The Grand Lodge of Georgia, Independent Order of Odd Fellows

Grand Master’s Program2009 - 2010

The Grand Lodge of Georgia,Independent Order of Odd Fellows

Tyler W. PledgerGrand Master2009 – 2010

Preparing for tomorrow must begin today.

Our MottoOur Motto

““Friendship, Love, and Friendship, Love, and Truth”Truth”

Our ObjectOur Object

To Improve and Elevate the To Improve and Elevate the Character of ManCharacter of Man

Our CreedOur Creed Genuine Genuine FRIENDSHIPFRIENDSHIP, which heareth all things, believeth , which heareth all things, believeth

all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things, is the first all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things, is the first step toward progress and personal enrichment, and the step toward progress and personal enrichment, and the progenitor of Temperence, Prudence and Justice;progenitor of Temperence, Prudence and Justice;

Unfettered Unfettered LOVELOVE, is the basis for all life’s ambitions – the , is the basis for all life’s ambitions – the controlling passion of service to humanity – more powerful controlling passion of service to humanity – more powerful than the atom – more potent than any finite force;than the atom – more potent than any finite force;

Inflexible Inflexible TruthTruth, the imperial virtue, begets economic , the imperial virtue, begets economic stability, equality under law, freedom of enterprise, the stability, equality under law, freedom of enterprise, the highest of ethical standards, and lasting peace, the ultimate highest of ethical standards, and lasting peace, the ultimate goal of fraternity;goal of fraternity;

Universal Universal BROTHERHOOD OF MANBROTHERHOOD OF MAN under the under the FATHERHOOD OF GODFATHERHOOD OF GOD, is imperative to the survival of the , is imperative to the survival of the world, and can be accomplished only through the catalysis of world, and can be accomplished only through the catalysis of fellowship – inculcating the cohesion which stems from fellowship – inculcating the cohesion which stems from understanding and amity among people, states and nations.understanding and amity among people, states and nations.

Grand Lodge OfficersGrand Lodge Officers2009 – 2010 2009 – 2010

(Elected)(Elected) Grand Master: Tyler W. PledgerGrand Master: Tyler W. Pledger Deputy Grand Master: Artis PledgerDeputy Grand Master: Artis Pledger Grand Warden: Larry ThomasGrand Warden: Larry Thomas Grand Secretary: J. Edward StallingsGrand Secretary: J. Edward Stallings Grand Treasurer: Ronald SeaboltGrand Treasurer: Ronald Seabolt Grand Representative: Jimmy Grand Representative: Jimmy

HumphreyHumphrey

Grand Lodge OfficersGrand Lodge Officers2009 – 2010 2009 – 2010 (Appointed)(Appointed)

Grand Marshall: Billy PooleGrand Marshall: Billy Poole Grand Chaplain: Edgar DawsonGrand Chaplain: Edgar Dawson Grand Conductor: Ernie StovallGrand Conductor: Ernie Stovall Grand Guardian: Billy WhiteGrand Guardian: Billy White Grand Herald: Billy W. PledgerGrand Herald: Billy W. Pledger Grand Parliamentarian: Emory L. Grand Parliamentarian: Emory L.

MorrisMorris Grand Instructor: J. Edward Stallings Grand Instructor: J. Edward Stallings

To My Brothers and To My Brothers and Sisters Sisters

I would like to thank you all for the opportunity I would like to thank you all for the opportunity that you have given me to serve as your Grand that you have given me to serve as your Grand Master for the ensuing year. Master for the ensuing year.

I will do my best to do my duty to uphold the I will do my best to do my duty to uphold the tenets of our beloved order, to be a light in my tenets of our beloved order, to be a light in my community for Odd Fellowship, and to community for Odd Fellowship, and to contribute as much as possible for the good of contribute as much as possible for the good of our order. our order.

I understand that your vote of confidence in me I understand that your vote of confidence in me places a lot of responsibility on my shoulders, places a lot of responsibility on my shoulders, but with your help, we can leave a lasting but with your help, we can leave a lasting legacy for those who come after us. legacy for those who come after us.

If I can ever be of any assistance to any of you, If I can ever be of any assistance to any of you, I am only a phone call away.I am only a phone call away.

To the Members of Unity To the Members of Unity Lodge #3 Lodge #3

When I joined the Order on June 20, 2003, I never When I joined the Order on June 20, 2003, I never dreamed that I would be serving as the Grand Master dreamed that I would be serving as the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Georgia in less than six years. of the Grand Lodge of Georgia in less than six years.

Many of you were with us when we decided to spread Many of you were with us when we decided to spread Odd Fellowship to Chattooga County in 2004. Odd Fellowship to Chattooga County in 2004.

It took much planning and a lot of hard work and It took much planning and a lot of hard work and effort, but together we instituted the first new lodge effort, but together we instituted the first new lodge in the state in several years. in the state in several years.

