How Do We Make Good Men Better? |
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droche
Quarryman Joined: March/03/2008 Location: Worcester, Mass Status: Offline Points: 2243 |
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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. |
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Z111
Quarryman Joined: November/06/2007 Status: Offline Points: 963 |
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If charity work is visible than I question whether it is done for charitable purposes or for the publicity.
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"You cannot do square work by cutting corners."
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easttowesttoeast
Newbie Joined: February/24/2013 Location: U.S. Status: Offline Points: 43 |
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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).
I can see cliques all over, especially where the men sit on the sidelines. I know exactly where they are going to sit and who they will talk to. I try and move all over because you see different vantage points (especially on a degree night).
In a way, I sort of feel that my lodge is too active. There doesn't seem to be any room for something new and not tried. A good number of the events are repeats and their success is debatable. What I would like to see more of is visible events. I think I have brought this up before, but I think it is important that when you are doing charitable work, you are somewhat visible when you do it. That is not to say that most good deeds should remain hidden, one does not have to be brazen to show their good deeds. However, actions speak louder than words (and money).
The biggest issue is probably dues issues. Raising dues or changing something causes a huge uproar.
I also come from a College Fraternity and cannot see how the organization can survive into the future without some sort of "recruitment". If College Fraternities had been prohibitied from recruiting new members, they would have died long ago. I'm sure this statement alone with draw ire from many members on the board...
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Z111
Quarryman Joined: November/06/2007 Status: Offline Points: 963 |
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Not trying to stifle new ideas at all. Nothing he suggested is new.
I think he should get his feet wet before offering up suggestions.
"Audi, Vide, Tace".
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"You cannot do square work by cutting corners."
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Tarditi
Quarryman Joined: November/06/2007 Location: Raleigh, NC Status: Offline Points: 1075 |
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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.
A lodge has a prescribed number present to open or confer a degree... if the actual membership roles of these lodges were close to that small number, the DDGLs and GMs themselves would be looking to merge the lodge with another. The issue is participation. It is not a new challenge - I was poking around our lodges library a while ago and came across a Short Talk Bulletin dated in the 1950's about how to better engage the members and get them "from their living room into their lodge room."
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Dustin Tarditi, PM
James B Green #735 A.F. & A.M. |
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droche
Quarryman Joined: March/03/2008 Location: Worcester, Mass Status: Offline Points: 2243 |
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I don't see FoF passing judgement, I see him making suggestions, and I think some of his suggestions are very good. So what if he is not a Mason?
The Lodges I see failing or failing to grow are those that do not have activities in addition to the business meetings and degree work. In some cases yes, it is the "old curmudgeons" who put the kibosh to lodge activities, but in a lot of other cases it's little cliques that become entrenched and if it's not their idea then nothing will fly. Many members of these cliques are not that old. My lodge is very active in the community and we are constantly talking about new ideas and activities that will benefit the lodge. Some fly, some don't, but its based on what works and what doesn't, not who initiated it. At my old age of 59 I don't try to stop the flow of ideas. We have many members well into their 80's and they have a live and let live attitude as well. So keep the ideas flowing. Some, like casino nights won't fly, but if its within reason, try it. You never know when you will hit pay dirt. |
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masonic.truths
Muzzled Joined: February/20/2010 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 804 |
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I had the same thought, but I'm sure he would consider me part of the "old guard".
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Z111
Quarryman Joined: November/06/2007 Status: Offline Points: 963 |
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And just who are you to be passing judgement?
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"You cannot do square work by cutting corners."
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jullysha
Newbie Joined: April/05/2013 Location: kahama-shinyang Status: Offline Points: 6 |
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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
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jas
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BroScubaSteve
Quarryman Joined: February/25/2013 Location: New Jersey Status: Offline Points: 375 |
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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. Edited by FoF - April/06/2013 at 10:10am |
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Carl
Administrator Joined: March/30/2010 Location: Newcastle, Eng Status: Offline Points: 25 |
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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/ |
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Widows Sons
http://widowssons.ws Dying to Ride Watch Out For Motorcycles http://dyingtoride.org |
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