Child ID Program

What is the Child ID Program?

The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Florida initiated the Florida Masonic Child ID Program in 1997. During the preceding eighteen (18) years, Masonic Lodges throughout the State of Florida have provided FREE of charge child identification kits to hundreds of thousands of families.

The Florida Masonic Child ID Program has exemplary volunteers. It is focused on prevention, and provides a kit that enables parents/guardians with the capability to quickly distribute digital information. It promotes education for parents and children, and is completely FREE. The program equips law enforcement with vital information to assist their efforts when searching for a missing person. It contains up-to-date quality photos, medical information, physical characteristics, and contact information. The digital fingerprints can be used to help locate a missing person in a variety of ways including licensing, registrations, certifications, employment, law enforcement, and volunteering at a church or school.

In 2015, the Florida Masonic Child ID established the Facebook-site Florida Masonic Child ID Program. This site has the potential to expand the program by increased exposure with the public and organizations that are committed to child safety. Participation from the Zone and District Committeemen is required for these sites to be successful. Success can be measured through increased participation from a civic, church, school, or other organization. It can be measured financially with the receipt of a grant or other financial assistance. It can be measured a success to a Lodge by assisting with increased membership. Private sites were also created to enable the District and Zone Committeemen the ability to share information. Please note rules have been established that govern the contents of the sites.

A Child ID event is one of the most important and useful public relations activities available to the Fraternity. Events educate the public about the Fraternity’s commitment to charity. They display community involvement, set the Craft to work, and are the beginning for the membership process. At a Child ID event, professionals, young adults, and their families witness Masonry and can learn about the Fraternity through a learned Brother who can talk comfortably with others. Our Brothers, their families, and friends continue to donate their time and resources, making the Florida Masonic Child ID Program a Hallmark. Lodges and Districts support each other and welcome assisting with new Child ID Programs.

Fraternal Endowment Fund FA-100

What is the FA-100?

In 1993, the Corporate Board changed the employee retirement program for Grand Lodge that existed, and found that there was a surplus in the accounts and established what we know today as the Fraternal Administrative Endowment Fund (FA-100).

The Fund above was started with an initial investment as a trust fund account that, through the years with donations, along with good investments, has grown a surplus to help with the budget of The Grand Lodge of Florida and its operating expenses. The purpose of the Fraternal Administrative Endowment Fund (FA-100) is to raise funds for Grand Lodge, so the fund investments will eliminate the need for the Per Capita Tax to all Lodges, but as we have seen with diminishing membership and rising expenditures we have had to increase this tax and the need for the fund will continue until a time when we can comfortably do without it.In simple terms, like a business Grand Lodge is our home office, and the Lodges are separate branch offices that operate to promote our organization and carry our message into the communities throughout the state. Like all our Lodges we have established budgets and operating expenses.

Once this fund reaches its goal, these administration costs could be funded from investment income provided by this endowment fund. This would allow the current per capita tax to be kept in your Lodge, and we would reduce the importance of this program as it would be self sustaining. Consider making a donation today, or provide something in your will that would help Grand Lodge when you’re gone. Your Help and Commitment will make this work and our Fraternity will be better for your efforts. We are all in this together and our future relies on us to provide a stable financial environment for years to come.

Grand Master Ties

To facilitate contributions to the FA-100, the Grand Master designs a neck tie each year that is presented to the Craft by the Chairman within each Masonic District. Show your support for the FA-100 by purchasing the Grand Master’s Masonic tie.