Preamble

The foundation stone of Freemasonry is charity. For 158 years Arkansas Masons have practiced charity in their daily lives, through organized religion and through their beloved fraternity. Masons have always been the givers, never asking for anything in return. It is one of our basic beliefs that to give is better than to receive, therefore, we and our Brothers before us, have established and maintained our institution from our own money.

To ensure a strong tomorrow we must begin to build on the financial base that our forefathers, in their wisdom, bequeathed to us. Thus, united in this worthy cause, we begin an endowment program for prosperity..."A Penny A Day for Masonry".

Objective

The "A Penny A Day for Masonry" endowment program is established to provide the Masons of Arkansas a method to make a direct and lasting contribution to the success, future and strength of their Grand Lodge and to Masonry in Arkansas. The money received will be invested to provide interest income for the programs of the Grand Lodge of Arkansas.
The "A Penny A Day for Masonry" is not designed nor conceived to eliminate, reduce, or replace the per capita assessment each Lodge pays for the maintenance of the Grand Lodge. It is, however, designed to provide additional funds for the enhancement of the programs of the Grand Lodge.

Plan

For each Mason in Arkansas to voluntarily pledge "a penny a day" ($3.65 a year) to this endowment program for the next 10 years (total contribution $36.50). Enrollment is open anytime during the year by completing the enrollment form and mailing the pledge to the Grand Lodge offices. If a brother desires to pay his pledge annually, payment should
be received by March 15th of each year. Those brothers whose pledge payments are not received by March 15th of each year will be sent a reminder notice by the Grand Secretary around April 1. A brother may pay
the entire ten-year plege ($36.50) at any time. Appropriate recognition will be given those brothers participating in the program.

Administration

All monies for this program will be received by the Grand Lodge and invested by the Board of Finance in a special endowment account set up solely for this program. The income received shall be spent by a majority vote of the elected Grand Lodge officers, majority vote ruling, for the benefit of the several Grand Lodge programs. The income and expenditures will be reported to the membership during the annual Grand Lodge Communication.

Enrollment

On or about April 1, 1997, the Grand Secretary will mail a letter outling the "A Penny A Day for Masonry" program to every Mason on the
Grand Lodge mailing list data base along with an enrollment form to be completed and returned to the Grand Lodge. Each April thereafter, the Grand Secretary will mail a reminder notice to each Mason who has
enrolled in the program but not made their annual payment or pre-paid their ten (10) year commitment. Subordinate Lodges may assist the Grand Lodge in this endeavor by requesting a list of their members who have enrolled and a quantity of program information pamphlets that they can mail to the non-enrolled members of their Lodge.

The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Arkansas, F. & A.M.