Earlier this week, my Lodge Initiated a new Entered Apprentice. I’m assigned to serve as his mentor/coach, something that I haven’t been able to do for many years now, but that I’m greatly looking forward to doing once again.
As we know, all of our Lodges are unique, with their own personalities. Indeed some are extremely far from the norm.
I have seen over the years, far too many men become Masons, end up not liking what their Lodge has to offer, and going inactive. It is indeed a tragedy every time this happens.
When I met with our new EA for the first time, one of the first things I told him was that if he ends up not liking it, it isn’t that he doesn’t like Masonry, it is that he doesn’t like the particular Lodge that he joined.
I also of course explained some of the different kinds of Lodges we have in Washington, to illustrate the fact that there is much more variety than one would think. Finally, I told him that if he does reach a point at which he isn’t enjoying it, or getting much out of it, to let me know, and I’d help him find a Lodge that better meets his needs.
I think that is the correct message to send.
I think that if all Lodges sent that message to our new Initiates, we would have a lot fewer men go inactive, demit, or fall off NPD.
First off let me say that I am in the Idaho Jurisdiction. When I first joined and was an EA lodges did not typically open in any degree other than MM. This was 14 years ago. As WM of my lodge I will ALWAYS open on EA or FC if a member of that degree is present. In Idaho there is really only one reason to open on MM and that is to ballot on a new member. If that is happening that night we will open, skip right to balloting and drop down. The EA's and FC's are our future and we must include them. Some take longer to get through than others, but if they are engaged and have a say, I find most stick around.
I am a pleural member of a lodge in Oregon and a lodge in Washington. When I joined, my lodge was attended at times by only 6 or 7 brothers, and the focus was squarely fixed on keeping the lodge open and relevant. The lodge I am a part of in Washington has 30-40 active members at any given meeting and explores interests in masonic education, fraternity, good works, etc.. The difference is profound and energizing. If we look past our own lodges to the whole of the Fraternity, I have to imagine that any man could find a lodge that has members focused on his interests. Admittedly, we would have to be comfortable with the possibility of a demit from a new member who moves to a different lodge, but the Fraternity as a whole would still benefit which should be our goal.
This is a tough one…our Lodge is rural, you invest hours of time in the “seeker side” and if I as a trainer would allude to presenting “if we are not a good fit” as we proceed I have lost in the idea our Lodge would benefit.
The EA side to me is the foundation, by the time he becomes an MM his opinions of other Lodges are formed.
Just to add to the EA side, I watch the struggle of a Man trying to memorize something foreign and wondering “is this all there is”?
All the time I reinforce the importance of learning the EA PL and emphasize the FC will easier because of repetition.
More importantly is discussing the meanings of each part of what they are memorizing.
What I have done is point out the unique differences of Lodges in our District and let them know time changes everything…the older Masons who were young once profess “we have always done things this way” pass on…
Though there are unique differences, it always boils down to the current WM…dynamic Masters are IMHO not the standard norm.
The key here is “you are the future, what you see in other Lodges YOU can have…change is what “you” make it.
You can accept our deficiencies and demit going to a Lodge that (5) years from now may look different or “be in charge of your own fate”…being in charge of stepping up and making a difference places responsibility in YOU watching ‘your’ Lodge shift back. Your efforts may cause others in the District to think that we now have evolved because you made it happen.
Pride in achievement tends to be more meaningful then assimilating into what is.
I wrote this article recently, it may have some relation to your discussion.
What is a Mason in Name Only?
A mason who took his final obligations and assumed a role in the Lodge, any Lodge, who assists his fellow Masons and mankind. A Mason who emulates morality and rectitude, whose allegiance to his country, who keeps a steady path and is part of the whole. This is a Mason.
A Mason in Name Only is a Brother, who has taken the same oaths and promises as his fellow Masons and suddenly stops! What happened? Some are initiated and suddenly or slowly disappears. You’ve reached out and receive no response. Master, after Master, goes by and they’re just a name on the books. There are those who obtain the sublime Degree of Master Mason and slowly disappears from our sight. Is it the Lodge’s fault? Sometimes, but not always. So, unless these Brothers commit heinous crimes and are ejected from the Craft, they are Masons for life. Good standing or not they exist. So, are they moral, upstanding citizens? Are they contributing to the community as a whole? Do they wear a ring proudly and boast of being a member of the Craft? How many of these Brothers roam the streets? More than we can count . So, Mason in name only must be a lonely life. Not to have the support of the Brothers. Not to sit in Lodge and be part of something greater. We can ponder aimlessly and say it’s our fault. Every human being is different, they have their own absurdities . Maybe, they weren’t ready to be a Mason. I do not judge men for being different and obtuse. Rather I accept and embrace them for what lies deep in their hearts. Aa we age, life teaches us in many fashions, we hopefully learn from those experiences. These lost and wondering Brothers, may eventually learn from life’s experiences and possibly return to our or another Lodge. Should we shun then and turn our backs? I think not. Was not the prodigal son welcomed with open arms when he returned, we in turn should great them with open arms. For not only his sake , but our own. We took a chance on you being my Brother and if you needed me I would be there for you. Remember, not everyone is like you, not everyone is like me.
