Brethren:
      As the month of September is now upon us, I would like to wish everybody a very happy and safe Labor Day. I hope that everybody had a great month in August. Traditionally being a dark month among Masons, I am pleased to hear that a great time among friends and family was enjoyed outside of the lodge.
      I am also glad that we are all so rested and ready to jump full swing back into our Masonic lives.
      As you can see, this month's calendar is full of events to keep us all busy. As from the South and also the kitchen, this is kind of a slow month. I would like to encourage all Master Masons to attend the Third Degree for Brother Phil Brewster on the 16th. As always, there will be a savory steak dinner prior to the degree and, reservations are a must! I encourage all masons to join us one hour prior to any stated meeting or degree for refreshments and fellowship. There is always a delicious desert to follow. Social hour before and after the meetings is where true Masonic bonding takes place. You can enjoy a snack or a refreshing beverage, talk to old friends and meet some new ones, give and receive ideas from the candidates to the officers to the Past Masters and even to the Master. The more involved you get, the more you will love to be there!
      Lastly, as Worshipful Beyers is no longer among the Brethren, he will always be inspiring us from the Celestial Lodge above. From the bottom of my heart, I will truly miss you.
      "Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value." Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
Fraternally,
Kenneth L. Barnes
Junior Warden

Brethren:
       At the Stated Meeting of July 1, 2004 a motion to adopt a resolution to change the By-laws of the Lodge to increase the dues from $48.00 to $64.00 per year, effective January 1, 2005 was moved, seconded and presented to the Brethren in attendance.
       The resolution will come before the Brethren at our Thursday, September 5, 2004 Stated Meeting at 8:00 PM.
       All Brethren are requested to attend this Stated Meeting and present their views on the dues increase. Each Brother Master Mason will have the opportunity to present their views and discuss the increase with all of the Brethren. All due consideration will be given to any Brother Master Mason who speaks on this important decision.
       A two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of the Members of the Lodge present will be required for the proposed amendment to the By-Laws and Constitution of Burbank Lodge. If approved by those present, the proposed amendment will then be referred to the Grand Master for Grand Lodge approval at the Annual Grand lodge Communication in October. It is important the Brethren of Burbank Lodge attend the September Stated Meeting and listen to the reasons for the increase in dues. The Lodge currently has 251 dues paying members. Through the past years there has been a declining membership. The Lodge revenues have decreased and expenses have increased, particularly the per capita tax assessed by Grand Lodge of California; it has multiplied significantly.
       As you are aware, the Lodge completed the sale of the Chevron property owned by the Lodge and we are temporarily without the revenue generated by the Chevron property. A committee has been appointed by the Worshipful Master to invest the proceeds of the sale into another investment revenue generating property. This will take time since there are a limited number of properties available in the real estate market.
       In the foreseeable future the Lodge expenses will exceed the Lodge revenues. Interest and dividend income from investments will not meet the needs of the Lodge to offset the expenses required to operate the Lodge.
       All Brethren are requested to be present at the September Stated Meeting or if you cannot be in attendance, send a letter to the Worshipful Master of the Lodge indicating your preference.

Fraternally,
Norm Furman, Secretary
e-mail: burbanklodge406@att.net
      
      

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OPERATION PHONE HOME

      Operation Phone Home is a campaign designed with the goal of providing prepaid international phone calling cards to as many military men and women serving overseas as can be reached. It will be an ongoing effort as long as American Military Personnel serve overseas, particularly in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Balkans.
      The Masonic Service Association, on behalf of the Masonic fraternity, has entered into an agreement with the USO to participate in this program. MSA has met all of the requirements necessary to have a web site presence and a link to the USO web page and to have a Masonic Logo on the phone card. The card will include the logo of the USO, the participating phone company (AT&T), and the American Flag. On the left side of the card will appear the Square and Compasses and the words Compliments of America's Freemasons. (Image below)
      Anyone wishing to participate in this program may send a donation marked Operation Phone Home to:
                              The Masonic Service Association
                              8120 Fenton Street
                              Silver Spring, MD 20910-4785.
      All of the monies received will go to this program and an accounting will be made by MSA at the end of each calendar year.
      Or go to http://freemasonry.org and follow the links.

Thank you very much for your help!


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Burbank Masonic Center
Youth Groups

Job’s Daughters            Job’s Daughters
Bethel 97                        Bethel 208
Trish Vossper                  Amanda Price
818 846-3042                  818 500-8202
1^st Friday & 3^rd Saturday      1^st Saturday & 3^rd Friday

DeMolay
L.C. Kelley Chapter
Steve Jordan
818 729-0913
2^nd & 4^th Tuesday

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 September 2004 CALENDAR

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