All too often I hear conversations of the problems we are having with our buildings. It is my opinion that our brethren from recent years have forgotten to care for the building as much as we are trying to care for our brethren. We have spent the last few decades trying to maintain our membership, rather than concentrating on the core structure of our lodge membership and the buildings. If we can care for ourselves, we can then better care for others and the community we work in.
It is time that our trustees take an inventory of our building and hire the necessary experts to review the structure and plan the needed fundraisers well in advance of the building falling over. Prioritize the repairs needed and get estimates so that the lodge can better decide how and when they will care for the building.
If our buildings fall into disrepair, it will most definitely have an adverse impact on the communities view of our organization. Of all people, we should be the pillars of the community and be the role models for how to care for ourselves, our property and for the welfare of the community. Who would want to join or continue to be a member of the lodge when we don’t care for the basic structure of our lodge, the people and the building we meet in?