Secretary

For the Secretary: the lodge's memory, without the paperwork

Sodalis takes on most of the lodge Secretary's work: summonses, attendance, minutes and the register of the brethren. The Secretary keeps the pen; the application copies, counts and sends.

Summoning

The agenda starts from a lodge template matched to the degree, and the preview shows the summons as it will be received. It goes out by e-mail to the chosen brethren, each in his language, and the date of the last sending is shown.

Attendance intentions then arrive on their own, name by name, on the meeting.

Keeping attendance

The roll call is pre-filled in one click from the declared intentions. In tablet mode, the brethren sign in at the temple door with a finger-drawn signature, visitors included; visiting brethren give their home lodge, and the minutes list them grouped by lodge.

A brother can only be marked between his admission and his departure, so each brother's attendance stays accurate, and each can download his own record.

Writing the minutes

The lodge's template inserts the date in the Year of True Light, those present and excused, attendance by degree, visitors with their lodge, the papers presented and the widow's mite. The Secretary writes the rest, has the minutes adopted and produces the PDF on demand.

The secretariat statistics show minutes adopted, in progress or missing, and the average notice given for summonses.

Register and correspondence

The brethren's records, degrees, and admission and departure dates make up the lodge register. Invitations to join Sodalis go out by e-mail. Visit requests from brethren of other lodges can be addressed to the Secretary, who replies straight from his mailbox.

The e-mail digest, date polls and the lodge's document binder complete the set.

Your questions

How do I send a summons?

From the meeting, “Send the summons”: untick a few brethren if needed, then confirm. The e-mail carries the agenda, date, time, venue and a button to declare attendance.

Can the minutes follow our own format?

Yes. The lodge's template can be edited; the standard template, modelled on a GLDF lodge's minutes, is a starting point.

Can the attendance sheet be printed?

Yes. Roll calls and lists print cleanly from the browser; tablet mode also lets you do without paper.

Do the brethren see the minutes?

No. They remain reserved to officers and administrators at every stage.

Further reading

See Sodalis at work

Leave us your details: we will show you Sodalis and open your lodge with you. The first month is free, then €240 per year per lodge.

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