My Lodge in NY had an interesting task. Every year there was a Fireman's Town Fair. The Firemen had a food booth, where they raised money. Our Masonic Lodge members manned that booth for the start of the Fireman's Fair Parade (the Firemen marched first). When they received us, we were taken to the end of the Parade units, and we marched. A convertible car carried out Brothers who were not able to march. This task was part of our Community Service.
Because if we don't, then we likely cannot assist others.
In Washington, the Membership Experience is the first of our Six Supports in long range planning to be used by the Grand Lodge AND local Lodges because that IS the most important thing. Without a quality experience, what is this all for?
Not in all of course, but in too many Lodges, I feel that the focus is on financial priorities 3 and 4 much more than 1 and 2. And by having that misalignment, a Lodge will never thrive.
I get the sense that in Lodges that do have this misalignment, it is often driven by a desire for growth. "If we get our name out there we'll get guys knocking on our door."
But what's the point of having someone knock on our door if we don't offer anything that would get them to take the next step?
Once on a Zoom with a few young Masons I had to agree with them that they cordoned off an area in the Northeast corner of the Lodge for PM's and called it the "bullpen"... if they needed their advice... they'd ask for it. Period.
I joined Freemasonry at 51 and decided to go into admin as I could plainly see there were tons lined up for the Chairs. I have an Honorary Life Membership (granted by GL) to my Lodge and served as Secretary and Treasurer (as it should be) for 14 years. I got the financial disaster that was the Lodge "fixed" as was "kind of" forced out in 2009.
I had made ALL voting on dues and Initiation Fees NOT REQUIRED and set out in 1995 on regular increases to get the dues to $1.00 a day ($365.00 a year) by 2025 (this year!)... I live in Mexico now and attended a GP meeting on the budget last year. They had moved to cheaper facilities, made or catered their own Festive Boards, ran their own bar and had, in general, hit the skids very bad.
When I stepped down in 2009 the dues had reached $220.00 and I was blown away to hear in that meeting that they were $230.00... my well worked out plan had been tossed and the Lodge is headed down the proverbial crapper.
“Once on a Zoom with a few young Masons I had to agree with them that they cordoned off an area in the Northeast corner of the Lodge for PM's and called it the "bullpen"... if they needed their advice... they'd ask for it. Period.”
Not so sure this is a good idea. Personally, I would not appreciate being shoehorned into a corner of the Lodge as someone to provide valuable advice only when the regular officers asked for it, on the assumption that as a PM, I’m automatically disruptive to the well-being of the Lodge. Perhaps this is a wink-and-chuckle, but we need to be careful about painting certain stations of Officers, Past Officers, etc. with too broad a brush.
“...and served as Secretary and Treasurer (as it should be)…” I’m curious as to your take on combining the positions of Secretary and Treasurer. Saying this being a past Secretary-Treasurer of two York Rite bodies for about 8 years.
Brother, when discussing limitations of time and resources, which has been a large theme throughout my professional roles, I am reminded of the tale of three servants. Do we utilize those resources and talents bestowed upon us to their best effect?
What if by the act of meeting those essential categories of support and relief we were to be intentional in the way we structure our efforts? Considering how to grow, and consequently give more to our Brethren and communities, by considering the way in which we do business and approach charity.
I think there are ways where we can not only meet the need, but grow beyond it. Provided that we can collectively bring those willing to discuss it into a room once in a while...
My Lodge in NY had an interesting task. Every year there was a Fireman's Town Fair. The Firemen had a food booth, where they raised money. Our Masonic Lodge members manned that booth for the start of the Fireman's Fair Parade (the Firemen marched first). When they received us, we were taken to the end of the Parade units, and we marched. A convertible car carried out Brothers who were not able to march. This task was part of our Community Service.
I cannot agree more to this sentiment.
As we are told when about to depart on a plane:
'Put your own mask on first'
Why?
Because if we don't, then we likely cannot assist others.
In Washington, the Membership Experience is the first of our Six Supports in long range planning to be used by the Grand Lodge AND local Lodges because that IS the most important thing. Without a quality experience, what is this all for?
Not in all of course, but in too many Lodges, I feel that the focus is on financial priorities 3 and 4 much more than 1 and 2. And by having that misalignment, a Lodge will never thrive.
I get the sense that in Lodges that do have this misalignment, it is often driven by a desire for growth. "If we get our name out there we'll get guys knocking on our door."
But what's the point of having someone knock on our door if we don't offer anything that would get them to take the next step?
Once on a Zoom with a few young Masons I had to agree with them that they cordoned off an area in the Northeast corner of the Lodge for PM's and called it the "bullpen"... if they needed their advice... they'd ask for it. Period.
I joined Freemasonry at 51 and decided to go into admin as I could plainly see there were tons lined up for the Chairs. I have an Honorary Life Membership (granted by GL) to my Lodge and served as Secretary and Treasurer (as it should be) for 14 years. I got the financial disaster that was the Lodge "fixed" as was "kind of" forced out in 2009.
I had made ALL voting on dues and Initiation Fees NOT REQUIRED and set out in 1995 on regular increases to get the dues to $1.00 a day ($365.00 a year) by 2025 (this year!)... I live in Mexico now and attended a GP meeting on the budget last year. They had moved to cheaper facilities, made or catered their own Festive Boards, ran their own bar and had, in general, hit the skids very bad.
When I stepped down in 2009 the dues had reached $220.00 and I was blown away to hear in that meeting that they were $230.00... my well worked out plan had been tossed and the Lodge is headed down the proverbial crapper.
Nice huh?
“Once on a Zoom with a few young Masons I had to agree with them that they cordoned off an area in the Northeast corner of the Lodge for PM's and called it the "bullpen"... if they needed their advice... they'd ask for it. Period.”
Not so sure this is a good idea. Personally, I would not appreciate being shoehorned into a corner of the Lodge as someone to provide valuable advice only when the regular officers asked for it, on the assumption that as a PM, I’m automatically disruptive to the well-being of the Lodge. Perhaps this is a wink-and-chuckle, but we need to be careful about painting certain stations of Officers, Past Officers, etc. with too broad a brush.
“...and served as Secretary and Treasurer (as it should be)…” I’m curious as to your take on combining the positions of Secretary and Treasurer. Saying this being a past Secretary-Treasurer of two York Rite bodies for about 8 years.
Brother, when discussing limitations of time and resources, which has been a large theme throughout my professional roles, I am reminded of the tale of three servants. Do we utilize those resources and talents bestowed upon us to their best effect?
What if by the act of meeting those essential categories of support and relief we were to be intentional in the way we structure our efforts? Considering how to grow, and consequently give more to our Brethren and communities, by considering the way in which we do business and approach charity.
I think there are ways where we can not only meet the need, but grow beyond it. Provided that we can collectively bring those willing to discuss it into a room once in a while...