On February 19, 2005, at the institution of our lodge, On February 19, 2005, at the institution of our lodge, you elected me to be your first Noble Grand. you elected me to be your first Noble Grand.

It was an honor to me then, and it continues to be an It was an honor to me then, and it continues to be an honor to me today. honor to me today.

Simply stated, I could not have been here without Simply stated, I could not have been here without your confidence and support; thank you.your confidence and support; thank you.

To Lady Jacqueline FarrowTo Lady Jacqueline FarrowRebekah Assembly Rebekah Assembly

President President It is an honor to serve with you It is an honor to serve with you

as we do our best to dedicate our as we do our best to dedicate our lives to spreading Odd Fellowship lives to spreading Odd Fellowship and Rebekah Odd Fellowship to and Rebekah Odd Fellowship to the citizens of the state of the citizens of the state of Georgia. I look forward to Georgia. I look forward to participating in our joint events.participating in our joint events.

To My Family To My Family

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

Most Importantly… Most Importantly…

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

Perpetual Membership:Perpetual Membership:Year One Year One

Introduction to Perpetual Introduction to Perpetual MembershipMembership

Perpetual Membership Perpetual Membership (Continued)(Continued)

It is my goal this year to introduce a perpetual membership program into 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 the Grand Lodge by which we will finance certain endeavors of the Grand Lodge, including, but not necessarily limited to, the general operating Lodge, including, but not necessarily limited to, the general operating account. account.

Perpetual Membership would allow the members to pay dues in advance, Perpetual Membership would allow the members to pay dues in advance, making it possible to eliminate the annual per capita dues that are paid making it possible to eliminate the annual per capita dues that are paid by the lodges. by the lodges.

As I envision the program, the members under the age of forty-five (45) 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 years of age would be given an option of paying an amount equal to thirty (30) times their regular lodge dues. (30) times their regular lodge dues.

Those between the ages of forty-six (46) and 65 would have an option to Those between the ages of forty-six (46) and 65 would have an option to pay a pro-rated amount equal to 75 minus their age (i.e. a person 55 pay a pro-rated 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 years old would pay an amount equal to twenty times his or her regular dues). dues).

Any person between the ages of 66 and 74 wishing to become a perpetual Any person between the ages of 66 and 74 wishing to become a perpetual member would pay ten (10) times their regular dues. 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 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 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 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 longer be responsible for paying dues, nor will his or her lodge be responsible for paying per capita dues for that person, pending approval responsible for paying per capita dues for that person, pending approval from the Grand Lodge. from the Grand Lodge.

Procedure Procedure The member seeking perpetual membership would apply The member seeking perpetual membership would apply

for the Perpetual Membership Program through the for the Perpetual Membership Program through the Grand Lodge. Grand Lodge.

Once the application and down payment have been Once the application and down payment have been accepted, the person will have an option to finance the accepted, the person will have an option to finance the perpetual membership over a period of time not to perpetual membership over a period of time not to exceed five (5) years. exceed five (5) years.

While the member is paying for the perpetual While the member is paying for the perpetual membership, he or she will still be held liable for paying membership, he or she will still be held liable for paying dues to the subordinate lodge of which that person is a dues to the subordinate lodge of which that person is a member. member.

Upon the Grand Lodge’s receipt of the last payment, the Upon the Grand Lodge’s receipt of the last payment, the person has become endowed and will never again be person has become endowed and will never again be charged dues by his or her subordinate lodge. charged dues by his or her subordinate lodge.

The participant will receive a certificate, and the The participant will receive a certificate, and the subordinate lodge will receive a letter from the Grand subordinate lodge will receive a letter from the Grand Lodge recognizing the member as a perpetual member. Lodge recognizing the member as a perpetual member.

Payment Payment

The person seeking perpetual The person seeking perpetual membership will attach a down membership will attach a down payment to the application not less payment to the application not less than thirty percent (30%) of the full than thirty percent (30%) of the full amount of the perpetual amount of the perpetual membership. membership.

Here’s an example:Here’s an example:

PaymentPayment(Continued)(Continued)

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

PaymentPayment(Continued)(Continued)

Thirty times my regular dues, at Thirty times my regular dues, at twenty-five dollars per year, is 750 twenty-five dollars per year, is 750 dollars. dollars.

(30 x $25 = $750.00) (30 x $25 = $750.00)

PaymentPayment(Continued)(Continued)

Thirty percent of that amount is 225 Thirty percent of that amount is 225 dollars. dollars.

($750 x 0.30 = $225)($750 x 0.30 = $225)

PaymentPayment(Continued)(Continued)

My down payment would be 225 My down payment would be 225 dollars. dollars.

I would have five years, if I so chose to I would have five years, if I so chose to stretch it over five years, to pay the stretch it over five years, to pay the balance for my perpetual membership. balance for my perpetual membership.

