May 2025:
With iMember Accounting, a One-Stop Shop for Lodge Finances
If your lodge hasn’t already transitioned to using the accounting services in iMember, now is the time. This system, developed by Grand View, was developed especially for Masons and Masonic lodges, meaning it has all the functions you’ll need.
The benefits of using this system are clear:
- Succession planning made easy: Transition from one lodge treasurer to the next seamlessly.
- Records retention: All your lodge’s financial records are stored in a single, cloud-based location, preventing data loss.
- Audit-proof: The centralized financial accounting system means there is a clear and easy-to-follow trail of transactions.
- No more annual statements: Since Grand View is used by the Grand Lodge, there’s no need to complete annual lodge financial statements.
- Easy tax prep: There’s less work for the lodge to provide required information to the Grand Lodge for completing annual tax returns (Form 990 and 199).
- It’s free: No annual or monthly subscription fees!
Previously, most California lodges used a system called Intacct, which required a basic understanding of accounting, says Maribel Pasamic, vice president of finance and controller for the Grand Lodge. The new system should be simple enough for anyone to operate. In this new system you can:
- Charge members for dues and assessments
- Charge members and receive payments for other financial transactions such as stated meeting dinners
- Receive charitable donations from members and non-members
- Manage multiple accounts and sub-accounts
- Pay and track bills
- Track funds received by the secretary and paid over to the treasurer
Accessing the accounting dashboard is easy. Log into your iMember account. Then click on “Lodge” on the top right corner of the screen.
From there, click on the "$" icon on the left-side menu bar. And that’s it!
Getting Help—Just in Case
Even though it’s been designed to be as user-friendly as can be, you may still have questions. Luckily, there are lots of opportunities to get answers. Each of the 2025 Leadership Retreats has sessions dedicated to walking lodge officers—especially treasurers and secretaries—through the new system. (The final two retreats are in Lake Tahoe May 9-11 and Palm Springs May 16-18). Additionally, you can schedule “office hours” with a member of the Grand Lodge Financial Services team at the retreats to get one-on-one time.
Can’t make the retreats? You can also schedule tutorials with a staff member or get your questions answered by emailing financialservices@freemason.org or calling (415) 292-9170.
There are also special online webinars planned for July for secretaries and treasurers, date to be announced shortly. So keep an eye out for those details later this summer.
Though only months ago, memories of our trip to Mexico frequent my thoughts. I enjoyed time not only with my fellow California Freemasons, but with the brothers of the York Grand Lodge of Mexico. It was akin to meeting distant relatives with whom you form an immediate connection. The ease that we have with our fellow brothers, the conviviality we feel when we are together, the bonds between us that are so readily formed—they are not easily explained, but they are real and profound.
Given its enigmatic nature, this bond between brothers is often called “the Mystic Tie.” Bro. Mackey endeavors to define it as “that sacred and inviolable bond which unites men of the most discordant opinions into one band of brothers.” The weight of its emotion finds expression in Bro. Burns’s farewell poem to his lodge brothers: “Adieu, a heart warm, fond adieu, Dear brothers of the mystic tie! Ye favored, ye enlightened few, Companions of my social joy!”
While the Mystic Tie is hard to explain, I believe it is created by what we do, by how we treat each other. That is what I saw in Mexico: we all regarded each other as brothers; and more importantly, we treated each other as such. We were warmly welcomed and made to feel at home. We ate together like family and friends, and without doubt, we celebrated and reveled together. The Mystic Tie does not exist simply because we call each other brothers. It is sacredly willed into existence by our actions, by the acts we undertake to treat each other as brothers; and its strength comes from it being manifested by the many acts of individual Masons to put our principles into practice; and it is truly a good and pleasant thing to behold.
David Ferreria, Grand Chaplain
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 May checklist.
Executive Committee
- If you haven’t already, register for the final 2025 Leadership Retreats in Lake Tahoe and Palm Springs.
Senior Warden, along with Executive Committee
- If you haven’t already, register for the final 2025 Leadership Retreats in Lake Tahoe and Palm Springs.
- Identify and approach members for 2026 open elected and appointed officer positions
- Identify and approach members for the 2026 Audit, Membership Retention, and any other committees.
- Set calendar for 2026 and identify event leaders.
- Continue preparing 2026 budget.
- Set installation date and approach installing officer, master of ceremonies, and chaplain
- Review all candidates’ progress toward advancement.
Junior Warden
- If you haven’t already, register for the final 2025 Leadership Retreats in Lake Tahoe and Palm Springs.
- Continue tracking 100 percent officer giving to the Annual Fund, with officers setting an example through gifts that represent their capability as well as their commitment to our charitable programs.
Secretary
- Send list of members with late dues to the Retention Committee.
- Send any suspension notices via certified mail.
- Provide necessary information so Charity Committee can consider remissions.
- Begin reviewing roster for accuracy in preparation for the end of the Grand Lodge membership year, June 30.
Treasurer
- Important: By May 15, submit IRS form 990 and FTB form 199 (unless your lodge has previously agreed to have Grand Lodge prepare and file these forms). Please contact the Financial Services team at (415) 292-9170 with any questions.
- Lodges not using Intacct or iMember Accounting should submit their annual financial statements to Grand Lodge by May 15.
Hall Association
- Important: By May 15, submit IRS form 990 and FTB form 199.
- Important: By May 15, submit form 200 to Grand Lodge. In iMember 2.0, download form 200 from the Hall Resources section of the Resources tile, and then upload the completed form to the lodge vault or submit to memberservices@freemason.org or financialservices@freemason.org
- Pay insurance premium.
Questions? Contact Member Services at memberservices@freemason.org or (415) 776-7000.
Last month, we asked what your lodge was planning for the statewide Day of Service. Of those who replied,
- 40% - Yes, food drive, community cleanup, local park cleanup, special project local school, planning a service day in spring or summer
- 60% - No
