– Writing it is one thing, delivering it is something else. Writing a eulogy commemorating a family member or close friend can be a daunting task. I have written my fair share of them over the years and they are never easy. You have to look into your heart and try to put into words […]
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“Mad” Management
Some management lessons from 1961. NOTE: This is from my consulting practice, but also has bearing on the management of a Lodge. One of the reasons AMC’s “Mad Men” television show is so popular is that it tries to authentically depict American attitudes and moods of the early 1960′s, including how business was conducted. Viewers find it […]
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The Importance of Recognition
For the last several years our Masonic lodge has been hosting an annual dinner to honor the county’s “Deputy of the Year.” Senior officers at the sheriff’s office select a person they believe deserves the honor and informs the Lodge as to why the individual merits the award. The Lodge then prepares a respectable plaque, […]
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Rewarding Incompetence
It’s not about “taking turns”; it’s about getting the job done properly. Throughout the corporate world we have seen examples of the Peter Principle in practice, whereby people rise above their level of competency; people who make a mockery of their job and discredit their company and themselves in the process. Perhaps they were promoted […]
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Dunedin Lodge (FL) Recognizes Dep. Todd Hoddinott as “Deputy of the Year”
The Master of Dunedin Lodge, W:.Mike Palenik (right), congratulates Deputy Todd Hoddinott. Looking on is the Deputy’s wife, Lisa. Click on photo to enlarge. DUNEDIN, FL, USA (November 28, 2011) – As has become a tradition for the last seven years, Dunedin Masonic Lodge No. 192 recognized a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Deputy for outstanding service to the […]
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When Is It Necessary To Change?
Among the nonprofit organizations I belong to, there is one where I serve as secretary of the local branch. Like any nonprofit, there are records to be maintained, dues notices to be issued, reports to be filed with headquarters, minutes to be taken, and different mailings made to the membership. It’s not exactly rocket science. […]
Continue readingManaging a Nonprofit Organization
Recently I was adding up the number of Board of Directors I have served on over the years for nonprofit organizations. This includes computer societies, fraternal organizations, homeowner associations, even Little League. The number was close to 40 where I have served in some capacity or other, everything from president, to vice president, secretary, division […]
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Who Serves Who?
Probably the best way to differentiate between a commercial enterprise and a nonprofit organization is by asking, “Who serves who?” Whether it is a small business or a major corporation, the commercial enterprise is primarily concerned with serving its customers. In general, such companies will go to great lengths to keep their customers happy in order […]
Continue readingTransition of Power
I have been actively involved with a wide variety of nonprofit volunteer organizations over the years, everything from professional trade groups, to local sports organizations, homeowner associations, and fraternal/civic organizations. There is one common denominator shared by such groups, namely, membership is dwindling. The idea of participating in a volunteer organization appears to be a […]
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Suck-Up 101
Brothers – this article is from my consulting practice but I fear we run into such situations now and then in Lodge. Hope you enjoy it. – TB During our lifetime, we inevitably run into some rather unsavory characters who will wrong, cheat or defraud us. Maybe even worse are people who survive not because […]
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