Without a doubt, Freemasonry is extremely good at charitable endeavors. From the largest of things like the Shriners Children’s Hospitals, to the Scottish Rite Speech and Language programs, to our State Jurisdiction programs. Not to mention the smaller things, like our Lodge scholarships and other efforts to support education.
But, as the old saying goes, charity begins at home.
Like any large organization, we have Brothers who fall on hard times.
Do we adequately take care of these Brothers? If we know that a Brother is struggling, do we silently relieve him of his obligation to pay dues, or do we wait for him to ask? Do we forgive what he might owe the Lodge, or even offer relief, without being asked?
I imagine that the answers to these questions are different from place to place and Lodge to Lodge. I think however that it is something that is important for the Fraternity to discuss, because we don’t want to lose sight of quiet need before our eyes, while striving to provide charity to the much wider world.
How can we best help a Brother who has fallen on hard times?
Other than financially, how else might we be able to assist a Brother in need?
I do like your phrase that we not “lose sight of quiet need before our eyes.”
Regular contact outside Lodge, with the new guy who doesn’t know what’s going on, with the old guy who isn’t as engaged because of declining health, with the guy who’s tough to get to know, is critical so we can be alert to changes and, over time, develop deeper connections than the usual pleasantries.
As the new guy who doesn’t know what’s going on, I’ve seen several Lodges struggle to keep in touch with members who don’t attend regularly.
But I’ve also seen the magic happen, when Brothers solve problems for each other because of network effects, because “I know a guy who…”
First and foremost, our "charity" is for our brothers. I truly believe that this organization's primary aim, besides philosophical discussions and enlightenment, was to take care of each other. Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth basically covers it.
Brotherly Love is caring for our brethren, and Relief is helping one another when needed. Of course, Truth is the hearty discussion of life, the universe, and everything (42).
In my home District (District 11 Grand Lodge of Maine) we do remodeling projects. From a new safer deck to a room or two for the disabled Brother or his widow. We have done Several roofing projects. All we need is to be informed of the need. Funds for the projects come from Grand Lodge, SRNMJ, and the York Rite. We have a Brothers that get discounts from suppliers or even donations. One example was the first deck project. The Brother was in a wheelchair and because of the rise and the rotting deck he could not get outdoors to enjoy the fresh air. In one day the Brothers took down the old deck, built a new safer one with small ramps on either side of the rise. One Brother noticed the lawn needed trimming, the Brothers wife could not do it, so he took on the task of doing the entire lawn from that day until they both passed on. The Brother in the wheelchair was too proud to ask for help. A brother that visited him noticed this issue and made us aware of it.
We talk a good game, but when it comes right down to where "the rubber meets the road," we often fall short. Yes, we will reach for our wallets and contribute to financial relief for a Brother or a Brother's widow, but that will be the extent of our involvement. What is *really* needed is a wheelchair ramp for a newly-disabled person, or maybe some strong backs to move some furniture. Sometimes, a simple phone call to check up on someone and make a date for a visit is all that is necessary to be of help in time of need. I know of a Mason of long standing, a Past Master of his Lodge, who died. His Eastern Star widow received a card. Only a few people called. Even fewer went to check on her. She felt alone, lonely, and abandoned. Let's take better care of our Brothers and Sisters.
In our obligation we have promised and sworn before the Great Articifer and our Worshipful Lodge among other things to aid and assist the distressed, to the extent that their necesseities require and our ability permits.
In today's economy financial assistance isn't always possible on a personal level. However I have seen in my time as a Mason the power of numbers. A small contribution multiplied by a number of Brethren can go a long way.
Our lodge has in some cases decided to waive dues for a Brother who was struggling. We have traded labor through our Temple Corp to excuse the debt. We have passed the hat to cover costs for a Brother who has paid it forward through years of support and dedication to our Lodge or building.
We have reached out to Byron at Washington Masonic Charities to see what services are available and what other opportunities they may have to help.
If finances are not the issue work parties may be the answer. If a Brother is getting along in years and his body is waning there is likely a list of things he can no longer or should no longer be performing. We as Brothers are uniquely equipped to help. Again the power of numbers lessens the load on any one Brother. Many hands make light work. It also gives us face time with a Brother who may not be making our meetings as often as we would like.
Charity is not always financial. It can be time, phone call, emails, lunch perhaps to find out what is going on in their life. It can be service, clean gutters, mow a lawn etc. It can be a phone call to put a Brother in contact with those uniquely positioned to help.
Reach out, ask questions, remember how pride can get in the way. No one likes to ask for help and admit that life has challenged us and is testing our limits. Look for irregularities in behavioral patterns, has their attendance diminished? Has it stopped all together?
Remember communication, not just putting it out there and waiting for a response that may not come. Follow up and close the loop. Share something personal to break down the barriers and make yourself relatable. Set the standard early on in your lodge that we all need something now and again and if you can't ask a Mason who can you ask?
Let's stop the silent suffering. Let's make it ok to talk about. Our economy, especially lately has thrown us some serious curve balls. Even the best can find it difficult.
