Brethren,
You will soon receive a mailing from this Office containing next year’s dues cards, Official Form 8, the signed copy of your 2012 Annual Return, and other pertinent information to you in September as you open Lodge for the year. Please review the package and be sure that materials listed on the cover letter are there. If not notify us immediately.
The Official Form 8 — 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 will notice some changes in the Return – the $0.93/member charge for insurance and the $11.00/Lodge insurance fee have been removed from the Return. Insurance will billed as part of your Lodge insurance.
The Per Capita of $14.10 remains the same. There is a $2.00/member assessment for the Maine Mason Magazine and a $1.00/member assessment for a contribution to the George Washington Memorial. The total per member assessment to be sent to Grand Lodge with the Return is $17.10.
You can make the filing of paper forms obsolete and have current information about your Lodge and its 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. Also note, extended office hours on Mondays will return in September.
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.
When you receive a 50 Year Veteran Medal for presentation, please be sure the Presentation Card is returned to this Office. It is important that the information be entered into the electronic database where it becomes part of the Brothers permanent record.
There will be a Secretaries’ Meeting in each District two hours before dinner at the official District Meeting. We will meet and discuss various aspects of Secretarial duties as they relate to this Office. I look forward to working with you to find ways of make both of our jobs more productive.
Remember: No job is finished until the paperwork is done.
Thanks for all you do,
Fraternally,
Mark E. Rustin
Grand Secretary