Theos-Talk Archives (March 2010 Message tt00068)

Lodge chartering and closure, to some, may be just a routine administrative action. TS is not like any other business organization, even though it is a non-profit corporation for legal purposes.

I recall that in the days of HPB&HSO, chartering of each lodge was approved by the Inner Founders, since starting TS is Their idea and TS Their project for the welfare of the Humanity. It was in the days when HSO was empowered to take any decision regarding TS administration.

If chartering was such an important matter that They were paying attention to it among the busy activities, canceling is a much more serious issue, even though lawyers may say it is within the powers of the Board. 

I have lived in a city where there were three lodges and two of them were chartered the same day personally by HSO and more lodges in a city cannot hurt TS or TSA. 

Let us keep tuned for info from TSA. I hope, listening to wrong advise, we do not win the battle and lose the war.

MKR 

There is no religion higher than Truth 

--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, Duane Carpenter <monad_monad_monad@...> wrote:
>
> Â 
> Orlando lodge closure.
> Â 
>  This small excerpt from the Theosophical Society in Wheaten Ill. by laws clearly states that upon dissolution of a chartered lodge assets all go to National. This form must be filled out and signed by the individuals seeking application for lodge status. Once this document is signed it is very difficult to get  a reversal in a court of law.
> Â 
> Bylaw 9: Lodges, Study Centers, and FederationsA. Lodges
> Section 1. Application for a Lodge Charter.............. Section 2. Designation of Lodges.......................... 
> Â (c) 
> ceasing to be an active Lodge of the Theosophical Society in America, for whatever reason, or its
> failure to remain a tax-exempt organization for federal purposes (such tax exemption having
> been once attained), then all of its property and assets shall be distributed to the Theosophical
> Society in America, an Illinois not-for-profit corporation having its principal offices at 1926
> North Main Street, P. O. Box 270, Wheaton, Illinois 60189-0270, for the sole purpose of
> promoting Theosophy in ____________; 
> the Theosophical Society in ___________, the Theosophical Society in America is not qualified
> as exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (or the
> corresponding section of any future federal tax code), is not in existence, or is unwilling to
> accept the assets of the Theosophical Society in __________, then such assets shall be
> distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3), or shall be
> distributed to a federal, state, or local government for a public purpose. Any such assets not so
> disposed of shall be disposed of by a court of competent jurisdiction of the county in which the
> principal office of the corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such
> organization or organizations, as the court shall determine which are organized and operated
> exclusively for such purposes.In the event of the dissolution of the Theosophical Society in _____________, or itsprovided, however, that if, at the time of dissolution of
> Section 3. Lodge Organization.........................
> 
> 
> 
> ________________________________
> From: MKR <mkr777@...>
> To: theos-talk <theos-talk@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Tue, March 16, 2010 3:29:30 PM
> Subject: Theos-World TSA Elected Officials and Lodges
> 
> Â  
> Recently a question arose if the local district directors who represent our
> district have visited our lodge since their election. The answer is no. We
> have not seen any of them nor any other elected official during the last
> several years. If I were to run into any of them in the street, I would not
> recognize them except the National President who was in this city quite
> several years ago. By the way, at this time our lodge does not own any real
> estate property and hence this lack of interest from the elected officials
> may have something to do with this. Usually money talks.
> 
> This brings up an important issue. The elected officials who make critical
> decisions for TSA and theosophy and the question is simply why they do not
> take time to visit the lodges in their â??districtâ?? and get to know the lodges
> and the members.
> 
> In the early days of TS when membership was growing, we find the leaders
> traveling and lecturing and this had a very positive effect on the lodges
> and had an effect on the membership. Now we have seen for decades, the
> membership is going south and it looks like the lack of personal visits by
> elected officials and interaction with lodges and members seem to adversely
> affect the growth of lodges and members. Apparently, nice scholarly writings
> on theosophical magazine and other publications are not helping membership
> and lodge growth.
> 
> We all are aware of the elaborate attempt to identify how to grow membership
> and lodges. Why not try simple methods which have proven their effectiveness
> in the past before launching on complex methods whose outcome is unsure.
> 
> IMHO, the elected officials by not visiting the lodges in their area are
> definitely distancing themselves from the membership whom they are supposed
> to serve and represent.
> 
> MKR
> 
> There is no religion higher than truth
> 
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> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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