Mileage and Per Diem
Torence
Grand Lodge session for all Grand Line Officers, Committeemen, GLs,
ADGMs, AADGMs, and District Deputies; but only one (the highest
ranking) Local Lodge representative. The amount paid is 30¢ per mile,
going and coming along the necessary route traveled plus $30.00 per
day. In addition GLOs, ADGMs, AADGMs, and DDGMs along with certain
Committeemen get the benefit when performing their required duties in
and around the state and actual expense for travel outside the state.
For the Annual Session alone, this expense alone tallies to $85,000+.
With the price of gas now well over $4.00 and predicted to climb
further to $5.00 per gallon by Labor Day, it seems to me that some
other system should be put in place, starting with a review of who
gets the benefit.
How does your jurisdiction pay, if anything, for travel?
Fraternally,
Torence Evans Ake
Senior Deacon – Auburn Park Lodge No. 789 – Crete, Illinois
PM – Arcadia Lodge No. 1138 – Lansing, Illinois
Larry The Mason from Holbrook
> Our jurisdiction pays mileage and per diem to and from our Annual
> Grand Lodge session for all Grand Line Officers, Committeemen, GLs,
> ADGMs, AADGMs, and District Deputies; but only one (the highest
> ranking) Local Lodge representative.
This is similar in Oregon except that there is no per diem paid.
> The amount paid is 30¢ per mile,
> going and coming along the necessary route traveled plus $30.00 per
> day.
Oregon was paying 10 cents per mile, but voted just last week to raise
it to 20 cents. Another legislation raising it to 30 cents was
defeated.
> In addition GLOs, ADGMs, AADGMs, and DDGMs along with certain
> Committeemen get the benefit when performing their required duties in
> and around the state and actual expense for travel outside the state.
These are budgeted line items in Oregon, varying depending upon the
requirements of the office or committee.
> it seems to me that some
> other system should be put in place, starting with a review of who
> gets the benefit.
First, one must consider the available funds. If you're suggesting
that more than one delegate from each Lodge be paid mileage and per
diem, you will double or triple the cost to the Grand Lodge. If you
raise the amount Grand Lodge must pay, Grand Lodge will have to either
raise per capita or cut other programs. Is there a reason we don't
carpool to save both in cost, fuel reserves and environment?
Fraternally,
Larry W, WM
Holbrook #30, AF&AM
Forest Grove, Oregon
Torence
<larry.the.mason.from.holbr...@gmail.com> wrote:
> �Is there a reason we don't carpool to save both in cost, fuel reserves and environment?
I have never traveled to Springfield alone, myself. The trip is much
more enjoyable in a car with three or four. As an FYI for those in
Illinois, Amtrak also has train service out of Union Station that will
get you down from Chicago the day before the session, and another back
on Saturday and.or Sunday. However, for Grand Lodge, you must book
early. I did this a couple of times over the years and you always meet
some Brothers, fun and new, going to and from Grand Lodge this way.
> If you're suggesting that more than one delegate from each Lodge be paid mileage and per diem, you will double or triple the cost to the Grand Lodge.
Not if you cut from the benefit those who are not necessary for
business (i.e. only those who vote). Currently the GL has grown to pay
mileage and per diem for many, such as ADGMs, AADGMs, DDGMs,
Committeemen, GLs etc. who do not have a vote. Their place is properly
at labor in the field. The sitting Masters and Wardens along with the
Elected Grand Lodge Officers can get along fine if we craft the annual
communication more efficiently.
DDGMs and Committeemen all send their reports in written form and
therefore, the representatives have all that they need from them
before the session starts. The Board of Grand Examiners and Grand
Lecturers, by our Constitution, are not a part of our Grand Lodge. I
am not saying that these Brothers should not be admitted; but, as they
do not necessarily represent anyone but themselves, I think it
reasonable that they either finance their own way, or, if their Local
Lodge can afford it, have their individual lodges foot the bill.
Mileage and Per Diem can then go to those that are there for a
purpose, or remain paid to only the highest ranking Officer of each
lodge and the Elected GLOs, saving the GL a considerable portion of
the $85,000+ we spend annually on the benefit. These Brothers are the
rightful voice of Masonry as has been the landmark in every
jurisdiction since be the Old Charges were originally penned in 1721.
Fraternally,
Torence Evans Ake
Senior Deacon - Auburn Park Lodge No. 789 - Crete, Illinois
PM - Arcadia Lodge No. 1138, Lansing, Illinois
Larry The Mason from Holbrook
> On Jun 9, 3:32�pm, Larry The Mason from Holbrook
> <larry.the.mason.from.holbr...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Is there a reason we don't carpool to save both in cost, fuel reserves and environment?
>
> I have never traveled to Springfield alone, myself.
Oregon's code states that Annual Communication would be held in
Portland except when the incoming GM makes a request at the previous
session (I'm severely paraphrasing because I don't have the code at my
fingertips). This year, for example, our Deputy GM made a formal
request that the 159th Communication be held in Bend, his home town.
