declining membership |
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boing1972
Groupie Joined: January/25/2015 Location: dix,il Status: Offline Points: 46 |
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Posted: March/08/2015 at 1:36pm |
It seems that masonry membership has declined over the years. With the Internet spewing lies and conspiracy theories, how and what would be a good way to attract new membership ? Most of the brothers in my lodge and a few we regularly visit, either had family or close friends already in the craft.
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brother bell
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aogop
Quarryman Joined: December/02/2009 Location: Shoreline, WA Status: Offline Points: 582 |
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It is safe to say we will probably never reach the same membership levels we had decades ago. Efforts have been made in recent years to make Freemasonry "easier" in the hopes of increasing membership and retention. Studies done by the GL of BC&Yukon, Canada have shown those efforts really haven't amounted to much. Retention appears to hover around 35%, once a person becomes an EA.
To counter this, a shift in focus is happening in many GLs, where the mindset of "Quality over Quantity" is taking hold. BC&Yukon have started a "6-Step" program, aimed at potential candidates... before they even turn in a petition. Our GL is following the same program. It is too early to gauge it's success, but 2 lodges in my District have people in the program, and I was told so far it is a positive experience. Let me see if I can find some links. |
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JerryP.
PM- Shoreline Lodge#248 F&AM Shoreline, WA. |
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aogop
Quarryman Joined: December/02/2009 Location: Shoreline, WA Status: Offline Points: 582 |
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freemasonry.bcy.ca/ddgm/tab_7_six_steps_to_initiation.pdf
See if that works |
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JerryP.
PM- Shoreline Lodge#248 F&AM Shoreline, WA. |
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WBScott
Quarryman Joined: October/18/2014 Location: Wright City, MO Status: Offline Points: 265 |
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When your lodge does something that is worthy of recognition in your community, be sure and let your local newspaper know about it.... like we did! The lodge secretary wrote a "Press Release" and sent it to our newspaper along with the picture and they published it word for word. Our lodge must have a really great secretary! No, we don't do these things in our community for the recognition, but what's wrong with tooting your own horn?
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Wentzville (MO) Lodge #46 - PM
Pride of the West (MO) Lodge #179 - PM (twice) Pauldingville (MO) Lodge #11 - Secretary Warrenton (MO) Lodge #609 - Secretary Past DDGM - 25th Masonic District |
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BigBob
Quarryman Joined: May/10/2011 Location: Jacksonville Status: Offline Points: 930 |
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Great post, I will be passing this on to my lodge! |
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Ribualt Lodge 272 - SW
Jacksonville 12 R.A.M. - King Hallmark 2 R.S.M. I-09.21.10 P-11.18.10 R-02.15.11 |
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Sec'yBob
Quarryman Joined: April/23/2015 Location: Missouri Status: Offline Points: 468 |
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Well guys, we have beat this bush at our Lodge for quite some time now.
Our thoughts as well as most others seem to be that people have more to do now and I suppose that is mostly the truth.
I remember when my Dad was active, he spent at least one night, sometimes two learning ritual, one night in Lodge, and on an infrequent saturday there was a breakfast, or dinner by the Jobies or De Molay.
I try to get my family involved, and it's I have Soccer, on Mondays, gun club on Tuesday, Wednesday I work late, Thursday I am with my kids [visitation], Friday is when I go out, and Saturday I just chill from such a busy week.
And the list goes on.
40 years ago, when I was growing up, my parents didn't have all that crap to do. I think it is generational, sign of the times, and our ever growing society.
I make no excuses here, I just think that the more people learn about what we do, slowly we are going to turn enough heads and get noticed.
I agree with what someone said above, I don't think the "OLD" numbers will ever come back but I think we can make strides forward and make this fraternity grow.
I would welcome others thoughts on this.
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Raised 2001
PM Crestwood-Anchor #443 PM Meramec #313 X3 Past DDGM Dist #24 Lodge Education Officer Missouri Lodge of Research O.E.S. Chapter 129 WP X3 Legion of Honor recipient |
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