“If we know that a Brother is struggling, do we silently relieve him of his obligation to pay dues, or do we wait for him to ask? Do we forgive what he might owe the Lodge, or even offer relief, without being asked?” When I was Secretary of Tenino, I received a letter back from the member of our Lodge who was living in Wichita, Kansas. It was a hand-written note indicating he was in failing health with limited finances, and with regret, asked me to drop him from the rolls.
I took this note to Lodge the next meeting, and recommended that the Lodge permanently waive his dues. Upon being asked, I so moved, and the Lodge voted and granted the waiver. I made a nice letter back to the Brother along with his dues card, indicating what our Lodge did. A week or so later, I opened up our P.O. Box to find a letter from the Brother; this time, the envelope was riddled with doodles of Masonic Logos. That gave me a chuckle, and I took the mail back to the Lodge and opened the Brother’s letter. I read it out loud in the meeting; I wanted everyone to know how much our action meant to him, and that now he’s assured that he will be a Freemason in Good Standing for the rest of his life. ...yeah, that was definitely one of the high points in my Masonic career… :-)
There were two times that Tenino Lodge formed a work party to assist Masonic Widows, both of them widows of active members of our Lodge. I was able to assist in one of them, and trust me, brethren, if you get the word out early enough, you’ll find the needed help to get the job done. We had more than enough present to get a LOT of work done at the job I was at. Many of the Brothers present mentioned that’s one of the key reasons why they petitioned to join the Freemasons.
When the COVID-19 shutdowns closed my business during the Spring of 2020, rather than sit around and gripe about the situation, I started finding Brothers who needed assistance, and kept busy helping them out. It made that Spring memorable, in a positive way.
Chaplains will prepare a custom prayer dedication for every get together with assistance from their backup and will keep in touch monthly with the brethren especially those sick or in distress, can no longer attend lodge, or struggling with personal matters. The chaplain will not just call or text, but go out and visit the brethren in person. If a man has been in good standing up until the time where his situation deteriorates to the point he can no longer make the requirements for good standing, the chaplain may petition on his behalf to grant the member a special exception to those requirements for the duration of his sickness/distress so he remains on the rolls for visitations, continues to receive the newsletter, and will receive a full honorable Masonic funeral. Should the member return to health/wealth he will again be responsible for meeting membership requirements. This is the closest thing this lodge will have to a lifetime membership.
To my mind, one form of Masonic relief that is important is care for our departed Brothers. I think that in my adopted home, our Lodges perform those duties extremely well.
In this area, Masonic funerals are always performed when requested, and performed extremely well, even when the request comes at seemingly the last moment. Turnout from the Brothers always seems good too.
It goes beyond that though, with our Lodges marking and caring for the graves of all Freemasons buried in Centralia each Memorial Day weekend, and the cleanup of the cemetery that often goes along with that.
This project is spearheaded by VW Lavigne in recent years, but I know that the tradition predates him, so has existed for a long time.
I think that, these ways of remembering and honoring our brothers who have passed away is an important form of Masonic charity as well.
I do like your phrase that we not “lose sight of quiet need before our eyes.”
Regular contact outside Lodge, with the new guy who doesn’t know what’s going on, with the old guy who isn’t as engaged because of declining health, with the guy who’s tough to get to know, is critical so we can be alert to changes and, over time, develop deeper connections than the usual pleasantries.
As the new guy who doesn’t know what’s going on, I’ve seen several Lodges struggle to keep in touch with members who don’t attend regularly.
But I’ve also seen the magic happen, when Brothers solve problems for each other because of network effects, because “I know a guy who…”
First and foremost, our "charity" is for our brothers. I truly believe that this organization's primary aim, besides philosophical discussions and enlightenment, was to take care of each other. Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth basically covers it.
Brotherly Love is caring for our brethren, and Relief is helping one another when needed. Of course, Truth is the hearty discussion of life, the universe, and everything (42).
In my home District (District 11 Grand Lodge of Maine) we do remodeling projects. From a new safer deck to a room or two for the disabled Brother or his widow. We have done Several roofing projects. All we need is to be informed of the need. Funds for the projects come from Grand Lodge, SRNMJ, and the York Rite. We have a Brothers that get discounts from suppliers or even donations. One example was the first deck project. The Brother was in a wheelchair and because of the rise and the rotting deck he could not get outdoors to enjoy the fresh air. In one day the Brothers took down the old deck, built a new safer one with small ramps on either side of the rise. One Brother noticed the lawn needed trimming, the Brothers wife could not do it, so he took on the task of doing the entire lawn from that day until they both passed on. The Brother in the wheelchair was too proud to ask for help. A brother that visited him noticed this issue and made us aware of it.
We talk a good game, but when it comes right down to where "the rubber meets the road," we often fall short. Yes, we will reach for our wallets and contribute to financial relief for a Brother or a Brother's widow, but that will be the extent of our involvement. What is *really* needed is a wheelchair ramp for a newly-disabled person, or maybe some strong backs to move some furniture. Sometimes, a simple phone call to check up on someone and make a date for a visit is all that is necessary to be of help in time of need. I know of a Mason of long standing, a Past Master of his Lodge, who died. His Eastern Star widow received a card. Only a few people called. Even fewer went to check on her. She felt alone, lonely, and abandoned. Let's take better care of our Brothers and Sisters.
