The North Carolina Mason

Once you identify a project and start working toward accomplishing the goal, you will have implemented a team-building exercise that will pay dividends, and one that qualifies for the Grand Master's Lodge of Excellence recognition within the Lion and Pillar program. If you need help identifying a project, reach out to Worshipful Brother Matthew Robbins at the Grand Lodge office. Brother Matthew has been doing amazing work in our lodges by helping our brothers realize the potential of their buildings and make their meeting space uniquely their own. In our regular District Meetings, we have been broaching the sometimes uncomfortable subject of our lodge expenses, long-term maintenance needs (roof and HVAC systems to name two) and planning for the future. We now have a web-based "Lodge Dues Calculator" to help with this process. The calculator factors in your lodge facility's health (the age of your roof and HVAC system) and other systems based on age and square footage, your lodge's savings and expenditures, and your lodge's dues structure based on the number of dues paying members. The calculator eliminates the need for guesswork. Once you enter your data, you will see the dollar amount required per paying member to ensure your lodge's financial health. The Lodge Dues Calculator can be found at: https://bit.ly/3KfQNib. I am also pleased to report that the Grand Lodge Public Relations Committee and Masonic Education Committee have been working jointly to develop the new member packages we approved funding for at this past year's Annual Communication. We are set to deliver the final product to our newest members in June. The new member package will be loaded with great information for the newly made Master Mason and will be available for purchase through the Grand Lodge office if you would like to have a copy for yourself. MW Brother Benjamin Franklin is quoted as saying "without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning." We have a unique opportunity to experience a Masonic Revival like this state has never seen, but it requires work. We must seek out every opportunity for continuous improvements in our processes, planning, and delivery. In all things quality should be our ultimate goal. Do not be afraid to try new things. Yes, the Coca-Cola company made a major marketing mistake in 1985. But they did what it took to rectify the situation, to revive a failing product. And they came back from it – and then some! Just like Coke – we're the real thing. Welcome to the revival! S U M M E R 2 0 2 2 | 5

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