Five signs of a Dying Lodge

For those of you who pay attention to my Facebook post, you recall I attended a Toastmasters Leadership program yesterday.  Valuable information and great experience can be obtained from Toastmasters, if you want to learn or improve your public speaking skills. The incoming governor had a session to talk about clubs, statistics from last year, plans for the new year, etc.  Of course my brain affiliated this information to our lodges.  He made several good points identifying struggling clubs which I wanted to share that can be related to Masonry.  

First, there is the lack of a full compliment of officers.  Due to the lack of recruitment, or RETENTION, these clubs tend to recycle old past masters.  Thriving, vibrant clubs in contrast have a list of brothers lined up for the chairs.

Second, the officers don't regularly attend meetings.  In his case, he referred to speeches and the difficulty some had motivating a club.  When asked how many speeches the person he was talking to had given, his reply was he had only given two speeches.  Now, for those of you who don't know about Toastmasters, you have manuals of speeches to do which train you to improve your speaking skills.  This point relates to lodges like this, simply put.  If you want brothers to attend your lodge, are you regularly showing for meetings and fully involved?  I don't mean you have to be there when you are sick and spread your germs around.  Your love for and attitude toward your lodge, masonry, and your brothers is easily interpreted.

Thirdly, do new brothers feel welcome?  Notice I didn't ask, are you welcoming new brothers.  There is a difference.  "Hey, glad to have you." is not a welcome.  It lacks enthusiasm telling a new brother your just saying that because you felt a need to say it.  It lacks sincerity suggesting you really don't want to get to know me.  Most people are not going to be persistent enough to find on their own a club niche.  We have to find a fit for them.  What about one of the committees?  I personally welcome all the help I can get on my MESH committee.

Fourthly, and coupled with the welcome, there is often no mentoring program.  It appears we often assume the "coach" is going to fulfill this task, but coaches have their hands full coaching.  A mentor is there to not only answer questions, but talk to and perhaps relate outside of the lodge to the brother.  A mentor is there to encourage.  When a new brother misses he is there to call the brother and gently prod, not push, the brother to attend and learn more. Mentoring for Masons, begins with the investigation committee.  When a candidate is married with children, ideally, at his home, the committee should meet the brother and his family.  Why?  This gives you the opportunity to inform the wife of what her husband will involve himself, and introduce all of them to the various bodies of masonry.  Even if they do not all get involved right away, they, at least, know our organization.

Finally, and actually the list could be longer, does someone stand at the door and greet each new brother, visitor,  regulars, etc.?  Yes, we have tylers.  While the tyler is making sure everyone is properly dressed and the ledger signed at the front door, often many are entering through another door.  New brothers and guests should be greeted at least by the officers, but what about a membership committee?  Oh wait, most lodges don't have one.  What can a membership committee do?  We can't ask for new members, but can we not motivate potential candidates to ask?  During Toastmasters we talked about an elevator speech.  Not necessarily that you only converse or use this in an elevator, but this can be used anytime when talking to a candidate.  We CAN talk about masonic events.  We CAN talk about the good that we do for children, senior citizens, the medical research and programs we have, etc.  These elevator speeches CAN lead to the question.

Especially, if you are an officer in the line, I feel Toastmasters would benefit you as I have benefited. Not only does TM help your public and private speaking, it further teaches you leadership skills.  As I began this blog, you can see the suggestions we were given to handle a TM club as officers.  I trust as I have related them to Masonry, being the membership recruiter for the other Masonic bodies,  they will help you and your lodge.

Brothers Helping Brothers

Recently, I had a conversation with a couple of brothers which ignited my thinking processes.  The concern expressed fell into the nature of Masonry and the Triangle Masonic Report, so naturally I was drawn to listen.  As we face the truth about our nations economy, unless one has buried their head in the sand, we surely realize the financial direction of our country is heading south. What we use to have we have less and less of, and that is abundance.  Brothers have to work harder, longer, and in some cases more than one job to make ends meet.  This makes it more difficult for a brother who has sought the light and who has paid his dues, now to come up with the money to purchase their regalia, if they decide to seek further light in Masonry.  Now, as many of you know, I started a Facebook page for Masons to donate or sell their memorabilia which could then be resold to collectors or curiosity seekers.  Another brother came to me about a job situation.  Here is where thoughts began to take shape.

What if we combined the Masons Trading Post with a new website called the Masonic Trading Post and included advertising on the Triangle Masonic Report?  First the fan base is already on FB, so people are aware.  Second, many already get the TMR and have a business to advertise.  Thirdly, we do so much to help others, yet we take an obligation to help each other, Fourth, the TMR is like a "community bulletin board". Fifth, widows of Masons or other family members are every day faced with all that stuff and clothes for which they have no use and don't know what to do with.  I see much that ends up in auctions and other places.  Why not put it to good use?

