May 27, 2000
A number of dedicated Masons at a Meeting held November 14, 1963, the Cobb County Masonic Low Twelve Club was organized. Less than ten of these Brethren are still living.
It's stated purpose then and now shall be to render financial aid and assistance to the beneficiary and/or beneficiaries upon the death of a member.
By-Laws were drawn up as a guide for the operation of the Club. A Mason wishing to join the Club has to meet the same qualifications that a non-mason, wishing to petition for membership in Masonry, has to meet to be eligible for membership. These qualifications still are a part of the petition for membership in the Club. Over the years since it was organized, several changes were made in the by-laws. Any proposed change to the by-laws must be presented at a Regular Communication, held twice each year, and then must receive more than fifty percent approval of the delegates attending the meeting to become a part to or change thereof.
There has been five Club Presidents during it's history. They are O.C. Crawford - S S Lawrence #721;
B.L. Edenfield - S S Lawrence #721; Richard V. Bloedow - Latham #12; Rex D. Chilton - S.S. Lawrence #721; and (present) Johnnie B. Lacy - Acworth #176.
There has been only three Secretary-Treasurers during it's history. They are Johnnie B. Lacy - Acworth #176; Edwin S. King - S S Lawrence #721 and Bennett E. Martin (present) - Springville #153.
Since the Club had grown to over seven hundred members by the beginning of 1984, and had accumulat ed a very substantial financial base, application was made and granted a tax exemption certificate and an EIN number 58-1547984 and still remains effective. The Checking Account, Money Market, Stocks and Bonds are registered under this tax exempt status. Beginning in 1984 the Club began to credit the members (that was in good standing) one and later two assessments each year so that the Club could return to the members a part of the proceeds that the Club receives each year from the investments that had been made in their behalf This was suspended at the Fall Communication of 1995.
At the Fall Communication of 1995, the total portfolio having grown to more than eighty-two thousand dollars, a motion was made, seconded and passed that $5.00 for each year that a deceased member had been a member in good standing, be given to the beneficiary and/or beneficiaries. In 1997 this was increased to $10.00 for each year of membership and then in1999, this amount was doubled to $20.00 for each year of membership in the Club in behalf of the deceased member. These increases were made possible since our total portfolio had grown, and continues to be over one hundred thousand dollars. Of this, approximately $60,000 is net, that is, excluding the assessments that are paid in advance. This is expected to continue in the future, but could be revised as our present investments increase or decrease. Two of our Bonds are callable in 2001 and one is callable anytime. The membership should always keep in mind that the Club Officers have no control over the rate of re turn that each investment has at any given time.
Regrettably, approximately twelve and one-half years of records (November, 1963, through April, 1976) was lost. We do have complete records from May, 1976, to present. Our present records reflect that the Club has paid to beneficiaries of deceased members five hundred and forty-eight (548), a total of $599,352.00. This includes the base benefits, return of unused assessments that was paid in advance and credits for years of membership in the Club. Including the approximately twelve and one-half years that records do not exist, it is conceivable that approximately $700,000.00 has been paid out in total benefits. Whenever possible, and this is a part of our by-laws, total benefits due are paid to the beneficiary within a twenty-four hour period of the death of a member. In the early part of 1988 our membership grew to almost fourteen hundred members. Regrettably, at this point the membership began to decline. Deaths in the Club had increased since average wise, the more members that was in the Club, the more deaths could be expected. Also, many of the members dropped out of the Club, feeling that they were paying out more than their beneficiary would receive should they die. Apathy, also was a part of the decline in membership. Many expressed to the Secretary that it was just too much hassle to contend with. Of course they were wrong, because, at that time they would have to pay into the Club over forty years before they would pay in as much as their beneficiary would received should they die. On the date listed below, we had 864 members in good standing. The average payment to the beneficiary of a deceased member has been approximately twelve hundred dollars.
In order to increase membership in the Club, each member getting an eligible Mason to join, is credited with five assessments. Be sure to put your name on back of petition so that the Secretary will know who the assessments are to be credited to. Feasibly, if a member gets a non--member to join each month, he would not have to pay any assessments to the Club, since his credits would pay his own assessments.
Footnote: Master Masons who are eligible to join the Club, are urged to contact the Ambassador of a Lodge that is a member of the Cobb County Masonic Convention to join the Club. Upon joining, you will be sent a copy of the by-laws, a blank petition to be used for soliciting a new member, and a membership card. The Lodge Ambassador will also give you a lapel pin signifying that you are a Club member.
Questions that a prospective member may have, should be directed to the Lodge Ambassador, or, if need be to the Secretary or President of the Club.
For a petition, contact your Lodge Ambassador.
Bennett Mat1in - 770 428-6783 or E-MAIL: benmart@concentric.net
May 27. 2000