August 2024:
100 Percent Officer Giving
Rodney Owen describes Oak Summit No. 112, as a “very heavy volunteer and donation type of lodge.” And for good reason.
In recent years, the lodge has supported the local Rainbow for Girls assembly by manning a fireworks booth in the leadup to July 4; fundraised for the Eastern Star chapter that shares its lodge hall in tiny Knights Ferry (Stanislaus County); and held events for the town’s only elementary school. There are also booths to man and help to provide at all manner of local fairs and festivals—even an annual Civil War reenactment. “It’s a great way to show our flag and have people see us,” says Owen, who’s been lodge secretary the past 11 years.
So when the proposal to join the California Masonic Foundation’s 100 percent officer giving club was first proposed, it was a no-brainer.
Now, several years later, giving isn’t just an expectation of the lodge. It’s part of the group’s DNA. “It’s just something we do,” says the current master, Neil Casey, matter-of-factly. “We’re all friends and decided it was something that’d be good to do. So we did.”
If giving back comes easily to the small-town lodge, it’s at least partly due to a culture of philanthropy that’s been years in the making. But there are steps any lodge can take to build those habits, whether they’ve been donating for years or want to start today.
Being a 100 percent officer giving lodge is as straightforward as it sounds. On top of helping support the charitable programs of the California Masonic Foundation, it’s also a powerful example to set for the rest of the lodge, who see their leaders fulfilling their Masonic obligations before them. Here, a few tips on creating just that kind of culture.
SET THE EXPECTATION: One of the reasons that officers as Oak Summit have had no problem with having to cajole one another into making a yearly pledge is that they come into their roles knowing full well that giving back is part of the job. “Every officer knows it’s an expectation,” Owen says. “You’re going to make that donation.”
WHO’S IN CHARGE? Many lodges have philanthropy committees that handle gift-giving. At Oak Summit, it’s the shared responsibility of the secretary and treasurer to collect payment from officers. (The lodge actually writes a check from its own account.) Daly says that if an officer is hard up and unable to pay, he’ll cover their suggested donation himself. “The way I look at it is, when I take my four grandkids to lunch, that’s about the same price as the donation,” he says. “If a person is on a pension or living on Social Security, that shouldn’t prevent you from being an officer and being part of the 100 percent giving,” he says, before adding: “We have not had anyone not write that check.” Anniversary-level gifts are $174 this year in recognition of the fraternity’s founding 174 years ago.
REPORT BACK: Masons tend to be exceedingly modest about the good they do for others. But an important part of 100 percent officer giving is the example it sets for others. That’s why it’s important to let the rest of the lodge know that it’s been done, and why. That goes for all kinds of charitable programs, too. “My theory is that you ought to spend time in lodge meetings not just on lodge business, but talking about the good things you’re doing for the community,” Owen says. “That’s how you get people to come back.”
GO SEE IT! Members, including lodge officers, are far more likely to feel compelled to give when they know where their money is going and who it’s supporting. So make a point of having your lodge visit the Masonic Homes in Union City or Covina, or request a presentation from Masonic Outreach Services. Help with a book-bag-stuffing party with Raising a Reader. Have a member of the Public Schools Advisory Council talk to the lodge about their work with schools, or ask one of the Foundation’s team members to talk about their scholarship programs. See the effects of those dollars on the world around you!
2024 Lodges with 100 Percent Officer Giving (So Far)
American Canyon No. 875
Beverly Hills No. 528
Granada Hills No. 378
Ionic Composite No. 520
Martinez No. 41
Oak Summit No. 112
Orange Grove No. 293
Orinda No. 122
Pasadena No. 272
San Fernando No. 343
Welcome No. 255
Use this content to spread the word about resources provided by the California Masonic Foundation, the Masonic Homes of California, and more.
Masonic Health Services:
Services at MCYAF Across the Lifespan
The Pavilion at the Masonic Homes
Masonic Homes of California Resources
Masonic Philanthropy:
Stay on track of lodge business and prepare for important deadlines. Here’s your August checklist.
Executive Committee
- Make plans for your lodge master, wardens, or other representatives to attend the Annual Communication this October.
Senior Warden, along with Executive Committee
- Identify and approach members for 2025 open elected and appointed officer positions.
- Urge presumptive master, wardens, and senior deacon to perform their Master Mason’s proficiency soon, if not already completed.
- Urge respective officers to answer the master, senior warden, and junior warden questions early.
- Identify and approach members for the 2025 Audit, Membership Retention, and any other committees.
- Set calendar for 2025 and identify event leaders.
- Continue preparing 2025 budget.
- Set installation date and approach installing officer, master of ceremonies, and chaplain.
- Review all candidates’ progress toward advancement.
- Introduce and vote on the Membership Restoration Campaign at a stated meeting to invite suspended members back into the fold.
Junior Warden
- Introduce and vote on the Membership Restoration Campaign at a stated meeting to invite suspended members back into the fold.
Secretary
- Pay lodge per capita.
- Prepare semi-annual report of membership activity, due in August.
- Introduce and vote on the Membership Restoration Campaign at a stated meeting to invite suspended members back into the fold.
Treasurer
- Pay lodge per capita.
- Prepare semi-annual report of membership activity, due in August.
- If your lodge has employees, file quarterly federal payroll tax form 941 (unless IRS has approved an annual filing of form 944, due in February),
- If your lodge has employees, file quarterly state payroll tax form DE9/DE9C and deposit form DE88.
- Using the Paychex Payroll system? Paychex will complete and file the above quarterly payroll tax returns for you.Make sure to process your payroll in the Paychex Payroll system on a monthly/regular basis.
- Begin preparing semi-annual financial report, due in August. Using Intacct? The report is available and auto-generated from the Intacct system. If you need assistance to update your financial records in Intacct. please contact financial services, Tel: 415-292-9170, financialservices@freemason.org.
Hall Association
- Present semi-annual report, due in August.
Questions? Contact Member Services at memberservices@freemason.org or (415) 776-7000.
Last month, we asked whether your lodge has an officers resource guide to help train new officers. Of those who replied,
- 33% - Yes
- 67% - No
