Life Membership in the Scottish Rite provides financial stability for a member's Valley, and a new Supreme Council program allows automatic monthly credit card charges to purchase such memberships.

I've known men who are sadlydeluded that they're only one big win away from being "set for life." They fool themselves into thinking that if they just win the big bet on the World Series-or the Super Bowl or whatever-their problems are solved. They're deluded by the notion that everything in life is a gamble, so why shouldn't they base their futures on a few "sure bets"?

That's no way to get ahead in life. In fact it's a sure road to ruin. However, there are a few "sure bets" in life that involve no gamble, and Life Membership in the Scottish Rite is near the top of that list. Whether called Life Membership, Endowed Membership, or Perpetual Membership, it offers a simple and sound way to guarantee your membership in the Scottish Rite for life. At the same time you are helping build the financial stability of your Valley.

Each Valley has developed a program to suit its specific needs. Purchase costs for a Life Membership vary from $200 to $1,250, depending on a member's age and his Valley's dues. Life Membership funds are invested in a special account, and the principal is never touched-only the fund's interest is used for Valley purposes. While you save yourself the hassle of dues payments and the worry of dues increases, your funds become part of your Valley's permanent endowment providing income in perpetuity.

How can you beat a deal like this? It's hard, but I think the Supreme Council has found a way to improve on success: monthly payments for a Life Membership automatically charged to your VISA/MasterCard. Once you start the automatic charges, you'll never receive a bill for dues again, even during the payment period. When your Life Membership is paid up, the automatic charges stop, and once you start the payment program, your costs are guaranteed-you're never subject to dues increases again. It's so easy, it's almost painless.

Here's how it works. Call 1-800-SRMASON (1-800-776-2766, ext. 136) and explain that you want to purchase a Life Membership through automatic monthly credit card charges. Our staff will look up your Valley's Life Membership cost and annual dues. You pick the amount of the monthly charge (any amount over $25), and we'll set up your payment program. A copy of your purchase contract will be sent to you for your records. The rest is automatic. Your credit card will be charged every month until your purchase of Life Membership is complete.

A quick example will make this clear. Let's say you're 63 years old, your Valley's annual dues are $50, a Life Membership costs $500 for members under 75, and you'd like to pay $25 per month. It will take 20 months to purchase your Life Membership ($25 x 20 = $500). During that 20-month period, there will be two annual dues payments of $50 for a total payment of $600 (Life Membership of $500 + 2 annual dues of $50). Twenty-four monthly payments of $25 will purchase a Life Membership and pay your annual dues during the installment purchase period. Each year the Supreme Council will send a check to your Valley for your dues, and when your installment contract is completed, we will send your Valley a check for your Life Membership, and you will receive a Life Membership Certificate. It's as simple as that!

Think about what Scottish Rite Freemasonry has meant to you, your family, and our country. We are part of a proud tradition, and we must ensure our heritage is passed on to future generations. Our Life Memberships will create a lasting legacy. Call your Valley Secretary or 1-800-SRMASON, ext. 136 today to become a Life Member under this new program.