Warren G. Harding Lodge No. 260
Poulsbo, Washington
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Warren G. Harding Lodge No. 260
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The Warren G. Harding Building Association, holds its regular meetings on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Lodge Hall in Poulsbo. All members of Warren G. Harding Lodge and its concordant bodies are invited to attend. The Annual Meeting, at which the Annual Report is presented, new members selected, and new officers elected, is held in January in conjunction with the regular meeting. The Building Association board is a corporate entity separate from the Lodge and its purpose, beyond the Masonic aims of promoting morality, charity, and fraternity, is to manage the real property of the Lodge. The original Articles of Incorporation were signed into effect by MWGM Robert H. Guthrie on March 19, 1960. The legal separation of the Building Association board from the Lodge serves two important purposes. First, the Brethren of the Lodge, as individuals, are insulated from any pecuniary liability that might be incurred as a result of injury or damage claims against the Lodge. And, second, the Brethren of Warren G. Harding Lodge are relieved of the business responsibility of managing the Lodge's properties so that they might more appropriately concentrate their energies on the pursuit of Masonic ideals. This said, it is important to note that the by-laws of the Building Association board state that every member in good standing of the Lodge shall be a member of the corporation; but, the management and control of the business affairs and property of the corporation, and the collection and disbursement of its funds, shall be vested in a Board of nine Trustees. The current Building Association board Trustees for 2008 are:
In actual practice, the Board of Trustees (Building Association board) oversees the leasing of the Lodge's real estate and manages the repairs and improvements to the building. The Warren G. Harding Lodge building consists of three floors on Front Street in downtown Poulsbo, with a total area of 14,670 square feet. The original building was constructed shortly after the turn of the century and has served many purposes over the ensuing years. Historians say that it has served as a feed store, a Post Office, the Kitsap County Co-Op, a loft for drying and repairing fishing nets, residential apartments, and home to numerous retail businesses, light manufacturing businesses, and professional offices. The Lodge presently occupies approximately 4,500 square feet of the space; the remainder is either leased or available for lease through Windermere Property Management, WPM Inc., 360 779-1755. The Brethren of Warren G. Harding Lodge #260 consider themselves very fortunate in owning their own building. It provides a significant source of income to help support Lodge activities. Twice each year the Building board turns over all excess funds, generated through its lease holdings, to the Lodge. Designated percentages of these funds are deposited into the Lodge's Building Fund and the Youth Scholarship Fund. The remainder goes into the Lodge's General Fund to support, primarily, charitable activities. The Building Association board derives most of its guidance from the Lodge membership. The incumbent Worshipful Master and Wardens occupy three of the Board's nine Trustee positions. The Building Association board also encourages members of the Masonic concordant bodies to attend its meetings and provide input. The Board is currently seeking members from these groups to serve on an Improvement Committee for the purpose of making recommendations regarding redecoration and refurbishment of the Lodge room and dining area.
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