Given that the very brightest Masons in the English speaking world read Emeth, I thought that this was the perfect place to come, seeking an honest opinion…
Grand Lodge of Washington, Apron Memorial, 2023
As many probably know, I’ve been tasked by our Grand Master to try and assist a tiny local Lodge that has been failing.
I’ve got an idea for the structure of the meetings that I think might work well, but before I put it into place, I’d like to solicit some feedback on it.
The Lodge meets on Saturdays, with Lunch at Noon, followed by the Stated Meeting at 1:00PM. It meets inside of a Masonic Temple owned by another Lodge, so in my view, this Lodge needs something distinctive to set it off from its much larger ‘roommate.’ It is also in a rural location, far from major population centers, making it more difficult for guest speakers to attend.
Difficult for guest speakers or presenters to attend, but to my mind having a solid program of outside speakers is a key to long term health for this Lodge. The other Lodges in the area don’t have strong programs of Masonic Education, so doing so in this Lodge would set it apart as providing that which so many Masons say that they are seeking.
I’ve decided that the rural location, combined with a desire to have the very best presenters possible, likely leads us to Zoom. We can bring in superb speakers via Zoom, much more easily than we could in person.
But, I don’t think that the lunch hour is the time to bring in a speaker. I believe that Masons love socializing during that time, and the best presentations are interactive, something made much more difficult if there is a lunch interfering with the program.
I also don’t think that it is ideal to do it during the Stated Meeting. One of my Lodges does that. It calls Off Session, then opens Zoom for a program, then after closing Zoom, resumes its labors. I find the whole thing to be very disjointed and jarring.
Stated Meeting Opens at 1:00PM, then Closes by 1:45PM. (This Lodge is blessed with having very little business to do.)
Once Lodge is Closed, open Zoom for that day’s presentation. Figure it runs from 1:45 to 2:30.
Total meeting time, an hour and a half.
I think that structure would give a number of benefits, including:
There would be no rush. If guys were really enjoying the presentation or discussion, they could stay as long as they desired. I’ve seen presentations at meals and in Stated Meetings end up being rushed to meet a schedule, but this would offer an open end if needed.
If none of the secrets of Masonry were discussed, even though it is Masonic education, non-Masons could attend. The Lodge could advertise, locally, the presentations and speakers it was going to be hosting, and if someone from the public saw a topic that was of interest to them, they could come.
The number 1 thing this Lodge needs is membership growth. By my calculations it has 2.5 active members. But I don’t think that a Lodge can ever truly be saved by growing its membership via plural members. Lodges need new men, new Masons. I think that properly done, advertising the presentation topics to the public could generate interest, and in turn, slowly begin to grow the Lodge.
So that’s my thought about Lodge meeting structure, for this specific Lodge.
Interesting. Sounds a great idea. I am involved in setting a Lodge up to focus on education on a Saturday at mid -day for members who work through the week and prefer the day time start. I like the fact you can have talks after the Lodge closes to interest possible new candidates. Thanks for this article. Bazza
Thank you Brother. While I don't imagine that it would be a fast way to bring new men into Freemasonry, I do think it could bring a slow but steady stream of interested men, and I think that retention would likely be high, as they would already have quite a lot of experience with the Lodge and its activities before they ever considered membership.
A side benefit to my mind is that most of the topics we are considering are of interest to lots of people outside of Freemasonry. I think that sometimes we can be insular to the point of harming ourselves, and limiting our benefit to the Fraternity.
I think the idea has merit. Your situation is difficult to say the least. I agree that a vigorous educationn program involving outside speakers is important for the growth and survival of a masonic lodge. A large tv or monitor for the Zoom meeting would be best (I am sure you thought of that). For security reasons I think it best if the tv/monitor is unplugged when not in use.
Agreed, the Zoom has to be well done. Our landlord Lodge has been doing its zooms with a projector and screen, but have voted to replace that with a huge smart TV. So we are lucky to have a good setup for this. (or will soon)
How about inviting individuals from the local population with interesting jobs/experiences/stories to speak. That would create a reason for inactive members to become active while introducing locals to Masonry.
I’ve found that when I ask an inactive member to perform a task in conjunction with the lodge meeting, it gives them a reason to attend the meeting. Attendance is a habit, and getting members to attend in a regular basis creates that habit. Providing them with education or entertainment gives them a desire to return.
