Financial Literacy & Investment Series 1: Org. Financial Management
About this Event
About This Event
Are you an officer, trustee, or active member of a Lodge, Grand Lodge, Temple, or Chapter? Do you sit through financial reports and wonder if you truly understand what the numbers mean? This session was built for you.
On Saturday, August 1, 2026, the Brothers of Sons of Solomon Lodge No. 278 proudly present the first installment of their Financial Literacy & Investment Series — a five-part educational program designed to empower the Brothers and Sisters of the Prince Hall Masonic Order with real, practical financial knowledge.
Part 1: Organizational Financial Management lays the foundation. You will leave this session with the tools to read, understand, and act on the financial information your organization produces every month.
What You Will Learn
- How to read and interpret the three core financial statements — the Balance Sheet, Income Statement, and Cash Flow Statement
- The data behind 15 key nonprofit financial ratios — where to find the numbers and how to calculate them
- How to assess the financial health of your Lodge / Chapter, Grand Lodge / Chapter, Temple or other body using industry benchmarks
- How to build and monitor an organizational budget
- The internal financial controls that protect your organization and its leadership
- How to diversify revenue beyond dues to build long-term organizational sustainability
Who Should Attend
This session is designed for complete beginners — no finance or accounting background required. It is ideal for:
- Lodge and Chapter officers (Worshipful Masters, Potentates, Treasurers, Financial Secretaries, Trustees)
- Committee chairs responsible for managing organizational funds
- Any Brother or Sister who wants to be a more informed and engaged member
Your Presenter
This session will be led by Bro. Shawn Blackwell, a member of Sons of Solomon Lodge No. 278 and a credentialed engineering and educated finance professional with:
- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering — United States Military Academy at West Point, NY
- MBA with a Concentration in Finance — A.B. Freeman School of Business, Tulane University
- Practical Corporate Managerial and Project Management Experience in Fortune 100 companies
Bro. Blackwell brings both the academic foundation and the practical experience to make complex financial concepts accessible, relevant, and immediately applicable to fraternal organizations.
About the Series
This event is Part 1 of the Financial Literacy & Investment Series — a five-part program covering:
- ✅ Organizational Financial Management — August 1, 2026
- An Overview of the Stock Market — Q3 2026
- Fundamental & Technical Analysis of Stocks — Q3 2026
- Stock Options 101 — Q4 2026
- Organizational Portfolio Management — Q4 2026
Each session is $25 per person and available individually. Attendees are encouraged to attend all five sessions for the full educational experience.
Registration
Seating is limited. Reserve your spot today.
This series is presented for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice. All investments involve risk
Agenda
🕑: 10:30 AM - 10:38 AM
Opening & Why This Matters
Info: Set the tone for the session. Establish why financial literacy is a fiduciary duty and fraternal responsibility for every Lodge and Chapter officer and member. Interactive show-of-hands exercise to calibrate the room.
🕑: 10:38 AM - 10:55 AM
The Three Core Financial Statements
Info: Introduction to the Balance Sheet, Income Statement (P&L), and Cash Flow Statement. Learn what each document measures, the key line items within each, and why all three must be read together to get the full financial picture.
🕑: 10:55 AM - 11:20 AM
The Data Behind the Ratios
Info: Deep dive into the 15 nonprofit financial ratios from the Non-Profit Financial Metrics table. For each ratio, identify the exact data point required, which financial statement it comes from, the formula, a worked example, and the benchmark for a healthy organization.
🕑: 11:20 AM - 11:30 AM
BREAK
🕑: 11:30 AM - 11:50 AM
Calculating & Interpreting the Ratios (Live Exercise)
Info: Hands-on group exercise using a sample Lodge financial statement provided in the handout packet. Participants work in pairs to calculate 8 key ratios, interpret the results against benchmarks, and identify the organization's financial strengths and areas of concern.
🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:10 PM
Fundraising & Revenue Diversification
Info: Examine the risk of over-reliance on dues as the primary revenue source. Explore seven alternative revenue streams available to fraternal organizations and discuss how to reduce revenue concentration risk using the ratios learned earlier in the session.
🕑: 12:10 PM - 12:20 PM
BREAK
🕑: 12:20 PM - 12:35 PM
Q&A & Handout Review
Info: Open floor for questions. Review all seven handouts in the printed packet. Participants leave with a clear action plan for applying today's knowledge to their own Organization
🕑: 12:35 PM
Adjourn
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 31.37
