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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/12/2015 at 10:03am
Originally posted by cemab4y cemab4y wrote:

We can have on-line payment of dues, and still be true to our Masonic "roots" .

We take PayPal for dues, but before we set that up with our bank, we checked with our Grand Lodge to make sure it was OK to do this.

Originally posted by cemab4y cemab4y wrote:

We can have more daylight lodges, to accommodate our older brothers, who cannot get out at night.

Why make things so complicated? Rather than start a brand new lodge, a much easier solution would be to arrange to have someone in your lodge pick the brother up and take him back home.

Originally posted by cemab4y cemab4y wrote:

We can have degree work on the weekends, so that men who have a long commute, can participate in Masonry.

We do this sometimes when we have several degrees, especially MM degrees, but only on a Saturday. We are prohibited by our Grand Lodge to hold communications, regular or special, on Sunday. 

Originally posted by cemab4y cemab4y wrote:

We can have modern, state-of-the-art webpages, and still keep our ancient landmarks.

If there is a website you like, you might get in contact with the "webmaster" of that site and ask if they can assist you with making a website for your lodge if there isn't anyone in your lodge skilled in this area.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/12/2015 at 10:39am
Originally posted by WBScott WBScott wrote:


Originally posted by cemab4y cemab4y wrote:

We can have on-line payment of dues, and still be true to our Masonic "roots" .

We take PayPal for dues, but before we set that up with our bank, we checked with our Grand Lodge to make sure it was OK to do this.

I think it's great that your lodge has this option. The GL of Pennsylvania entered into an agreement with Payliance, and extended the option of online dues payment to every Mason in the state.


<span style="line-height: 16.7999992370605px;">
Originally posted by cemab4y cemab4y wrote:

</span>We can have more daylight lodges, to accommodate our older brothers, who cannot get out at night.

Why make things so complicated? Rather than start a brand new lodge, a much easier solution would be to arrange to have someone in your lodge pick the brother up and take him back home.

There are other benefits to having daylight lodges. If you arrange for individuals to be chauffeured, that is fine. But, not every lodge has enough volunteers to drive the older brothers around.

Also, Daylight lodges are terrific for shift workers, who would otherwise not be able to attend lodge at all. Seattle has a daylight lodge of the arts. This is a "theme" lodge, and masons who work in the arts, and others who work in the evenings can participate in Freemasonry.


<span style="line-height: 16.7999992370605px;">
Originally posted by cemab4y cemab4y wrote:

</span>We can have degree work on the weekends, so that men who have a long commute, can participate in Masonry.

We do this sometimes when we have several degrees, especially MM degrees, but only on a Saturday. We are prohibited by our Grand Lodge to hold communications, regular or special, on Sunday. 

Terrific, I wish more lodges would emulate your example.

<span style="line-height: 16.7999992370605px;">
Originally posted by cemab4y cemab4y wrote:

</span>We can have modern, state-of-the-art webpages, and still keep our ancient landmarks.


If there is a website you like, you might get in contact with the "webmaster" of that site and ask if they can assist you with making a website for your lodge if there isn't anyone in your lodge skilled in this area.


Before you do that, you have to convince your lodge of the necessity of having an internet presence (Believe it or not, there are Masons, who have not seen the benefits of their lodge having a web page. I can send you a list of lodges, which will NEVER permit their lodge to have a webpage)

The Grand Lodge of Ohio is the first Grand Lodge (that I know of), which has mandated that every lodge in the state, have a webpage.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/12/2015 at 12:24pm

Originally posted by cemab4y cemab4y wrote:

… (Believe it or not, there are Masons, who have not seen the benefits of their lodge having a web page. I can send you a list of lodges, which will NEVER permit their lodge to have a webpage) …

It is all well and good to have and express an opinion, but why must you always burn down others that do not agree with you?

Are websites beneficial to some Lodges? Absolutely.

Would all Lodges benefit from having a website?  I doubt it.

I know Lodges that do not have any members that are capable of developing and maintaining a website, yet they have good attendance at regular meetings, some have weekly meetings to prepare members to qualify for Certificates of Proficiency, have a steady flow of candidates and degree work, have meals before every regular meeting, host Catfish Suppers for the Eastern Star Chapter, present “Honesty and Integrity” awards to local High School students at open meetings, volunteer at community events, participate in District Lodge meetings, and are well known in their communities.

So, are those Lodges and their members not promoting Masonry?  I just do not understand the mindset that you know what is right for every Lodge. 

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/12/2015 at 12:57pm
Originally posted by YES YES wrote:


(Believe it or not, there are Masons, who have not seen the benefits of their
lodge having a web page. I can send you a list of lodges, which will NEVER
permit their lodge to have a webpage) …
</span>



It
is all well and good to have and express an opinion, but why must you always
burn down others that do not agree with you?</span>



----I am not burning anyone down. Just pointing to the fact, that not all lodges have a website. And there are many lodges that for one reason or another, do not choose to have an internet presence.

Are
websites beneficial to some Lodges? Absolutely.</span>



I
know Lodges that do not have any members that are capable of developing and maintaining
a website,

--I would surmise, that most lodges do not have a member who is a website developer. That is why there are website firms, that you engage, and pay a fee. I foresee a day, when more Grand Lodges will mandate that ALL lodges in their jurisdiction will be mandated to have an internet presence. I also foresee Grand Lodges having an officer who is the "Grand Webmaster".

See this link:

http://freemasoninformation.com/2011/01/freemasonry-and-the-internet


yet they have good attendance at regular meetings, some have weekly
meetings to prepare members to qualify for Certificates of Proficiency, have a
steady flow of candidates and degree work, have meals before every regular meeting,
host Catfish Suppers for the Eastern Star Chapter, present “Honesty and
Integrity” awards to local High School students at open meetings, volunteer at
community events, participate in District Lodge meetings, and are well known in
their communities.</span>



--Splendid. I am glad that there are lodges which can provide these services, and do it all without the internet. But consider a young man who watches a documentary on the "Discovery" channel, and then goes to the internet to see about the lodge in his town. If there is no internet presence, then he will have a difficult time learning about the lodge.

There are lodges all over the USA (and abroad), who are seeing more and more of their petitioners coming from the internet, and less and less from more traditional venues.

