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district grand lodge returns |
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A Membership Return should be sent to the District Grand Lodge annually, and more often if so required under the District Bylaws. The per capita dues payable to the District for the Report period should accompany the return. Under the Bylaws of the District Grand Lodge of Madras membership returns are made every half year (January to June and July to December) and dues are paid for the half year concerned in which the name of a member of the Lodge appears. The Form contains detailed instructions on how to fill the Form. It is in two parts and both should be filled up. Part I contains instructions and a proforma for information about the members of the Lodge. Part II has three sections. The first one provides for making a summarized statement of membership and dues payable to the District Grand Lodge for the half year. In the second section WM should certify the correctness of the information given in the Return and also that the verification process in respect of joining members has been carried out. In the third section information on all the changes in the status of members that has taken place during the half must be given. Changes to be reported in this section include, initiations, passing, raising, installations, death, resignations, cessation, exclusions etc. Abstracts of Register of Members and copies of Report of Alterations should also be attached if not sent earlier. A Report of Alterations to Membership should be sent immediately after any of the events as in the previous paragraph occur. It is used to advise the Grand Lodge about changes in Members’ particulars in order that the aforementioned computer generated statement is prepared correctly and the database maintained updated. The abstract or copy of the Register of Members serves the purpose of creating a replica of the Lodge Register of Members at the District Grand Lodge Office, which is updated with the information provided through the Report of Alterations. This register is of immense use in the District Grand Lodge Office in providing information about members Masonic Career without recourse to the Lodges, and determination of various issues concerning members, one such being the appointments to District Grand and higher offices. The Secretary should therefore give prompt attention to the submission of these Reports. |
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THE SECRETARY’S CHECKLIST |
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MAKES GOOD SECRETARY BETTER |
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membership |