Finally, look at your Grand Lodge roster and try , again, to reach out to your Entered Apprentices, your Brother in arrears, try and try again. Maybe, just maybe, they’re ready to try again.
Looking at what you shared Brother, from a subjective perspective, you give the EA options. If he does not like the Centralia Lodge, find another Lodge. I agree to a point with that behavior.
Let me share this analogy, an EA is driving a bus with the bus full of Brothers. The bus gets into an accident and all are injured. The ambulance comes and only picks up the driver (EA) and is taken away to get help at the hospital. All the rest of the Brothers are left in the wreckage bleeding and receive no help.
My question is what came first the chicken or the egg? How many EAs, FCs and MMs have left, perhaps are thinking about leaving Masonry or will leave our Lodges to find a more suitable Lodge? The Law of Averages dictates there will be successes and failures… but at what cost?
I believe the Mental Health of each Lodge needs to be upgraded by providing basic Interpersonal Communications Skills.
It took me years to earn and put in the time of learning to be a Worshipful Master, a Past High Priest, Past Illustrious Master and Past Eminent Commander, Past Rainbow Dad and Past Worthy Patron, all in the Centralia York Rite Family . What I have learned is that the Rituals all have the same basic matrix of the Knights Templar ritual. Our Blue Lodge ritual has a Military formation. More importantly, I believe what all these organizations need a basic interpersonal communication program. It is obvious to observe some Brothers and Sisters, say the words of ritual and talk about Sister and Brotherly Love, yet Not understand the words nor model that behavior.
Stephen Covey basically states identify the problem (reactive) then offer the solution or solutions (proactive). I am willing to create an interpersonal communication curriculum for the Centralia Lodge with your help, MW.
As I stated before, you give the EA options. If he does not like the Centralia Lodge, find another Lodge. I agree with this to a point with that behavior. This may help save his retention in Masonry.
There is a distinct difference in a Brother and his behavior. I may strongly disapprove or dislike a Brother’s behavior, but I will Always Love my Brothers.
That is a hard one . To me it has to be the investigating committee to see if a new candidate is a fit for the lodge. I think every lodge goes through highs and lows for one reason or other. I am an active member in four lodges but my home lodge will always be my home lodge. The other three are different in their own way. One does a lot of community work and hasn't taken in a new member in 5 years, another has been raising 3 to 5 every year with minimal community involvement. My home lodge is the largest and ritual is foremost and average is 67 year old with 110 members and falls in the middle..
A lodge that has a lot of activity and keeps busy will have a better chance keeping members coming to meetings and functions from my experience.
Long way around the topic, but the fit for me still rest with the investigating committee.
As Robert and others have mentioned, this question should be answered while the person is still just a hang around (I hate the word seeker for some reason).
As a lodge we shouldn't be afraid to point someone elsewhere, if what they are looking for isn't an activity the lodge partakes in. And we should never hear the words "you get out of it what you put into it" because that's a lie. From personal experience, trying to effect change within a lodge is almost impossible. Too much resistance from the old timers, and new people have almost no shot in turning that titanic around. Even if you do rise high enough to be able to make some changes, as soon as you're out of the east the natural reaction is for everyone to go back to "how we've always done it".
So, really, a new person best find that right lodge from the beginning. That way there's no misgivings or bad feelings later on that would sour someone from stopping altogether.
These discussions seem to be missing the point about why productive men feel their time is being wasted ... and so they stay at home (but continue to pay dues!).
I was thinking about this subject as our new EA was initiated. My biggest fear is that new member retention will fail to bear fruit. Some lodges feel like they are on life support and our new members need to understand not all lodges are like that and one must shop around to find the flavor of the Craft that best suits them.
Our lodge is located with 25 minutes from several lodges and so choice is an option. I realize for some lodges, the next closest lodge is an hour or more.
That said, we are very up front about our lodge being focused on education. We are not huge on community involvement (although many brothers are involved through their kids school, etc) and our lodge meetings nights are not big family events with wives and kids. There are lodges that do an awesome job of meeting those expectations in a lodge experience.
So when candidates are looking to petition, we ask what they are looking for in a lodge experience and have no problem whatsoever directing them to a good match.
