It seems to me that many times Lodges are interested in growth, and spend a lot of time worrying about growth. Wondering how to find new members.
Yet it also seems to me that the vast majority of Lodges have long lists of inactive members. Masons who pay their dues each and every year, but who are rarely, if ever seen in Lodge.
If we want our Lodge to grow, these inactive members are the guys we should be focusing on getting back into Lodge. They are already members. Given the fact that they continue to pay their dues, they are obviously interested in Masonry. Our first, and easiest step towards membership growth is to get these Masons back into Lodge. After that we can worry about where new members might come from.
The very best way to get these Masons active in Lodge again is to improve the Lodge experience. To do all the things we talk about here on Emeth. If we give Masons a compelling reason to attend Lodge, they will come, and if we do it consistently, they will attend consistently.
But, there is one other thing we have to do.
After we have improved the Lodge experience, we have to let them know about the changes we have made, and we have to do that as a part of inviting them back.
So the question is, what is the best way to do that?
How do we invite our inactive members back to Lodge? How do we best explain that we have improved the Lodge experience? How do we get them to trust us enough to want to come back?
What if they have been gone for so many years that they are hesitant about being challenged, and concerned that they no longer remember what they need to know in order to sit in Lodge? How can we put them at ease, even facilitate that?
Let’s chat about it…
In my last post I talked about this year’s Masonic trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. If you missed it, you can find it at: Freemasons In Paradise.
Last year’s trip was a tremendous success, and this year’s will be even better!
The details of the trip are all set, and we would love to have you join us. Masons, their wives, girlfriends, and children, all are welcome. Masonic events will take place from October 31 to November 4. Melinda and I like to spend a little more time in Vallarta than that, so we are flying down on the 30th and returning on the 6th.
If you think you might like to attend, please fill out the short linked form below so that I can email you the details.
Exactly what our Lodge is working on. We’re trying (trying!) to run tighter meetings but with more education, for a start.
As we develop a new rhythm, we’ll let inactive members know. Most get email updates, of course, but we will focus on a few individuals at a time, try to connect, let them know more specifically what we’re doing, — and seeing what they need from Lodge.
The last point, reaching out and seeing what specific Brothers want or need from Lodge, is probably the most important.
I went into Grandview and randomly selected a few Brothers at various stages of the Masonic Journey. I sent each an email gently reminding them of the meeting and we would love to see them again.
We had two Brothers show up! One is an EA that drives cross country and we very rarely match up meetings with his schedule. That night was the exception.
I'm planning on trying this again. If only one returns then I consider it a success.
I think inviting them to events outside of lodge is more important than inside lodge. I'm looking forward to an upcoming masonic BBQ. No business, no formalities. Just food and conversation. Will it bring me back to the lodge room?. I don't know. But it will get me mingling with brethren again.
Bro. Jack, Harmony Lodge No. 18 will be having a 6:30 PM barbecue on August 2, and Olympia Lodge No. 1 will be doing the same on August 5, same time. I’ll be at both of them.
I can't disagree with this at all. In my experience, Masonic events outside of the Lodge are extremely well liked and keep people involved with the Lodge. Great for overall membership growth as well.
The math is really simple: 80% of our members don't attend meetings because they don't find meetings to be a good use of their time.
If we look at British lodge practices, they have removed enough of the memory work (the mandatory memory work) to improve average attendance to nearly 50%!
To meaningfully increase education means putting 15 to 20 minute presentations into the lodge calendar well in advance - - perhaps on a quarterly basis!
Scottish and English brothers have both confirmed that the only mandatory memorization is a text - - TYPED IN CLEAR ENGLISH - - on a 3 x 5 card handed to the candidate.
It should be noted that there is plenty of room for a new member to memorize parts of a ritual on a voluntary basis.
Compare this to the 20 minutes x 3 degrees of memorization in American lodges. I don't think any of us should be surprised that 80% of American masons are less than excited about an unending chain of memorization and making OTHERS do the same.
If you were the CEO of Xerox, would **YOU** think it was a good use of your time? And if it was so appealing, why do the Shriners, Scottish/York Rites and Grotto avoid mandatory memorization by candidates?
I haven't been to as many Lodges as some Brothers but am a member at two in my district and been to one outside the district and I have one that usually has most of the members but most are members that live close and have been there for decades and we are lucky enough to get a few new members.
Another one has 42 on the members list but we are lucky to get 10 at a Stated and at times that is if we get lucky and have visitors and we have two new members but they are members at 2 of the other local Lodges.
One thing I notice is it is just the same thing every month and along with the "dark" summer.