In our obligation we have promised and sworn before the Great Articifer and our Worshipful Lodge among other things to aid and assist the distressed, to the extent that their necesseities require and our ability permits.
In today's economy financial assistance isn't always possible on a personal level. However I have seen in my time as a Mason the power of numbers. A small contribution multiplied by a number of Brethren can go a long way.
Our lodge has in some cases decided to waive dues for a Brother who was struggling. We have traded labor through our Temple Corp to excuse the debt. We have passed the hat to cover costs for a Brother who has paid it forward through years of support and dedication to our Lodge or building.
We have reached out to Byron at Washington Masonic Charities to see what services are available and what other opportunities they may have to help.
If finances are not the issue work parties may be the answer. If a Brother is getting along in years and his body is waning there is likely a list of things he can no longer or should no longer be performing. We as Brothers are uniquely equipped to help. Again the power of numbers lessens the load on any one Brother. Many hands make light work. It also gives us face time with a Brother who may not be making our meetings as often as we would like.
Charity is not always financial. It can be time, phone call, emails, lunch perhaps to find out what is going on in their life. It can be service, clean gutters, mow a lawn etc. It can be a phone call to put a Brother in contact with those uniquely positioned to help.
Reach out, ask questions, remember how pride can get in the way. No one likes to ask for help and admit that life has challenged us and is testing our limits. Look for irregularities in behavioral patterns, has their attendance diminished? Has it stopped all together?
Remember communication, not just putting it out there and waiting for a response that may not come. Follow up and close the loop. Share something personal to break down the barriers and make yourself relatable. Set the standard early on in your lodge that we all need something now and again and if you can't ask a Mason who can you ask?
Let's stop the silent suffering. Let's make it ok to talk about. Our economy, especially lately has thrown us some serious curve balls. Even the best can find it difficult.
“If we know that a Brother is struggling, do we silently relieve him of his obligation to pay dues, or do we wait for him to ask? Do we forgive what he might owe the Lodge, or even offer relief, without being asked?” When I was Secretary of Tenino, I received a letter back from the member of our Lodge who was living in Wichita, Kansas. It was a hand-written note indicating he was in failing health with limited finances, and with regret, asked me to drop him from the rolls.
I took this note to Lodge the next meeting, and recommended that the Lodge permanently waive his dues. Upon being asked, I so moved, and the Lodge voted and granted the waiver. I made a nice letter back to the Brother along with his dues card, indicating what our Lodge did. A week or so later, I opened up our P.O. Box to find a letter from the Brother; this time, the envelope was riddled with doodles of Masonic Logos. That gave me a chuckle, and I took the mail back to the Lodge and opened the Brother’s letter. I read it out loud in the meeting; I wanted everyone to know how much our action meant to him, and that now he’s assured that he will be a Freemason in Good Standing for the rest of his life. ...yeah, that was definitely one of the high points in my Masonic career… :-)
There were two times that Tenino Lodge formed a work party to assist Masonic Widows, both of them widows of active members of our Lodge. I was able to assist in one of them, and trust me, brethren, if you get the word out early enough, you’ll find the needed help to get the job done. We had more than enough present to get a LOT of work done at the job I was at. Many of the Brothers present mentioned that’s one of the key reasons why they petitioned to join the Freemasons.
When the COVID-19 shutdowns closed my business during the Spring of 2020, rather than sit around and gripe about the situation, I started finding Brothers who needed assistance, and kept busy helping them out. It made that Spring memorable, in a positive way.
My lodge proposal has a bylaw for this...
It is the responsibility of the chaplain..
Chaplains will prepare a custom prayer dedication for every get together with assistance from their backup and will keep in touch monthly with the brethren especially those sick or in distress, can no longer attend lodge, or struggling with personal matters. The chaplain will not just call or text, but go out and visit the brethren in person. If a man has been in good standing up until the time where his situation deteriorates to the point he can no longer make the requirements for good standing, the chaplain may petition on his behalf to grant the member a special exception to those requirements for the duration of his sickness/distress so he remains on the rolls for visitations, continues to receive the newsletter, and will receive a full honorable Masonic funeral. Should the member return to health/wealth he will again be responsible for meeting membership requirements. This is the closest thing this lodge will have to a lifetime membership.
To my mind, one form of Masonic relief that is important is care for our departed Brothers. I think that in my adopted home, our Lodges perform those duties extremely well.
In this area, Masonic funerals are always performed when requested, and performed extremely well, even when the request comes at seemingly the last moment. Turnout from the Brothers always seems good too.
It goes beyond that though, with our Lodges marking and caring for the graves of all Freemasons buried in Centralia each Memorial Day weekend, and the cleanup of the cemetery that often goes along with that.
This project is spearheaded by VW Lavigne in recent years, but I know that the tradition predates him, so has existed for a long time.
I think that, these ways of remembering and honoring our brothers who have passed away is an important form of Masonic charity as well.