like work than a social activity
to me. I have seen Lodge Brothers burnout on such fundraisers and never enjoy a true
social activity, such as a movie, a picnic, a dinner and dance, a trip to a sporting
event, etc.
I guess the point of this is that the begging appears to be getting out of hand
and tarnishing our image. If a Lodge's annual dues need to be adjusted, address
the problem and be done with it, but let's not keep begging from each other. You
won't attract many new members if the perception is that Masons constantly have
their hands out for donations. The business of Freemasonry is Freemasonry, not
fundraising. Just remember, we extend our hands as a token of friendship and
Brotherly love, not to grab a wallet.
Keep the Faith.
NOTE: The opinions expressed in this essay are my own and do not
necessarily represent the views or opinions of any Grand Masonic jurisdiction
or any other Masonic related body. As with all of my Masonic articles herein,
please feel free to reuse them in Masonic publications or re-post them on Masonic
web sites (except Florida). When doing so, please add the following:
Article reprinted with permission of the author and www.FreemasonInformation.com
Please forward me a copy of the publication when it is produced.
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Copyright © 2008 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved. |