I just do not understand the mindset that you
know what is right for every Lodge. </span>



[/QUOTE]

I have no way of knowing what is "right for every lodge". I do not even know what is right for my own lodge! I just know that Masonry is in the internet age, like it or not.

Edited by cemab4y - March/12/2015 at 6:09pm
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/12/2015 at 1:27pm
Originally posted by cemab4y cemab4y wrote:

There are other benefits to having daylight lodges. If you arrange for individuals to be chauffeured, that is fine. But, not every lodge has enough volunteers to drive the older brothers around. 

Also, Daylight lodges are terrific for shift workers, who would otherwise not be able to attend lodge at all.

I belonged to a daylight lodge for several years when I worked 3rd shift and you're right, I found it much easier to go to a meeting after work than before, especially since they served breakfast! It was a small lodge and as you might imagine, it was mostly comprise of retired guys. Its not that they had any physical infirmaties (is that a word?) that prevented them from driving at night, it was just that didn't have anything better to do. Also, the lodge had very few "original" members. Almost all of the guys were multiple members of this lodge and at least one other. 

But here's the issue... Within 5 years, I was WM of that lodge twice. I did my year then stepped aside. Then after another 2 years, the Senior Warden had some reason that he did not want to sit in the East. And I wasn't the only one that had multiple years in the East. All we were doing was recycling the same guys through the chairs and honestly, it became kind of pointless after awhile. 

Originally posted by cemab4y cemab4y wrote:

But, not every lodge has enough volunteers to drive the older brothers around. 

If a lodge does not have enough members who are willing to pick up an "elder statesman" of their lodge and bring him to a meeting, then you have to ask yourself why some of these guys are even bothering to come to lodge at all. This is a very sad state of affairs for that lodge. Didn't we promise to come to the aid of a worthy brother Master Mason?


Edited by WBScott - March/12/2015 at 5:36pm
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/12/2015 at 1:57pm
Bro. Martin has made some good suggestions.

Every lodge should have a website. This isn't an opinion, it's just a fact of living and operating in the 21st century. Just as mail and landline telephones were in the last few centuries.

Daylight lodges are an awesome option for many brothers, especially given the age of most of our members. The problem, as WBScott pointed out, is that participation may and probably will be lacking. But this is part of the larger issue of having too many lodges in one geographic location.

My lodge is toying with the idea of paying online. We aren't there yet, but hopefully we will be in the near future. Checks and paying physical money has become antiquated in many respects and with check/debit cards its much easier paying online or setting up online backing.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/12/2015 at 2:18pm
I don't know that I agree that every lodge needs to have a website. I believe they probably should, but my lodge doesn't and never has. however the Grand Lodge of Maine has a wonderful website with many different links and helpful things for new members and old members alike. there are links to the Blue Book, worshipful master's guides, Lodge officers guides, official cipher is on there as a pdf download, an interested candidate can go online and print off a petition and turn it into the lodge. there's a lodge locator, you can locate every lodge in the state of Maine from the Grand Lodge website, we can even pay our dues online. there's no denying the benefit of having a website.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/12/2015 at 2:23pm
Originally posted by WEStcott WEStcott wrote:

infirmaties (is that a word?)


Yes, yes it is.

Full Definition
plural in·fir·mi·ties
1 a :the quality or state of being infirm
b :the condition of being feeble :frailty
2 :disease, malady
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/12/2015 at 4:24pm

Originally posted by cemab4y cemab4y wrote:

----I am not burning anyone down. Just pointing to the fact, that not all lodges have a website. And there are many lodges that for one reason or another, do not choose to have an internet presence.

Well, you have a “list” of nonbelievers that you are prepared to expose, that sounds punitive to me.

Originally posted by cemab4y cemab4y wrote:

That is why there are website firms, that you engage, and pay a fee.

Most Lodges have limited funds and I would never presume that I know better than its members how a Lodge should spend their funds.

Originally posted by cemab4y cemab4y wrote:

If there is no internet presence, then he will have a difficult time learning about the lodge.

Most if not all Grand Lodges have Lodge Locators on their websites that have the address, meeting times, and/or contact info for the Lodges in their state.  I would think that if someone is doing an online search for a Lodge that they would consider looking at the Grand Lodge website.

Originally posted by cemab4y cemab4y wrote:

There are lodges all over the USA (and abroad), who are seeing more and more of their petitioners coming from the internet, and less and less from more traditional venues.

Do you have any actual data on that or just anecdotal observations?

I am not opposed to taking advantage of any benefits available from the internet be it websites, social media, or any other venues available now or in the future, but I still say that it is not something that is particularly worthwhile for some Lodges.

I also would like to see some hard numbers showing the actual amount of traffic Lodge websites actually receive.  I am sure that some websites are very active, but I would also imagine that many sites have very few hits.

You always have to keep in mind where a Lodge is located.  I have no doubt that in cities, Lodge websites can be very beneficial, however, in most small towns and rural communities (which is my background) in most cases they provide little or no benefit.

Also, I think it depends on what the Lodge sees as the primary purpose of a website.  If it is to keep the members informed of what is going on in the Lodge, I personally believe a better method for this would be to collect email addresses and use an online email marketing site like Constant Contact or MailChimp (which is free for up to 2,000 contacts).  If it is for community awareness, most local papers have a section that lists upcoming meetings and events for free and some local radio and TV stations will also air segments about this for free.



Edited by YES - March/12/2015 at 4:26pm
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/12/2015 at 6:01pm
-Most Lodges have limited funds and I would never presume that I know better than its members how a Lodge should spend their funds.-

Internet sites can be had for free, or for very low cost. My lodge started with a facebook page, and then later obtained a webpage. If your Grand Lodge permits, it you can even sell ads on the webpage, and defray the cost this way.

-Do you have any actual data on that or just anecdotal observations?-

I was at Columbia Lodge 285 in Arlington VA, some time ago, and the secretary told me that the lodge had received 17 (seventeen) petitions in one month, all from internet inquiries. Columbia lodge has really embraced the internet. See their link:



http://www.columbia285.org



- I have no doubt that in cities, Lodge websites can be very beneficial, however, in most small towns and rural communities (which is my background) in most cases they provide little or no benefit.-

The most internet-wired community in the USA, is Blacksburg, VA. (I am a telecom engineer). The internet is "ubiquitous" , meaning that it is everywhere.

