I think that our Craft can learn much from other clubs or groups that are thriving within our broader world.
Certainly when I was Master of my Lodge, I took much from the extremely successful Seattle Pipe Club, and incorporated things I’d learned there into our Lodge practices. Ideas that brought widespread involvement in the Pipe Club, worked for Lodge events as well.
Looks easy! If you have top marketing, interior design skills, and funds for complete renovations of a space. And a willing group... A number of Lodges struggle to be functional, unable to go straight from where they are to “Legendary.” But I think those challenges are part of the answer. Instead of offering the MWL-sort of experience, when we can’t, how do we offer the experience, challenge, and reward of building something even greater?
Portland has always had that reputation as a shanghai bar town and that sort of fits with the whole underground thing/speakeasy vibe. Plus, there is zero mention of membership costs, I'd assume if you have to ask how much it costs, you can't afford it.
I do agree with what Andrew Hammer had written about making the lodge experience exclusionary with dues commensurate to go along with it. Unfortunately, I don't know too many lodge buildings that have been maintained to high enough standards to be transformed into a more luxurious space. Most of the buildings look their age and the best I could say is that they look....utilitarian. It would cost a fortune to refurbish, tough to do when the roof leaks and the furnace is as old as the building.
But I've seen (mostly in pictures) lodge rooms that are spectacular, mostly back east, or in europe. Nothing really around here.
MW took me to a Lodge meeting- wow, what a great vibe! The Lodge room had a great feel and the bar they built next to it is terrific. This was a zombie Lodge, turned around by three motivated Brothers. How do we make our Lodges compelling for just that sort of Brother to join?
My lodge, which is fairly typical for the jurisdiction (that I've found) keeps it's dues to less than $100 dollars a year. Membership in eastern star is $35 dollars for the couple.
Our Life Memberships are also criminally low. The most expensive for the young adults is equal to your annual dues, $650 bucks.
We removed our lifetime membership option a few years ago. Given the lower amount of people joining, it's not a feasible option to ensure long term financial success.
The aesthetics are nice, and they draw due attention to the "majesty" of our stately craft. It might even be enough to attract newbies at first, but how do you keep them coming... besides just having a nice place to meet? There has to be more.
The very first thing they mention on the above website under the "About Us" page is the KEY to all thriving groups.... THE EXPERIENCE. So how does each Lodge curate their Lodge experience for newcomers and current members alike to make it worthwhile? Right now that seems very contingent on performing degree work. This is something that makes the Masonic experience unique. What else can a Lodge offer to make the EXPERIENCE worthwhile? In Oregon they are trying out a new program called the West Gate Experience, and Enlightenment Lodge no. 228 ( the youngest Lodge in Oregon) is putting it into practice. It might be worth checking out.
I like this idea, one of the last times I was at district meeting I asked what brought most of the brothers to masonry and everyone below the age of 50 said it was the esoteric aspects they were most interested in. It’s the degrees and ritual; that’s what we have that is valuable. Everything else can be found in a dime store self help book.
I’ve been reading a lot of Dune lately and I’m becoming a fan of the chapterhouse, and the entire outcome of the Butlerian Jihad where humans spend their lives working to improve the human condition and capabilities.
Ugh. Please don’t look too much outside of Freemasonry for inspiration. That’s how we became like the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs.
Look to our lectures and charges. The Masonic Restoration Foundation or (my group) the Knights of the North. St. Alban’s Lodge in Texas or Lodge Epicurean in Australia.
Looks easy! If you have top marketing, interior design skills, and funds for complete renovations of a space. And a willing group... A number of Lodges struggle to be functional, unable to go straight from where they are to “Legendary.” But I think those challenges are part of the answer. Instead of offering the MWL-sort of experience, when we can’t, how do we offer the experience, challenge, and reward of building something even greater?
Portland has always had that reputation as a shanghai bar town and that sort of fits with the whole underground thing/speakeasy vibe. Plus, there is zero mention of membership costs, I'd assume if you have to ask how much it costs, you can't afford it.
I do agree with what Andrew Hammer had written about making the lodge experience exclusionary with dues commensurate to go along with it. Unfortunately, I don't know too many lodge buildings that have been maintained to high enough standards to be transformed into a more luxurious space. Most of the buildings look their age and the best I could say is that they look....utilitarian. It would cost a fortune to refurbish, tough to do when the roof leaks and the furnace is as old as the building.
But I've seen (mostly in pictures) lodge rooms that are spectacular, mostly back east, or in europe. Nothing really around here.
MW took me to a Lodge meeting- wow, what a great vibe! The Lodge room had a great feel and the bar they built next to it is terrific. This was a zombie Lodge, turned around by three motivated Brothers. How do we make our Lodges compelling for just that sort of Brother to join?
Annual membership fee is $650.
My lodge, which is fairly typical for the jurisdiction (that I've found) keeps it's dues to less than $100 dollars a year. Membership in eastern star is $35 dollars for the couple.
Our Life Memberships are also criminally low. The most expensive for the young adults is equal to your annual dues, $650 bucks.
We removed our lifetime membership option a few years ago. Given the lower amount of people joining, it's not a feasible option to ensure long term financial success.
Now, who wouldn't love to visit a lodge like this? Who wouldn't be proud to belong to something with that much pizzaz? https://i.ytimg.com/vi/NW_iaOXk4LQ/maxresdefault.jpg
I'd even sit in that lodge and listen to the secretary drone on and on about bills while I just stared in awe.
Or Here: http://dublinpubs.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/freemasons-hall-grand-lodge-chamber-1024x732.jpg
Or here: https://www.masonsr4.com/images/region4/slideshow/LR3.jpg
I bet those brothers don't pay $70 dollars a year for dues.
The aesthetics are nice, and they draw due attention to the "majesty" of our stately craft. It might even be enough to attract newbies at first, but how do you keep them coming... besides just having a nice place to meet? There has to be more.
The very first thing they mention on the above website under the "About Us" page is the KEY to all thriving groups.... THE EXPERIENCE. So how does each Lodge curate their Lodge experience for newcomers and current members alike to make it worthwhile? Right now that seems very contingent on performing degree work. This is something that makes the Masonic experience unique. What else can a Lodge offer to make the EXPERIENCE worthwhile? In Oregon they are trying out a new program called the West Gate Experience, and Enlightenment Lodge no. 228 ( the youngest Lodge in Oregon) is putting it into practice. It might be worth checking out.
I like this idea, one of the last times I was at district meeting I asked what brought most of the brothers to masonry and everyone below the age of 50 said it was the esoteric aspects they were most interested in. It’s the degrees and ritual; that’s what we have that is valuable. Everything else can be found in a dime store self help book.
I’ve been reading a lot of Dune lately and I’m becoming a fan of the chapterhouse, and the entire outcome of the Butlerian Jihad where humans spend their lives working to improve the human condition and capabilities.
Ugh. Please don’t look too much outside of Freemasonry for inspiration. That’s how we became like the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs.
Look to our lectures and charges. The Masonic Restoration Foundation or (my group) the Knights of the North. St. Alban’s Lodge in Texas or Lodge Epicurean in Australia.
Jay