I think that for some folks, they put too much stock in their "home lodge", wherever that may be. They maintain membership to that lodge, even if they have moved away and haven't stepped foot inside in years. Some even wait until threat of being dropped NPD before paying their dues.
While being interviewed for my petition to join my new lodge, one of the interviewers was taken aback when I said I was demitting from my old lodge and transferring my life membership. I think he found it odd for me to quit my old lodge.
As a member of my old lodge I thought I had found my forever home, but circumstances change, people change, attitudes change and you never know when you will change.
I also agree, a new atmosphere can renew oneself in the quarries. Not just for yourself, but also the new lodge.
>>I also agree, a new atmosphere can renew oneself in the quarries. Not just for yourself, but >>also the new lodge.
This is exactly right I think. The Mason who is moving gets a new excitement because the Lodge fits him better, and that excitement certainly helps his new Lodge.
I imagine that in a lot of cases, the old Lodge can benefit as well. We all joke about "Grumpy Past Masters" sitting on the sidelines, bitching. But we all know that there is a fair amount of truth to those jokes. Having unsatisfied Brothers on the sidelines, because the Lodge changed, or the Brothers themselves changed, isn't good for a Lodge.
Importantly though, it is also good for Freemasonry. We need excited and involved Masons, and the best way to have them is to ensure that Masons are in Lodges that they truly enjoy.
I think that for some folks, they put too much stock in their "home lodge", wherever that may be. They maintain membership to that lodge, even if they have moved away and haven't stepped foot inside in years. Some even wait until threat of being dropped NPD before paying their dues.
While being interviewed for my petition to join my new lodge, one of the interviewers was taken aback when I said I was demitting from my old lodge and transferring my life membership. I think he found it odd for me to quit my old lodge.
As a member of my old lodge I thought I had found my forever home, but circumstances change, people change, attitudes change and you never know when you will change.
I also agree, a new atmosphere can renew oneself in the quarries. Not just for yourself, but also the new lodge.
>>I also agree, a new atmosphere can renew oneself in the quarries. Not just for yourself, but >>also the new lodge.
This is exactly right I think. The Mason who is moving gets a new excitement because the Lodge fits him better, and that excitement certainly helps his new Lodge.
I imagine that in a lot of cases, the old Lodge can benefit as well. We all joke about "Grumpy Past Masters" sitting on the sidelines, bitching. But we all know that there is a fair amount of truth to those jokes. Having unsatisfied Brothers on the sidelines, because the Lodge changed, or the Brothers themselves changed, isn't good for a Lodge.
Importantly though, it is also good for Freemasonry. We need excited and involved Masons, and the best way to have them is to ensure that Masons are in Lodges that they truly enjoy.