Now I challenge you: Why would you think that a lodge in a suburban or rural community, would derive little or no benefit from a web presence.

A internet presence, provides many benefits to a non-profit organization. Among these:

Informing the membership about events.
The sick list
upcoming fund-raisers
History of the lodge, both for Masons and other interested persons.
publishing the minutes of the business meetings
providing information about the appendant/concordant bodies, like the Shrine, Eastern Star, DeMolay, etc.

NewsPAPERS are obsolete. The city of Huntsville Alabama, only has a print newspaper three days a week, the other days it is online only.

Fredericksburg VA lodge #4 stopped publishing their trestleboard years ago. Their lodge news paper is now online only.

The Grand Lodge of Kentucky no longer has a print newsletter. Kentucky Masons get the Masonic Home Journal on line only.

I can foresee a time when the Grand Master of each Grand Lodge will record a monthly "podcast". The URL for the podcast will be on the Grand Lodge website, and every Mason in the state, will be able to see the podcast each month.

Lodges will install widescreen TVs, and during the business meeting, the podcast will be played to the membership.

With SKYPE, we will see Grand Lodge sessions broadcast statewide.

I can even imagine, Masonic education, and Masonic history courses being taught on-line.

An internet page, can have information on how to petition Freemasonry , and a downloadable petition form.

The Grand Lodge of Virginia even has a twitter page

\https://twitter.com/GrandLodgeofVA

The GL of VA has an "ask hiram" page, where you can learn more about Masonic protocol.

The GL of VA has a "what is Freemasonry"? Video spot on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsENC6BxuUw

More and more, the first knock at the West Gate, is an electronic knock.

This is an exciting time to be a Mason!




Edited by cemab4y - March/12/2015 at 6:22pm
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/12/2015 at 7:23pm

Originally posted by cemab4y cemab4y wrote:

Internet sites can be had for free, or for very low cost. My lodge started with a facebook page, and then later obtained a webpage. If your Grand Lodge permits, it you can even sell ads on the webpage, and defray the cost this way. 

Again, you keep changing what you said.  I will again quote the statement that my reply was referencing:

Originally posted by cemab4y cemab4y wrote:

That is why there are website firms, that you engage, and pay a fee.

And again even with free webpage hosting or a facebook page, you need someone that is interested and capable in handling the project.

Originally posted by cemab4y cemab4y wrote:

I was at Columbia Lodge 285 in Arlington VA, some time ago, and the secretary told me that the lodge had received 17 (seventeen) petitions in one month, all from internet inquiries. Columbia lodge has really embraced the internet.

That is anecdotal.  You are talking about a Lodge in a city with a population of over 200,000 people.  How representative is that of the type of response that would be received for the website of a Lodge in a small town or rural community?

Again, I would like to see a statistical analysis of Lodge website traffic and outcomes for various metrics based on Lodge size and location.

Originally posted by cemab4y cemab4y wrote:

The most internet-wired community in the USA, is Blacksburg, VA. (I am a telecom engineer). The internet is "ubiquitous" , meaning that it is everywhere.
 

Originally posted by cemab4y cemab4y wrote:

Now I challenge you: Why would you think that a lodge in a suburban or rural community, would derive little or no benefit from a web presence. 

Of course the internet is “ubiquitous”.  I said small town and rural communities, I did not say suburban because most suburban communities are associated with metropolitan areas and I think would typically be more similar to a metropolitan area than a small town or rural community.

Now why do I think most Lodges in small towns would derive little or no benefit from a web presence:

  • 1.      First and foremost, simply population density.
  • 2.      Lodges in these communities are much more physically visible.  In other words, most people in these communities actually know where the Lodge building is.
  • 3.      While not as evident now as in the past the Lodge members are much more visible.  They attend the local Churches and other local organizations.
  • 4.      Again, not as prevalent as in the past but many people still are related to or personally know one or more Masons.

I feel I am qualified to speak about small towns and rural communities because that is where I lived most of my life, however I readily admit that I can not speak to this issue as far as metropolitan and suburban areas are concerned.

Originally posted by cemab4y cemab4y wrote:

NewsPAPERS are obsolete.

I can tell you that in small towns and rural communities, people still very much look to the local weekly for local news.

 

Originally posted by cemab4y cemab4y wrote:

A internet presence, provides many benefits to a non-profit organization. Among these:

Informing the membership about events.
The sick list
upcoming fund-raisers
History of the lodge, both for Masons and other interested persons.
publishing the minutes of the business meetings
providing information about the appendant/concordant bodies, like the Shrine, Eastern Star, DeMolay, etc.

I do not disagree with that, but still believe that if the primary purpose of a website is to keep members informed, with the exception of "History of the lodge, both for Masons and other interested persons"an online email marketing site can be used to get the information out more efficiently, and in my experience once you have created your contact list they are easier to use and maintain than a website.



Edited by YES - March/12/2015 at 7:34pm
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/12/2015 at 8:44pm
I think this thread has reached an adversarial level. I think some things within Freemasonry could use a change/revamp/update . . . whatever you want to call it. Debating the merits of another forum member's point-of-view or comment is fine, but this is not debating. It's one-upmanship, and I for one see no value in it.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/12/2015 at 9:02pm
Agreed. what would you like to see changed or improved is the title of this thread. let us all please keep that in mind and try to stay on topic. respect each other's views and opinions.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/13/2015 at 7:55am
And I will cast a third vote in support of BigBob and Adept.
Further affiant sayeth not.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/13/2015 at 8:07am
See Columbia 285's webpage. Their lodge has a "least worshipful internet monkey", handling their website tasks. Since nearly all lodge taskings are performed by volunteers, there is ample reason to believe that most lodges will be able to secure volunteer help to run their webpage, facebook page, twitter page, etc.

Like Tim Bryce forecasted, I believe that Grand Lodges will have a "Grand Webmaster" to help and assist individual lodges with their website issues.

Already, and for some years, the Grand Lodge of New York has a list of requirements of what must be included on lodge websites, and what must not be included. I believe that having a list of "Do's and Dont's" is very wise. The Grand Lodge and the subordinate lodges must not be exposed to any liability or conflict of interest with their internet presence.