It was put to a vote and the delegates approved. Few details about
the exact location and nearby accommodations are not known until a
couple months before.
> The trip is much
> more enjoyable in a car with three or four.
Agreed. Being a charter member of the local procrastinator's club (as
soon as I get around to chartering it), I did not contact any
potential travel mates. But observing those potential companions, we
didn't arrive or leave at the same time, so it may have worked out for
the best.
> > If you're suggesting that more than one delegate from each Lodge be
> > paid mileage and per diem, you will double or triple the cost to the
> > Grand Lodge.
>
> Not if you cut from the benefit those who are not necessary for
> business (i.e. only those who vote).
For Oregon, everyone who can vote is eligible. The general concern is
that while not everyone collects what they're due today, increasing
the payout would incent more eligible members to collect and would
create an even larger burden on Grand Lodge. They do budget for every
eligible member.
> The Board of Grand Examiners and Grand
> Lecturers, by our Constitution, are not a part of our Grand Lodge. I
> am not saying that these Brothers should not be admitted; but, as they
> do not necessarily represent anyone but themselves, I think it
> reasonable that they either finance their own way, or, if their Local
> Lodge can afford it, have their individual lodges foot the bill.
There are many attendees to Oregon Grand session who are not entitled
to mileage (there is no per diem paid here). They're easy to pick out
because they don't have a voting card (which is not to say that the
reverse is true).
> Mileage and Per Diem can then go to those that are there for a
> purpose, or remain paid to only the highest ranking Officer
It isn't specified here that the highest ranking Officer be the one to
be paid, but decorum usually dictates.
Fraternally,
Larry W, WM
Holbrook #30 AF&AM
Forest Grove, Oregon
Maurice
wowowo $4.00 a gallon -- or even $5.00 a gallon -- can you ship some ---
We in the UK are paying $10.75 a gall at the moment and going up daily...
will be $11.50 by the end of the month.
We do not claim mileage for visiting lodges on our duties.
Llast month I visited 14 lodges -- However I was fed free - at the festive
board.
Maurice
PM Pilgrim Lodge 7430 - Bedford England
W.Bro Willowbrook Lodge 7439 - Kettering - England
(All Incoming and Outgoing Emails Scanned With Norton Antivirus 2007)
"Torence" <toren...@aol.com> wrote in message
> news:5c0cc629-c886-4eff...@79g2000hsk.googlegroups.com...
>> Our jurisdiction pays mileage and per diem to and from our Annual
>> Grand Lodge session for all Grand Line Officers, Committeemen, GLs,
>> ADGMs, AADGMs, and District Deputies; but only one (the highest
>> ranking) Local Lodge representative. The amount paid is 30¢ per mile,
>> going and coming along the necessary route traveled plus $30.00 per
>> day. In addition GLOs, ADGMs, AADGMs, and DDGMs along with certain
>> Committeemen get the benefit when performing their required duties in
>> and around the state and actual expense for travel outside the state.
>> For the Annual Session alone, this expense alone tallies to $85,000+.
>> With the price of gas now well over $4.00 and predicted to climb
>> further to $5.00 per gallon by Labor Day, it seems to me that some
>> other system should be put in place, starting with a review of who
>> gets the benefit.
>> How does your jurisdiction pay, if anything, for travel?
>>
>> Fraternally,
>> Torence Evans Ake
Torence
> �wowowo $4.00 a gallon -- or even $5.00 a gallon -- can you ship some ---
> �We in the UK are paying $10.75 a gall at the moment and going up daily...
> �will be $11.50 by the end of the month.
Around my neck of the woods, gallons of Corn Whisky go for $3.00 if
you know the right supplier. We call it Bio-fuel for the belly. Will a
few jugs do?
Fraternally,
Torence Evans Ake
Dave Vick, PM
> How does your jurisdiction pay, if anything, for travel?
Michigan pays IIRC 30-32¢ per mile and IIRC $35/day per diem[1] to all
GL Officers (which include the Grand Line, PGMs, BGP Reps, RGLs and
DDIs) and designated Voting Delegates from each constituent Lodge to
attend our Grand Lodge Annual Communication. Other Brothers are free
to attend, but unless they're the designated Delegate or an Officer
entitled to remuneration they do so at their own expense...
Delegates & Officers are issued credential cards for each of the two
days of the Session in advance, which they turn in to the check-in
desk before each day's session; this serves as "taking attendance."
Mileage is calculated based on the distance from the attendee's home
city to the location of the Session by Mapquest or GoogleMaps or
something like that. Checks are issued to attendees on the spot upon
the closing of the Session.
[1] It's been a year or so since I was at Grand Lodge and my memory
ain't quite what it used to be, so I'm probably incorrect about the
amounts here...
--
Dave Vick, PM
Lansing (Michigan, USA) Lodge #33, F&AM
Okemos (Michigan, USA) Lodge #252, F&AM