How Do We Make Good Men Better?

There are, of course, cliques all over; they can't be avoided, and in some respects, they can be healthy. Its when a clique controls  the organization and stifles or obstructs others that I object. Many times I hear such members lament that one becomes a Master Mason and we never see him again. I think, well no wonder why- did this person feel accepted? Did we give him a chance to be part of the group and allow him to make a contribution and grow? Does the Lodge have activities, whether charitable, social or otherwise, compatible with our values, that will make a man feel that it is worthwhile to be active?  Many times the answer is no.

I agree that charity work needs to be altruistic and not just for the publicity. If it is just for the publicity, people will soon see through that and it will fail. But, IMHO, there is nothing wrong with hoping for and getting new members through our works. If our works promote our values and that attracts men having those values, what is wrong with that?

I also understand why some might want a new member or aspiring member to "get their feet wet" before speaking out, but I think its more in the way they say it and approach it. If someone comes in like a bull in a china shop and says you guys are dead need to do this and that... yes, I'd probably tell them to go take a hike. But if they are sincere and earnestly want to contribute, I say fine, what does it matter if they are new or not a member? Like I said before, you never know when you'll hit pay dirt. Their ideas may not be new to us, but may be new to their lodge. We don't know.

Being new to the organization, I can say that whatever comes out of my mind (and onto the keyboard) should be taken with a molecule of salt. I recognize being new and not knowing anything. Sometimes I get a little antsy and find out that something I thought was really tiny (inspection) was actually the most massive event ever seen (same inspection).

Lodges that cannot open or put on degrees due to poor attendance usually do not suffer from "not bringing in enough new members" but not engaging the ones they have.

Z111 wrote: FoF wrote: I do not have a FB page to participate nor am I a mason but I have several friends who talk about the old guard keeping the lodge down because they will not let younger men give the lodge a shot in the arm it needs. It may be too late and the GM for the state should look to merge the lodges in question. However, if the WM of the lodge is open minded then he should let the younger men set up an advertising committee to attract others who might be interested in joining but are too nervous to do so. My journey started by visiting the local web page of the lodge in my town and saw they had an open house. My friend who is a MM accompanied me there which took the edge off my nerves and it was an overall fun experience. Fellowship activities with the public such as hot dogs, sausage and pepper cookouts etc could drum up people who had no idea your building was even there. Case in point: The local lodge I'm interacting with is one traffic light from my house in the downtown area and I did not know it was there for 3 years until my father-in-law, who knew I wanted to become a mason, pointed it out one day. My prospective lodge has the advantage of being in an old downtown setting and has plenty of foot traffic to do adverts right on the sidewalk if they so choose. If foot traffic outside the lodge is an issue, maybe look to get permits to set up shop somewhere and have pamphlets available. Not necessarily recruiting but making your lodge known so those interested can ask one to be one or at the minimum get some reading material and speak to those in the know.   And just who are you to be passing judgement?

how can I make may life better I am not freemasonry I want to be freemasonry so as I can make wonderful thing in the world b'se I have may own ambitions

Brother Paul Jerome has started a new Facebook page for Masons to discuss why some lodges cannot open for lack of members, some cannot get enough officers out to put on a degree, and how "We Make Good Men Better." 

This will be a good place to discuss and search for solutions to lodge problems with attendance problems that can improve regular attendance and participation.

And best of all, this site will give all a chance to comment on how we make good men better.

All are invited to join the discussion on Brother Paul's Page.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/317043281755187/