The Grand Lodge of Georgia Independent Order of

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The Grand Lodge of Georgia, Independent Order of Odd Fellows Grand Master’s Program 2009

The Grand Lodge of Georgia, Independent Order of Odd Fellows Grand Master’s Program 2009 - 2010

The Grand Lodge of Georgia, Independent Order of Odd Fellows Tyler W. Pledger Grand

The Grand Lodge of Georgia, Independent Order of Odd Fellows Tyler W. Pledger Grand Master 2009 – 2010 Preparing for tomorrow must begin today.

Our Motto n “Friendship, Love, and Truth”

Our Motto n “Friendship, Love, and Truth”

Our Object n To Improve and Elevate the Character of Man

Our Object n To Improve and Elevate the Character of Man

Our Creed n Genuine FRIENDSHIP, which heareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all

Our Creed n Genuine FRIENDSHIP, which heareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things, is the first step toward progress and personal enrichment, and the progenitor of Temperence, Prudence and Justice; n Unfettered LOVE, is the basis for all life’s ambitions – the controlling passion of service to humanity – more powerful than the atom – more potent than any finite force; n Inflexible Truth, the imperial virtue, begets economic stability, equality under law, freedom of enterprise, the highest of ethical standards, and lasting peace, the ultimate goal of fraternity; n Universal BROTHERHOOD OF MAN under the FATHERHOOD OF GOD, is imperative to the survival of the world, and can be accomplished only through the catalysis of fellowship – inculcating the cohesion which stems from understanding and amity among people, states and nations.

Grand Lodge Officers 2009 – 2010 (Elected) Grand Master: Tyler W. Pledger n Deputy

Grand Lodge Officers 2009 – 2010 (Elected) Grand Master: Tyler W. Pledger n Deputy Grand Master: Artis Pledger n Grand Warden: Larry Thomas n Grand Secretary: J. Edward Stallings n Grand Treasurer: Ronald Seabolt n Grand Representative: Jimmy Humphrey n

Grand Lodge Officers 2009 – 2010 (Appointed) Grand Marshall: Billy Poole n Grand Chaplain:

Grand Lodge Officers 2009 – 2010 (Appointed) Grand Marshall: Billy Poole n Grand Chaplain: Edgar Dawson n Grand Conductor: Ernie Stovall n Grand Guardian: Billy White n Grand Herald: Billy W. Pledger n Grand Parliamentarian: Emory L. Morris n Grand Instructor: J. Edward Stallings n

To My Brothers and Sisters n n I would like to thank you all

To My Brothers and Sisters n n I would like to thank you all for the opportunity that you have given me to serve as your Grand Master for the ensuing year. I will do my best to do my duty to uphold the tenets of our beloved order, to be a light in my community for Odd Fellowship, and to contribute as much as possible for the good of our order. I understand that your vote of confidence in me places a lot of responsibility on my shoulders, but with your help, we can leave a lasting legacy for those who come after us. If I can ever be of any assistance to any of you, I am only a phone call away.

To the Members of Unity Lodge #3 n n n When I joined the

To the Members of Unity Lodge #3 n n n When I joined the Order on June 20, 2003, I never dreamed that I would be serving as the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Georgia in less than six years. Many of you were with us when we decided to spread Odd Fellowship to Chattooga County in 2004. It took much planning and a lot of hard work and effort, but together we instituted the first new lodge in the state in several years. On February 19, 2005, at the institution of our lodge, you elected me to be your first Noble Grand. It was an honor to me then, and it continues to be an honor to me today. Simply stated, I could not have been here without your confidence and support; thank you.

To Lady Jacqueline Farrow Rebekah Assembly President n It is an honor to serve

To Lady Jacqueline Farrow Rebekah Assembly President n It is an honor to serve with you as we do our best to dedicate our lives to spreading Odd Fellowship and Rebekah Odd Fellowship to the citizens of the state of Georgia. I look forward to participating in our joint events.

To My Family n To my mother, Patricia, my father, Artis, and my girlfriend,

To My Family n To my mother, Patricia, my father, Artis, and my girlfriend, Erin, I thank you all for the love and support that you have given me. No matter what, you stand beside me and encourage me more than any of you will ever know.

Most Importantly… n I want to thank my God for the many blessings He

Most Importantly… n I want to thank my God for the many blessings He has given me throughout my life, for allowing me the opportunity to be a member of such a wonderful fraternity, and above all, for sending His only Son to save my soul. To God be all the glory for ever and ever, amen.

Perpetual Membership: Year One Introduction to Perpetual Membership

Perpetual Membership: Year One Introduction to Perpetual Membership

Perpetual Membership (Continued) n n n It is my goal this year to introduce

Perpetual Membership (Continued) n n n It is my goal this year to introduce a perpetual membership program into the Grand Lodge by which we will finance certain endeavors of the Grand Lodge, including, but not necessarily limited to, the general operating account. Perpetual Membership would allow the members to pay dues in advance, making it possible to eliminate the annual per capita dues that are paid by the lodges. As I envision the program, the members under the age of forty-five (45) years of age would be given an option of paying an amount equal to thirty (30) times their regular lodge dues. Those between the ages of forty-six (46) and 65 would have an option to pay a prorated amount equal to 75 minus their age (i. e. a person 55 years old would pay an amount equal to twenty times his or her regular dues). Any person between the ages of 66 and 74 wishing to become a perpetual member would pay ten (10) times their regular dues. In addition, any person who is 75 years of age or older, and has been a member of the Order for a continuous amount of time equal to or greater than thirty (30) years will become an Emeritus Member and will no longer be responsible for paying dues, nor will his or her lodge be responsible for paying per capita dues for that person, pending approval from the Grand Lodge.

