Adopting a Successful Life Membership Plan by Adam Wolf, Master
Brethren, I want to address briefly a topic that has become somewhat controversial within our Lodge and within the fraternity as a whole, Life Membership Plans.
As many of you know, especially those who attended this year’s Annual Communications, RESOLUTION NO. 15-03: MODIFIES THE PAYMENT STRUCTURE OF LIFE MEMBERSHIP PLANS. This resolution, which will be carried over to the following year, and which will most likely pass, will raise the rates on the current plans adopted in the 2010 Resolution §809.320.
Our Lodge is currently offering a flat rate Life Membership of a multiple of 20.83 the Lodges’ annual dues at the time the life membership is purchased. This is based on the first of the two plans offered in the 2010 resolution. The other plan in that resolution, is a tiered-based system based on a member’s age. This tiered system is as follows:
A sum of money equal to the Lodge’s annual dues at the time of purchase of the life membership is multiplied by the factor indicated opposite the member’s age in the following schedule:
Age 49 and under, 21 times annual dues;
50 to 54 inclusive, 19 times annual dues;
55 to 59 inclusive, 17 times annual dues;
60 to 64 inclusive, 14 times annual dues;
65 and over, 11 times annual dues.
Since Culver City / Foshay Lodge’s adoption of the current flat fee Life Membership Plan, there have been absolutely NO memberships purchased. Many of our members who have considered purchasing a life membership as a tribute to the Lodge are simply finding the flat rate system not making any sense to them. Why should a 65-year old member of the Lodge who might have been a member since his 20s pay the same rate as a newly-Raised 22-year old?
I urge you to consider Culver City-Foshay Lodge adopting the tiered system for life membership plans as soon as possible and get it into our Lodge by-laws. We have seen that the one-size-fits-all system simply does not fit anyone.
Fraternally,
Adam Wolf, Master