I strongly agree with your view that attendance is a habit. I've certainly found that with myself. When a Lodge I'm frequently goes dark in the summer, I find it really hard to start attending again. Part of that is my undoubted lack of organization, but it is also, as you say, habit.
So yeah, if a Lodge can get its inactive members back into the habit of coming, it can make a huge difference in my opinion.
I like the idea of open programs and inviting non-masons to attend. There certainly are many program topics that could draw interest from the public at large. When outsiders see that we masons are just regular folks with a desire to better ourselves, they may just ask the magic "question".
I think that one thing that will have to be overcome is the fact that at least some folks might be wary about coming into our building. My wife and I were discussing that today, I think that our trick would be to have a greeter or two down at the entrance prior the the start of the discussion. Someone well dressed and friendly to bring the up to the Lodge floor and introduce them to everyone.
Your proposed meeting structure, with a dedicated time for lunch and a focused presentation session, appears well thought out. However, there might be room to explore additional dimensions. While Masonic education is a vital aspect, you've touched on the potential for broader community engagement. This brings to mind a humorous saying from "The Red Green Show," which reminds us that being useful can be as valuable as being appealing.
Considering the rural context and the need for community involvement, perhaps your Lodge could expand its focus to encompass topics that appeal not only to Masons but also to the broader community. Hosting discussions and presentations on a range of subjects that encourage intellectual growth and enriching thought could serve as a bridge between the Lodge and the local townsfolk. Just as other Lodges participate in community activities, such as road side cleanups and local fundraisers, offering a space for stimulating conversations could be a way to foster a sense of connection and shared values.
While Masonic education remains pivotal, broadening the topics could pique interest and potentially attract a wider audience, including those who may not yet be Masons. By aligning your Lodge with the pursuit of higher knowledge and creating a welcoming space for intellectual exchange, you may find that your efforts lead not only to the growth of the Lodge but also to its integration within the community fabric.
In essence, your proposal to reshape Lodge meetings is a promising step toward renewal. By considering how to deliver value beyond Masonic education, you have the opportunity to establish your Lodge as a beacon of enlightenment and camaraderie in the local landscape.
I think that my vision is similar to what you have articulated. When I write Masonic Education in this context, I am thinking about it as broadly as possible. Anything really that could serve to expand and improve oneself and one's thinking.
I don't think that people would be interested in more traditional Masonic Education. I might think it cool to know that we could well have Pinecones on our Steward's Rods, but I don't imagine anyone else does! ;-)
I presume that this could be advertised fairly well on Facebook, but we also have a couple of shops in town that sort of cater to those with more esoteric interests, so I think some fliers might do well there too.
I think, as long as the ritual is followed, and the landmarks respected a Lodge SHOULD experiment with format, especially when membership is down. I find the uniformity of the ritual comforting, but I find creative variations in agenda and meeting format interesting. Mix it up and see what happens.
I do think that we are sometimes too afraid of change. As you point out, our Ritual and Landmarks are set in stone. And the code needs to be respected, but beyond that Lodge's have tremendous flexibility, flexibility that very often goes unacknowledged and unused.
IMO, you absolutely have the right formula regarding programs. and Zoom.
What I see missing is the current members being able to provide meaningful Masonic education. Hooking into outside programs provide necessary value, but in-person mentoring provides connection and cohesion.
As a side note, I am always wary of Lodges that claim to have a "membership problem". Even framing it that way implies that adding names to the rolls will solve the "problem", but you and I know that isn't ever the real issue, and therefore not the solution ...
You are right of course. It was lots of other 'problems' that over time led to the 'membership problem.' We have been addressing the former over the past months, which should serve to solve the latter in time.
I think the idea is great. I do wonder that having an education hour is pull enough to create a pull of people to the meeting.
Personally, my weekends are busy and if I have a break midday to attend a presentation on a topic I could research on my own I'll likely choose the latter than attend the presentation.
Also, how will the presentation feed into recruiting new brothers?
My take, have the business meeting early and have an open potluck lunch then the presentation. People come to meet the brothers and interact over a meal and then stay for the presentation.
