Committees 

AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE DUTIES:

This committee will assist the Master in budgeting lodge finances and has audit authority. Upon receipt of the financial report at the January stated meeting, the audit committee shall compare the dues receipts with the dues stubs, verify the Secretary has properly reported all receipts from dues, fees and other sources of revenue, credit them to the accounts, update the membership ledger and the cash book. The committee also must verify that the Treasurer received the proper amounts, and has properly authorized disbursements. The Audit report will be submitted, in proper form, at the February stated meeting.

 

DUES COMMITTEE DUTIES:

It will be the responsibility of the Dues Committee to investigate all arrearages in dues as of the February stated meeting. The committee will contact, by phone and or letter, all members in arrears and be prepared to report findings at the stated meeting in March.

 

CHARITY COMMITTEE DUTIES:

The Worshipful Master and Wardens shall constitute a Charity committee, and shall have authority to draw on the Relief Funds for any sum not exceeding $100, for the relief of any member or his widow or orphans who may need assistance. The committee shall report its actions in all such cases at the next stated meeting of the lodge and report the balance remaining in the Relief Fund. (The minimum fund balance allowed is $1 per member. Reg. 38.080.). The annual report of the Committee shall be made at the first stated meeting in January.

 

FAMILY COMMITTEE DUTIES:

This committee will maintain a current record on and contact with each member’s widow and orphans. Contact will be made as occasion should require, but not less than annually, in regards to the welfare of our deceased Brother’s family. We will encourage, whenever possible, the participation of the widows and orphans in lodge functions. This committee also will develop programs that include families of lodge members. Options may include Special Ladies night, family night, birthday celebrations, and other programs as deemed necessary. The Officer in Charge will report actions monthly at the stated meeting.

 

MASONIC HOME COMMITTEE DUTIES:

This committee will assist the Masonic Home Ambassador in dealings with the Masonic Home, and will co-operate with the Masonic Home Director in all affairs pertaining to the home in which the lodge is or may become interested. The committee will keep the lodge informed on activities with the home and will plan and execute a visit during the annual Masonic Home Festival. The Ambassador will report actions as necessary at the stated meeting and present the Annual Report at the January stated meeting.

 

SICK COMMITTEE DUTIES:

It shall be the responsibility of the Sick Committee to inform members about Brothers who are ill, as well as their families, encourage home and hospital visitations, and send cards as appropriate. The officer in charge will report actions monthly at the stated meeting.

 

BYLAWS COMMITTEE DUTIES:

This committee will review the bylaws and recommend changes and amendments as needed. After the changes and approved processes are completed, the Bylaws Committee will submit in triplicate the approved version of Bylaws on the Grand Lodge form found in Appendix D of the Indiana Blue Book of Masonic Law.

 

MASONIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE DUTIES:

ALL ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICERS OF THE LODGE

Masonic Education will be given monthly at each stated meeting. Education may be given by any Brother, with each report being no longer than 5 to 10 minutes. Education should focus on topics specific to Masonry. This committee shall determine educational needs and goals for the calendar year. The Worshipful Master is the officer in charge of this committee.

 

ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE DUTIES:

This committee will develop programs and assist with special events for the Lodge, e.g. Past Master Nights, dinners, breakfasts, “en masse” visitations to other Lodges, and other Masonic activities. They also will develop and coordinate activities to enhance fraternal morale and public awareness of the Lodge and its activities. The officer in charge and assistant will report actions monthly at the stated meeting.

DEGREE PROFICIENCY COMMITTEE DUTIES:

This committee will establish and determine by examination a candidate’s ability to advance.

 

WELCOMING AND EXAMINING COMMITTEE DUTIES:

This committee will verify all visiting Brethren are welcomed to our lodge and examine the credentials of each to determine their eligibility to attend a lodge meeting.

 

COMMUNICATIONS AND ADVERTISING COMMITTEE DUTIES:

This committee will develop avenues to publicize activities, announcements and special programs. The committee is mandated to be aware of the public image of the lodge as well as ensure all communications are accorded proper dignity and are in compliance with the Indiana Blue Book.

 

MEMORIALS COMMITTEE DUTIES:

This committee ensures notification of the lodge upon death of a Brother, assists with Memorial services if requested by the family, and maintains contact with the funeral home and Master for all arrangements for any Masonic service.

 

MENTORING COMMITTEE DUTIES:

ALL OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE LODGE

This committee will be responsible for mentoring candidates and providing Masonic knowledge to any Brethren interested in furthering their Masonic knowledge.

 

EASTERN STAR REPRESENTATIVES DUTIES:

This committee will represent the lodge on all matters pertaining to the Eastern Star.

 

TRUSTEE COMMITTEE DUTIES:

Trustees are elected to a three-year term and are responsible for the lodge building. They monitor the property and ensure that it is properly maintained. They work with the principle lodge officers to address maintenance issues and recommend improvements. All activities and expenditures will be reported monthly at the stated meeting.

 

HISTORY COMMITTEE DUTIES:

This committee will ensure the lodge history is up to date and includes photos of all Masters, 50-year members, and other activities that will represent a historical record in the lodge’s archives.

 

LIBRARY COMMITTEE DUTIES:

This committee will maintain the library by accepting donations of Masonic publications and other appropriate materials. It will make recommendations to the Master for purchase of Masonic publications deemed necessary.

 

TELEPHONE COMMITTEE DUTIES:

There are many times when a Master wants to get word out about an event quickly and directly to the membership. These include memorial services, a public supper or some other lodge event where he would like to have a good turn-out. It is not possible for him to contact everyone himself, but with a good telephone tree, he can do it. Here are the steps:

First, identify local members who would like to be called and can attend your events. Second, pick your Chairman. Third, enlist one committee member for each 10 Brothers you would like to contact. Fourth, give each of your committee members a list of 10 members to call.

Committee members may be house-bound or bedridden. We encourage you to personally reach out to enlist their aid. As a control to verify that each committeeman is doing his job regularly, it may be worthwhile to have one officer or regular attendee on each committeeman’s list. If he does not receive his call on time, he can contact the Master or committee chairman. The Master receives input from his Wardens, Secretary and various committee chairmen and from this, determines what the telephone information will be. He gives this to the Telephone Committee chairman who shares it with the committee members, who in turn, pass it to the Brethren on their list.

Feedback from the members such as sickness, need for transportation to a meeting, future change of address, etc., is sent back to the chairman, who passes it to the Master or the Secretary.