We need to do more than the opening and closing (even that could be better) and a few words of the previous month and most of any discussion is during the pre Stated dinner.
It sure would be nice if more showed up and dues are not enough and see some actual "Light"
At this Lodge there are many members who I have not seen since 2018 and many more before that.
Which is good having a couple newer and younger MM's join us.
Exactly what our Lodge is working on. We’re trying (trying!) to run tighter meetings but with more education, for a start.
As we develop a new rhythm, we’ll let inactive members know. Most get email updates, of course, but we will focus on a few individuals at a time, try to connect, let them know more specifically what we’re doing, — and seeing what they need from Lodge.
The last point, reaching out and seeing what specific Brothers want or need from Lodge, is probably the most important.
>>>The last point, reaching out and seeing what specific Brothers want or need from Lodge, is >>>probably the most important.
That makes a great deal of sense, and I think will work very well if the Lodge can deliver.
I went into Grandview and randomly selected a few Brothers at various stages of the Masonic Journey. I sent each an email gently reminding them of the meeting and we would love to see them again.
We had two Brothers show up! One is an EA that drives cross country and we very rarely match up meetings with his schedule. That night was the exception.
I'm planning on trying this again. If only one returns then I consider it a success.
I think it is a great idea to just focus on a few at a time. Otherwise, remembering my time as a Lodge Secretary, it could quickly grow overwhelming.
You are 100% correct, if even one of our Brothers comes back, it is a success!
I think inviting them to events outside of lodge is more important than inside lodge. I'm looking forward to an upcoming masonic BBQ. No business, no formalities. Just food and conversation. Will it bring me back to the lodge room?. I don't know. But it will get me mingling with brethren again.
Bro. Jack, Harmony Lodge No. 18 will be having a 6:30 PM barbecue on August 2, and Olympia Lodge No. 1 will be doing the same on August 5, same time. I’ll be at both of them.
That is what I have so far.
Emeth BBQ.
September 10
Right here in Lil' Ol' Centralia!
https://emeth.substack.com/p/emeth-bbq-competition
I can probably make the 5nd. Is that at the Olympia masonic center by the masonic cemetery or somewhere else?
Yes. It's at the Masonic Center at 521 North Street in Tumwater. I'll be there.
I can't disagree with this at all. In my experience, Masonic events outside of the Lodge are extremely well liked and keep people involved with the Lodge. Great for overall membership growth as well.
The math is really simple: 80% of our members don't attend meetings because they don't find meetings to be a good use of their time.
If we look at British lodge practices, they have removed enough of the memory work (the mandatory memory work) to improve average attendance to nearly 50%!
To meaningfully increase education means putting 15 to 20 minute presentations into the lodge calendar well in advance - - perhaps on a quarterly basis!
I would be very interested in learning more about the changes to the memory work in Britain, if you can share. That is a tremendous increase!
Scottish and English brothers have both confirmed that the only mandatory memorization is a text - - TYPED IN CLEAR ENGLISH - - on a 3 x 5 card handed to the candidate.
It should be noted that there is plenty of room for a new member to memorize parts of a ritual on a voluntary basis.
Compare this to the 20 minutes x 3 degrees of memorization in American lodges. I don't think any of us should be surprised that 80% of American masons are less than excited about an unending chain of memorization and making OTHERS do the same.
If you were the CEO of Xerox, would **YOU** think it was a good use of your time? And if it was so appealing, why do the Shriners, Scottish/York Rites and Grotto avoid mandatory memorization by candidates?
I haven't been to as many Lodges as some Brothers but am a member at two in my district and been to one outside the district and I have one that usually has most of the members but most are members that live close and have been there for decades and we are lucky enough to get a few new members.
Another one has 42 on the members list but we are lucky to get 10 at a Stated and at times that is if we get lucky and have visitors and we have two new members but they are members at 2 of the other local Lodges.
One thing I notice is it is just the same thing every month and along with the "dark" summer.
We need to do more than the opening and closing (even that could be better) and a few words of the previous month and most of any discussion is during the pre Stated dinner.
It sure would be nice if more showed up and dues are not enough and see some actual "Light"
At this Lodge there are many members who I have not seen since 2018 and many more before that.
Which is good having a couple newer and younger MM's join us.
-Bill
>>>One thing I notice is it is just the same thing every month...
>>>We need to do more than the opening and closing (even that could be better) and a few words >>>of the previous month...
You hit the nail on the head concerning Lodge health. This absolutely kills our Lodges and is a horrible habit Lodge leaders need to break.