| Los Altos Lodge No. 712: | Last Updated on August 20, 2008 |
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Brethren -
It’s been another busy month, but I can’t imagine that my year as your Master is more than 1/2 gone. Where does the time go to?
At the last stated meeting the resolution to amend the Life Membership Program was passed unanimously, and a second resolution regarding the Membership Dues structure was introduced. The dues resolution is stated on page 7, and will be voted on at this month’s Stated Meeting on the 4th. Please read it over and attend the meeting if you have any questions or comments on this important legislation. Please note that the original proposed resolution listed in last month’s trestleboard had an incorrect paragraph reference which has been corrected.
Once we have voted on the resolution, the entire Los Altos By-Laws package will be sent to Grand Lodge for approval. This will complete a vast effort spanning several years to get Grand Lodge records up-to-date with Los Altos Lodge’s current status. We should all give our thanks to our Secretary, Richard Rosenberg for his efforts in getting this to fruition.
Also, voted on in July was support for the Grand Lodge MSAP Program. This program provides to our schools important training for teachers and administrators in identifying, assessing and dealing with ’at risk’ children. The Lodge approved an outright contribution in the amount of $1000.00, with a separate dollar for dollar contribution matching program for member donations up to a total of $500.00. If we all chip in, we could realize a total contribution of $2000.00 ($1000 outright + $500 member contributions + $500 in matched contributions).
On July 25th, Kermit Williams received the Sciots Cornerstone Award for his outstanding dedication to Masonry. The event was a great success and was a truly memorable moment for Kermit.
To late for this edition, but on the 26th of July, we had our Annual Picnic and BBQ with Valley Star Chapter OES. Photos and comments will be included next month.
On tap for August is our Elevator Dedication Gala and Dinner to be held on the 9th. This is a Lodge hosted event and dress is casual. Please remember that reservations ARE REQUIRED. Please call me at (408) 733-1151 if you plan to attend.
Well, that’s it from the East. Have a GREAT summer.
Jim Gable - Master
My Brothers,
I wonder if any of you have given thought to the life or death of a Masonic Lodge? Specifically, have you thought about our own Lodge and its health and well being. You have often heard me speak of participation in our Lodge activities. Not many of you have come to the table except those who are the mainstays in our ritual and other activities and for whom the life of our Lodge is foremost in their minds.
I am most concerned because this year is half over, and although our current officers are becoming proficient in their advanced stations, (and even having some fun doing so) yet new participants do not appear even after being invited. For the Lodge to survive, we need much more than an elevator. We need more than giving a scholarship once each year. We need dedicated officers and participation from all who have an interest in the survival of Los Altos No. 712 and we need active sideliners.
Next year we will have the honor of being the host Lodge for the Grand Master’s Reception on October 10th, 2009 and is currently planned to be at the San Jose Scottish Rite Center in San Jose. In addition, we will have a Master’s Trip earlier in the year, most likely to Nevada City in late spring. Of course we will participate in the Los Altos Art & Wine Festival and several other events that are traditional to the Lodge. All of this assumes your active participation and I must depend upon you in that regard.
Remember, “Death is that state in which one exists only in the minds of others.” Author unknown
Please don’t allow our Lodge to pass away to exist only in “the minds of others”. We still need two Stewards for next year. Please call me, if you are willing to help. Believe me I’ll be making calls to you.
Sincerely and fraternally,
Robert D. Rowan
Senior Warden
The 2009 Masonic Student Assistance Program
The 2009 Masonic Student Assistance Program or MSAP is a vital link to help schools educate teachers and staff in dealing with ‘at risk’ children. To better provide for this program, Los Altos Lodge will match individual member’s contributions, dollar for dollar, to a maximum total of $500. So make out a check to the Lodge and mark that it’s for the MASP Program in the memo block. Your donation is tax deductible and you will receive a receipt from Grand Lodge to honor your generosity.
Whereas the Per Capita Tax paid to Grand Lodge increases almost yearly and amendment of the Los Altos Lodge Dues structure is specified in its By-Laws in accordance with Section 809.230 of the California Masonic Code (CMC) requiring an amendment for each updated fee as specified in CMC Section 802.020, it is desirable that the Los Altos Lodge dues structure be amended to allow flexibility to that dues structure. Let it now be resolved that the Los Altos Lodge membership dues be determined each calendar year by the following formula:
Grand Lodge Per Capita Tax + $15.00 = Current Membership Dues
As a result, the Los Altos Lodge # 712 F&AM By-Laws, Article IX, Section 1 shall be amended to read:
“The dues of each member of this Lodge shall be $15.00 per annum, plus the Per Capita sum approved by Grand Lodge at the immediately preceding Annual Communication, payable in advance on the first day of January.”
(To be approved by Lodge vote at the August Stated Meeting and subject to Grand Lodge approval).
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