Edited by cemab4y - March/13/2015 at 8:10am
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/13/2015 at 9:32am
A problem with a topic titled What Would You Like To
See Improved In Masonry is that it is very general and open ended. The original poster has for many years posted this same exact subject several times on this and other forums under the guise of what we would like to see improved in Masonry when in reality it is a platform for what's he would like to see (borderline dictate) happen in Masonry. I know that sounds harsh but after reading this poster's posts over and over for years, that is a reasonable conclusion.

I don't mind discussing specific ideas but when topics become over generalized and open ended and 
are used for an underlying agenda, the forum  is asking for trouble.


Edited by droche - March/13/2015 at 9:34am
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/13/2015 at 10:09am
Your observation is more than reasonable, it is exact. There are many changes and improvements that I would like for Masonry to adopt. And there are many changes and improvements that other Masons would like to see happen.

I have been a Mason for over 33 years, and I am saddened and depressed by the direction I have seen the beloved Craft take. I am an (inactive) Shriner, and the Shrine has declined from 990,000 members in 1989 to around 400,000 today. The endowment fund that supports the hospitals has taken a huge hit.

Two(2) lodges that I belonged to in the past have vanished. I have seen lodges decline and disappear all over the USA. More lodges will close, and the Craft will continue to spiral downward.

Of course I have an agenda! I want to see a healthy, vigorous, vibrant Freemasonry, that will make a difference in the lives of our membership, and society at large. If anyone finds fault with that, I have no problem.

I have sought out other Masons, and gleaned many ideas, that I would love to see spread nationally. And I see other non-profit organizations doing fabulous things, and I believe that Masonry can adapt those ideas to our Craft.

I like to look back at what Masonry has done in the past, and see if we can revive some of our splendid traditions. I would love to see more assistance being provided to Masonic widows. (The one demographic in the Craft, that is increasing, is the number of widows!)

I would love to see Freemasonry move in a direction that would keep our rituals and traditions, and also make the Craft more relevant and exciting to the 21st Century man.

Do I have an agenda? Guilty as charged.

"If you do nothing, you get nothing"- Aung San Suu Kyi, 20 years under house arrest, democracy champion, Nobel prize winner.

Edited by cemab4y - March/13/2015 at 11:00am
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/13/2015 at 10:48am
Originally posted by BigBob BigBob wrote:

Bro. Martin has made some good suggestions.

Every lodge should have a website. This isn't an opinion, it's just a fact of living and operating in the 21st century. Just as mail and landline telephones were in the last few centuries.

Daylight lodges are an awesome option for many brothers, especially given the age of most of our members. The problem, as WBScott pointed out, is that participation may and probably will be lacking. But this is part of the larger issue of having too many lodges in one geographic location.

My lodge is toying with the idea of paying online. We aren't there yet, but hopefully we will be in the near future. Checks and paying physical money has become antiquated in many respects and with check/debit cards its much easier paying online or setting up online backing.



Double Thumbs up, Big Bob!! The Grand Lodge of Ohio has mandated that ALL subordinate lodges MUST have a website. No option. I am certain that some lodges did not agree with this decision, but majority rules.

I sometimes work odd shifts, or I have days off in the middle of the week. I have attended daylight lodges in Fla, VA, DC,and KY. I have enjoyed the experience. St. Petersburg FLA has a huge number of retired men, and their daylight lodges are vibrant and growing.

Of course, the level of participation in daylight lodges will vary. One compromise is for existing lodges to hold Saturday morning meetings, on an experimental basis. This way, the lodge (and the district) could gauge the participation, and make a determination if there was enough interest in starting a daylight lodge, or just to have an existing lodge hold daylight meetings.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/13/2015 at 10:50am
I agree about the internet to an extent, I am personally heading up the Internet committee at our lodge, however it should be on the Lodge level. Some lodges are perfectly content with their membership, others would like to grow. The idea the craft is spiraling downward is true in a sense, yes membership has declined, yes lodges are closing, however there are still men in this "stay at home for the TV" world we live in that thrive in the craft and they are bringing other men with their points of view in. I personally would rather have a lodge of 20 men who pay their dues and are very active than a lodge of 200 with 20 men that are active. The craft is not going anywhere, its just not going to be as large as it was in the 40's and 50's.
This is the beautiful thing about what we do, no two lodges are the same, they have different types of members, they in some cases, do their ritual a little different, the only one size fits all solution for every lodge in the world is this: Be good men, be productive men, assist your fellow man, try to make your presence, in the life of everyone you meet,be a positive one. If you do these things people are smart enough to figure out what our craft teaches and they may want to be a part of it.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/13/2015 at 11:13am
As the current situation with Hillary Clinton's emails is showing; the internet is serious business. Of course, each lodge should have control over the content of their webpage. BUT- When you put up an internet page, you are holding not only your lodge, but your Grand Lodge responsible for the content. And, there is a potential for liability and/or conflict of interest.

The Grand Lodge of New York has for some years, had an internet policy, that is intended to maximize the internet presence of subordinate lodges, and also prevent any legal issues.

When I agreed for our (unchartered) New York lodge, operating in Iraq, to have a webpage, I sought out the guidance of the Grand Lodge of New York. The GLNY provided the webmaster with a list of procedures "Do's and Don'ts, for the website to follow.

I believe that Grand Lodges should be very concerned with the webpages that the subordinate lodges are publishing. This is not without precedence, Lodge trestleboards have always had to meet Grand Lodge standards and guidelines.

Maybe Grand Lodges will even institute contests, where the subordinate lodges can see who can develop the best and most innovative web page.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/14/2015 at 7:16am

Originally posted by cemab4y cemab4y wrote:

…our (unchartered) New York lodge, operating in Iraq…

Was it operating Under Dispensation (UD)?  If not it was irregular/clandestine.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/14/2015 at 7:43am
Originally posted by Troberts505 Troberts505 wrote:

I personally would rather have a lodge of 20 men who pay their dues and are very active than a lodge of 200 with 20 men that are active.

With all due respect, unless you plan on charging $4-500 a year for dues, how do you expect those 20 guys to keep the doors open? Our building is paid for and we do not pay property taxes, but we still have to pay utilities and insurance and other recurring expenses. We also spent $400 for a new blower motor for our HVAC system and painted the "fellowship hall" (i.e. dining room) of our lodge. 

For all of the good things we do in our community, we still have to meet somewhere so like it or not, we need those other 180 members. 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/14/2015 at 7:48am
Originally posted by YES YES wrote:

Originally posted by cemab4y cemab4y wrote:

…our (unchartered) New York lodge, operating in Iraq…

Was it operating Under Dispensation (UD)?  If not it was irregular/clandestine.

