From what I understand, many rural Lodges went “dark” in the summer months, as their members were occupied with farming and harvesting. I remember District Deputies from North Central and Central Washington telling me that they still do it for that reason today.
I was also told that “everybody” goes on Summer vacation, so the Lodges won’…
From what I understand, many rural Lodges went “dark” in the summer months, as their members were occupied with farming and harvesting. I remember District Deputies from North Central and Central Washington telling me that they still do it for that reason today.
I was also told that “everybody” goes on Summer vacation, so the Lodges won’t have anybody show up if they were open in July and August. I quickly found out that while some do indeed go on Summer vacation, it’s not everybody, and I’ve found that Lodges that don’t go dark can have just as good attendance in the summer months as they do any other time of the year.
One thing that drove me nuts when I was a younger Mason, and most of the Lodges in my district went dark in the summer, is that from that last meeting in June until September, the Lodges were totally out. No members, no correspondence, no picnics, no special summer events, no NOTHING. I had to head to the Olympia Lodges and Centralia Lodge to get any Masonry for July and August. Since then, most of the Lodges have either adopted a year-round schedule, or in the case of my home Lodge in Tenino, they go…”dim”… if you will; they go from twice a month to once a month. Usually, the Lodges use that Stated Meeting date to cover some quick, necessary business that would have otherwise had to be postponed until September, and spend the rest of the time kicking back and enjoying a barbecue or special Summer event. So, in a way, going “dim” can make your Lodge more family-oriented and fun in the summer, rather than pack up the books and hibernate for 2-3 months.
Here’s an interesting thought that’s come up from time to time; how about a Lodge going “dark” in the winter months, such as December and January? They could shelve a meeting to allow the members to enjoy the Christmas events in December, or to have a special Christmas party in lieu of the Stated Communication, and for January (or even February), to stay sheltered in for the inclement weather, so the Brothers don’t get stuck or get in an accident trying to get to Lodge in the snow, etc.? I think that idea was dropped when the Code was changed to allow a Worshipful Master to call off a meeting if the weather was too bad.
But these are some ideas concerning Lodges going “Dark.”
From what I understand, many rural Lodges went “dark” in the summer months, as their members were occupied with farming and harvesting. I remember District Deputies from North Central and Central Washington telling me that they still do it for that reason today.
I was also told that “everybody” goes on Summer vacation, so the Lodges won’t have anybody show up if they were open in July and August. I quickly found out that while some do indeed go on Summer vacation, it’s not everybody, and I’ve found that Lodges that don’t go dark can have just as good attendance in the summer months as they do any other time of the year.
One thing that drove me nuts when I was a younger Mason, and most of the Lodges in my district went dark in the summer, is that from that last meeting in June until September, the Lodges were totally out. No members, no correspondence, no picnics, no special summer events, no NOTHING. I had to head to the Olympia Lodges and Centralia Lodge to get any Masonry for July and August. Since then, most of the Lodges have either adopted a year-round schedule, or in the case of my home Lodge in Tenino, they go…”dim”… if you will; they go from twice a month to once a month. Usually, the Lodges use that Stated Meeting date to cover some quick, necessary business that would have otherwise had to be postponed until September, and spend the rest of the time kicking back and enjoying a barbecue or special Summer event. So, in a way, going “dim” can make your Lodge more family-oriented and fun in the summer, rather than pack up the books and hibernate for 2-3 months.
Here’s an interesting thought that’s come up from time to time; how about a Lodge going “dark” in the winter months, such as December and January? They could shelve a meeting to allow the members to enjoy the Christmas events in December, or to have a special Christmas party in lieu of the Stated Communication, and for January (or even February), to stay sheltered in for the inclement weather, so the Brothers don’t get stuck or get in an accident trying to get to Lodge in the snow, etc.? I think that idea was dropped when the Code was changed to allow a Worshipful Master to call off a meeting if the weather was too bad.
But these are some ideas concerning Lodges going “Dark.”