Lodge By-Law updates presented for consideration

Based on input from members and discussion at various meetings, the By-Laws committee of Raytown Lodge #391 has submitted the following five motions for consideration by the Lodge:

Motion #1 – Creates the definition of “Grand Lodge” for reference in other sections of the By-Laws.  This is a clerical/housekeeping amendment.

Motion #2 – Creates an expense stipend of $75 per month to be paid to the Secretary.  This was lodge practice for some time (at different rates) but has not been routinely paid for a while and was not reflected in the By-Laws.

Motion #3 – Identifies the officers who are designated as Lodge representatives at Grand Lodge, and provides for a flat stipend of $200 per office to cover their expenses (mileage/gas, meals, rooms, etc.) should they choose to attend.  We have had varying practices on this in the past but the By-Laws did not address the matter.

Motion #4 – Updates the lodge dues from $37.50 to $45.00 per year to cover increasing operating expenses.  Also aligns the By-Laws to cover past lodge practice of not charging Past Masters of our lodge the lodge portion of the dues, by the creation of separate dues “classes”. 

Motion #5 – Separates the duties of “Custodian” to two separate roles; “Custodian” to handle inside cleaning and maintenance and “Groundskeeper” to handle outside work, and splits the stipend paid between the two.  Increases the total cost from $75/month to $90/month ($45/month for each).

The By-Laws committee takes no position on any of these matters, and only served to review the various topics, assure they were in proper form and prepared the motions.

The proposed Amendments will lie over until the next Stated communication on April 18, 2019 to be considered, discussed and voted on.  Passage requires 2/3 majority of all members present. Amendments may also be offered and discussed at that time.

We encourage all interested members to joins us for this meeting as we consider these changes.

Social event – Beer and Pizza Night – 3/31

A reminder that Raytown Lodge will have our Beer and Pizza night on Sunday, 3/31/19 at the lodge, beginning at 5pm. The lodge will provide the pizza and you bring your own beverage. This event is open to Raytown Lodge members and families as well as members of other Kansas City area lodges and their families. We look forward to a good turnout!

2019 Official Visit

We will have our Official Visit at our stated meeting on Thursday, January 17th. We will begin at our normal time of 7:30pm, with dinner before.

Our District Deputy Grand Master will be visiting the lodge and delivering the Grand Master’s message. We really need to show a good turnout to support this effort. We ask all members and brethren to make a special effort to join us for this event.

Joint meeting and 3rd degree at Ivanhoe Lodge #446

Raytown Lodge #391 has received dispensation to conduct a joint meeting at Ivanhoe Lodge #446 on Thursday, December 20, 2018, for the purpose of promoting Masonic fraternity and assisting with the conferral of a 3rd degree.  Dinner is at 6pm with lodge opening at 7pm.  Ivanhoe Lodge is located at 8640 Holmes Road in Kansas City.  There will be no meeting at our lodge on that night.

We encourage all members and friends to join us for this event which should be rewarding and great fun.


Two 3rd Degrees – June 21, 2018

Raytown Lodge will be conferring two 3rd degrees at our stated communication on Thursday, June 21st.  Dinner will be served at 6:00pm and the lodge will open promptly at 7:00.  One degree is for our lodge and the other is a courtesy degree for Kansas City Lodge #220.  We could use a great turnout to help us raise two new Master Masons!