MEMBERSHIP INVOLVEMENT
(Excerpt
from NC Grand Lodge Program for Progress 1996)
According to the Masonic Renewal Committee of North
America, 1989, seventy-five percent of the lodge members had not been in lodge
in the last three years. Why? They expressed their reasons: lack of interesting
programs and activities, lack of qualified leadership, and the repetitive
ritual. Yet, the brethren say they are proud to be a Mason. Becoming a Mason was
a very meaningful experience. Lodge attendance seems almost irrelevant as far as
pride in Masonry is concerned. Involvement in the life of the lodge must also be
a meaningful, fulfilling experience of personal growth and development.
Only about ten percent of lodge members regularly attend
lodge communications. The lodge officers working as a team and lodge members
cooperating as a team can, within a relatively short time, change that
percentage figure for the better.
The Master or another officer of the lodge should study the Membership
Information Form to discover interests and talents of lodge members. With
meticulous scrutiny discover the interests and talents of each member. Make a
list of lodge needs: material, personnel, brotherly love and relief. Match the
need with a brother's interest and talent. Contact the brother; present him the
challenge; request his assistance on a particular committee, project, or
program. Follow his progress, recognize his achievement, reward him for his
efforts.
Most of the time dedicated involvement does not
"simply happen;" one plans for it to happen. Working together through
a committee to complete a program or a project can be a very meaningful
experience in brotherly love and friendship. The Master, or someone in the
lodge, must know the needs of the lodge and its members and know the interests
and talents of a brother before meaningful involvement can be effectively
realized. Match need with interest and talent.
Below is a membership form that can be utilized to help you
match your brethren interests to the lodge's needs.
MEMBERSHIP FORM
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Membership Information
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Name:
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Last
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First
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Middle
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Residence Address:
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Street
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City
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State
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Zip
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Mailing Address:
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Street
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City
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State
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Zip
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Phones:
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Home
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Office
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Pager
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Mobile
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Fax
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Email:
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Home
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Other
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Personal History:
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Birthday
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Marital Status
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Wife's Name
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Children's Names & Ages
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Your Profession
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Job Title or Position
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Employer's Name & Address
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Masonic History:
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Dates:
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Entered Apprentice
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Fellow Craft
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Master Mason
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Lodge Name & Number
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Lodge Address
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Street
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City
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State
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Zip
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Lodge Name & Number
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Lodge Address
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Street
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City
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State
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Zip
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Lodge Offices Held
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Grand Lodge Offices Held
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Certified Lecturer
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( Yes )
or ( No )
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When?
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If not certified, what memory work
do you do?
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DDGL?
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When?
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DDGM?
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When?
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Membership in other Masonic Bodies
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York Rite
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Scottish Rite
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Shrine
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Others
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Offices Held
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Personal Interests:
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Youth Organizations
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Office or Position
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Civic Organizations
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Office or Position
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Church
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Office or Position
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Skills:
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Photography
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( Camera ) ( Digital ) ( Video )
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Drama
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( Actor ) ( Director ) ( Lights ) (
Props )
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Music
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( Soloist ) ( Band ) ( Choir Member
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Instrument(s) Played
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Computer Skills
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( Operator ) ( Programmer ) (
Repair )
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Sports
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Miscellaneous
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(
Plumbing ) ( Heating ) ( Air Conditioning )
(
Electrical ) ( Carpentry ) ( Medical )
(
Yard Work ) ( Public Speaking )
( Cooking ) ( Cleaning )
(
Coin or other Collection )
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Other Interests or Talents
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Lodge Service Interests and
Willingness to Serve in the Following Capacity:
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Lodge Officer
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Committee Chairman
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Committee Member
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Coach for Candidates
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Visitation Committee
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Meal Preparation
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Serve Meals
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Refreshment Committee
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Investigating Committee
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Newsletter
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Transportation Committee
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Charity Committee
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Publicity/ Public Relations
Committee
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Telephone Committee
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Degree Team
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Other
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Date Form Completed:
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