Getting Started with Dues: Part I - Lodge Member Types

Setting up dues in MORI is a simple process. In this series of posts I will cover:

• How to setup lodge member types,
• What each lodge member types pays in annual dues,
• Assigning a member type to every member of the lodge,
• Importing any arrears or dues balances for your lodge members,
• Creating new dues entries for the upcoming year,
• Configuring your dues notice, and
• Generating and printing dues notices.

Creating Lodge Member Types

On the MORI menu go to: Lodge -> Member Types

This screen is divided into two sections: Member Types, which lists any existing member types that have been created for your lodge; and an Add Member Type form for creating new member types.

We will be using the "Add Member Type" form at the bottom of the page to create our lodge member types and enter the amount they will be billed for dues in the coming year.

The "Add Member Type" form has two fields "New Member Type," which is the name for the member types, such as "Regular," "Life," or "Hardship." The second field "Total Annual Dues" is where you enter the total amount the member type pays in annual dues. This is an important thing to understand, MORI only tracks one amount due for each member type, so you need to enter the complete amount you bill each member type on an annual basis. (ie. Include the Grand Lodge per-capita, lodge dues, meal fees, pet baby sitting fees, etc. OK, pet sitting is a joke.)

So, let's create a member type. We're going to create a "Regular" member who pays $100.00 per years in total annual dues. Enter "Regular" in the "New Member Type" field, and enter "100" in the "Total Annual Dues" field, and then click the "add" button. The screen will reload and you will see the "Regular" member type listed in the "Member Types" section at the top of the page.

You can create as many member types as you like. If your lodge charges a different amount for regular members just change the amount.

Now, create all of the member types for your lodge, common ones are "Regular," "Life," "Hardship," and "Honararium" for people like the secretary, if he doesn't pay dues. (NB: You do not need to create a member type for Honorary members. MORI already handles them transparently.)

In the next installment we will learn how to assign a member types to every member of the lodge.