Procedure n n n The member seeking perpetual membership would apply for the Perpetual

Procedure n n n The member seeking perpetual membership would apply for the Perpetual Membership Program through the Grand Lodge. Once the application and down payment have been accepted, the person will have an option to finance the perpetual membership over a period of time not to exceed five (5) years. While the member is paying for the perpetual membership, he or she will still be held liable for paying dues to the subordinate lodge of which that person is a member. Upon the Grand Lodge’s receipt of the last payment, the person has become endowed and will never again be charged dues by his or her subordinate lodge. The participant will receive a certificate, and the subordinate lodge will receive a letter from the Grand Lodge recognizing the member as a perpetual member.

Payment n The person seeking perpetual membership will attach a down payment to the

Payment n The person seeking perpetual membership will attach a down payment to the application not less than thirty percent (30%) of the full amount of the perpetual membership. Here’s an example:

Payment (Continued) n I will be twenty-five years old on my next birthday (April

Payment (Continued) n I will be twenty-five years old on my next birthday (April 28, 2009). When I apply for perpetual membership, I will be expected to make a down payment of thirty percent of the total charge. My annual lodge dues are twentyfive dollars ($25).

Payment (Continued) Thirty times my regular dues, at twenty-five dollars per year, is 750

Payment (Continued) Thirty times my regular dues, at twenty-five dollars per year, is 750 dollars. n (30 x $25 = $750. 00) n

Payment (Continued) Thirty percent of that amount is 225 dollars. n ($750 x 0.

Payment (Continued) Thirty percent of that amount is 225 dollars. n ($750 x 0. 30 = $225) n

Payment (Continued) My down payment would be 225 dollars. n I would have five

Payment (Continued) My down payment would be 225 dollars. n I would have five years, if I so chose to stretch it over five years, to pay the balance for my perpetual membership. n That would be 105 dollars per year, or eight dollars and 75 cents per month. n ($750 - $225 = $525 / 5 = $105 / 12 = $8. 75) n

How This Helps the Member n Younger members, such as myself, would benefit tremendously

How This Helps the Member n Younger members, such as myself, would benefit tremendously from this program. n At twenty-five years old, I would have 50 more years to pay dues until I reached the age of 75. n If we assume that the dues would never increase (only in the perfect world), 50 times twenty-five dollars is a total of 1, 250 dollars. n By becoming a perpetual member, I would save not less than 500 dollars in that amount of time. n If there is no age limit, I would have to pay dues past the age of 75. n That is why the Emeritus Member Program is so important. n If a person has been an active member for more than thirty years and is past his or her 75 th birthday, they have fulfilled more than their financial obligations to the Order.

How This Helps the Subordinate Lodge n When a person reaches perpetual member status,

How This Helps the Subordinate Lodge n When a person reaches perpetual member status, not only does that take the responsibility of paying per capita dues for that person off the lodge, but the lodge will also receive the total amount for that person’s dues back from the Grand Lodge every year. The Subordinate Lodge receives the person’s dues as it always has.

How This Helps the Grand Lodge n n n The person seeking perpetual membership

How This Helps the Grand Lodge n n n The person seeking perpetual membership will pay into the Perpetual Membership Fund, which will be a restricted investment account, accounted for by the Grand Treasurer in its own separate account. Upon reaching perpetual membership status, the allotted money will remain in the account, and the Grand Lodge will continue to receive an amount equal to the amount of per capita dues set at the time of the person’s becoming a perpetual member from the interest generated by the fund. This restricted fund will generate enough interest to maintain an endowment fund, supplementing the current per capita system.

Resolution n I will appoint an implementation committee to draw up the paperwork and,

Resolution n I will appoint an implementation committee to draw up the paperwork and, pending approval of the Grand Lodge, will implement the Perpetual Membership Program at the 2010 session. I have conferred with Brother Artis Pledger, Deputy Grand Master, and he has agreed to continue with the second phase of this program if elected Grand Master in 2010. It is my ardent desire to see this program instituted, as I believe that it will help us carry Odd Fellowship into the future.

Kids 4 Christ n n n This year, I will be supporting a charity

Kids 4 Christ n n n This year, I will be supporting a charity which is near and dear to my heart. Kids 4 Christ (K 4 C) is a non-profit organization in La. Fayette, Georgia which offers Bible study and after-school programming to less-than-privileged children in the La. Fayette/Walker County areas. To support this cause, I will be selling lapel pins, shirts, caps, and other printed items bearing my emblem. All of the proceeds will go to benefit K 4 C. Please join with me in supporting such a worthy organization, for the cause of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who otherwise may never be given the chance to learn about the love of my Savior.

My Emblem n This year, I have chosen this image as my emblem.

My Emblem n This year, I have chosen this image as my emblem.

Emblem Explained n n n The background is the image of the state of

Emblem Explained n n n The background is the image of the state of Georgia, for obvious reasons, as our jurisdiction is within the state of Georgia. Another reason for my choice is that I work for the state. The cross in the northwest corner of the state represents my selected charity, Kids 4 Christ. The number “ 30” represents the number of years charged for the Perpetual Membership Fund for a young member, as well as the percentage of the down payment for such membership. The three links, arranged in a continuous chain represents Perpetual Membership. The numbering “ 2009 – 2010” represents the term for which I will serve as Grand Master.