2 minute read
Empowering Lodge Secretaries
from OMN - 2024 March
Insights from the 2024 Secretary Seminar
by M.W.B. James L. Morgan, P.G.M., Grand Secretary
The 2024 Secretary Seminar was a great success! More than 40 Lodge secretaries, worshipful masters, and other interested Brothers joined the Grand Secretary and Grand Lodge Office staff for the seminar held on Jan. 26 and 27. The seminar was held in the Robert M. Richmond Memorial Library and Museum, on the Grand Lodge campus in Forest Grove.
The format was changed some to allow more time on Saturday to go over several new Grand View programs that are being rolled out this year. Friday afternoon was dedicated to timely topics that Secretaries deal with on a regular basis, including various forms used for in-state and out-of-state transfers and plural membership, record keeping, Lodge consolidation, fi nancial and audit forms, and the differences between Withdrawal, Demit, and Severance. There was a lot of helpful conversation between the participants, as more experienced secretaries shared their tips and tricks of the trade with newer secretaries.
Saturday morning saw a few new faces added to those who attended the Friday afternoon session. After a few opening remarks and a review of the duties of the Secretary as outlined in the Oregon Masonic Code, the office staff took over and led the discussions and presentations. Some of the highlights of the morning were a review of the new Directory of Lodges, the several awards that are prepared at the Grand Lodge office when requested by a Lodge, and how to avoid having duplicate members in Grand View. There were also presentations on Lodge liability insurance and our Workman’s Compensation insurance. The new Grand View programs were presented after lunch on Saturday, including a new background check process that utilizes Grand View and a company named One Source to provide background checks for petitioners. The new Ritual Parts Tool was explained as well as the new Online Dues Payment process, and the new TransUnion member locator tool that you read about in the February issue of the Oregon Masonic News.
It was great to see the Brothers engage in the topics and share their knowledge. The Grand Lodge office staff hopes the seminar was informative and helpful for everyone who attended.
Grand View Resources
Where you can find helpful tools and new features including:
• Background Checks
• Online Dues Payments
• Ritual Parts Tool
• Member Search
• Secretary Handbook
Login to Grand View to access these features