Again, it’s fortunate for the new candidate that they have choices.
For those lodges that don’t have another lodge nearby to direct a candidate, it’s even more important that you are in touch with what men are looking for in a lodge. Men are not looking for Washington Masonic ritual because they don’t know what that is until they petition. What they are looking for is an experience. What kind of experience does your lodge offer?
Should it be discussed with EA's or when at MM?
Definitely a good message for EAs, or candidates for that matter.
It reminds them that *their* experience is important. It reminds them that a Lodge not fitting does not mean that Masonry isn’t a fit.
Ultimately, it reminds them that they will contribute to Masonry, and to the experience of those who come after.
First off let me say that I am in the Idaho Jurisdiction. When I first joined and was an EA lodges did not typically open in any degree other than MM. This was 14 years ago. As WM of my lodge I will ALWAYS open on EA or FC if a member of that degree is present. In Idaho there is really only one reason to open on MM and that is to ballot on a new member. If that is happening that night we will open, skip right to balloting and drop down. The EA's and FC's are our future and we must include them. Some take longer to get through than others, but if they are engaged and have a say, I find most stick around.
I am a pleural member of a lodge in Oregon and a lodge in Washington. When I joined, my lodge was attended at times by only 6 or 7 brothers, and the focus was squarely fixed on keeping the lodge open and relevant. The lodge I am a part of in Washington has 30-40 active members at any given meeting and explores interests in masonic education, fraternity, good works, etc.. The difference is profound and energizing. If we look past our own lodges to the whole of the Fraternity, I have to imagine that any man could find a lodge that has members focused on his interests. Admittedly, we would have to be comfortable with the possibility of a demit from a new member who moves to a different lodge, but the Fraternity as a whole would still benefit which should be our goal.
This is a tough one…our Lodge is rural, you invest hours of time in the “seeker side” and if I as a trainer would allude to presenting “if we are not a good fit” as we proceed I have lost in the idea our Lodge would benefit.
The EA side to me is the foundation, by the time he becomes an MM his opinions of other Lodges are formed.
Just to add to the EA side, I watch the struggle of a Man trying to memorize something foreign and wondering “is this all there is”?
All the time I reinforce the importance of learning the EA PL and emphasize the FC will easier because of repetition.
More importantly is discussing the meanings of each part of what they are memorizing.
What I have done is point out the unique differences of Lodges in our District and let them know time changes everything…the older Masons who were young once profess “we have always done things this way” pass on…
Though there are unique differences, it always boils down to the current WM…dynamic Masters are IMHO not the standard norm.
The key here is “you are the future, what you see in other Lodges YOU can have…change is what “you” make it.
You can accept our deficiencies and demit going to a Lodge that (5) years from now may look different or “be in charge of your own fate”…being in charge of stepping up and making a difference places responsibility in YOU watching ‘your’ Lodge shift back. Your efforts may cause others in the District to think that we now have evolved because you made it happen.
Pride in achievement tends to be more meaningful then assimilating into what is.
I wrote this article recently, it may have some relation to your discussion.
What is a Mason in Name Only?
A mason who took his final obligations and assumed a role in the Lodge, any Lodge, who assists his fellow Masons and mankind. A Mason who emulates morality and rectitude, whose allegiance to his country, who keeps a steady path and is part of the whole. This is a Mason.
A Mason in Name Only is a Brother, who has taken the same oaths and promises as his fellow Masons and suddenly stops! What happened? Some are initiated and suddenly or slowly disappears. You’ve reached out and receive no response. Master, after Master, goes by and they’re just a name on the books. There are those who obtain the sublime Degree of Master Mason and slowly disappears from our sight. Is it the Lodge’s fault? Sometimes, but not always. So, unless these Brothers commit heinous crimes and are ejected from the Craft, they are Masons for life. Good standing or not they exist. So, are they moral, upstanding citizens? Are they contributing to the community as a whole? Do they wear a ring proudly and boast of being a member of the Craft? How many of these Brothers roam the streets? More than we can count . So, Mason in name only must be a lonely life. Not to have the support of the Brothers. Not to sit in Lodge and be part of something greater. We can ponder aimlessly and say it’s our fault. Every human being is different, they have their own absurdities . Maybe, they weren’t ready to be a Mason. I do not judge men for being different and obtuse. Rather I accept and embrace them for what lies deep in their hearts. Aa we age, life teaches us in many fashions, we hopefully learn from those experiences. These lost and wondering Brothers, may eventually learn from life’s experiences and possibly return to our or another Lodge. Should we shun then and turn our backs? I think not. Was not the prodigal son welcomed with open arms when he returned, we in turn should great them with open arms. For not only his sake , but our own. We took a chance on you being my Brother and if you needed me I would be there for you. Remember, not everyone is like you, not everyone is like me.
