Good Morning MW Cameron, this is an important subject that I have been pondering about our lodge for 6 years...A few decades ago when I worked as psychotherapist, our general 2 yr. treatment plan was for the healing and growth of the individual, then we created a specific treatment plan for the individual. In the case of married or partnered couples, both persons were required to attend the IOP, Intensive Outpatient Program. That, in some cases infuriated one of the persons involved. The relationship between 2 or more persons create one egregore. Hence all are affective and in need of treatment. e.g. A couple is in an auto accident and the driver is physically injured yet the ambulance takes both the driver and the passenger to treatment. Why? both were injured (affected) even if the passenger did not receive any physical injuries.
We always encouraged our patients NOT to get into any relationships after being freshly separated or divorced. Indeed, our requirement was for them to wait 1 year or longer or not at all before entering any relationship…
I am in support of what Little Falls Lodge is doing and curious to learn more...
This was a long way of saying that the well being of all of our lodges would benefit from a Holistic Spiritual, Mental, Emotional and Physical Program to improve the Holistic Well Being of all the Egregores of our Lodges that exist in our WA Jurisdiction. By having such a program we all would be of One Mind, hence, a united and healthy WA Grand Lodge Egregore.
>>>The relationship between 2 or more persons create one egregore.
Indeed. And I think that we can watch this play out clearly within some Lodges, if we are mindful and watch for it.
I've experienced Lodges that completely and to a man sank into terrible apathy and feelings of doom for the Lodge. But I've also experienced Lodges that to a man grew much more excited than previously, and became extremely positive for the future of the Lodge. Both of these things, without any significant material change to the Lodge or its circumstances.
Our minds are extremely powerful tools that we barely understand even today, and working with others in a collective endeavor such as our Lodges magnifies the possibilities. We need to keep an eye on our Lodge egregore, feeding it positivity if we hope for our Lodge to thrive into a bright future.
Again an excellent piece sir. And very near and dear to my heart. So much that I feel this was written specifically for the folks in our neck of the woods. I will be passing this along to my members for sure.
Such a poignant way of describing the cancer of apathy or contagiousness of excitement. Egregores . . . A word I've never heard before, and will be adopting in the future. You touched on a very apropos note for me. A weak lodge with a very positive egregores can be swallowed up by merging with a weak lodge with a negative egregores. The sum of the parts.
As I sort, catalog and preserve the artifacts from another Lodge we've been in discussions with on this exact topic. It feels like they had simply given up hope. I am ever grateful they passed on their artifacts as opposed to leaving them behind, but I am saddened by the fact that it happened.
I think this could extend farther. Even in the case where the incoming lodge wouldn't likely participate, the energy and reminders of the downfall highlight and may even nurture what becomes "the inevitable end". In my view "Well, we're going to have to look at just walking away" is never a conversation we should have. If the time comes, it is a fact we should face with a very serious and solemn attitude. I hate to say I've been in those conversations and it's almost frightening how quickly the group "Well, I guess your right".
NO! I say, If it comes to that, we must walk through that with our heads high, our feet weary from the work we put into righting the ship. There is no shame in trying and failing. But I believe there is great shame in failing to try.
You and I need to get some time to have a cigar/coffee/drink whatever and visit sir. I do so enjoy these essays. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us all.
It sounds as if part of any merger discussion, a plan for moving forward should be established - kind of a roadmap for "where do we go from here?". It requires both lodges to engage with one another and minimizes the optics that one lodge is "taking over".
Genesis #305 & Robert burns #243 merged in 2017 to form Mill Creek #243. At the time, Genesis had younger, more active members while Robert Burns had money in the bank but they were at a point of recycling past masters to fill the line. Both Lodges were meeting at Edmonds Masonic Center - which had it's own logistical challenges. This merger made sense because both lodges were meeting at the same location, just on different nights. From my understanding, the merger was intended to breathe light into both lodges. At the reconstitution ceremony, the initial officer's line was comprised of members of both lodges. The result was that while some members stopped coming to lodge altogether (those guys weren't active anyway) we've made positive steps to initiate new brothers into the craft.
COVID hit and we were all put in time-out for "reasons" (see also: "science), which put quite the damper on things. Now that we're back to operating as before, we're seeing new and old faces in lodge.
With any merger, you'll have folks who are in favor and those who are against. The difference is distinguishing between tangible objections and what is just noise. Now that Mill Creek has moved to the Nile Shrine in Mountlake Terrace, we have alleviated the issue with parking, we have decided to invest in having dinners catered and paid for by the lodge - we want brethren to visit and not let money dissuade them from showing up. Next is if we can swap meeting nights so we aren't conflicting with Seattle Valley Scottish Rite...lol.
In the end communication is only effective if it's clear. If you're on a road trip with no destination, your just a hippie. Get a plan, get buy-in and have a direction that everyone wants to move in.
While in this post I was writing about mergers that don't go well, I too have seen mergers that worked very well. One specifically in my area was a tremendous success. That merger was completed in much the manner you describe, and I think that your advice on it is very well taken.
This makes sense why our local lodge closed. There is strong one about 20 miles away, but I sure miss their presence here in my hometown having grown up in a Masonic home. I’m thrilled to hear your’s is vibrant! Peace and joy to you! 🤗✨💫
You mentioned elsewhere that your Brother is a California Mason. One interesting thing they have done in California is encourage the formation of new Lodges, and I believe have made it easier to get one started.
So, if an old one dies, it can be more easily replaced.
That seems like a very good idea to me, and probably something that should be replicated elsewhere.
Excellent, thank you.