This creates a greater draw for attendance, allows the non masons to meet masons, creates an atmosphere of discovery, and allows the brothers to the model of a man that Masonry teaches.
The goal, as I read it, is to increase membership. This creates an opportunity. Other ideas might be community involvement without the goal of gaining members. Doing the right thing in true charity style means you expect nothing in return. This selflessness speaks volumes without saying a word.
This is what I was going to suggest. Having a meal, followed by the stated meeting, followed by an open program could be awkward for non-masons, because if they wanted to come for the fellowship of the meal and also for the Zoom program, they would have to sit for 45+ minutes in between. My lodge has a meal, followed by an open program, followed by the stated meeting, and we get a lot of non-masons and wannabe’s that way.
I agree, that would be awkward, and no one would want to wait the 45 minutes. My plan was to not invite folks to the meal, just the presentation. But if the Lodge were to change its bylaws, we could certainly have them to both.
Thank you for this Brother. You may well be correct that it would be better if we were able to have the meal immediately prior to the presentation. Doing so would require a bylaws change, which in our Jurisdiction can take months to accomplish, but it may be something to start working towards.
As for community involvement, this particular Lodge is actually quite good at that. In my view, it operates an extremely impactful charitable endeavor, probably the best of any Lodge in the Jurisdiction, and it has huge levels of support for that, both from surrounding Lodges, our own Grand Lodge, and one of our neighboring Grand Lodges. That hasn't historically translated into membership, but I think that a bit of revamping, not of the effort itself, but just of how the final 'product' is presented, could help to encourage membership.
Aug 28, 2023·edited Aug 28, 2023Liked by Cameron M. Bailey
This is quite similar to the process we have been using at Sultan-Monroe Lodge for the past two years. The biggest difference is our meetings are at night so the presentations afterward are later and not always convenient for outsiders even though the topics are open to prospects who want to wait until the session starts after the meeting. We have enticed several new petitioners by opening up our discussions that do not involve masonic mysteries. An excellent idea, MW Cameron. BTW if you need a presenter at any time, let me know. I am happy to assist.
Thank you for your kind offer! You were indeed the first person that came to mind. I know that our guys here will enjoy hearing from you.
I do think that this particular Lodge does have an advantage by meeting in the afternoons. We aren't bumping up against anyone's need to get home and rest for work the next morning.
My $0.02: develop a low-maintenance web site and FB presence if you don’t have one.
Make it easy to share links about upcoming events - to local FB groups, traditional local media (print, tv, radio), other organizations that serve the community...
We've got the FB presence going (it was long standing) and have a website in progress now.
I agree, we've got to jump on the local newspaper, especially around the Lodge's charitable endeavors. They should be written about, and I know that the paper will publish about them if approached in the correct way.
The mailing list is an excellent idea that I hadn't considered. Thank you!
I think you have an excellent plan there, as some have noted swapping the order to accommodate potential non-Masonic guests would be a potential boon. I’d also be more than happy to be one of your guest speakers.
The only item I would raise as a concern is the Lodge’s actual meeting date and time. Personally as a younger man with young kids, Saturday’s mid-day are not generally a time where I would attend a meeting with any sort of consistency. Depending on who you are trying to attract and the community the Lodge is in you might have a handicapping issue there. Just my perspective on that.
If you set the program to after dinner, but just before the meeting starts, wives, and other non brethren, but who are Masonically allied or associated, could be in attendance as well. After the meeting may be more of a challenge there because most non-members who show for dinner would have left at the closing of the Western Door. Might also be a really great introduction to potential candidates.
Interesting. Sounds a great idea. I am involved in setting a Lodge up to focus on education on a Saturday at mid -day for members who work through the week and prefer the day time start. I like the fact you can have talks after the Lodge closes to interest possible new candidates. Thanks for this article. Bazza
Thank you Brother. While I don't imagine that it would be a fast way to bring new men into Freemasonry, I do think it could bring a slow but steady stream of interested men, and I think that retention would likely be high, as they would already have quite a lot of experience with the Lodge and its activities before they ever considered membership.
A side benefit to my mind is that most of the topics we are considering are of interest to lots of people outside of Freemasonry. I think that sometimes we can be insular to the point of harming ourselves, and limiting our benefit to the Fraternity.
