Dues Assistance Program

Torence

2010-04-02 01:13:35 UTC

Brethren-
Our Grand Master, M.W. Bro. Rick Swaney, brought an important point
to my attention today regarding the nature of the Illinois Homes
Endowment Fund. He points out that according to Article II, the Object
of that Incorporation is as follows:
SECTION 1. The objects and purposes for which the corporation is
formed shall be as follows:
(a) To provide assistance and to relieve and dispense charity
to needy Master Masons, their wives, widows, mothers, sisters,
daughters, children and other proper objects of Masonic charity.
(b) To accumulate a fund or foundation for relief to needy
Master Masons, their wives, widows, mothers, sisters, daughters,
children and other proper objects of Masonic charity.
The DAP Program is nothing but well intentioned and my statement
that funds were summarily reassigned does not take into account that
this provision of the fund enables new uses. In the interest of
Greater Understanding, I will go a bit further as to what would
authorize the use. Though my Grand Master did not bring the Code to my
attention, in Illinois our Code No. 120 authorizes four specific
Master Masons to enter into just about any sort of contract regarding
use of these funds The Grand Master, his Deputy Grand Master, the
Grand Treasurer and the Grand Secretary or any majority of these four.
My lodge happens to be home base for one of Illinois great Grand
Masters of the 20th Century, IMHO, Harold Kaufmann, who was Grand
Master in 1958. His legacy is what initially attracted me to seek out
Auburn Park Lodge; and, today I remain a member of this lodge rather
than the one that raised me. The caliber of Mason in this lodge, such
as my predecessor Marty Larson, reinforced the correctness of that
decision.
M.W. Bro. Kaufmann answered the summons of the Grand Warden of
Heaven (segue: I never could understand why e is not in our rhetoric
the Grand Master of Heaven) back in 1985. M.W. Bro. Kaufmann began the
IHEF with an outrageous notion. That if Illinois Masons would put
their minds to it, perhaps, we could raise $25 million dollars to
serve as principal that the homes could then operate from the interest
in perpetuity. At last count the fund held $130 Million. Illinois
Masons answered that call astonishingly quickly and as a young Mason
just starting out that same year, 1985, I too worked for the $50
Million Club that firmed up that account.
I have maintained a concern for some time now that the original
contributors, though many have passed on, donated to that principal in
the belief that it would remain untouched. I feel that the proper
course for it, if it is not to be used for that purpose, is to return
it to the Lodges who sacrificed and gave to it. Local Lodges would
then be enabled to use the money in their own (or to establish new)
Charity Funds. We have as guidance the historical precedent from 1905
when the Home was began in the first place i.e. that the Grand Lodge
Treasury was then divested of two thirds of its funds by the delegates
to the convention so that the Lodges would have the choice to donate
to the new venture or to use the money for their own laudable
purposes.
I prefer this course over that which is permitted by Code 120. But
such a choice is today nothing more than my opinion, and that event
but a footnote. I do thank, however, our Grand Master sincerely for
taking the time out of his busy schedule to read our group. I do admit
my fault freely when I neglect to acknowledge that his other approach
fulfills another important direction that I, in my weakness, sometimes
neglect. i.e to exchange kind and friendly acts; but it is further
nice to know that us American Men can hold differing opinions and yet
as Masons work for our mutual welfare and Progress.

Fraternally,
Torence Evans Ake
Secretary Auburn Park Lodge No. 789 Crete, Illinois
PM Arcadia Lodge No. 1138 Lansing, Illinois