2007 Letter from Lodge Master
From Sekhet-Maat Lodge
September 26, 2007 ev.
Cari Fratres et Sorores,
We have just signed a new lease on our current location. This is a two-year lease and the rent has gone up to $1200 per month effective immediately. Previously the rent was $1040 per month. Clearly, this increase will cause us to start digging deeper into our reserve funds unless we bridge the gap somehow, but we won't be increasing dues and we won't be doing any "rent-raising" events.
As many of you know, throughout this common year the Lodge has been practically self-sufficient, with dues and pledges bringing in an average of about 97% of our monthly costs. This extraordinary achievement, which some have said would never be possible, is thanks to all of you for supporting a dues increase last December, and to those of you who pledged even higher contribution levels at that time.
This is completely different from prior years, when we were forced by necessity to "rent-raise" hundreds of dollars a month just to keep the doors open, and virtually no improvements to our equipment or furniture have been possible.
Today we have our bills paid without having to "rent-raise," and not only that -- because we have been able to raise funds for much-needed improvements, we purchased a new stove and a kitchenaid mixer; refurbished a major piece of initiatory equipment; bought a font as specified in Liber XV; installed a blue insulating curtain in the temple windows; painted the temple walls; established a $1000 rainy day fund; and now the Lodge actually pays for wine, roses, our cleaning supplies, and other consumables, all of which were previously donated by individuals.
In the last year we've also raised the funds needed to complete other projects that are now in the works, including installation of a pass-through from the kitchen to the temple, a new fire altar to the specifications of Liber XV, an extension of the kitchen counter, more initiation equipment improvements, and painting the exterior with identifying insignia.
The wish list for next year and beyond is already being written. Some of the things we are planning include storage systems to protect our swords, lances, and artwork; a gallery art hanging system; painting the kitchen, office, and railings; replacing/improving lighting in temple; and much more.
Beyond improvements, we aim one day to have a Profess House in Portland. Accomplishing this will require us to move beyond self-sufficiency as time goes by. We hope to increase our income each year, with a target of 125% in the first few years, and a long-term goal of 400%. In pursuit of the long-term goal, we encourage all members to regularly increase their monthly pledge; this way, as we all gain more income and success in our lives, the Lodge benefits too. Today, however, our expenses have gone up significantly and we all need to consider making a commitment to contribute more so that we can maintain our current level of development.
All of this is in jeopardy of being put on indefinite hold if our income from dues and pledges does not rise now.
In order to maintain the current level of financial health, we will need an additional $160 per month. It would only take 16 members increasing their pledge by $10 each to put us over the top (that's only 33 cents a day). I have increased my pledge by $15 per month, effective immediately, and I hope some of you will consider making a pledge increase today of *any* amount. We can all work together to make this happen but we need your help.
Just email the Lodge Treasurer and let him know what you can afford on a monthly basis, to help the Lodge overcome this hurdle.
We are acutely aware that many members have already increased their contributions significantly less than a year ago in order to reach the financial health we now enjoy. Still, we felt that for many members, it may yet be possible to make a small increase as a magickal act to preserve and extend our ability to celebrate Thelema in this place that we have made sacred through our works.
It is because of the diligence, ferocity, justice, and art of each of her members that Sekhet-Maat Lodge is manifested. Support and maintenance of our temple is in pursuit of our vision and work, which you can read on our website at: About Sekhet-Maat Lodge
In the Bonds of the Order,
and Fraternally Yours,
Frater NThLMKMNRG
Update
Many members stepped up to the plate, and we had a couple of new members by the time the Sun entered Scorpio. As of this update, it appears that we have completely erased the gap and will finish the year at about 100% self-sufficiency, 10% over our goal for the year. --Fr. HydraLVX 02:07, 29 November 2007 (EST)
