Masonic Employment Bureaus

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   Does anyone here have any experience with Masonic Employment Bureaus? During the 1930's (long before my time), Grand Lodges and Lodges assisted Masons (and their dependents) with employment assistance.

Can we bring this splendid tradition back? I believe that we could revive the employment bureaus, and even expand them to providing assistance to non-Masons, and anyone who needs work. 

Some masons are terrified of the legal implications, that if we started to assist people in their job search, that we would be open to discrimination lawsuits. This fear is unjustified, if we provide assistance on a non-discriminatory basis. 

Many churches and non-profit organizations provide employment assistance to the public. One example is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons). The LDS church operates a national chain of employment bureaus, which provide assistance in preparing resumes, and coaching people in how to do interviews. Since the LDS assists anyone, regardless of church membership, there is no legal problem.

Can we do this? Can we bring back this splendid tradition? 

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cemab4y Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Quarryman Joined: October/31/2007 Location: Fairfax VA Status: Offline Points: 1267	Post Options Post Reply Quote cemab4y Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Masonic Employment Bureaus Posted: December/03/2014 at 5:31pm
	Does anyone here have any experience with Masonic Employment Bureaus? During the 1930's (long before my time), Grand Lodges and Lodges assisted Masons (and their dependents) with employment assistance. Can we bring this splendid tradition back? I believe that we could revive the employment bureaus, and even expand them to providing assistance to non-Masons, and anyone who needs work. Some masons are terrified of the legal implications, that if we started to assist people in their job search, that we would be open to discrimination lawsuits. This fear is unjustified, if we provide assistance on a non-discriminatory basis. Many churches and non-profit organizations provide employment assistance to the public. One example is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons). The LDS church operates a national chain of employment bureaus, which provide assistance in preparing resumes, and coaching people in how to do interviews. Since the LDS assists anyone, regardless of church membership, there is no legal problem. Can we do this? Can we bring back this splendid tradition?
	Charles E. Martin Alexandria, VA Bowling Green Lodge 73, Bowling Green KY (GL of KY, F&AM) Alexandria VA Scottish Rite Bodies (AASR, Southern Jurisdiction, USA)

canuck Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Joined: November/05/2007 Location: Toronto, ON Status: Offline Points: 2765	Post Options Post Reply Quote canuck Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December/15/2014 at 5:36pm
	There are already organizations which do this. For this particular task, they are more organized, more experienced and therefore - more efficient in their endeavours. We should focus on what we do best and try to do it even better - teaching our members the tenets of Freemasonry.
	www.victorialodge.ca

cemab4y Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Quarryman Joined: October/31/2007 Location: Fairfax VA Status: Offline Points: 1267	Post Options Post Reply Quote cemab4y Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December/16/2014 at 9:11am
	I disagree. In the USA, the states operate employment services. Most are very poor, and unable to assist people in getting work. You need to keep in mind, that Masonic lodges have traditionally assisted members (and dependents) in seeking work. During the depression of the 1930's, the unemployment rate for Masons was less than the general population, because we assisted each other. In this new economy, seeking work is a new experience. True, there are other non-government organizations that assist people in seeking work. Perhaps things are different north of the border. If all Masons in Canada already have work, and no assistance is needed, then great. Here in the USA, there are people who have been out of work for months, and the existing government agencies are not getting the people back to work.
	Charles E. Martin Alexandria, VA Bowling Green Lodge 73, Bowling Green KY (GL of KY, F&AM) Alexandria VA Scottish Rite Bodies (AASR, Southern Jurisdiction, USA)

Cookslc Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: June/21/2014 Location: East Millcreek Status: Offline Points: 57	Post Options Post Reply Quote Cookslc Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December/16/2014 at 11:34pm
	Haven't we had this discussion before?

NobleShabba Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: March/11/2012 Location: MD Status: Offline Points: 809	Post Options Post Reply Quote NobleShabba Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December/17/2014 at 7:43am
	Brother Martin, if a non-mason came to this Masonic Employment Bureau looking for help, should we refuse?
	---------------------- DISCLAIMER: These are my comments, and mine alone - they do not necessarily apply to any group to which I belong!

cemab4y Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Quarryman Joined: October/31/2007 Location: Fairfax VA Status: Offline Points: 1267	Post Options Post Reply Quote cemab4y Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: December/17/2014 at 7:55am
	I have discussed this topic frequently. I have suffered from the scourge of unemployment, and I have assisted others in seeking work. I believe that if Grand Lodges set up a program like this, that we should offer assistance to anyone who asks. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints(the Mormons) have employment assistance bureaus, and they offer assistance to anyone, who asks! And the more people we assist, the wider our net is cast, and more people will learn of jobs. And the more companies learn of the program, the more will send their job orders to the bureau. You will start a "virtuous cycle", and the program will begin to take off. And there will be other benefits, not involving jobs. More people will learn of Masonry, and maybe some will be petitioning. One of the leadership secrets of Mother Teresa (Nobel Prize-winner)is that the organization is not permitted to use the word "problem". When there is a challenge, the organization is required to use the word "gift". I believe sincerely, that Freemasonry could take the new economy, and the challenges of assisting Masons (and dependents, and the public), in seeking employment, and make a gift out of it. We can serve our brothers, as we are required to do in our oath. We can serve others outside the fraternity. Another Nobel prize-winner, Aung San Suu Kyi said "If you do nothing, you get nothing". Edited by cemab4y - December/17/2014 at 3:33pm
	Charles E. Martin Alexandria, VA Bowling Green Lodge 73, Bowling Green KY (GL of KY, F&AM) Alexandria VA Scottish Rite Bodies (AASR, Southern Jurisdiction, USA)