16-13-02 2nd and FINAL Notice Delinquent Dues Letter SAMPLE 2

Melbourne Lodge No. 143, Free & Accepted Masons

P.O. Box 120143

West Melbourne. Florida 32912-0143

Roger E. McKay, PDDGM, Secretary Stated Communications

Phone: 321-952-6635 1st and 3rd Mondays

E-mail: Dinner 6:30, Meeting 7:30

September 31, 2009

«FIRST_NAME» «LAST_NAME»

«STREET»

«CITY», «ST» «ZIP»-«Zip4»

Subject: 2009 Dues – 3rd and FINAL Delinquent Notice SAMPLE #2

Dear Brother «LAST_NAME»,

Each time I send out a reminder letter for nonpayment of dues, I wonder how I should start. At the top of my mind is that we all have been impacted by the effect of the economy. Secondly I think about the possibility of medical complications. As we were told during the degrees, our family, jobs, and place of worship come before Masonry. Paying our dues is an important part of being a Mason, but not the most important. Our way of life, values, and living up to the lessons inculcated in the degrees is what makes us a Mason. In order to perpetuate our fraternity, we agreed to pay our dues promptly at the beginning of each year.

However, this is not always possible. If I don’t hear from a delinquent member, how am I to know if he wants to continue his membership? How am I to know if there is a reason for not paying? All this can be avoided and the best course of action can be taken by the Lodge if at least there is communications between the member who is in arrears on their dues and the Secretary.

If you are experiencing difficulties that preclude you from paying your dues, please contact me. The Lodge does take into account that many of our members are being stressed beyond limits, and dues are the last bill to be paid. I have made every reasonable effort to phone those for which I have numbers. I am asking you to communicate with me. If a family member or friend is reading this letter on behalf of Brother «LAST_NAME», please contact the undersigned so that we can place him on the Emeritus List. Beyond this, I don’t know what to do.

I am now validating the membership rolls for Grand Lodge to prepare the dues notices for 2010. Additionally I am bound to implement the rules and regulations of Masonry regarding members who have not paid their dues. Therefore, my next duty is to prepare a NPD (Non Payment of Dues) list for action by the Lodge at the first Stated Communication in December. If I don’t hear from you, I am required to report to the Lodge and the craft will vote to suspend any member who has not paid their dues and has not communicated the reason for his delinquency to the Secretary.

In order to continue your membership, you can elect any of the following:

Set up a payment schedule

Request to be placed on the Emeritus list until you are back on your feet

Remit your dues

Please help the Lodge to do the right thing. A phone call, an Email, or a letter can resolve your delinquency. The Lodge wants to assist any member in need. Please let me know how to proceed as soon as possible.

Sincerely and fraternally,

Roger McKay, Secretary

Enclosures:

Dues Invoice and return envelope

C:\Secretarys How to Guide\Dues Processing Letters and Checklists\16-13-02 2nd and FINAL Delinquent Dues Notice letter SAMPLE 2.doc