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Q:
What is
Perpetual Membership?
A:
Perpetual Membership allows a Brother to voluntarily give to his
Particular Lodge and the Grand Lodge of Georgia an amount of money equal
to his annual dues times 21. He is no longer required to pay annual
dues.
Q:
Why is the cost
of a Perpetual Membership fee set at 21 times Lodge dues?
A:
The multiplier of
21 creates an amount that, if invested at 5%, will return interest
income to your Lodge equal to the same amount of money it would have
received in annual dues from you.
Q:
Is this
beneficial to my Lodge?
A:
Yes. The income from the Perpetual Membership Fund is available for use
by your Lodge and the Grand Lodge every year, even after your death.
Q:
What is
Perpetual Membership?
A:
Perpetual Membership allows a Brother to voluntarily give to his
Particular Lodge and the Grand Lodge of Georgia an amount of money equal
to his annual dues times 21. He is no longer required to pay annual
dues.
Q:
Why is the cost
of a Perpetual Membership fee set at 21 times Lodge dues?
A:
The multiplier of
21 creates an amount that, if invested at 5%, will return interest
income to your Lodge equal to the same amount of money it would have
received in annual dues from you.
Q:
Is this
beneficial to my Lodge?
A:
Yes. The income from the Perpetual Membership Fund is available for use
by your Lodge and the Grand Lodge every year, even after your death.
Q:
Why should a
portion of the income continue to be paid to Grand Lodge after my death?
A:
Every Mason comes under the jurisdiction of a Grand Lodge. The operation
of the Grand Lodge is important to each of us. The Grand Lodge programs,
the operation of the Masonic Home, and the operation of every Lodge
depend on the operation of the Grand Lodge.
Q:
Why do we
need Perpetual Memberships?
A:
Unfortunately, we
have experienced losses in membership for the past decade. These losses
have had adverse effects on the finances of Particular Lodges. If that
Lodge owns its building, the fixed costs of upkeep and operation are
spread among a decreasing number of members. Like the Masonic Home
Endowment Fund, the money from Perpetual Memberships will be used as an
endowment fund for your Particular Lodge. Only the earned income will be
used to support your Lodge and the Grand Lodge. A Perpetual Membership
is a way to contribute an endowment fund for your Lodge, insuring future
financial security.
Q:
What is
the difference between a Perpetual Membership and a Life Membership?
A:
By Masonic
Regulation, a Subordinate Lodge may grant life membership to only one of
every 50 members. There is no requirement that the member pay for the
life membership. However, life members are still subject to Grand Lodge
dues. All members of a Subordinate Lodge are eligible to obtain a
Perpetual Membership. After the death of a Perpetual Member, your Lodge
and Grand Lodge will continue to receive the earnings from your
perpetual membership fee forever.
Q:
When will
the Lodge receive the earnings on the Perpetual Membership fees?
A:
On December 1, of each year.
Q:
If the
Grand Lodge per capita tax ever increases, will it affect me?
A:
No. A Perpetual Member will no longer be subject to the per capita tax.
Q:
Why can't
I just make a donation to my Lodge and let it use the money to pay my
dues?
A:
There is nothing to prohibit this, but consider the advantages of
Perpetual Membership. First, there are no regulations compelling a Lodge
to place money in a trust fund in your name. Second, the Perpetual
Membership is relying on professional investment advisors to achieve a
higher rate of return.
Q:
What if I
want to donate more than the minimum amount?
A:
The Regulations only set a minimum amount for a Perpetual Membership
Fee. There is no limit to the amount a Brother may voluntarily
contribute to increase his Perpetual Membership.
Q:
Is there a
reduced rate for older members?
A:
No. The program is not really designed as a membership program. Its'
intent is to create a trust fund for each Particular Lodge. The primary
funding of this account is from Perpetual and Memorial Perpetual
Memberships. It is a way for a Brother to make a voluntary contribution
to his Lodge and Grand Lodge. By making a donation of his dues times 21,
he is relieved of paying future dues.
Q:
If a
particular Lodge levies a special assessment on its members, is a
Perpetual Member exempt?
A:
No. A Perpetual Member IS NOT exempt from special assessments made by
his particular Lodge, but he IS exempt from special assessments made by
the Grand Lodge. It is not the intent of the Regulations to interfere
with the finances of any Particular Lodge. The exemption from Grand
Lodge assessments is for the protection of the Particular Lodge.
Q:
What about
Honorary Perpetual Memberships?
A:
Honorary Perpetual Memberships can be donated in the honor of any living
or deceased Georgia mason who is, or was at the time of his death, in
good standing. The fee for this type of membership is a minimum of
$200.00.
Q:
What if I
transfer my membership to another Lodge?
A: If you
affiliate with another Georgia Lodge, your Perpetual Membership moves
with you to your new Lodge. If you affiliate with a Lodge outside
Georgia, the Perpetual Membership Fee remains with that Georgia Lodge.
If you did affiliate with a Lodge outside Georgia and later returned to
a Georgia Lodge, your Perpetual Membership will be moved to your new
Georgia Lodge.
Q:
What
happens if a Perpetual member is suspended or expelled for unmasonic
conduct?
