Previously, the location of this potential Mason needed to be determined (what Lodge had jiuriddiction)? Then it was determined if a Brother knew of this Candidate?
Subsequently, if thought worthy, a Petition was sought? Then an investigation Committee was sought, or appointed. The info in the Petition was read in Lodge, and the findings of the Committee was read (the Petitioner could support his family, and still afford to pay dues? All this being positive, a ballot could proceed? What have I missed?
Richland Lodge has a standing committee of 3 Master Masons who interview each potential candidate and provide materials (Approaching the Portal, A Brief Lodge history). After the first meeting the candidate is given time to study the reference materials and decide if he can dedicate the time to learn the posting lectures and complete the Masonic Development Program. If they feel confident that they can a second meeting is arranged with hopefully their significant other and at the conclusion he is given a petition if the committee feels he is worthy.
At the Lodge Leadership retreat, I taught a class on prospects and how to handle them.
In Washington state we have a fine prospect management system run by Grand Lodge via Grandview. Men wanting to join fill out an online form, that is routed to the district deputy that is within that person's home address. The deputy then determines which lodge is a best fit and assigns that prospect to that lodge. That prospect is issued a membership # in grandview, and the progress of his advancement is tracked there. Each lodge should have a prospect manager assigned, either a brother, or the secretary, who will initiate contact and let the man know when to come and meet with the brothers and get to know us, and vice versus.
During the class I asked how many lodges actually used the prospect management system, and only about half the hands went up. That is terrible, but in line with what Grand Lodge sees, a lot of lodges don't take advantage of the system, and those prospects are never contacted by the lodge. They are literally shooting themselves in the foot, while crying about membership losses.
We're not getting a lot of men coming into the lodge, but we're getting the ones coming in to petition. The system works, now lodges just need to take advantage of it.
We are using the same program in Oregon, we call it the Westgate Experience, and it works great. We filter out all those who don’t meet our expectations and the ones who do become good active contributors to the Lodge.
We have added a few things to the process before we actually start them in the process, to make sure our prospects fully understand what is going to and needs to happen.
For the first 10 years of this century I acted as first contact for the Hall my Lodge was in. There were 17 Lodges, Scottish Rite and DeMolay in the building which was right downtown in Edmonton, Alberta.
We had a bar on the lower floor so on Wednesdays I would meet with fellows who had inquired. I took a copy of the Petition with me that required one's Social Insurance Number (like an SSN in the US) and I highlighted an often missed note that read, "Freemasonry does a thorough background police check" and I added (because I was Secretary/Treasurer of my Lodge)... a thorough credit check!
I wasn't there to get members for my Lodge but for all Lodges in the city (there were about 35) and in the surrounding area. I met over the 10 years with about 500 guys and about half of them proceeded to join.
One tough part was with guys who had DUI's and petty charges as younger guys BEFORE they were a criminal offence... these fellows I directed to the right person at the courthouse where they could (for about $200.00) get a pardon... they did not have to present or mention the pardon when joining.
It was an interesting task that I enjoyed... I also gave them my card and told them they could call me for anything further as I would NOT call them... the decision to join was strictly their own.
I am now in Mexico and am very disappointed with the methods used but nobody listens to this old guy anymore! We have two new Candidates right now... one is almost 80 and the other is 86... nothing about "dotage" anymore?
MWPGM Bailey,
Previously, the location of this potential Mason needed to be determined (what Lodge had jiuriddiction)? Then it was determined if a Brother knew of this Candidate?
Subsequently, if thought worthy, a Petition was sought? Then an investigation Committee was sought, or appointed. The info in the Petition was read in Lodge, and the findings of the Committee was read (the Petitioner could support his family, and still afford to pay dues? All this being positive, a ballot could proceed? What have I missed?
Richland Lodge has a standing committee of 3 Master Masons who interview each potential candidate and provide materials (Approaching the Portal, A Brief Lodge history). After the first meeting the candidate is given time to study the reference materials and decide if he can dedicate the time to learn the posting lectures and complete the Masonic Development Program. If they feel confident that they can a second meeting is arranged with hopefully their significant other and at the conclusion he is given a petition if the committee feels he is worthy.
At the Lodge Leadership retreat, I taught a class on prospects and how to handle them.
In Washington state we have a fine prospect management system run by Grand Lodge via Grandview. Men wanting to join fill out an online form, that is routed to the district deputy that is within that person's home address. The deputy then determines which lodge is a best fit and assigns that prospect to that lodge. That prospect is issued a membership # in grandview, and the progress of his advancement is tracked there. Each lodge should have a prospect manager assigned, either a brother, or the secretary, who will initiate contact and let the man know when to come and meet with the brothers and get to know us, and vice versus.
During the class I asked how many lodges actually used the prospect management system, and only about half the hands went up. That is terrible, but in line with what Grand Lodge sees, a lot of lodges don't take advantage of the system, and those prospects are never contacted by the lodge. They are literally shooting themselves in the foot, while crying about membership losses.
We're not getting a lot of men coming into the lodge, but we're getting the ones coming in to petition. The system works, now lodges just need to take advantage of it.
We are using the same program in Oregon, we call it the Westgate Experience, and it works great. We filter out all those who don’t meet our expectations and the ones who do become good active contributors to the Lodge.
We have added a few things to the process before we actually start them in the process, to make sure our prospects fully understand what is going to and needs to happen.
For the first 10 years of this century I acted as first contact for the Hall my Lodge was in. There were 17 Lodges, Scottish Rite and DeMolay in the building which was right downtown in Edmonton, Alberta.
We had a bar on the lower floor so on Wednesdays I would meet with fellows who had inquired. I took a copy of the Petition with me that required one's Social Insurance Number (like an SSN in the US) and I highlighted an often missed note that read, "Freemasonry does a thorough background police check" and I added (because I was Secretary/Treasurer of my Lodge)... a thorough credit check!
I wasn't there to get members for my Lodge but for all Lodges in the city (there were about 35) and in the surrounding area. I met over the 10 years with about 500 guys and about half of them proceeded to join.
One tough part was with guys who had DUI's and petty charges as younger guys BEFORE they were a criminal offence... these fellows I directed to the right person at the courthouse where they could (for about $200.00) get a pardon... they did not have to present or mention the pardon when joining.
It was an interesting task that I enjoyed... I also gave them my card and told them they could call me for anything further as I would NOT call them... the decision to join was strictly their own.
I am now in Mexico and am very disappointed with the methods used but nobody listens to this old guy anymore! We have two new Candidates right now... one is almost 80 and the other is 86... nothing about "dotage" anymore?