Finance Committee

REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE

To the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Minnesota:

The responsibility of the finance committee is the stewardship of the funds entrusted to the Grand Lodge by its members. Pursuant to section G2.02(6) of the Minnesota Code, the finance committee is charged with overseeing the financial transactions of the Grand Lodge.

During the year 2022-2023 we carefully observed the expenditures of our Grand Lodge, then sought economies in those expenditures and implemented them. As expected, certain costs have increased while others have decreased, producing savings. In summary, we have met the past year’s budget guidelines. Total Revenue has declined, largely because of the decrease in membership.

The Finance Committee make the following recommendations:

1. That the Grand Treasurer be authorized to disburse Grand Lodge Funds for all normal and necessary expenses for the months of March and April of 2024, or until such time as the Grand Lodge holds its next Annual Communication.
2. That the Brethren, at the 2023 Annual Communication, approve the expenditures for those items that exceed the budget in this past year. [A detailed list of expenditures compared to budget amounts can be found in the financial statements included in the pre-prints.]
3. That the Grand Lodge support the proposed General Fund and Benevolent fund budgets for the next year.

Very, very broadly defined, the expenses of the Grand Lodge are four: its annual communication; its Grand Lodge office; Grand Lodge committees; and the reimbursement of expenses incurred by our officers, custodians, deputies, and representatives in the normal course of their duties. We will continue with our members assistance, to make every effort to maintain the funding necessary to support those vital expenses.

Respectfully submitted,
Foster D. Solem, Senior Grand Warden
Chairman, Finance Committee