I mentioned in last month's article that one of the areas of focus for me this year is the Finance Committee. I'd like to update you on the activities going on at the Lodge pertaining to Lodge finances. 

Last year, W:. Rapp began the process of shoring up our finances by presenting the Lodge with its first budget in many years. W:. M:. Diaz is continuing this work this year by having presented a budget to the Lodge last month and the Lodge will vote on that budget at our Stated Communication on March 6th. 

Prior to the last Stated Communication, the Finance Committee completed its audit of the Lodge's finances and found the books are being well maintained and that the funds of the Lodge are being used according to the budget and per Digest regulations.

In addition to maintaining the use of a budget, the Lodge has purchased new financial accounting software to assist the Treasurer in keeping the books in order. The Finance Committee will be working with the Treasurer, and this new software, to institute the Chart of Accounts that Grand Lodge is now recommending all Lodges adopt for easier budgeting, more consistent record keeping and better accounting practices. We will be mapping the budget for this year into the new account structure.

The W:. M:. has also appointed a Fund Raising Committee to look at ways to generate revenue for the Lodge without further tapping into our Brothers for funds. I will be chairing that committee and will be providing updates via the Trestle Board with ideas that we come up with to keep you informed.  We welcome any thoughts and ideas you may have on this topic.

I would also like to mention three events coming up this month that are important (I will leave the BBQ talk to the JW):

On March 14th at 7:00 PM, we will be having a Master Mason Exam/Lodge Officers Training Course night at the Lodge. If you a line officer, or are just interested in working on your Purple Proficiency Card, come on up and take some tests.  MM1, MM2, and MM3 exams will be available as well as LOTC Module 2.

On March 30th, there will be a Masonic Education Seminar at Harbor City Lodge in Brevard county.  In order for the Lodge to get full Masonic Education points, the WM, SW, JW and at least one of the Deacons must attend a Masonic Education seminar during the year.  We can complete the requirement attending this meeting. The meeting starts at 9:00 with breakfast at 8:00.

And also on March 30th, at Mokanna Lodge, the District will be hosting a Rusty Nail degree. This degree is designed to be a refresher course for those brothers who have not been to a lodge meeting in a while and are concerned that they would not remember various aspects of the three Symbolic Degrees of Freemasonry. It is also designed to help brothers from other Grand Jurisdictions, who may live in Central Florida for the wintertime, to familiarize themselves with Florida Work. The degree is at 6:00 PM and will last about an hour or so. Please come out for the degree and bring along a brother who hasn't been to a meeting in a while. All that is necessary is that the degree participants have a current Dues card.