in Washington, we have the six step program which is designed to weed out bad prospects. I want a LOT of prospects but i want a few petitions. Having hard conversations with prospects is, well hard. But it has to be done. We must meet petitioners in thier homes if at all possible. Know their wife or significant other. At the least, we should know a prospect id say better then an average coworker or casual friend for reasons listed by Most Worshipful.
In my experience, that visit to their home, and with their partner (if there is one) is truly vital. I've seen where skipping this has led to disastrous mistakes.
We can't, and shouldn't demand that a man be perfect, but we can and should demand that he be good, and striving to be better. If we don't, what are we actually doing?
I do not think that "guarding the west gate" ... and demanding that candidates meet "old school" criteria ... is how we should proceed if we want to make a new renaissance for Masonry ... what is needed is CLARITY OF MISSION ... and CLARITY OF VALUES AND OBLIGATIONS ...
simply put ... men and families will enthusiastically join and participate IF THERE IS A CLEAR AND WORTHY MISSION ...
you see any shortage of valunteers to become astronauts? to become navy seals or sas ?
to apply to medical school ?
folks want to do something valuable and worthy with their lives
meeting to have dinner with other good men or folks is pleasant and nice ... and valuable to have honorable friends of course ... but if meetings just profide dinner and comfortable ritual ... then we are really no different than any men's club, old school athletic club, or most any social club ... and folks have lots of alternatives ... from sex and swingers clubs to skydiving clubs to mountaineering clubs to aviation clubs to ... geez ... cigar and whiskey clubs ... and more ...
and i might add that in most of those "social groups" or "clubs" ... folks often see more of each other than most brothers do ... in attending lodge meetings and events ...
also we need to get rid of the idea that online lodge meetings are anathema ... in a world where we are moving to everything being online ... soon even jury duty will be online ... it is time to take our lodges digital ...
want to revitalize masonry ... DO SOMETHING ACTUALLY USEFUL ...
Do something with a bit of drama and excitement ...
DO something that actually helps change the future ...
Will my sons join if we are buiding new medical science or technoilogy ? perhaps
will they join if we are running a lodge the educates a new generation of pilots ? probably
will they join if we are running sailbaots around the world to bring sailing skills and maritime licensing to a new generation of naval / mariners ? perhaps ...
will they join to attend meetings and vote to pay the bills and chat and eat diner ... probably not ...
as for the idea of giving money to the masonic foundation or ushc so that they can send help to spokane ... no thanks ... if i have available time or finances to help with ... length of cable tow ..as it were ... I will go over and help in person ... that is what is simming ...
person to person ...
not bankbook or checkbook to anonymous thru some institution ... no matter how well intended ...
Go help in person ... shake hands, hug someone in dispair and provide real and substantive help to get them going again ...
so is this diatribe just lip service ... might be your question ... what have I DONE myself this year ...
moved someone in need to a new home
moved a machanic to a new job they needed
provided a body lift machine to someone disabled
provided housing to someone who had no otrher releatives or friends local to help
provided food and batteries and basics to someone whose home burnt down locally here
volunteered at 2 food banks to help
educated 3 strugling graduate students who were having problems with their mathematics and would have dropped out of school without mentoring
taken car of neighbors home awaiting sale while they moved far away to their parients to conserve and start life over ...
taught a local kid how to fix their bicycle
repaired a neighbors car when the labor cost would have been too high at a shop ... so they could finish schol and get to work ...
taught an autistic girl how to do algebra ...
restored some old tools for a woodworking enthusiast
taught a short course in quantum theory as pertaining to quantum computing
removed and replaced rusty sharp bolts on public playground equipment with stainless smooth bolts to prevent kids from injury
i feel like i must have done more ... but offhand that is my 2026 list
ben frankline had it right
get up each morning and check your intentions for the day
at end of day check your accomplishments
focus and what you can do and then do it .. .
let the rest go
but DO SOMETHING USEFUL AND WORTHY ..
even if it is small
soemdays you will fail
some succeed
a man can only do his best and more you can not do in any case
I have to agree that we should be more stringent in the process. We might also wish to treat each prospective guest with the same level of consideration and expectation.
I say this namely because at times we might avert our attentions from things we ought not to if we considered them a serious candidate from the start.
Great points all the way through. Have a Blessed one, and safe Travels MWB Bailey!
As far as I'm concerned, you may harp away on this topic. Not only here, but in every lodge you visit or with every Mason you meet.
Like you, I don't want large numbers of "men" in Masonry.
I want good men in Masonry. Only those who share the tenets of our fraternity and are willing to support and defend what we believe in.
Keep it going Most Worshipful Sir.
