INCREASING MEMBERSHIP
From The New Model Lodge Website
Many "new" ideas are being tried in lodges and grand lodges to increase
membership, but there is one main thing that individual lodges must do to
attract members, either new masons or affiliations: The lodge must be
interesting. A lodge with dead meetings is just dead. If the principles set out
on the other pages of this site are followed, the lodge will attract new members
through initiation and affiliation because of the enjoyment experienced by its
members.
Nevertheless, there is a great way to get new men into the lodge if the lodge
is already interesting and fun. These prospective members somehow must be placed
physically in the lodge building. Either through an open activity where friends
of masons are invited to attend or, even better, through participation of their
relatives in Masonic activities such as the Rainbow Girls.
When a friend sees the fun at a lodge activity, he will get an impression
that will be great for attracting him to membership. But when a man sees his
daughter or son living a great life and having good friends in a wholesome
environment, he is sold on masonry. And often more important, his wife is sold
on masonry.
Sponsoring more than one youth organization may be too much for one lodge to
handle. The lodge should pick one youth activity and truly work with it and for
it. The more participation of lodge members in the organization, the more likely
it is to attract new young members. Youth groups never suffer from too many
adults participating, only from too few.
And get these teenagers involved in other lodge activities. They can be
servers at "Ladies Night" or have a special place at lodge fundraisers to sell
their home-baked cookies. Have Rainbow Girl or DeMolay awards banquets on the
same night as lodge night and make it an official, but open, lodge meeting. Get
those non-Masonic moms and dads into the lodge.
Once you have the man in the lodge, you can show him how much fun it is, but
once you have his child in the lodge, he already knows how great it is.
Bro J. R. Martin, MPS, Houston, Texas
Here are some great ideas from Richard W. Decker, PM, PJGW Grand Lodge of
Hawaii, PM, PDDGM, PSGM Grand Lodge of New Jersey:
The Kona Masonic Renewal Plan
By Richard W. Decker, March 2001
The problem of attendance and health of the Masonic Lodge has become a crisis
for the fraternity, not just in Hawaii, but throughout the American Grand
Lodges. As one looks at the problem, certain elements of the problem stand out
and, with serious thought and effort, can and should be changed.
Problem No. 1. One of the first elements that needs to be addressed is
the problem of bringing new men into the fraternity. With the restrictions as
interpreted in the Masonic ritual shows, we cannot ask a man to join with us, it
can only be hinted. A new interpretation of this restriction should be developed
that will permit our asking one whom we feel is qualified to be a member of the
order to be asked to become a Mason. If we can see in our hearts that this is
the problem that restricts us from growing and remaining a force for good, then
it must be changed. Because that we say that a man must first be made a Mason in
his heart, we have interpreted this to mean that we cannot ask but must wait to
have a man made a Mason in his heart and he must do the asking. If we, as
individuals, feel that a man is of the character and type that we want as a
member of our lodge, why can’t we suggest to him that he could become a Mason
and believe that he would find kindred souls among the fellowship of your lodge.
Require him to think about it, to ponder and ask questions, to discuss with
others including his wife and family, of the rightness of his becoming a member
of the Masonic fraternity. Let him become a Mason in his heart - after he has
been asked to consider membership in your lodge. This kind of approach to the
problem of bringing in new members could become a great help in the furtherance
of the health and well being of the lodge.
Problem No. 2. One of the most important problems we face is the
retention of our present membership. Why are we not retaining our members,
keeping them interested and attending their lodges and participating in the
lodge’s programs? This is the most important area of renewal that we could
consider. How often do any of the officers who are responsible for the health of
the lodge, visit or at least call absent brothers? Being in touch with all
members of the lodge should be essential, and not with just the monthly mailing
of the trestleboard - though this is a very important tool. Personal visits,
letters and/or phone calls can be of infinite value to the lodge. It would seem
that this should be a responsibility of the Master and Wardens, particularly the
Wardens, so that they can get to know the members of the lodge. Older Masons who
cannot drive at night, should be able to be picked up and brought to lodge so
that they can retain their interest.
Problem No. 3. A clear and comprehensive program that is geared to the
interest of all men is an imperative and should be the reason why the personal
touch with the members is important to be sure that all are well acquainted with
the program and given a chance to be active. Gleanings from successful programs
that are going on in different lodges around the country is an easy way to find
a program or programs that a lodge could use. There are no copy rights on any
program that is being used by any particular lodge. We are free to copy any that
we feel would be good for our own lodge and which would be of interest to our
membership.
Problem No. 4. Ritual is a necessary part of the Masonic life. It
cannot be ignored, but we can innovate some differences in rendering the ritual
A lodge should have teams of members that are interested in ritual and be
prepared and ready to perform their part of ritual. Not just the officers
holding a particular position, but a ritualist can be called on to take part
whenever a degree is to be performed. The lodge officers would have to be able
to open and close their lodge and the Master and Wardens should be prepared to
conduct meetings and to activate the programs that the lodge is currently
working toward. It would always be the Master of the lodge that would conduct
the meetings and he could do whatever part of the ritual he wished to perform in
the degrees. It is still his lodge.
Problem No. 5. Let us tell the world what we are doing and what part
we play in the daily life of our community. A member of the lodge could be
designated as the liaison with the local newspapers, radio stations or t.v.
stations or any other method of getting out the word. There is no reason why we
cannot tell the world that Mr. Toby A. Mason has made application to our lodge
and that he is looking forward to becoming a part of this great and world’s
oldest fraternity. He will be receiving his degrees in our lodge on a specific
date and invite all Masons to come and participate in this important occasion.
An announcement of upcoming programs or charitable events or dates for the
community blood bank, a childrens’ I.D. program, or whatever the lodge is
sponsoring, should be included in the duties of the communications officer of
the lodge. How else do we tell our community that we are here and are an
organization operating for the good of all?
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