Page 24 - MFM Nov Dec 2021

henever I talk to a fellow Mason, the points, from large and expensive to simple repairs.
Wconversation often turns to the condition of The point is to spell things out and get them written
our Lodges. I hear that their membership is aging, down.
declining members in attendance, and difficulty of
attracting new members. These combine to create Another example might be the content and order
financial problems of escalating costs in facility of business for a stated meeting. Perhaps this is
maintenance and the dues from membership included, by your Grand Lodge, in outline form. For
going down. While the negatives may appear to be example, the reading and approval of minutes, paying
irreversible, that isn't always the case. bills, sick and distressed, petitions for membership,
and old and new business. While these points all
Historically Masonic membership reached its zenith have to be addressed, you may find that your stated
in the late 1950s, and while your own Lodge may have meeting is simply a monthly business meeting that is
experienced occasional upswings, the overall trend long, boring, and drolls on forever, and puts people
line has continued downward. While we know the to sleep.
symptoms of a declining Lodge, we often fail to study
the causes or seriously address what can be done to After you have spelled out all the needs within your
reverse the trend. Lodge and grouped them into categories, the next step
is to implement an action plan. While some actions
A PATH TO A will be large, long-term, or expensive (replace the
roof), others may be resolved quickly. In one Lodge I
visited, an issue existed that too many members had
BETTER LODGE keys to the Lodge building, and there was no list of
who had them. People were coming and going, lights
left on, heat turned up and not turned down, kitchen
Bro. Chuck Clampitt items borrowed, etc. While the complaint list was long
and the consternation level high, the resolution was
Mt Etna 333, Huntington, Indiana relatively simple. Members were notified that all the
locks on the building were going to be replaced and
Perhaps a good starting point is a mission statement. would be keyed the same. All new keys were issued
What exactly is the purpose or objective of your by the secretary. The result was that a long-festering
Lodge? You soon find that having a beautiful Lodge problem was quickly resolved.
building, having lots of money in the bank, holding
pancake breakfasts, or funding a scholarship for the Make Lodge evenings enjoyable. A major point
local high school isn't the reason that we are Masons. that many Lodges overlook is the need to create a
Perhaps the answer would be more along the lines of "Fun Factor." No matter the group or organization,
"establishing/maintaining a fraternity of like-minded if involvement isn't fun and enjoyable, it isn't going
men," "to serve as an example within our community," to be successful. If your Lodge building is used only
or "taking good men and making them better." one evening a month for a stated meeting, then your
Lodge isn't fulfilling its purpose of fraternity. When
Just like a business needs a business plan, a Lodge you do that, then attendance goes up. Make sure
needs to think in that same way. An early step in you share a meal together. Make time to play cards,
business is to determine what goods or services are throw darts, and socialize. Lodge night should be a
you going to produce or provide? While this may monthly event where the men can enjoy an evening
sound simple, it may bring to light some new thoughts together. In visiting a Lodge in Florida, they increased
such as to whom is the Lodge responsible? Is it to their attendance and made stated meeting night "a
our members and their families or good works for happening." The Lodge invited families and friends
others? A good foundation is to re-read the Masonic and provided a great meal before the meeting with
obligations that we each swore to when we became the men doing the work. Drawings and raffles were
members. held, a party-like atmosphere was evident, and
dinner attendance increased from 20 to 60 with a
The next step is a needs assessment. It is corresponding increase in Lodge attendance.
here where you Identify what the strengths and
weaknesses of your Lodge are. Thoroughly examine Utilize your building. Don't limit the use of your
your membership list, methods of communication, Lodge building to evenings, but instead make it a
building and facilities, Masonic education, petition place to socialize for the retirees. Men love to visit so
trends, finances, leadership training, and attendance. make your Lodge accessible. Put on the coffee pot,
As the list grows, group points into like categories. invite the ladies and friends, and make your Lodge a
Building and facilities will probably have several sub- destination. Have an evening dinner once a month
Montana Freemason Page 24 Nov/Dec Volume 97 No.5