I think the idea has merit. Your situation is difficult to say the least. I agree that a vigorous educationn program involving outside speakers is important for the growth and survival of a masonic lodge. A large tv or monitor for the Zoom meeting would be best (I am sure you thought of that). For security reasons I think it best if the tv/monitor is unplugged when not in use.
Agreed, the Zoom has to be well done. Our landlord Lodge has been doing its zooms with a projector and screen, but have voted to replace that with a huge smart TV. So we are lucky to have a good setup for this. (or will soon)
How about inviting individuals from the local population with interesting jobs/experiences/stories to speak. That would create a reason for inactive members to become active while introducing locals to Masonry.
I’ve found that when I ask an inactive member to perform a task in conjunction with the lodge meeting, it gives them a reason to attend the meeting. Attendance is a habit, and getting members to attend in a regular basis creates that habit. Providing them with education or entertainment gives them a desire to return.
I strongly agree with your view that attendance is a habit. I've certainly found that with myself. When a Lodge I'm frequently goes dark in the summer, I find it really hard to start attending again. Part of that is my undoubted lack of organization, but it is also, as you say, habit.
So yeah, if a Lodge can get its inactive members back into the habit of coming, it can make a huge difference in my opinion.
I like the idea of open programs and inviting non-masons to attend. There certainly are many program topics that could draw interest from the public at large. When outsiders see that we masons are just regular folks with a desire to better ourselves, they may just ask the magic "question".
I think that one thing that will have to be overcome is the fact that at least some folks might be wary about coming into our building. My wife and I were discussing that today, I think that our trick would be to have a greeter or two down at the entrance prior the the start of the discussion. Someone well dressed and friendly to bring the up to the Lodge floor and introduce them to everyone.
Your proposed meeting structure, with a dedicated time for lunch and a focused presentation session, appears well thought out. However, there might be room to explore additional dimensions. While Masonic education is a vital aspect, you've touched on the potential for broader community engagement. This brings to mind a humorous saying from "The Red Green Show," which reminds us that being useful can be as valuable as being appealing.
Considering the rural context and the need for community involvement, perhaps your Lodge could expand its focus to encompass topics that appeal not only to Masons but also to the broader community. Hosting discussions and presentations on a range of subjects that encourage intellectual growth and enriching thought could serve as a bridge between the Lodge and the local townsfolk. Just as other Lodges participate in community activities, such as road side cleanups and local fundraisers, offering a space for stimulating conversations could be a way to foster a sense of connection and shared values.
While Masonic education remains pivotal, broadening the topics could pique interest and potentially attract a wider audience, including those who may not yet be Masons. By aligning your Lodge with the pursuit of higher knowledge and creating a welcoming space for intellectual exchange, you may find that your efforts lead not only to the growth of the Lodge but also to its integration within the community fabric.
In essence, your proposal to reshape Lodge meetings is a promising step toward renewal. By considering how to deliver value beyond Masonic education, you have the opportunity to establish your Lodge as a beacon of enlightenment and camaraderie in the local landscape.
I think that my vision is similar to what you have articulated. When I write Masonic Education in this context, I am thinking about it as broadly as possible. Anything really that could serve to expand and improve oneself and one's thinking.
I don't think that people would be interested in more traditional Masonic Education. I might think it cool to know that we could well have Pinecones on our Steward's Rods, but I don't imagine anyone else does! ;-)
I presume that this could be advertised fairly well on Facebook, but we also have a couple of shops in town that sort of cater to those with more esoteric interests, so I think some fliers might do well there too.
I think, as long as the ritual is followed, and the landmarks respected a Lodge SHOULD experiment with format, especially when membership is down. I find the uniformity of the ritual comforting, but I find creative variations in agenda and meeting format interesting. Mix it up and see what happens.
I do think that we are sometimes too afraid of change. As you point out, our Ritual and Landmarks are set in stone. And the code needs to be respected, but beyond that Lodge's have tremendous flexibility, flexibility that very often goes unacknowledged and unused.
IMO, you absolutely have the right formula regarding programs. and Zoom.
What I see missing is the current members being able to provide meaningful Masonic education. Hooking into outside programs provide necessary value, but in-person mentoring provides connection and cohesion.
As a side note, I am always wary of Lodges that claim to have a "membership problem". Even framing it that way implies that adding names to the rolls will solve the "problem", but you and I know that isn't ever the real issue, and therefore not the solution ...