Finally, look at your Grand Lodge roster and try , again, to reach out to your Entered Apprentices, your Brother in arrears, try and try again. Maybe, just maybe, they’re ready to try again.
Submitted Respectfully ,
I am open to discussion on this
Looking at what you shared Brother, from a subjective perspective, you give the EA options. If he does not like the Centralia Lodge, find another Lodge. I agree to a point with that behavior.
Let me share this analogy, an EA is driving a bus with the bus full of Brothers. The bus gets into an accident and all are injured. The ambulance comes and only picks up the driver (EA) and is taken away to get help at the hospital. All the rest of the Brothers are left in the wreckage bleeding and receive no help.
My question is what came first the chicken or the egg? How many EAs, FCs and MMs have left, perhaps are thinking about leaving Masonry or will leave our Lodges to find a more suitable Lodge? The Law of Averages dictates there will be successes and failures… but at what cost?
I believe the Mental Health of each Lodge needs to be upgraded by providing basic Interpersonal Communications Skills.
It took me years to earn and put in the time of learning to be a Worshipful Master, a Past High Priest, Past Illustrious Master and Past Eminent Commander, Past Rainbow Dad and Past Worthy Patron, all in the Centralia York Rite Family . What I have learned is that the Rituals all have the same basic matrix of the Knights Templar ritual. Our Blue Lodge ritual has a Military formation. More importantly, I believe what all these organizations need a basic interpersonal communication program. It is obvious to observe some Brothers and Sisters, say the words of ritual and talk about Sister and Brotherly Love, yet Not understand the words nor model that behavior.
Stephen Covey basically states identify the problem (reactive) then offer the solution or solutions (proactive). I am willing to create an interpersonal communication curriculum for the Centralia Lodge with your help, MW.
As I stated before, you give the EA options. If he does not like the Centralia Lodge, find another Lodge. I agree with this to a point with that behavior. This may help save his retention in Masonry.
There is a distinct difference in a Brother and his behavior. I may strongly disapprove or dislike a Brother’s behavior, but I will Always Love my Brothers.
That is a hard one . To me it has to be the investigating committee to see if a new candidate is a fit for the lodge. I think every lodge goes through highs and lows for one reason or other. I am an active member in four lodges but my home lodge will always be my home lodge. The other three are different in their own way. One does a lot of community work and hasn't taken in a new member in 5 years, another has been raising 3 to 5 every year with minimal community involvement. My home lodge is the largest and ritual is foremost and average is 67 year old with 110 members and falls in the middle..
A lodge that has a lot of activity and keeps busy will have a better chance keeping members coming to meetings and functions from my experience.
Long way around the topic, but the fit for me still rest with the investigating committee.
As Robert and others have mentioned, this question should be answered while the person is still just a hang around (I hate the word seeker for some reason).
As a lodge we shouldn't be afraid to point someone elsewhere, if what they are looking for isn't an activity the lodge partakes in. And we should never hear the words "you get out of it what you put into it" because that's a lie. From personal experience, trying to effect change within a lodge is almost impossible. Too much resistance from the old timers, and new people have almost no shot in turning that titanic around. Even if you do rise high enough to be able to make some changes, as soon as you're out of the east the natural reaction is for everyone to go back to "how we've always done it".
So, really, a new person best find that right lodge from the beginning. That way there's no misgivings or bad feelings later on that would sour someone from stopping altogether.
These discussions seem to be missing the point about why productive men feel their time is being wasted ... and so they stay at home (but continue to pay dues!).
I was thinking about this subject as our new EA was initiated. My biggest fear is that new member retention will fail to bear fruit. Some lodges feel like they are on life support and our new members need to understand not all lodges are like that and one must shop around to find the flavor of the Craft that best suits them.
Our lodge is located with 25 minutes from several lodges and so choice is an option. I realize for some lodges, the next closest lodge is an hour or more.
That said, we are very up front about our lodge being focused on education. We are not huge on community involvement (although many brothers are involved through their kids school, etc) and our lodge meetings nights are not big family events with wives and kids. There are lodges that do an awesome job of meeting those expectations in a lodge experience.
So when candidates are looking to petition, we ask what they are looking for in a lodge experience and have no problem whatsoever directing them to a good match.
Again, it’s fortunate for the new candidate that they have choices.
For those lodges that don’t have another lodge nearby to direct a candidate, it’s even more important that you are in touch with what men are looking for in a lodge. Men are not looking for Washington Masonic ritual because they don’t know what that is until they petition. What they are looking for is an experience. What kind of experience does your lodge offer?