April 18, 2008
Brothers and Sisters,
On May 10, 2008, from 9:00AM until 4:00PM, we will have open house at our new
location, 7340 Old National Highway Riverdale, Georgia. It
will also be the day we will cut grass and make some minor repairs. Come
prepared to have fun, but wear your work clothing. Refreshments
will be served.
Regards,
Ramsey Davis, Jr.
Ramsey Davis, Jr. MWGM
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 10, 2008
Grand East Update
Greetings Brothers and Sisters,
On Friday April 4, 2008, we had a
successful closing on our new Grand East located at 7340 Old National Highway
Riverdale, Fulton County , Georgia . Our total out of pocket cost to include
our down payment, all fees and Insurance was $694,996.38. A special account has
been established at Wachovia to house our funds to service the debt.
Our first payment is due on May 4,
2008, and it will be deducted from the above mentioned account. Thanks
to all of you who have sent in the $37.00 previously requested. Many of you
have sent in a lot more and for that I say thank you. Our Grand Secretary is
keeping a separate ledger to tract who has paid as well as the amount paid. In
this way we will be able to keep an accurate record of monies received.
The question has been asked if Life Members would be exempt from this one time
payment of $37.00. I would certainly hope all Life members would see the
importance of having the involvement of every member in the Jurisdiction; but,
if a life member chose not to pay the $37.00 that member could not be compelled
to do so.
What is the next step relative to our Grand East? We are in the process of
having utilities turned on and getting the property ready for occupancy.
Hopefully we will be able to use our facility by Prince Hall Day.
What about 330 Auburn Ave ? We have owned this property since 1937 and there
are no plans of selling it, so let me put that rumor to bed. We are going to
continue to make improvements on the property and utilize it as a meeting place
for the local lodges and chapters in the Atlanta area. There has been an on
going dialogue with the National Park Service relative to renting the entire
building to them. Should this happen, then we will have to make the necessary
adjustments.
Finally, the goal is to raise $3,700,000.00 in (3) years. This will be
accomplished by our two fund raisers and grant money. These funds will be used
to retire the loan on our Grand East and to start building the additional 30,000
square feet of usable space for our new facility. Yes, this is a major
undertaking, but if others can do it, we can too.
We have gone beyond the point of no
return. Let us pull together to make this undertaking successful because it
will pay big dividends in years to come.
Regards,
Ramsey Davis, Jr.
Ramsey Davis, Jr. MWGM