Brethren,
While many Lodges are dark during the summer, your Grand Lodge Office has been a beehive of activity. We are preparing to send out next year’s dues cards, Form 10, and other pertinent information to you in September as you open Lodge for the year.
Don’t forget to order any materials you may need for this fall’s Open House. The Membership Committee has banners, membership packets, DVDs, and other material to assist you in making the Open House a vital part of your Lodge year.
The Form 10 — Annual Return — that will be mailed to you should only be used if you do not utilize the electronic database, MORI. The database will allow you to complete your Annual Return easily and efficiently based upon the data you have entered into the system. Ten minutes in January should prepare and print your Annual Return. If you have any questions or would like to use this powerful tool to benefit your Lodge, please call me and sign up.
You can make the filing of paper forms obsolete and have current information about your Lodge and its members at your fingertips. E-mail, mailing labels, meeting records, dues cards, financial records, reports, and so much more are the working tools awaiting you within the database. Make your Lodge the beneficiary of these powerful tools.
Please remember to order diplomas before the Degree date so you can have the diploma and supporting information to hand the new Master Mason on the same night he is raised.
Just a “housekeeping” procedural note regarding e-mail: When ordering supplies, seeking various forms, or for general information, please use the grandlodge@mainemason.org e-mail address. To reach me directly use the grandsecretary@mainemason.org e-mail address. This distinction should allow for your requests to be handled more efficiently. If it comes to my mailbox and I’m not in the office, your e-mail will have to await my return to be transferred to the staff thereby holding up your request. Please do not send the same message to both e-mail boxes as this sometimes causes confusion and duplication of effort. Also note, extended office hours on Mondays will return in September.
The Grand Lodge Library now offers WiFi access while here and a public access computer to assist you if the need arises. In keeping with our Masonic sense of service, these services are also available to the general public.
An electronic billboard sign has been installed outside the Grand Lodge Office. The sign allows us to better portray Freemasonry to the thousands of people who pass by the Office each day. It also displays the current time and temperature. A thirty foot, lighted flagpole is also installed in front of the Office.
Remember: No job is finished until the paperwork is done.
Thanks for all you do,
Fraternally,
Mark E. Rustin
Grand Secretary