Given the back and forth so far I cannot see what this question has to do with thread topic. 
 
Getting back to what changes I'd like to see . . . other than webpages.
 
I for one would like to see more time and effort dedicated to enhancing the experince of new candidates/members. Stop pushing people through the degrees.  With that said, I'd also like to see "business" meeting kept to once a month. Nothing worse that talking about roof repairs or NPD's every meeting.  
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/14/2015 at 7:56am
 
Originally posted by YES YES wrote:

Originally posted by cemab4y cemab4y wrote:

…our (unchartered) New York lodge, operating in Iraq…

Was it operating Under Dispensation (UD)?  If not it was irregular/clandestine.



It was not irregular or clandestine.   It takes time to get a Charter made and hand carried to Iraq by a Mason.       ... Also, when a group of Masons has a Charter authorizing their labors from their GL,  the Lodge ceases and the Charter is (or must be ) returned when those Masons' tour of duty ends 'AND' there are no Masons of that GL left to accept the Charter. 

I remember one Lodge in Iraq lost their Charter for this reason and for a period of time could not 'open' until a new Charter was obtained.    I think it was a Canadian Lodge that ended and the Masons left were requesting a Charter from the GL of NY.  But none of them were members of a NY Lodge.
"He who would assume to govern others must first learn to govern himself."





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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/14/2015 at 8:26am
Originally posted by BigBob BigBob wrote:

I for one would like to see more time and effort dedicated to enhancing the experince of new candidates/members.

Every 3-4 months, we try to have an "event" like a banquet commemorating some Masonic event or as a reason to bestow an award or honor on a member or to recognize a charitable cause in our area that we support. Since these are not "tiled" meetings, we can have non-Masons and spouses attend. 

Originally posted by BigBob BigBob wrote:

Stop pushing people through the degrees.

If our schedule permits and the candidate is qualified to advance, why not get him through the degrees at the earliest possible convenience? What good does is do to make a candidate unnecessarily wait between degrees? The sooner we can Raise a candidate to MM, the sooner he can become active in our lodge. Of course the degrees are important, but the whole idea of bringing someone into the lodge is to get him involved. There are so many things a member can not do until he is a MM. 

Originally posted by BigBob BigBob wrote:

With that said, I'd also like to see "business" meeting kept to once a month. Nothing worse that talking about roof repairs or NPD's every meeting.

There are some aspects of a regular tiled communication that are unavoidable and there is nothing we can do about it. And with that said, we also hold "business meetings" once a month that are outside of the regular tiled communications. This is where we talk about the mundane "non-Masonic" aspects of running our lodge like building maintenance. And as much as we welcome visiting brethren into our lodge for a regular or special communication, there are also some business aspects of running our lodge that we prefer to keep in house.


Edited by WBScott - March/14/2015 at 8:28am
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/14/2015 at 8:52am
Originally posted by YES YES wrote:

<p ="Msonormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">
Originally posted by cemab4y cemab4y wrote:

…our (unchartered) New York lodge,
operating in Iraq…
<o:p></o:p></span>



<p ="Msonormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Was it operating Under Dispensation (UD)?  If not it was irregular/clandestine.<o:p></o:p></span>





My post was unclear. Here is the background. The Grand Lodge of New York chartered Land, Sea, and Air Lodge #1 in 1917 for New York Masons to operate in Europe during WW1. The charter was recalled, and then re-issued in WW2, Korea, and Vietnam. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, the charter was reissued, so the lodge could operate at Forward Operating Base Speicher. See:

http://rey-salomon.blogspot.com/2005/06/major-to-build-masonic-lodge-in-iraq.html

The lodge operated at FOB Speicher for some months. When Major Walther left Iraq, he asked me to set up the lodge at Al Asad Air Base. I was delighted to do so. The GL of NY recalled the charter, and did not re-issue the charter. We had all of the equipment to operate a lodge, but no charter.

That is why we set up a Square and Compass club, so that Masons (and anyone interested in Masonry) could fellowship.

A lodge without a charter, is a car without gasoline.

Edited by cemab4y - March/14/2015 at 8:53am
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/14/2015 at 8:53am
Originally posted by BigBob BigBob wrote:

  ...
 
I for one would like to see more time and effort dedicated to enhancing the experince of new candidates/members. Stop pushing people through the degrees.  ...


I would agree with that statment if you are impling candidates are being 'push though' before being fully ready.       Your statement also implies a candidate's experience can be improved.   How So?    A candidate as an EA & FC is learning, he doesn't start to enjoy the all benefits of Masonry and fellowship until being raised.

Our candidates are asked & encouraged to participate in fundraisers and he is invited to all Lodge functions and dinners.  But, when it become time to open the Lodge, he (or they) is left by himself(s).
"He who would assume to govern others must first learn to govern himself."





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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/14/2015 at 9:00am
Originally posted by BigBob BigBob wrote:

Originally posted by YES YES wrote:


<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" ="Msonormal"><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
Originally posted by cemab4y cemab4y wrote:

…our (unchartered) New York lodge, operating in Iraq…
<O:P></O:P></SPAN>


<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" ="Msonormal"><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Was it operating Under Dispensation (UD)?  If not it was irregular/clandestine.<O:P></O:P></SPAN>



Given the back and forth so far I cannot see what this question has to do with thread topic. 
 

Getting back to what changes I'd like to see . . . other than webpages.

 

I for one would like to see more time and effort dedicated to enhancing the experince of new candidates/members. Stop pushing people through the degrees.  With that said, I'd also like to see "business" meeting kept to once a month. Nothing worse that talking about roof repairs or NPD's every meeting.  


Double Thumbs up, Big Bob! Most business meetings are B-O-R-I-N-G. Reading the water bill, getting the exact amount for insurance, on and on.

Most routine business matters should be handled in executive session, and the secretary and/or treasurer should be permitted to handle all expenditures below a cutoff point, example: $200.

And reading the minutes of the previous meeting, can be eliminated. The minutes should be published on the lodge web page. The members can read them on-line, and then at the state meeting, vote to approve.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/14/2015 at 11:03am
With all due respect, unless you plan on charging $4-500 a year for dues, how do you expect those 20 guys to keep the doors open? Our building is paid for and we do not pay property taxes, but we still have to pay utilities and insurance and other recurring expenses. We also spent $400 for a new blower motor for our HVAC system and painted the "fellowship hall" (i.e. dining room) of our lodge.




