Recently, I visited an Odd Fellows Lodge and watched the members go through the nomination process of potential officers. Granted, a lodge has every right and it is their own business, to nominate whomever they wish. But, having been around this Order and knowing something about productive and successful lodges, as well as failing lodges, I feel compelled to point out what I have come to experience as a death knell.
Firstly, the nomination of a member to the position of Noble Grand or Vice Grand who has already served as such, is a sure sign of a failing lodge. This tells us a thing or two, that the Off Fellows Lodge has no new members or there is a controlling faction of the lodge trying to stay in control. 1.) By nominating a member to eventually become the Noble Grand, for a second or subsequent times, deprives other members from advancing, and becoming eligible to attend Grand Lodge and receive the Grand Lodge Degree. 2.) It prevents them from becoming a representative at Grand Lodge, where changes are made.
Secondly, the nomination of a member to the position of a desk officer, who has never previously served as Noble Grand, prevents that member from becoming a Noble Grand anytime soon. And, it prevents that member from ever becoming a voice and vote at the Grand Lodge level. I find that most members have something to say and often voice their concerns about the Order. The Grand Lodge of California is where such concerns are brought to the floor. By putting members into positions of desk officers, who have never been Noble Grand, prevents them from ever having their opinions heard.
Then, there are times when we find a Treasurer who has been in that position for years, and seems to never want to move on. You find there is no chance for another Past Grand to move into that chair, as members have come to feel comfortable with the same person serving as Treasurer year after year. This means no one else gets the opportunity to serve or to learn the job. I have seen this in very small lodge memberships where the Treasurer passes away and no one knows where the money is kept or where the statements are sent or how to complete the occasional paperwork, etc. The lodge is at a loss because no one else ever sat in that position.
It probably does not apply to your lodge, but I have seen Treasurers who actually believe the money is theirs to decide how to spend it or not spend it at all. They sometimes shout out, “We can’t spend it on that!” or “We have a budget, and I won’t write that check” Of course, we all know that the membership can vote to spent money when it wishes and for what it wishes. Unless, it is in the bylaws of the lodges that the funds require some greater standard than a simple majority or such an expenditure must layover, then, it may have to meet a higher standard. This is true. But, if these provisions are not in the bylaws, then the membership may decide how to spend the money, not the Treasurer. The Treasurer keeps the account balance and drafts the checks, which have been ordered drawn.
The position of Secretary should also be occupied by a Past Grand, as this person should be aware of the activities of the Grand Lodge and know what things mean when they are sent from Grand Lodge. The per capita report is the primary responsibility of the Noble Grand, but the task of completing this important report every January, is more easily accomplished with an experienced Secretary. The Secretary should be assisting the Noble Grand, each time the Noble Grand gets to a step in the Order of Business during the meeting. The Secretary is the first person to open all of the mail. The Secretary is the person who shares the communications and reads them in the lodge (or may display all the communications on a table prior to the meeting, so every members has an opportunity to read). The Secretary and the Treasurer, along with the Finance Committee, and others (Trustees and Financial Secretary) should all view the Bank Statement(s) and Investment Reports/Statements. This must occur to ensure a lodge’s “Checks and Balances” are being maintained.
The importance of bringing new members through the chairs is paramount to having a successful lodge. Rotating the chairs, is important to the Odd Fellows Lodge, as a lodge is only as successful as the number of voices and votes it has at the Grand Lodge level.
Peter V. Sellars
Past Grand Master/Past Grand Patriarch