MW, a very good analogy that I couldn’t agree more with. Many years ago I realized that it was much easier to purchase something of quality than to have to continually replace something of lesser quality. If, in our Masonic experiences, we’re not “purchasing” a quality product, then we will be continually replacing it with something else. Quality products have a balance. They’re not just the shiniest, or fastest, or strongest but they’re have some of all these attributes. Like a Lodge, it’s important to have a balance of quality attributes. If it’s only a fraternal club, a brother will hear the minutes read only so many times before he leaves. A lodge can also provide amazing education but if there’s no fraternity, no warmth in the greeting and handshake, a brother will look for it in another place. I appreciate great fraternal friendships as I also appreciate a lodge that is working toward a great education experience. A quality lodge experience is easy to talk and share about with friends and family. A quality lodge experience is all of our responsibility. It takes all of us to make it happen. It starts with attending your lodge and participating.
Thank you for this W Brother. You are right that any successful Lodge needs that strong balance of attributes, and I greatly appreciate this timely reminder!
>>>It does feel like an exciting time to be in Masonry.
I agree. I think that Freemasonry is undergoing profound changes right now, and that it will be much better off because of those changes in the long run. I imagine that like a drug addict, our Fraternity had to hit rock bottom before it got serious about improving itself.
Can we get a picture of your old one???
Sure. I've updated a post to include a picture of all three. Oldest is the grey one, black is the middle aged one, the cream one is newest.
MW, a very good analogy that I couldn’t agree more with. Many years ago I realized that it was much easier to purchase something of quality than to have to continually replace something of lesser quality. If, in our Masonic experiences, we’re not “purchasing” a quality product, then we will be continually replacing it with something else. Quality products have a balance. They’re not just the shiniest, or fastest, or strongest but they’re have some of all these attributes. Like a Lodge, it’s important to have a balance of quality attributes. If it’s only a fraternal club, a brother will hear the minutes read only so many times before he leaves. A lodge can also provide amazing education but if there’s no fraternity, no warmth in the greeting and handshake, a brother will look for it in another place. I appreciate great fraternal friendships as I also appreciate a lodge that is working toward a great education experience. A quality lodge experience is easy to talk and share about with friends and family. A quality lodge experience is all of our responsibility. It takes all of us to make it happen. It starts with attending your lodge and participating.
Thank you for this W Brother. You are right that any successful Lodge needs that strong balance of attributes, and I greatly appreciate this timely reminder!
Excellent, thank you.
I never had the Tilley hat but long ago I had other items. They were great. I’m disappointed to hear what Tilley has become.
As for improving our Lodge experience, It helps enormously to network with other Lodges and learn from each other’s efforts.
It does feel like an exciting time to be in Masonry.
There’s so much scope for a man to make a difference.
I said just that to a potential Mason the other day - I think it will make him more enthusiastic.
>>>It does feel like an exciting time to be in Masonry.
I agree. I think that Freemasonry is undergoing profound changes right now, and that it will be much better off because of those changes in the long run. I imagine that like a drug addict, our Fraternity had to hit rock bottom before it got serious about improving itself.