For all of the good things we do in our community, we still have to meet somewhere so like it or not, we need those other 180 members

I agree with you, and I am speaking more from my own experience as I don't know the situation of every lodge, but our building is paid for, its also shared with one other lodge, a teacher and several other organizations who all assume some financial responsibility. So I think we could do 20 members, we don't however. Your argument is valid and probably more accurate than mine.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/15/2015 at 9:58am
IMO, most of the business can be handled by the appropriate committee and regular reports can be made. I understand that certain items need to be addressed in a timely manner and that is fine. In the YR we have a steering committee that handles a number of issues. The minutes of the meeting are communicated to the companions during stated meetings and if anyone want to discuss them further, they can.

How can we improve the experience of new members? Well I think the more appropriate question is how do we improve the experience for all. We bring candidates through these impressive degree only to have them sit through these meetings that are mundane at best. Its no wonder so many new members never come back.

Additionally, petitioners have very little time to really get to know the people they will be sitting in lodge with, presumably for the next few decades. To me it would make more sense for new members to petition a district and let the individual lodges prove to the prospective candidate that they are worth their time. As many pointed out, we don't have new members beating down our doors trying to join.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/16/2015 at 8:55am
One major change, that I (and MANY others) would like to see, is to drop the antiquated and obsolete prohibition against inviting good men to be Masons.

Of course, not asking men to petition is a tradition. But this is not your grandfather's world, and it is not your Grandfather's Masonry.

75 or more years ago, most people would spend their whole lives in the same location where they were born. And when people had that stability in their lives, they joined the same church and the same organizations that their fathers did.

But, it was WW2 that scattered everyone to hell and gone. I was born in 1954, and I have worked from Maine to California, and over 15 years in foreign countries.

In our mobile society, I believe that men need Masonry all the more. I cherish (most of ) the traditions in the Craft. Especially, when I can travel to a new city or to a remote military base in Afghanistan, and meet and fellowship with good and upright men.

I often ask Masons, what they believe about permitting open recruiting. Many are opposed, but I have never met a man, who can come with a specific reason.

What do YOU think? Should we be able to invite men to join our Craft?
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/16/2015 at 9:35am
I have seen this posted over and over again. Sure, I would like to have a drink after a business meeting, or degree work with the new brother. I find nothing wrong with this. But most of the older brothers in my lodge just wanna sit around and drink 5 pots of coffee and complain.also alot of them are over active in their church and seem to think these things apply in side of the lodge.so, if the church doesn't allow it, then those who are the majority don't let it happen at the lodge.but also wonder why there are no new members who come back to the lodge.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/16/2015 at 10:01am
Originally posted by boing1972 boing1972 wrote:

...alot of them are over active in their church...

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/16/2015 at 10:02am
As Yogi Berra (freemason) used to say" "It's deja vu all over again". I believe that every lodge in the USA, has a "buzzard's row". Every lodge has a membership sub-group, that is intent on killing every new idea that anyone proposes.

And as I have said, repeatedly, there are many traditions in Freemasonry, that I would like to see brought back. The Masonic employment bureaus, Assistance to masonic widows, etc.

And number one on my list, is the return of the moderate use of alcoholic beverages in our lodge buildings.



Edited by cemab4y - March/16/2015 at 10:03am
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/16/2015 at 10:11am
Originally posted by boing1972 boing1972 wrote:

I have seen this posted over and over again. Sure, I would like to have a drink after a business meeting, or degree work with the new brother. I find nothing wrong with this. But most of the older brothers in my lodge just wanna sit around and drink 5 pots of coffee and complain.also alot of them are over active in their church and seem to think these things apply in side of the lodge.so, if the church doesn't allow it, then those who are the majority don't let it happen at the lodge.but also wonderwhy there are no new members who come back to the lodge.


One idea, that I have put forward many times, is that all lodges should work closely with each new MM, for the first year of his membership. We should hit these men "upstream", and make their Masonic experience worthwhile. This way we will keep these men in the Craft, for a long and productive Masonic career.

We need to institute courses, both traditional classroom, and on-line. We can instruct new Masons in masonic history and protocol, and give them an introduction to the more than 100 appendant and concordant bodies.

We can prepare new Masons for leadership and how to become officers. We can conduct ritual classes (VA already does this), to get them to take part in degree work.

I believe sincerely, if we can keep new MMs in for a year, that we will keep them in for a lifetime. And we can stanch the loss of membership. We are losing more Masons to resignation, demits, and non-payment of dues, than we are to deaths.

See

http://freemasoninformation.com/2009/06/there%E2%80%99s-a-hole-in-our-bucket/

Edited by cemab4y - March/16/2015 at 10:17am
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/16/2015 at 10:31am

I have been kicking around the idea of a "calling", for some time. Every Mason, whether new or old, should contribute some "sweat equity" to the lodge. Just paying dues is NOT enough. You can put your tech-savvy brothers on the IT or website committee. You can get men who have skills in the building trades on your maintenance committee. You get men who are skilled in HVAC on the building furnace/AC committee. You can get men who have cooking skills on the Kitchen Krew. If you do not see an exact "fit" right away, you can have the man suggest his own "calling", he may see a need that you never knew existed.

The important thing, is that each new MM feel that he is an important part of the lodge, and a vital part of Freemasonry, right off the bat, as soon as he gets picked up off the floor. You must hit a man "upstream", early in his life, and early in his Masonic career. Then you will have him hooked for life, and your lodge resignation/demit numbers will see a decline, and we will see Masonry growing again.

Too often, new MMs are just "cast aside", and after their raising, they will attend some our (thunderously boring) stated meetings, and find these meetings to be a waste of time. Young men have family and career commitments. Their leisure time is valuable, and there are many leisure activities available.

I would love to each new MM, to be assigned an experienced man, who can instruct him in Masonic protocol and history. He needs to be introduced to the appendant/concordant bodies. Most importantly he needs to feel that he is appreciated, and that his contribution to the lodge is important and valuable.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/16/2015 at 6:42pm
Originally posted by cemab4y cemab4y wrote:

... What do YOU think? Should we be able to invite men to join our Craft?


