One hand in the honey pot (why not?)

One hand inTHE

honey POT...

O

...WHY

NOT? NOT?

W

hat should we do with embezzlers?

Seems these days embezzling from a Lodge is all the rage. As numbers dwindle, and the old guard ages out, some enthusiastic members find themselves in a position suddenly with control of Lodge finances and all too little oversight. Then, it seems, the temptation is just too great.

Perhaps not intentionally at first, but gradually, a few appropriations of Lodge funds are made without Lodge oversight. After all, with so few folks to help, expenses must be paid….

But then appropriations become

misappropriations.

These weak-willed Brothers are a

sorry example of Masonry in decay. Think about it. Who would rob Lady Charity, who already gives all she has, when all you need do is ask? Who would take from a century or more of contributions of Brothers’ hard-earned dollars? And back then dues were relatively substantial, especially in these mountain Lodges where this criminality seems to have taken root.

Those Master Masons of years past, who freely assemble even today at the sound of the gavel, as the familiar words ring out, must roll in their graves! The dead must be haunted by the living!

Lodges work only because of the

duties the Officers swear to uphold. Lodge funds belong to the Lodge. That means Lodge oversight is required to spend them, unless a budget is approved and line items adopted. Otherwise, Lodge approval and oversight is a must. It’s that simple.

On top of keeping everyone honest (which is what the obligation is supposed to do), these functions in assembly maintain relevance – a Lodge should conduct business. It keeps the Brethren bonded in common interest. And Secretaries and Treasurers should freely share financial information to the fullest degree with all members according to some periodic reporting schedule, at a minimum. In this day and age of Quickbooks and automated accounting programs, it’s never been easier Rocky Mountain Mason

to maintain comprehensive books. Failure to provide immediate financial detail, and a real-time budget, is just inexcusable.

It’s shocking, then, to discover that some Brothers think it’s their money, that payments to the Lodge, over the centuries, actually belong to them, to buy gas, hotel rooms, a few dinners – who will miss the extra turkey bought at Sam’s Club, shoved in with the dinners? – and a whole miscellany of purchases too rife and stickyfingered to count? It makes my face pale.

Can you imagine buying a backhoe with Lodge funds? It’s deplorable.

Brethren, it’s never been more

important to live up to our obligations.

We’re on the cusp of a revival. Hold the fort, Brethren!

There are some Brothers out there, though, who seem to think that the end justifies the means. They’ll even tell you that and scoff at your idealism and naivety.

But I’m here to say, gentlemen, if the end justifies the means, then that means the end!

Masonry is an active discipline – not some future state to be attained by any means necessary. The death symbolism rife in our rituals impresses upon us the need to act, and to act now. The working tools should be applied consistently and continually – not set aside for some future time when the golden age of Masonry arrives. The Temple is unfinished, Brothers – the work must be done now!

I implore you, if you are in a position where you could abscond with Lodge funds, remember your obligation. If you are using deceit to hide your uncommon agenda, wake up!

Your accounting of the Lodge should be better than the accounting for your business. Every penny should match with bank statements, every penny! Books should be current. Receipts should be maintained. Every expense needs approval of the Lodge and oversight by the Master.

There should always be at least two signatories on every bank account. This is not rocket science.

But for those of you who still feel that sense of gross entitlement that, in my opinion, renders you unworthy of our gentle Craft (which is naturally pluralistic

and charitable, never some private slush fund for rampant lust) be warned – you will be found out. You will be expelled.

And you will go to jail.

You agree, of course, perhaps even

condescendingly. “That’s not me or my Lodge,” you say. Good, so if a Grand Officer arrives at your Lodge and requests to see the books, you should be able to furnish real-time data verifiable with last month’s statement from your branch?

Reflect for a minute. Do you know the balance of your Lodge’s checking account?

Do you know how many accounts your Lodge even has? When was the last time you were given a full financial report from your Secretary and Treasurer?

If you can’t answer these questions to the dollar, then it’s about time you raised a motion on the floor for the deliberation of the Lodge in assembly. You are a member and you deserve to know these things. If you are stifled, or something feels cagey, talk to a Grand Officer.

It’s time to set the Craft back where it belongs: Under the auspices of heaven, for the satisfaction of the Brethren in Lodge assembled and the pleasure of the Grand Architect of the Universe. Thievery makes a mockery of the Brethren, and a liar of the thief. But the cabletow cannot hold to untruth.

The Craft exacts from its members honesty, loyalty, duty, and integrity. A man’s integrity is exemplified in what he does when he thinks he is alone and unobserved.

So act squarely, keep the columns

level, and stand to the duty you have assumed. Be accountable. And get your Lodge accountable, too.

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