Esoteric - Metaphysical Conferences
I imagine that there's more than one way
A couple Lodges in my Jurisdiction run yearly conferences on Esotericism. I’ve attended as I’ve been able through the years. I find that I always learn something interesting, and I always have a great time.
These are one day or one weekend events. Run by Masons, taught by Masons, for Masons, in Masonic Temples.
Not every Mason is interested in such topics of course, but enough Masons are to keep these events happening each year.
That’s wholly to the good, and I wouldn’t change a thing about these events.
But, unless one lives near our major population center here in Washington, they can be difficult to get to. For me it means at least a couple of nights in a hotel, and I live a good deal closer than many.
From that, I’m wondering if there is a way that smaller, more out of the way Lodges could bring something similar to their Masons, and their communities.
Specifically, I’m wondering if a Lodge wouldn’t do quite well simply by offering its building to a local esoteric group or organizer to put on a conference dealing with esoteric topics?
Resulting in an esoteric conference in a Masonic Temple, that interested area Masons could attend, but not taught by or run by Masons.
I’m not going to claim this as an original idea.
I was approached by a small, local esoteric group that would like to use my Lodge’s building to host an esoteric - metaphysical conference that would be open to the public. The group has two goals for their proposed event. They want something local for people who can’t travel to Seattle, Washington or Portland, Oregon. (The passenger train that runs between those two cities stops a couple blocks from our Masonic Temple multiple times a day.) And they want something that is affordable for more people than some of the larger, very costly conferences in the big city.
Thinking about it, I’ve concluded that it’s a pretty solid idea.
It would give the Masons in our area, who are interested in these subjects an opportunity to learn about them. Assuming we set it for a date that our building isn’t used anyway, it wouldn’t actually cost the Lodge any money. And lastly, if we asked to be listed as a Sponsor in exchange for the use of the building, that would result in some level of cost free advertising for our Lodge. Advertising that would likely reach at least some men who might be interested in Freemasonry.
Ultimately, I think it would provide our Lodge with something that we could never get otherwise, for we are too small and too rural to pull off a conference like this on our own. We just wouldn’t have the manpower to run it, and travel for presenters would be difficult.
I’m not seeing drawbacks to it. But, I may well be missing something. What do you think? Is this something a Lodge might want to seriously consider?
An excellent idea!!
I really think this is inventive and for those of us who are interested in all things esoteric this could be a blueprint for any smaller rural lodges attracting a similar local following that would benefit the General community as well as the Masonic one.
(A few cautions i thought of):
Does the group need to have an insurance policy covering basic use of the lodge so that if one of them gets hurt The policy covers the damages?
Is there a waiver required as well simply as a matter of record that all participants knowingly use the lodge? While leaving the Lodge blameless for their conduct or for anything that might befall them?
Are the utilities being used during the event putting the lodge in any kind of financial setback such as excessive heat on cold days, restroom supplies being Consumed, or if they use the kitchen is there any possible liability that could fall back on the lodge?
Does the Lodge retain a membership list of the group in question so that if some random person decided to join the group and then caused mischief or possibly damage or vandalised the building their identity could be verified and checked against the list for a police report and/or insurance claim information?
Are there cameras running that show the group just in case there was some sort of mishap or an incident?
Would the group be consuming alcohol if it was a mixer as well as an esoteric conference and what they have a banquet permit or someone responsible for checking IDs to avoid any kind of underage drinking?
If the group met at the lodge and someone’s car broke down and sat there in the parking lot for days or weeks and with that cause liability for the lodge as well as taking up one of the parking spaces which might be needed for an event or an additional rental for another group Which might impact attendance ?
Assuming the temple board had processes in place to protect the lodge from any of these events occurring or policies that justified a meeting I think it’s an excellent way for the Lodge to be relevant to the community and the community to enjoy the building for the treasurer that it is.
And the networking opportunities seem like a fantastic way to get to know other people interested in the esoteric and have many fine discussions and conversations.
That would be sooooo excellent. Even if they offered it on Zoom for a year or two until enough people knew about it and wanted to attend in person, that would be so cool !