In my opinion, No we should not invite anyone into our Fraternity. Everything we do is based on tradition, most everything is from in the beginning. I see not need to change anything. If it's not broken don't fix it!  Just my thoughts. I understand a lot of Brothers would like to see that change, but not everyone.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/16/2015 at 7:09pm
Originally posted by eagle-751 eagle-751 wrote:

 If it's not broken don't fix it!  

It is broken...  The decline in membership nationwide is proof enough of that.  I don't think we should be outright recruiting, (I believe in quality over quantity) we don't want every Tom Dick and Harry....Freemasonry is not for everyone.  That said, I see nothing wrong with recommending, or suggesting Freemasonry to someone that you know personally, and would gladly recommend if they decided to petition.  I love the bumper stickers my grand lodge gives out to all members... It has the square and compass, and reads "to be one, ask one" (yes, there is one on my truck)  The fact is, I have found from talking to people about the fraternity, that many people have the misconception that they must be invited.  I asked one brother... "why did you wait until you were in your 50's to join?"  His reply... "No one ever asked me"  He had no idea that he could just ASK for a petition for membership.  That is a problem!


Edited by Adept? - March/16/2015 at 7:10pm
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/16/2015 at 8:09pm
Originally posted by Adept? Adept? wrote:

Originally posted by eagle-751 eagle-751 wrote:

 If it's not broken don't fix it!  

It is broken...  The decline in membership nationwide is proof enough of that.  I don't think we should be outright recruiting, (I believe in quality over quantity) we don't want every Tom Dick and Harry....Freemasonry is not for everyone.  That said, I see nothing wrong with recommending, or suggesting Freemasonry to someone that you know personally, and would gladly recommend if they decided to petition.  I love the bumper stickers my grand lodge gives out to all members... It has the square and compass, and reads "to be one, ask one" (yes, there is one on my truck)  The fact is, I have found from talking to people about the fraternity, that many people have the misconception that they must be invited.  I asked one brother... "why did you wait until you were in your 50's to join?"  His reply... "No one ever asked me"  He had no idea that he could just ASK for a petition for membership.  That is a problem!


Not all Lodges are in decline, But I understand what you are saying.
I was given a few of the 2B1ASK1 bumper stickers, I do not have any on my cars. Maybe some day, but not yet.
I can not or will not argue with any of what you said, it is your opinion and you my Brother are entitled to it. I was giving my opinion. I was in my late 40's when I joined... for the same reason you said, however I still will never ask anyone to join. ( Not even if they change the rules )

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24th Masonic District
Grand Lodge of Ohio
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/16/2015 at 8:28pm
So mote it be
"It is humanity that creates god, and men think that god has made them in his image, because they make him in theirs."
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/16/2015 at 9:08pm
read them and weep:

U.S. Grand Lodges Membership






STATE 2012 MEMBERSHIP 2013 MEMBERSHIP GAIN/(LOSS)
ALABAMA                           27,654                           25,885                      (1,769)
ALASKA                                1,820                             1,797                            (23)
ARIZONA                             8,000                             7,812                         (188)
ARKANSAS                           13,042                           12,301                         (741)
CALIFORNIA                           63,546                           55,893                      (7,653)
COLORADO                             8,885                             9,311                            426
CONNECTICUT                          11,778                           10,576                      (1,202)
DELAWARE                             4,910                             4,843                            (67)
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA                                4,438                             4,091                         (347)
FLORIDA                            42,959                           41,134                      (1,825)
GEORGIA                          41,255                           40,750                         (505)
HAWAII                             1,778                             1,787                                9
IDAHO*                                 3,670                             3,567                         (103)
ILLINOIS                          65,781                           64,705                      (1,076)
INDIANA                          60,449                           58,363                      (2,086)
IOWA                          20,203                           19,338                         (865)
KANSAS                          21,225                           20,176                      (1,049)
KENTUCKY                          43,658                           42,019                      (1,639)
LOUISIANA                             20,404                           19,431                         (973)
MAINE                          19,860                           18,573                      (1,287)
MARYLAND                           16,146                           15,429                         (717)
MASSACHUSETTS                            33,048                           30,861                      (2,187)
MICHIGAN                          34,686                           32,997                      (1,689)
MINNESOTA                          13,587                           13,062                         (525)
MISSISSIPPI                          18,063                           17,565                         (498)
MISSOURI                          45,850                           42,274                      (3,576)
MONTANA*                                      5,565                             5,401                         (164)
NEBRASKA                          11,895                           11,405                         (490)
NEVADA                               4,163                             4,085                            (78)
NEW HAMPSHIRE*                             6,497                             6,097                         (400)
NEW JERSEY                            22,523                           22,514                             (9)
NEW MEXICO                             5,389                             4,669                         (720)
NEW YORK                               42,669                           41,305                      (1,364)
NORTH CAROLINA                          43,112                           42,296                         (816)
NORTH DAKOTA                               2,876                             2,885                                9
OHIO                            94,867                           91,040                      (3,827)
OKLAHOMA                             23,842                           22,622                      (1,220)
OREGON                             8,946                             8,648                         (298)
PENNSYLVANIA                               108,758                         107,731                      (1,027)
RHODE ISLAND                             3,573                             3,444                         (129)
SOUTH CAROLINA*                          37,810                           36,689                      (1,121)
SOUTH DAKOTA*                             5,471                             5,654                            183
TENNESSEE*                          40,926                           39,943                         (983)
TEXAS                           93,188                           81,340                   (11,848)
UTAH                             2,057                             2,081                             24
VERMONT                               5,855                             5,708                         (147)
VIRGINIA                          37,177                           36,335                         (842)
WASHINGTON                          15,450                           14,774                         (676)
WEST VIRGINIA                          20,808                           20,251                         (557)
WISCONSIN                          11,742                           11,367                         (375)
WYOMING                                 3,579                             3,417                         (162)
TOTALS                    1,305,433                     1,246,241                   (59,192)

*Revised 2012 figures
Charles E. Martin

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Bowling Green Lodge 73, Bowling Green KY (GL of KY, F&AM)

Alexandria VA Scottish Rite Bodies (AASR, Southern Jurisdiction, USA)
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/16/2015 at 9:17pm
"Everyone is entitled their own opinion, but everyone is not entitled to their own facts" -Daniel Patrick Moynihan (NOT a Freemason).