Thank you Brother. I truly appreciate your support.
in Washington, we have the six step program which is designed to weed out bad prospects. I want a LOT of prospects but i want a few petitions. Having hard conversations with prospects is, well hard. But it has to be done. We must meet petitioners in thier homes if at all possible. Know their wife or significant other. At the least, we should know a prospect id say better then an average coworker or casual friend for reasons listed by Most Worshipful.
In my experience, that visit to their home, and with their partner (if there is one) is truly vital. I've seen where skipping this has led to disastrous mistakes.
Completely agree. The revival starts at the West gate.
We can't, and shouldn't demand that a man be perfect, but we can and should demand that he be good, and striving to be better. If we don't, what are we actually doing?
Absolutely. What makes a "good man" is a topic that we should regularly discuss in Lodge.
in all humble respect ...
I do not think that "guarding the west gate" ... and demanding that candidates meet "old school" criteria ... is how we should proceed if we want to make a new renaissance for Masonry ... what is needed is CLARITY OF MISSION ... and CLARITY OF VALUES AND OBLIGATIONS ...
simply put ... men and families will enthusiastically join and participate IF THERE IS A CLEAR AND WORTHY MISSION ...
you see any shortage of valunteers to become astronauts? to become navy seals or sas ?
to apply to medical school ?
folks want to do something valuable and worthy with their lives
meeting to have dinner with other good men or folks is pleasant and nice ... and valuable to have honorable friends of course ... but if meetings just profide dinner and comfortable ritual ... then we are really no different than any men's club, old school athletic club, or most any social club ... and folks have lots of alternatives ... from sex and swingers clubs to skydiving clubs to mountaineering clubs to aviation clubs to ... geez ... cigar and whiskey clubs ... and more ...
and i might add that in most of those "social groups" or "clubs" ... folks often see more of each other than most brothers do ... in attending lodge meetings and events ...
also we need to get rid of the idea that online lodge meetings are anathema ... in a world where we are moving to everything being online ... soon even jury duty will be online ... it is time to take our lodges digital ...
want to revitalize masonry ... DO SOMETHING ACTUALLY USEFUL ...
Do something with a bit of drama and excitement ...
DO something that actually helps change the future ...
Will my sons join if we are buiding new medical science or technoilogy ? perhaps
will they join if we are running a lodge the educates a new generation of pilots ? probably
will they join if we are running sailbaots around the world to bring sailing skills and maritime licensing to a new generation of naval / mariners ? perhaps ...
will they join to attend meetings and vote to pay the bills and chat and eat diner ... probably not ...
as for the idea of giving money to the masonic foundation or ushc so that they can send help to spokane ... no thanks ... if i have available time or finances to help with ... length of cable tow ..as it were ... I will go over and help in person ... that is what is simming ...
person to person ...
not bankbook or checkbook to anonymous thru some institution ... no matter how well intended ...
Go help in person ... shake hands, hug someone in dispair and provide real and substantive help to get them going again ...
so is this diatribe just lip service ... might be your question ... what have I DONE myself this year ...
moved someone in need to a new home
moved a machanic to a new job they needed
provided a body lift machine to someone disabled
provided housing to someone who had no otrher releatives or friends local to help
provided food and batteries and basics to someone whose home burnt down locally here
volunteered at 2 food banks to help
educated 3 strugling graduate students who were having problems with their mathematics and would have dropped out of school without mentoring
taken car of neighbors home awaiting sale while they moved far away to their parients to conserve and start life over ...
taught a local kid how to fix their bicycle
repaired a neighbors car when the labor cost would have been too high at a shop ... so they could finish schol and get to work ...
taught an autistic girl how to do algebra ...
restored some old tools for a woodworking enthusiast
taught a short course in quantum theory as pertaining to quantum computing
removed and replaced rusty sharp bolts on public playground equipment with stainless smooth bolts to prevent kids from injury
i feel like i must have done more ... but offhand that is my 2026 list
ben frankline had it right
get up each morning and check your intentions for the day
at end of day check your accomplishments
focus and what you can do and then do it .. .
let the rest go
but DO SOMETHING USEFUL AND WORTHY ..
even if it is small
soemdays you will fail
some succeed
a man can only do his best and more you can not do in any case
so DO YOUR BEST each day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NudLfyl2cXc
I don't disagree, a mission, as you put it is truly vital for our Craft to thrive long term.
I would however posit that unless we properly guard the West, we'll never be able to devise that mission, or carry it out.
Agreed.
I have to agree that we should be more stringent in the process. We might also wish to treat each prospective guest with the same level of consideration and expectation.
I say this namely because at times we might avert our attentions from things we ought not to if we considered them a serious candidate from the start.
Great points all the way through. Have a Blessed one, and safe Travels MWB Bailey!
Regarding the fire, MSANA will often set up a fund that Grand Lodges and their members can contribute to.