Financial Responsibilities Of Your Local Lodge
(OR Treating Your Lodge Like A Business)

Operating a local lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police is somewhat like operating a business. You would want certain things to be done a certain way and you would want to be able to find out what happened if they weren't.

The Grand Lodge has made the State Lodges responsible for local lodge financial affairs within their respective state. This is a list of things that your lodge should either have in place or have a procedure for the way it is handled.

1. Be incorporated as a non-profit 501(c) (8) corporation
2. Have a Federal EIN (Employer Identification Number)
3. File a 990 with the IRS every year
4. Have a budget passed by the executive board every year
5. Have an voucher procedure for lodge expenses
6. Provide financial reports to the board and membership monthly or quarterly
7. Have a policy for how long you retain your lodge records
8. Have a crime and dishonesty bond in place on all members of your lodge that handle money
An excellent publication that is available from the Grand Lodge is the "Corporate and Tax Affairs of a lodge". Click Here To Download This Publication Contact me if you need help in any of these areas. I will either assist you or put you in touch with the proper people.

Brent Baker
State Secretary
Kansas State Lodge

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