What if ?????

What if:

Wow...don't know where to begin Brother...it's very odvious that the lodge you are talking about is dear to you and you do not wish to leave it? But...idk that's sad to here.. I recently got a petition for York Rite and was told they really needed guys like me...there last meeting they couldn't even open because there wasn't enough people present..just makes me sad to here your situation..

I joined this great fraternity to do good things for the community, and especially for those in need. I see all these lodges doing so much, and enjoying it. I haven't missed a meeting since I have been in, and NEVER saw the lodge opened. We just sit there and shoot the bull. Not what I want to spend my time doing. Learning comes by a few of us getting together at one of our homes to go over and keep fresh what little we do know. I am the first to have a copy of the lodge by-laws because I asked after being informed by a friend from another lodge that each lodge has it's own by-laws aside from the constitution from the grand lodge. Should have seen the look of surprise on the faces of the few brothers present when I asked the sec. for a copy. Murmors of I didn't know we had those came from brothers that were members many years before me. I am going into Royal Arch on Jan. 10th and cant wait. They are really active, and do things by the book, but I want so much more from my Blue Lodge as I have paid my dues up for six months ahead, and plan to keep them ahead that far. We can do so much better, and obviously I am not the only one that feels this way. Several have left. Wish I could post pics of the lodge, but I am going to pass on that because it saddens me how King Sol Temple is being represented. The re-erection granite stone bearing the name of PGM I.H. Clayborn is lying in the dirt out back from 1979.

I heard something recently from a TV personality and it made me think again about life in general.

There are two dates and a hyphen between them. Right now we are all in that hyphen and we do not know when that end date is.

Do what you have to do to be happy. If you have it in you to fight it out to resurrect the lodge, go for it.

If you feel that you need to move on ... well ... do what you must.

I am not saying to be selfish. What I am trying to say is to put your best foot forward and do what you have to do because at the end of the day you have to be happy with yourself before you leave for the lodge on high.

My last resort would be leaving this lodge or contacting district, but I see no light at the end of this tunnel as long as the same attitude toward the craft exist. I know why I get the looks when I tell others who I am affiliated with, or wear the hoodie I had made with lodge name and number on it. I have had several men sarcastically ask (OH YOU ARE ONE OF THEM HUH?) Just like a business under new management is more likely to survive than one dummed for disaster, so can this lodge be REALLY re-erected in a new place/location especially one with running water, and a bathroom with good motivated men in place. 

I think you're getting some sound advice here brother Jones. You may never know the result of your action; but if you take no action...there can be no result. Further, you are bound by your obligation to do whatever is in your power for the good of the fraternity. The doctrines of Freemasonry are on the lips of many; but in the hearts of few... which are you?

I see a lot of the same going on at my lodge, and have tried to bring change to a lodge that is dying out.there is alot of dirty political goings on.and money Un accounted for, and 4 of our older brethren has turned our lodge into a club house.being newly raised , I see there isn't many who attend meetings and degree work.when I asked if this was it, I was told we have over 200 members. But most stop coming because of the back stabbing. Dirty politics. So, I asked who to talk with. One of the problems we have is our Wm. Who is also the district higher up.so when I talked with a few others who has issues as well about going to the grand lodge.im told to let it go.because there might be a chance of losing our charter.if GL actually came down and seen what was happening. And now I don't know what to do.

Agreed. I had to go over some heads from my lodge, and change is already happening. We have secured a new location, and they have allowed me to build new lodge furniture, along with the Pillars, and 3 Lessors. Sometimes the new guy has to be the one to shake things up if nobody before you does. As far as the charter being pulled, thats basically a 6 month probation to see if the lodge will clean up their act. That is the best thing that can happen in some cases. Put them under the Grand's close eye, and wait for sure change to happen.

"...There is a struggle for substance in life, the actor who "struts and frets his hour" or a playwright who tells "a tale full of sound and fury" but it is contrived and senseless and will thus fade into obscurity..."

I firmly believe that "sick" lodges should be allowed to die or be taken over by GL. IMO I would move on and find a lodge that is alive and well where your efforts will be appreciated.

Hopefully my builds will motivate the lodge a little. I plan to present it at next stated meeting

ebojones wrote: Hopefully my builds will motivate the lodge a little. I plan to present it at next stated meeting

Great work, I know some in your jurisdiction will appreciate it.

I understand you may be moving to a new location - PLEASE try to save the stone marker that you showed us some time ago.