October 2024:
An Easier Way to Pay Dues
This one’s for the secretaries out there: If you could save hours of your time and cut costs for your lodge, would you do it? Of course you would! That is, in short, the idea behind the new dues invoicing service from Grand Lodge.
More than 200 lodges have already opted into the program, and on average, they've seen 80 percent of members pay their dues on time—a significant increase compared to those not using the service. “For some lodges, that’s a huge increase from what they usually see,” says Grand Lodge member services supervisor Jason Harding. That means fewer suspensions—and a better membership experience for everyone.
"It’s another tool that Grand Lodge is giving lodges to leverage their membership so they can keep doing the great work they do,” Harding says.
It's not the only way that paying dues has gotten simpler in recent years. That includes online dues payments through iMember2.0, as well as a new way to pre-pay your dues in advance, and new options for partial dues remission.
The Grand Lodge dues invoicing system means that rather than having each lodge's secretary assume the responsibility of reminding members of their dues and collecting them, all that work can be done centrally. Grand Lodge will send members reminders and, if necessary, delinquency notices. “This takes the administrative and financial burden off the shoulders of the lodge,” Harding says.
It’s important to remember that the dues invoicing service doesn’t change the way members actually pay their dues. “Members can still send their checks to the lodges or easily pay online using iMember 2.0,” Harding explains. What it does do is save the lodge worry and money – something all lodges could benefit from. And signing up is as easy as giving Grand Lodge a call at (415) 292-9180 or emailing them at memberservices@freemason.org and telling them you want to opt into the program.
- All lodges, whether or not they use the dues invoicing system, must confirm their current dues structure by logging into iMember and verifying the information on the dues and payments dashboard.
- Paying by check: If a member belongs to only one lodge, the return address for the check will be his lodge secretary's. We heard good feedback from members and secretaries that this would help facilitate easier payment of dues. If a member belongs to more than one lodge, the return address for the check will be the Grand Lodge, which will split payments out to lodges.
- Paying by credit card: Beginning after Annual Communication, members can pay by credit card on iMember 2.0 for the 2025 year. Credit card transaction fees will be automatically added to the member’s transaction, unless the lodge directs otherwise.After Annual Communication, Grand Lodge will begin emailing and mailing a physical dues notice to members of those lodges that opted into the program. Members may pay by check or credit card.
- All members can access their virtual dues card through iMember 2.0, where they can also print a physical copy.
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 September checklist.
Executive Committee
- Make plans for your lodge master, wardens, or other representatives to attend Annual Communication. Your vote is important to the future of Freemasonry in California. Hotels are going fast so make sure to reserve yours today!
Senior Warden, along with Executive Committee
- Identify and approach members for the 2025 Audit, Membership Retention, and any other committees.
- Urge presumptive master, wardens, and senior deacon to perform their Master Mason’s proficiency soon, if not already completed.
- Urge the presumptive master, wardens, and senior deacon to qualify early with the inspector in their office’s ritual.
- Urge respective officers to answer the master, senior warden, and junior warden questions early.
- Set calendar for 2025 and identify event leaders.
- Continue preparing 2025 budget.
- Finalize your installation date/venue and prepare the installing team.
- Review all candidates’ progress toward advancement.
Junior Warden
- 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
- Grand Lodge has centralized the dues process to allow members to pay their annual dues directly into the system via credit card. See previous issues of the Leader for more information.
- Prepare to send out dues notices and begin collecting member dues starting Oct. 31.
Treasurer
- If your lodge has employees and is not using the Paychex Payroll System, 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 and is not using the Paychex Payroll System, file quarterly state payroll tax form DE9/DE9C and deposit form DE88.
- If lodge per capita has not yet been paid, submit payment ASAP.
Questions? Contact Member Services at memberservices@freemason.org or (415) 776-7000.
Alameda No. 167
American Canyon No. 875
Andres Bonifacio No. 879
Arcadia No. 278
Artesia Sunrise No. 377
Beverly Hills No. 528
Carquinez No. 858
Conejo Valley No. 807
East San Diego No. 561
Gardena Moneta No. 372
Granada Hills No. 378
Ionic Composite No. 520
Lemon Grove No. 736
Martinez No. 41
Metropolitan No. 352
MW John R. Heisner No. 442
Napa Valley No. 93
Oak Summit No. 112
Olive Branch No. 269
Orange Grove No. 293
Orinda No. 122
Pasadena No. 272
Petaluma-Hamilton No. 180
Pleasanton No. 321
Rosemead No. 457
San Fernando No. 343
Suisun No. 55
Torrance University No. 394
Visalia No. 128
Welcome No. 255
Willow Glen No. 399
Last month, we asked whether your lodge has a new (first-time) master standing for election for the 2025 year. Of those who replied,
- 42% - Yes
- 58% - No