You are right of course. It was lots of other 'problems' that over time led to the 'membership problem.' We have been addressing the former over the past months, which should serve to solve the latter in time.
I think the idea is great. I do wonder that having an education hour is pull enough to create a pull of people to the meeting.
Personally, my weekends are busy and if I have a break midday to attend a presentation on a topic I could research on my own I'll likely choose the latter than attend the presentation.
Also, how will the presentation feed into recruiting new brothers?
My take, have the business meeting early and have an open potluck lunch then the presentation. People come to meet the brothers and interact over a meal and then stay for the presentation.
This creates a greater draw for attendance, allows the non masons to meet masons, creates an atmosphere of discovery, and allows the brothers to the model of a man that Masonry teaches.
The goal, as I read it, is to increase membership. This creates an opportunity. Other ideas might be community involvement without the goal of gaining members. Doing the right thing in true charity style means you expect nothing in return. This selflessness speaks volumes without saying a word.
This is what I was going to suggest. Having a meal, followed by the stated meeting, followed by an open program could be awkward for non-masons, because if they wanted to come for the fellowship of the meal and also for the Zoom program, they would have to sit for 45+ minutes in between. My lodge has a meal, followed by an open program, followed by the stated meeting, and we get a lot of non-masons and wannabe’s that way.
I agree, that would be awkward, and no one would want to wait the 45 minutes. My plan was to not invite folks to the meal, just the presentation. But if the Lodge were to change its bylaws, we could certainly have them to both.
Thank you for this Brother. You may well be correct that it would be better if we were able to have the meal immediately prior to the presentation. Doing so would require a bylaws change, which in our Jurisdiction can take months to accomplish, but it may be something to start working towards.
As for community involvement, this particular Lodge is actually quite good at that. In my view, it operates an extremely impactful charitable endeavor, probably the best of any Lodge in the Jurisdiction, and it has huge levels of support for that, both from surrounding Lodges, our own Grand Lodge, and one of our neighboring Grand Lodges. That hasn't historically translated into membership, but I think that a bit of revamping, not of the effort itself, but just of how the final 'product' is presented, could help to encourage membership.
This is quite similar to the process we have been using at Sultan-Monroe Lodge for the past two years. The biggest difference is our meetings are at night so the presentations afterward are later and not always convenient for outsiders even though the topics are open to prospects who want to wait until the session starts after the meeting. We have enticed several new petitioners by opening up our discussions that do not involve masonic mysteries. An excellent idea, MW Cameron. BTW if you need a presenter at any time, let me know. I am happy to assist.
Thank you for your kind offer! You were indeed the first person that came to mind. I know that our guys here will enjoy hearing from you.
I do think that this particular Lodge does have an advantage by meeting in the afternoons. We aren't bumping up against anyone's need to get home and rest for work the next morning.
Great ideas, and great comments above.
My $0.02: develop a low-maintenance web site and FB presence if you don’t have one.
Make it easy to share links about upcoming events - to local FB groups, traditional local media (print, tv, radio), other organizations that serve the community...
Build a mailing list to send out alerts.
We've got the FB presence going (it was long standing) and have a website in progress now.
I agree, we've got to jump on the local newspaper, especially around the Lodge's charitable endeavors. They should be written about, and I know that the paper will publish about them if approached in the correct way.
The mailing list is an excellent idea that I hadn't considered. Thank you!
Just pick a date a topic and I will be there. :)
Thank you!
I think you have an excellent plan there, as some have noted swapping the order to accommodate potential non-Masonic guests would be a potential boon. I’d also be more than happy to be one of your guest speakers.
The only item I would raise as a concern is the Lodge’s actual meeting date and time. Personally as a younger man with young kids, Saturday’s mid-day are not generally a time where I would attend a meeting with any sort of consistency. Depending on who you are trying to attract and the community the Lodge is in you might have a handicapping issue there. Just my perspective on that.
If you set the program to after dinner, but just before the meeting starts, wives, and other non brethren, but who are Masonically allied or associated, could be in attendance as well. After the meeting may be more of a challenge there because most non-members who show for dinner would have left at the closing of the Western Door. Might also be a really great introduction to potential candidates.