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From the East

Bylaws

From the East – May 2017

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Our year of organizational housekeeping continued this month. With our bank and accounting transitions in place, audit complete, and revised P&L and related 2016 financial statements in our CPAs hands for timely preparation of our annual Form 990s, it’s now time to turn our attention to the state of our bylaws. Read More

Accountng Reports

From the East – April 2017

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Brothers! I am happy to report that the transition of our accounting systems from Quicken to Quickbooks Online is complete. This transition enables a long sought and highly valuable goal: instant reports on budget expenditures by category. While that may sound like a very dull result for a major multiple-month Lodge project, it may catch the eye of all of us who’ve sat in the stations over the years. Knowing to the penny what we’ve agreed we can spend as a Lodge, and how, is a critical tool for anyone in leadership. And, now we have it! Read More

men shaking hands

From the East – February 2017

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Brothers! I am happy to report our non-investment banking accounts are now fully transferred to Oregon’s locally owned Umpqua Bank. Our accounts with Wells Fargo Bank are closed. The “online warrant system” described in my article last month has been implemented. Our Treasurer and Secretary have been trained to use it, and both report success with this new approach. Our banking is now more readily accessible than ever, yet secure as it has always been. Further, debit cards are now in use by the Secretary and Junior Warden, significantly reducing the paperwork burden of our regular monthly dinner, mailing, and similar expenses. Read More

From the East – January 2017

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Dear Friends and Brethren,

First, and most importantly, thank you for your best wishes as we inaugurate a new Masonic year.

Those who know our Lodge, know that one would be hard pressed to find another which has ridden waves quite like ours over the past decade. Yet, what better way to practice Masonry? We have continued lifting our trowels, trimming our ashlars, squaring our corners, and showing up to work the quarry, as time moves forward and life keeps changing. We have completed a harmonious and successful year, thanks to the dedicated work of WB Bob Casey, PM, and we are looking forward to another. Read More

Changing Seasons

Changing Seasons

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“To everything there is a season,” according to a famous passage of scripture, “and a time to every purpose under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:3)

A new season arrives this month. Both with changing weather, and with changing leadership in our lodge. Chapter 3 of Ecclesiastes contains other observations, which might apply to our lodge…. Read More

From the East - May

Kindle Charitable Donation

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A charitable donation was made, this month, by our lodge. We donated 13 Kindle Paperwhite e-readers to a third grade class at Harrison Park School, in southeast Portland. Also, we donated appropriate accessories.

Support for public education is a longstanding Masonic tradition. Unfortunately, our public schools are under considerable financial stress. Some schools could benefit from donations of educational equipment. Read More

From the East - May

New Tidings for June

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Several new items appear at Friendship Lodge this month.

  • EA Degree. On Wednesday May 25 at 7:30pm, our first Entered Apprentice degree in several years will be conferred. As a fascinating variation, we might have portions of the ceremony sung by a soloist. Special thanks to our Senior Deacon, Bro. Christopher Chase, for helping all of us prepare for our roles.
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