That would be 105 dollars per year, or That would be 105 dollars per year, or eight dollars and 75 cents per month.eight dollars and 75 cents per month.

($750 - $225 = $525 / 5 = $105 / ($750 - $225 = $525 / 5 = $105 / 12 = $8.75)12 = $8.75)

How This Helps the How This Helps the Member Member

Younger members, such as myself, would benefit tremendously from this Younger members, such as myself, would benefit tremendously from this program. program.

At twenty-five years old, I would have 50 more years to pay dues until I At twenty-five years old, I would have 50 more years to pay dues until I reached the age of 75.reached the age of 75.

If we assume that the dues would never increase (only in the perfect 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. world), 50 times twenty-five dollars is a total of 1,250 dollars.

By becoming a perpetual member, I would save not less than 500 By becoming a perpetual member, I would save not less than 500 dollars in that amount of time. dollars in that amount of time.

If there is no age limit, I would have to pay dues past the age of 75. If there is no age limit, I would have to pay dues past the age of 75.

That is why the Emeritus Member Program is so important. That is why the Emeritus Member Program is so important.

If a person has been an active member for more than thirty years and is If a person has been an active member for more than thirty years and is past his or her 75th birthday, they have fulfilled more than their past his or her 75th birthday, they have fulfilled more than their financial obligations to the Order. financial obligations to the Order.

How This Helps the How This Helps the Subordinate Lodge Subordinate Lodge

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

How This Helps the Grand How This Helps the Grand Lodge Lodge

The person seeking perpetual membership will pay The person seeking perpetual membership will pay into the Perpetual Membership Fund, which will be into the Perpetual Membership Fund, which will be a restricted investment account, accounted for by a restricted investment account, accounted for by the Grand Treasurer in its own separate account. the Grand Treasurer in its own separate account.

Upon reaching perpetual membership status, the Upon reaching perpetual membership status, the allotted money will remain in the account, and the allotted money will remain in the account, and the Grand Lodge will continue to receive an amount Grand Lodge will continue to receive an amount equal to the amount of per capita dues set at the equal to the amount of per capita dues set at the time of the person’s becoming a perpetual member time of the person’s becoming a perpetual member from the interest generated by the fund.from the interest generated by the fund.

This restricted fund will generate enough interest This restricted fund will generate enough interest to maintain an endowment fund, supplementing to maintain an endowment fund, supplementing the current per capita system. the current per capita system.

Resolution Resolution I will appoint an implementation committee I will appoint an implementation committee

to draw up the paperwork and, pending to draw up the paperwork and, pending approval of the Grand Lodge, will implement approval of the Grand Lodge, will implement the Perpetual Membership Program at the the Perpetual Membership Program at the 2010 session. 2010 session.

I have conferred with Brother Artis Pledger, I have conferred with Brother Artis Pledger, Deputy Grand Master, and he has agreed to Deputy Grand Master, and he has agreed to continue with the second phase of this continue with the second phase of this program if elected Grand Master in 2010. program if elected Grand Master in 2010.

It is my ardent desire to see this program It is my ardent desire to see this program instituted, as I believe that it will help us instituted, as I believe that it will help us carry Odd Fellowship into the future. carry Odd Fellowship into the future.

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

near and dear to my heart. near and dear to my heart. Kids 4 Christ (K4C) is a non-profit organization in Kids 4 Christ (K4C) is a non-profit organization in

LaFayette, Georgia which offers Bible study and LaFayette, Georgia which offers Bible study and after-school programming to less-than-privileged after-school programming to less-than-privileged children in the LaFayette/Walker County areas. children in the LaFayette/Walker County areas.

To support this cause, I will be selling lapel pins, To support this cause, I will be selling lapel pins, shirts, caps, and other printed items bearing my shirts, caps, and other printed items bearing my emblem. emblem.

All of the proceeds will go to benefit K4C. All of the proceeds will go to benefit K4C. Please join with me in supporting such a worthy Please join with me in supporting such a worthy

organization, for the cause of spreading the gospel organization, for the cause of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who otherwise may never of Jesus Christ to those who otherwise may never be given the chance to learn about the love of my be given the chance to learn about the love of my Savior. Savior.

My EmblemMy Emblem

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

Emblem ExplainedEmblem Explained

The background is the image of the state of Georgia, for obvious reasons, as our 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 jurisdiction is within the state of Georgia. Another reason for my choice is that I work for the state. work for the state.

The cross in the northwest corner of the state represents my selected charity, Kids The cross in the northwest corner of the state represents my selected charity, Kids 4 Christ.4 Christ.

The number “30” represents the number of years charged for the Perpetual 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 Membership Fund for a young member, as well as the percentage of the down payment for such membership.payment for such membership.

The three links, arranged in a continuous chain represents Perpetual 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 The numbering “2009 – 2010” represents the term for which I will serve as Grand

Master.Master.