Good Morning MW Cameron, this is an important subject that I have been pondering about our lodge for 6 years...A few decades ago when I worked as psychotherapist, our general 2 yr. treatment plan was for the healing and growth of the individual, then we created a specific treatment plan for the individual. In the case of married or partnered couples, both persons were required to attend the IOP, Intensive Outpatient Program. That, in some cases infuriated one of the persons involved. The relationship between 2 or more persons create one egregore. Hence all are affective and in need of treatment. e.g. A couple is in an auto accident and the driver is physically injured yet the ambulance takes both the driver and the passenger to treatment. Why? both were injured (affected) even if the passenger did not receive any physical injuries.
We always encouraged our patients NOT to get into any relationships after being freshly separated or divorced. Indeed, our requirement was for them to wait 1 year or longer or not at all before entering any relationship…
I am in support of what Little Falls Lodge is doing and curious to learn more...
This was a long way of saying that the well being of all of our lodges would benefit from a Holistic Spiritual, Mental, Emotional and Physical Program to improve the Holistic Well Being of all the Egregores of our Lodges that exist in our WA Jurisdiction. By having such a program we all would be of One Mind, hence, a united and healthy WA Grand Lodge Egregore.
>>>The relationship between 2 or more persons create one egregore.
Indeed. And I think that we can watch this play out clearly within some Lodges, if we are mindful and watch for it.
I've experienced Lodges that completely and to a man sank into terrible apathy and feelings of doom for the Lodge. But I've also experienced Lodges that to a man grew much more excited than previously, and became extremely positive for the future of the Lodge. Both of these things, without any significant material change to the Lodge or its circumstances.
Our minds are extremely powerful tools that we barely understand even today, and working with others in a collective endeavor such as our Lodges magnifies the possibilities. We need to keep an eye on our Lodge egregore, feeding it positivity if we hope for our Lodge to thrive into a bright future.
Agreed.
Again an excellent piece sir. And very near and dear to my heart. So much that I feel this was written specifically for the folks in our neck of the woods. I will be passing this along to my members for sure.
Such a poignant way of describing the cancer of apathy or contagiousness of excitement. Egregores . . . A word I've never heard before, and will be adopting in the future. You touched on a very apropos note for me. A weak lodge with a very positive egregores can be swallowed up by merging with a weak lodge with a negative egregores. The sum of the parts.
As I sort, catalog and preserve the artifacts from another Lodge we've been in discussions with on this exact topic. It feels like they had simply given up hope. I am ever grateful they passed on their artifacts as opposed to leaving them behind, but I am saddened by the fact that it happened.
I think this could extend farther. Even in the case where the incoming lodge wouldn't likely participate, the energy and reminders of the downfall highlight and may even nurture what becomes "the inevitable end". In my view "Well, we're going to have to look at just walking away" is never a conversation we should have. If the time comes, it is a fact we should face with a very serious and solemn attitude. I hate to say I've been in those conversations and it's almost frightening how quickly the group "Well, I guess your right".
NO! I say, If it comes to that, we must walk through that with our heads high, our feet weary from the work we put into righting the ship. There is no shame in trying and failing. But I believe there is great shame in failing to try.
You and I need to get some time to have a cigar/coffee/drink whatever and visit sir. I do so enjoy these essays. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us all.
Thank you for your kind words Brother. I appreciate it, and I appreciate your thoughts on this subject.
I'd enjoy spending some time together. Let me know when you are in my neck of the woods, and I'll do the same.
It sounds as if part of any merger discussion, a plan for moving forward should be established - kind of a roadmap for "where do we go from here?". It requires both lodges to engage with one another and minimizes the optics that one lodge is "taking over".
Genesis #305 & Robert burns #243 merged in 2017 to form Mill Creek #243. At the time, Genesis had younger, more active members while Robert Burns had money in the bank but they were at a point of recycling past masters to fill the line. Both Lodges were meeting at Edmonds Masonic Center - which had it's own logistical challenges. This merger made sense because both lodges were meeting at the same location, just on different nights. From my understanding, the merger was intended to breathe light into both lodges. At the reconstitution ceremony, the initial officer's line was comprised of members of both lodges. The result was that while some members stopped coming to lodge altogether (those guys weren't active anyway) we've made positive steps to initiate new brothers into the craft.
COVID hit and we were all put in time-out for "reasons" (see also: "science), which put quite the damper on things. Now that we're back to operating as before, we're seeing new and old faces in lodge.
With any merger, you'll have folks who are in favor and those who are against. The difference is distinguishing between tangible objections and what is just noise. Now that Mill Creek has moved to the Nile Shrine in Mountlake Terrace, we have alleviated the issue with parking, we have decided to invest in having dinners catered and paid for by the lodge - we want brethren to visit and not let money dissuade them from showing up. Next is if we can swap meeting nights so we aren't conflicting with Seattle Valley Scottish Rite...lol.
In the end communication is only effective if it's clear. If you're on a road trip with no destination, your just a hippie. Get a plan, get buy-in and have a direction that everyone wants to move in.
While in this post I was writing about mergers that don't go well, I too have seen mergers that worked very well. One specifically in my area was a tremendous success. That merger was completed in much the manner you describe, and I think that your advice on it is very well taken.
This makes sense why our local lodge closed. There is strong one about 20 miles away, but I sure miss their presence here in my hometown having grown up in a Masonic home. I’m thrilled to hear your’s is vibrant! Peace and joy to you! 🤗✨💫
You mentioned elsewhere that your Brother is a California Mason. One interesting thing they have done in California is encourage the formation of new Lodges, and I believe have made it easier to get one started.
So, if an old one dies, it can be more easily replaced.
That seems like a very good idea to me, and probably something that should be replicated elsewhere.
Int, there’s a lot to think about. I’ll pass on your word to someone who might be the flame that gets this going, Thank you! 🤗