Lodge Committee

Leadership and Administration:

I feel that for the next few years the lodge will be in good hands with men qualified to lead the lodge, from the current WM to the sitting JD.

Education and Communication:

The process for Mentor Accountability needs to be defined and enacted ASAP.

This addresses the failure of some EAs to advance by making the Mentor more responsible for reporting progress as well as the EA to have a method of reporting his progress and satisfaction with his Mentor.

Providing informational programs aimed at bringing “light” to the newest members. Grand Lodge programs are available for each level of Mason. One night a month should be dedicated to mini-forums, guest speakers and other programs meant to engage newer Masons.

Masonic Works and Community Involvement:

We must become more active with our widows. A semi-annual check-in, perhaps a sympathy note on a deceased Brother’s birthday? A widow’s night is nice, but I think it would mean more if we made a personal call to check up on them and remind them we are available.

Increase our presence at the food bank and increase efforts on school supply drives.

For visibility, Lebanon Lodge could adopt a roadway for cleaning.

Growth:

Financial: continued investment of funds, look into other vehicles beyond CDs. My recommendation is a high-yield savings that provides higher interest rates and instant access to funds.

Fraternity/Fellowship:

Look into more activities outside the lodge in the same vein as the campout. Whether it’s a table lodge (🤷) bowling or casino night at the lodge. Bonding happens outside of lodge more than in it.

Facilities:

We have a problem here that, I believe, that eclipses all other issues right now. Access to our own building is about to be compromised for the next 2 years and upon the completion of this project, parking will still be a concern. My personal feeling is that we have been gentrified out of our building.

The bottom line is Lebanon lodge will have to relocate to stay open. The next 2 years are going to be VERY challenging for our lodge. Attendance and visitations will slow due to access. If you doubt that, let’s see how many people show up in February facing a walk from the water tower to the lodge or August.

The city’s deception has put us in a difficult situation, we can not put the building on the market now due to access. We are now forced to wait this construction time out. I believe the building will be worth more than it is now after this project, but that is 2 long years from now.

I believe our survival depends on being able to meet at another lodge. I am quite sure Celina would open their doors to Lebanon lodge and we should begin making arrangements now.

At this point, I believe our only course of action would be to shut our building down tabs try to save as much money as possible.

We will still be faced with relocation and I fear without another lodge to partner with, Lebanon lodge is going to find it very difficult to relocate without a mortgage or a lease payment on a space as we simply do not have funds for a new construction/ land purchase.

In my mind, this is a very serious issue that we are facing and should be discussed with the upmost urgency.