October 2025:
Why Centralized Billing Is a Game-Changer
Over the past five years, we’ve invested a lot of time and energy in increasing membership by making new members in our lodges. At long last, that’s paid off, with our first yearly net membership gain since 1965.
But it wasn’t just new members that led to that growth. Perhaps even more importantly, it’s about retaining existing members. The two biggest drivers of membership loss are suspension for non-payment of dues, and death. One of those, we can address. (The other, not so much.)
That’s where centralized membership billing comes in. While it may not sound particularly exciting, creating efficiencies in dues-paying is one of the biggest keys to keeping members in the fold—and setting the foundation on which the fraternity can grow.
Already, the free centralized billing service rolled out by the Grand Lodge of California is transforming how lodges manage dues. The numbers speak for themselves: Lodges participating in the program saw 10 percent better retention of members than those not participating. With 85 percent of lodges already enrolled, the program is proving to be a powerful tool for streamlining operations and strengthening member engagement.
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.
Here’s how the invoicing system works: Lodges that opt into the program agree to let the Grand Lodge reach out to members to collect dues on their behalf. Dues collected by Grand Lodge are then routed to the lodge or lodges, if a member belongs to multiple lodges, and logged in iMember. This takes the burden of sending invoices and reminders to lodges.
- Seamless Invoicing Schedule: Grand Lodge staff takes responsibility for sending invoices to members: Two electronic invoices in October, after the Annual Communication; three more electronic invoices over November and December, and one printed invoice; and three past-due invoices if necessary after January 1. This consistent outreach dramatically reduces nonpayment and ensures members are informed of their membership status.
- Direct Payments, Full Control: One hundred percent of all payments received by the Grand Lodge go straight to lodge secretaries. There are no fees, no middlemen—just support.
- Proven Impact: Last year, lodges participating in central dues invoicing from the Grand Lodge saw 87 percent of members make on-time payments, versus 77 percent in non-enrolled lodges. That frees up lodge secretaries to focus on Freemasonry, not paperwork.
- Hassle-Free Enrollment: Already enrolled? Then no action is needed—your lodge remains enrolled from one year to the next. To join, email memberservices@freemason.org. No formal vote is required.
This service isn’t just convenient, it’s strategic. By automating reminders and simplifying dues collection, the program allows lodges to spend less time chasing payments and more time building brotherhood. Whether your lodge is large or small, new or historic, centralized billing offers a reliable way to stay financially healthy and member focused. With no cost and no catch, it’s one of the easiest decisions a lodge can make.
Nearly a year ago, I wrote about happiness and peace—at a time when many felt the world was becoming unhinged. The election had just passed, and words like “discord” and “uncertainty” were used each day.
That first article was not about politics, it was about choice. The choice to discover peace within, even as uncertainty became the narrative. Eleven months later, that truth remains unchanged: Peace is not something granted to us by governments, political parties, or even circumstance. Peace is something we build, moment by moment, as the architects of our own lives.
President Abraham Lincoln once said, “I don’t like that man. I must get to know him better.” At first glance, this seems contradictory. If we dislike someone, our instinct is to create distance. But Lincoln realized something deeper: If contempt rose within him, perhaps it wasn’t a reflection of his political opponent, but a sign of his own lack of understanding. He chose curiosity over condemnation. In that simple shift, peace found its foothold.
Imagine if each of us stood at such a pivotal point and chose not reaction, not discord, not the easy road of hatred, but peace. Every day, every interaction, every disagreement carries that moment. Will you lean into discord, or step into peace and harmony?
It may be hard to accept the response you receive. It may not be reciprocated. We know this is true.
But, if even a fraction of us resolved toward peace, the change would ripple outward. Families would shift. Communities would soften. Nations would reflect harmony.
The public is not changed by proclamations shouted in the streets or by casting ballots, but by the quiet pivot in the hearts of each of us. Through osmosis, peace spreads.
Freemasonry reminds us of this responsibility. The square and compass are not merely symbols on a lapel; they are tools of daily life. The square challenges us to measure our actions. The compass teaches us to draw the circle of inclusion, not exclusion. When these two are practiced inwardly, the world around us begins to reflect it outwardly.
So let us return to where we began: happiness and peace. They are not waiting in the hands of politicians or on the horizon of some future moment. They are here, now, in your next breath and next choice. You are the pivotal point of peace.
—Carlos M. Diez, Jr., Grand Orator
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 2026 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 2026 and identify event leaders.
- Continue preparing 2026 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.
Last month, we asked whether your lodge has transitioned to iMember Accounting yet.
See the results.
- 61% - Yes
- 39% - No