A:
The application
form for Perpetual Membership states that the applicant understands the
Perpetual Membership Fee is Non-refundable. So, although a Brother may
be suspended or expelled and may not have a dues card, the money remains
in the Perpetual Membership Fund and his particular lodge will continue
to receive income from his fee.
Q:
I hold
dual membership in two Lodges. Does my Perpetual Membership Fee cover
the dues in both Lodges?
A:
No. The perpetual
membership payment (21 times) is applicable only for the lodge within
which it is paid. To become a perpetual member of both Lodges, or each
different Lodge you may be a member of, you would have to make the
payment (21 times dues) to each of those lodges.
Q:
How can I
become a Perpetual Member?
A:
An application form is available from your Lodge
Secretary. It must be processed through your Lodge.
Q:
Why should a
portion of the income continue to be paid to Grand Lodge after my death?
A:
Every Mason comes under the jurisdiction of a Grand Lodge. The operation
of the Grand Lodge is important to each of us. The Grand Lodge programs,
the operation of the Masonic Home, and the operation of every Lodge
depend on the operation of the Grand Lodge.
Q:
Why do we
need Perpetual Memberships?
A:
Unfortunately, we
have experienced losses in membership for the past decade. These losses
have had adverse effects on the finances of Particular Lodges. If that
Lodge owns its building, the fixed costs of upkeep and operation are
spread among a decreasing number of members. Like the Masonic Home
Endowment Fund, the money from Perpetual Memberships will be used as an
endowment fund for your Particular Lodge. Only the earned income will be
used to support your Lodge and the Grand Lodge. A Perpetual Membership
is a way to contribute an endowment fund for your Lodge, insuring future
financial security.
Q:
What is
the difference between a Perpetual Membership and a Life Membership?
A:
By Masonic
Regulation, a Subordinate Lodge may grant life membership to only one of
every 50 members. There is no requirement that the member pay for the
life membership. However, life members are still subject to Grand Lodge
dues. All members of a Subordinate Lodge are eligible to obtain a
Perpetual Membership. After the death of a Perpetual Member, your Lodge
and Grand Lodge will continue to receive the earnings from your
perpetual membership fee forever.
Q:
When will
the Lodge receive the earnings on the Perpetual Membership fees?
A:
On December 1, of each year.
Q:
If the
Grand Lodge per capita tax ever increases, will it affect me?
A:
No. A Perpetual Member will no longer be subject to the per capita tax.
Q:
Why can't
I just make a donation to my Lodge and let it use the money to pay my
dues?
A:
There is nothing to prohibit this, but consider the advantages of
Perpetual Membership. First, there are no regulations compelling a Lodge
to place money in a trust fund in your name. Second, the Perpetual
Membership is relying on professional investment advisors to achieve a
higher rate of return.
Q:
What if I
want to donate more than the minimum amount?
A:
The Regulations only set a minimum amount for a Perpetual Membership
Fee. There is no limit to the amount a Brother may voluntarily
contribute to increase his Perpetual Membership.
Q:
Is there a
reduced rate for older members?
A:
No. The program is not really designed as a membership program. Its'
intent is to create a trust fund for each Particular Lodge. The primary
funding of this account is from Perpetual and Memorial Perpetual
Memberships. It is a way for a Brother to make a voluntary contribution
to his Lodge and Grand Lodge. By making a donation of his dues times 21,
he is relieved of paying future dues.
Q:
If a
particular Lodge levies a special assessment on its members, is a
Perpetual Member exempt?
A:
No. A Perpetual Member IS NOT exempt from special assessments made by
his particular Lodge, but he IS exempt from special assessments made by
the Grand Lodge. It is not the intent of the Regulations to interfere
with the finances of any Particular Lodge. The exemption from Grand
Lodge assessments is for the protection of the Particular Lodge.
Q:
What about
Honorary Perpetual Memberships?
A:
Honorary Perpetual Memberships can be donated in the honor of any living
or deceased Georgia mason who is, or was at the time of his death, in
good standing. The fee for this type of membership is a minimum of
$200.00.
Q:
What if I
transfer my membership to another Lodge?
A: If you
affiliate with another Georgia Lodge, your Perpetual Membership moves
with you to your new Lodge. If you affiliate with a Lodge outside
Georgia, the Perpetual Membership Fee remains with that Georgia Lodge.
If you did affiliate with a Lodge outside Georgia and later returned to
a Georgia Lodge, your Perpetual Membership will be moved to your new
Georgia Lodge.
Q:
What
happens if a Perpetual member is suspended or expelled for unmasonic
conduct?
A:
The application
form for Perpetual Membership states that the applicant understands the
Perpetual Membership Fee is Non-refundable. So, although a Brother may
be suspended or expelled and may not have a dues card, the money remains
in the Perpetual Membership Fund and his particular lodge will continue
to receive income from his fee.
Q:
I hold
dual membership in two Lodges. Does my Perpetual Membership Fee cover
the dues in both Lodges?
A:
No. The perpetual
membership payment (21 times) is applicable only for the lodge within
which it is paid. To become a perpetual member of both Lodges, or each
different Lodge you may be a member of, you would have to make the
payment (21 times dues) to each of those lodges.
Q:
How can I
become a Perpetual Member?
A:
An application form is available from your Lodge
Secretary. It must be processed through your Lodge. |
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