Can't reach my old lodge; need some advice please

[Nick22]

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[Mike Martin]

Send a letter of resignation accompanied by a cheque for your outstanding Dues to the Secretary of the Lodge.

Whether they act on it or not, you will have (to the utmost of your ability) resigned from your Mother Lodge in good standing and will be able to tell the Secertary of the Lodge that you Petition that you have done so.

Honour and integrity are important.

 

[MRichard]

Have you ever contacted your grand lodge, in particular the grand secretary. http://www.phglofhawaii.org/index.php?pr=Contact_Us The grand secretary's email address is listed.

 

[Nick22]

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[MRichard]

Is your lodge listed on their Prince Hall grand lodge website? http://www.phglofhawaii.org/index.php?pr=Lodges . There are only like 5 lodges there.

 

[Nick22]

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[crono782]

Thank You for the help.

Also, when I send payment, how do I determine what amount to send? Specifically, should I send all years of back-dues AND a reinstatement fee? I've also been told in the past that when paying back-dues, to only pay the yearly annual dues that are due immediately (1 years worth) and the reinstatement fee and not to pay for prior years for which you were inactive or under suspension for non-payment of dues. I've never been told I have been suspended for non-payment, however I would assume that I have been considering how long it has been. I'm assuming the obvious answer to this question is to pay ALL back dues.....In other words, the yearly dues are $120/yr. I know I have not paid dues for 5 years (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015). That's $120 x 5 = $600. However, I've also been informed there are reinstatement fees for anyone requesting 'reinstatement'. Am I obligated to pay a 'reinstatement' fee?

This would depend on the jurisdiction, but typically, you just pay for the year you went in arrears so just $120. I do not know about the reinstatement fee. The whole point of paying your dues in arrears is to get back in good standing. If a reinstatement fee is part of that, then I'd say you need to pay it if your intention is to be in good standing. Also, you'd be surprised how often brethren who have lapsed in their dues are not sent notices and the Lodge just keeps trucking along especially if the Secretary isn't being attentive (which sounds to be the case here).

Honestly, since you have had no other recourse contacting the Lodge, I would suggest two courses of action. 1) Try to contact another Lodge in the jurisdiction and see if they are aware of a situation or can locally get in contact with one of the members/officers. 2) I know you don't want to be disrespectful, but if the Lodge is not responding to communication, the Grand Secretary is there for a reason. Personally I would try to contact the GL myself and inform them of the situation. Sounds like the situation has gotten really tiresome for you. Play time is over.

 

[Nick22]

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[dfreybur]

Is your lodge listed on their Prince Hall grand lodge website? http://www.phglofhawaii.org/index.php?pr=Lodges . There are only like 5 lodges there.

The quorum to found a new jurisdiction is 3 lodges per the original meeting in 1717. From a practical viewpoint it's not enough but if they want to go independent they are welcome to do so. When the GLofCA+HI split Hawaii wasn't really ready to handle GL business but they have trooped on and managed. It appears the when MWPHGLofCA+HI split Hawaii was in the same situation. They're trooping on and managing.

 

[Ripcord22A]

Keep us posted brother...best wishes!

 

[Nick22]

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[Nick22]

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[crono782]

Often a reinstatement vote can be done by show of hands, but that depends on jurisdiction (and/orWM if an option between methods is given). Sure it's possible to be voted down, but highly unlikely.

 

[dfreybur]

Well, figured I'd make a follow-up and let you know what was explained to me, in case others are reading and in the same boat. So, I had to apply for "reinstatement'. Crono782 - you were right, I had to only pay the current year dues and a reinstatement fee. The secretary said I did not have to pay for all that time that I was not in good standing. That's what the reinstatement fee was for. So I filled out the reinstatement request and he said he will present my request at our lodge's next regular stated communication in which my request will be heard ( I don't know if it's a vote or if the WM simply approves or disapproves...). Once approved, I will be duly restored and in good standing.

The California rule is it gets a majority hand vote. Hawaii split from California around 20 years ago so they might have changed their rules since but they did inherit the California rules at that time. I doubt they changed that particular rule.