It astounds me, the number of Masons around the USA (and abroad) who are firmly convinced that everything in Masonry, is just fine, and there is no need to make any changes in anything.

I am convinced that there are many fine men, who would benefit from Masonry, and would also benefit Masonry, who just don't know about the Craft. They are waiting for an invitation that will never come.

Masons have told me: Everything is just fine in Masonry. Our lodge had two new members last year.

Masonry has existed for hundreds of years, and therefore everything is fine.

We never had a (fill in the blank) before, so we don't need one now.

Grand Lodges are hemorrhaging members, and lodges are closing.

Are we ever going to stop whistling past the graveyard?
Charles E. Martin

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Alexandria VA Scottish Rite Bodies (AASR, Southern Jurisdiction, USA)
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/16/2015 at 9:18pm
Thank you for that Brother.  I see 45 out of 50 states declined during that time period, and the ones that did gain, (with the exception of Colorado that gained 426) the gains are minimal ( 9, 24, and 183)  
sad...
"It is humanity that creates god, and men think that god has made them in his image, because they make him in theirs."
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/16/2015 at 9:19pm
Originally posted by eagle-751 eagle-751 wrote:

 
I was given a few of the 2B1ASK1 bumper stickers, I do not have any on my cars. Maybe some day, but not yet.

WHY NOT???

If it only gets ONE person to join... it's helping.  It's helping nothing if it's not there to be seen.  


Edited by Adept? - March/16/2015 at 9:22pm
"It is humanity that creates god, and men think that god has made them in his image, because they make him in theirs."
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/16/2015 at 9:28pm
In effort to keep in the scope of the thread:  I would like to see the change that EVERY brother displays an emblem of some sort on their vehicle ( I have 5, 3 blue lodge, one lodge of perfection, and one 32nd).  Wear hats, wear shirts, a jacket, a ring, a necklace ( I have, and wear, all but a jacket)  Men are supposed to come of their own free will and accord, but there is nothing wrong with advertising, and sparking the initial interest.
"It is humanity that creates god, and men think that god has made them in his image, because they make him in theirs."
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/17/2015 at 8:14am
Texans like to say that they do everything bigger and better than the other states. I am sure that their whopping 11,848 membership decline is one statistic that they wish Texas did not have.

My GL membership is in Kentucky (also hemorrhaging membership). I have been told, by men I respect, that the GL of Kentucky does not "approve" of the "2B1 ASK 1" bumper sticker. Although I know that there is no rule specifically forbidding the use of the sticker, I got their meaning immediately, and decided to follow the taboo, and not cause my lodge (or myself) to "make waves".

I met a Mason from Indiana (also losing members), who once visited a KY masonic lodge. He had aluminum foil square and compass stickers on his tail lights. A mason there told him to take the stickers off his car, Kentucky did not approve. (Again, I realize that there is no specific rule against such stickers, but I believe that this man related the incident truthfully).

For the record- I belong to two(2) lodges, which are under the authority of two(2) different Grand Lodges. I am only a member, and I do NOT speak for any lodge, nor any Grand Lodge, nor for any appendant/concordant body. I speak only for myself.

Edited by cemab4y - March/17/2015 at 1:11pm
Charles E. Martin

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Alexandria VA Scottish Rite Bodies (AASR, Southern Jurisdiction, USA)
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/17/2015 at 8:51am
Originally posted by Adept? Adept? wrote:

In effort to keep in the scope of the thread:  I would like to see the change that EVERY brother displays an emblem of some sort on their vehicle ( I have 5, 3 blue lodge, one lodge of perfection, and one 32nd).  Wear hats, wear shirts, a jacket, a ring, a necklace ( I have, and wear, all but a jacket)  Men are supposed to come of their own free will and accord, but there is nothing wrong with advertising, and sparking the initial interest.


THUMBS UP! I never leave the house, without some kind of "masonic bling". I display masonic stickers on my cars, as well.
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)
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/17/2015 at 10:01am
One idea that is already in practice, and should be emulated nationwide:

The Grand Lodges of Maryland and Massachusetts hold state wide open houses. In Massachusetts, every lodge in the state is open on a Saturday morning.

The Grand Lodge advertises the open houses on media, statewide (Boston TV stations cover almost the entire state, and the Boston Globe newspaper is state-wide.)

The individual lodges are opened to the public. The Lodges serve coffee and snacks, and some lodges get Ben Franklin impersonators. Masonic literature is distributed. Masonic videos are shown on TV sets in the lodges. Some lodges invite representatives from the appendant/concordant bodies. Some have representatives from the Masonic youth groups.

Visitors are taken on tours of the buildings. Visitors are given short talks on masonic history and masonic charities. Blank petition forms are made available, when a man asks "How can I join?"

The result is that Masonry is out in the open. Awareness of the Craft is increased. AND- Many lodges get a slew of petitions for new members!

I would love for this concept to be emulated nationally!

Edited by cemab4y - March/17/2015 at 10:14am
Charles E. Martin

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/17/2015 at 11:40am
There are no rules in Ky concerning the "2B1 Ask1" stickers , many Ky Masons have them on their vehicles . Nor does one KY man speak for my entire grand jurisdiction concerning taillight or any other stickers , decals , pins etc; etc; . Why you try to constantly pass this stuff off as fact Cemab4y is beyond me .
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/17/2015 at 1:06pm
Originally posted by Nero Nero wrote:

There are no rules in Ky concerning the "2B1 Ask1" stickers , many Ky Masons have them on their vehicles . Nor does one KY man speak for my entire grand jurisdiction concerning taillight or any other stickers , decals , pins etc; etc; . Why you try to constantly pass this stuff off as fact Cemab4y is beyond me .


I have been told by members of my own lodge, that the GL of KY does not "approve" of the sticker, and not to put one on my vehicle. I took their directive to be the truth. Why would they make such a thing up?

I know that there is no rule in the KY GL constitution and by-laws, specifically forbidding the use of this sticker. I was told that the "leadership" of the GL of KY does not "approve" of this sticker.

The second comment was anecdotal. I really did meet a Mason in Indiana who told me, that he was told not to display the stickers in Kentucky. Again, what reason would he have to make such a thing up?



Edited by cemab4y - March/17/2015 at 1:20pm
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)
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