By taking in regalia, suits, chapeaus, coats, belts, swords, berets, guard uniforms, legion uniforms, keystone cops uniforms, and other masonic item, etc, and then selling it to the needy brother, he could save lots of money while supporting a good cause.  While advertising in the TMR this would cover the expense of the email host server, the email program, the website, and pay for other one-off items.  The TMR would still be free to receive, but a small fee for those wishing to advertise to help support the cause.

Additionally, for brothers needing jobs, or employees, the TMR could help by posting the need for both the seeker and provider.  What a wonderful way to be a Mason!

I would like to hear your thoughts. Email me with your comments.

What is holding you back?

If you go back to your Blue Lodge teaching, you may recall the twenty-four hour gauge.  Before I ever became a Mason, I knew about the twenty four hour gauge.  To most non-masons this is what is known as time management.  Obsessive-compulsive type personalities are, for lack of better words, obsessed with strict time management.  Fact is, we all have the same time, twenty four hours, 1440 minutes in a day,  and 86,400 seconds in a day.  Why is it that some people can accomplish so much in a twenty four hour period while others do so little?  TIME MANAGEMENT!!!!!

As Masons we are taught to manage our time.  Remember on the gauge, 8, 8, and 8?  In comparison, most college kids have to become very efficient with it to hold a job, go to class, and find time to study.  It gets done but we look back and wonder how.  Sadly, as I reach out to Blue lodges for the appendant and affiliate bodies, I hear many brothers say they want to get through the Blue lodge before moving on.  This always puzzles me.  Is it the cable tow?  I don't buy it!  I know some brothers that hold down three jobs, and have a family.  Yet, they are part of both Rites, and the Temple, besides their lodge.  I know other brothers who have multi-million dollar businesses, but they too are members of many bodies.  So what gives?

I once had a boss who told me she believed if I put my mind to something, I could do anything I wanted.   This has haunted me, or motivated me for many years.  I have heard others say if you want to get something done, give it to someone busy.  Why?  They know how to manage their time and they WILL get it done!

Are you being realistic?  Are you being honest with yourself?  Do you have to be proficient at everything before you move up?  Have you ever been called a Type A personality?  What you need to do is get a grip!  You have plenty of time.  You can expand your understanding by exploring the other bodies. Do you have to learn all the degrees?  (psst.  there are no catechisms in the other bodies, which means no memorization-unless you want to hold a chair) No!  Can you help out in the kitchen?  In the back stage area?  Recruiting?  Of course!!!  This is the 21st century!  You don't have to go through all the steps to become a member of another body to get more light in Masonry.  Put your mind to it!  You will be amazed at what you can recreate, or rearrange to get what you desire.  Then as you have time and understanding, you can get involved.  You  might even amaze yourself and find what you thought was an obstacle was only a twig in your path.

Membership Recruiting

   
 

Date:	Lodge:	Presentation Type	Ambassador	Display type	# of new qualified petitions*
3/25/2014	WAKE FOREST	SCOTTISH RITE	Andy Barrett	POWERPOINT
6/9/2014	APEX	SCOTTISH RITE	Andy Barrett	POWERPOINT
3/20/2014	MOSAIC	SCOTTISH RITE	Keith Morgan		<6	went to Greensboro temple
4/24/2014	granville county shrine	SHRINER	Andy Barrett
4/21/2014	OXFORD	YORK RITE	Will Crisco, 32° KSA	POWERPOINT	<6
4/24/2014	granville county shrine	SHRINER	Andy Barrett	POWERPOINT	<6
4/26/2014	SCOTTISH RITE REUNION	SHRINER	Andy Barrett	POWERPOINT

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What is your fund raising vision?

Fund Raising for the Non-Profit

As the weather warms, most minds turn to new chores, vacation, new education plans, and for Masons, fund raisers.  Since most people don't have a long term plan, and the Masters term is only one year, usually these thoughts of fund raising are brought up with little forethought.  Hence, the results are modest as the work is at best feeble.  So, I ask, What is your fund raising vision?  Notice I did not say budget!  To get results, the following must be considered, and will be discussed individually.  They are advertising, marketing, location, and fund raising opportunities.

Today, you don't need a lot in the bank to get big advertising results.  Nor do you have to test the definitions of insanity by doing yesterdays same lame advertising methods.  One must first think about the results.  What results do you want?  We all know the age old question, "Which would you rather have a penny a day doubled every day for thirty days, or one million dollars?" If you do the math, you soon find out one million dollars would be obtained in day twenty seven, whereas the end result in just three more days, of what seems absurd to start with, is a mere $10,737,418.24.  Likewise the result of thinking in the box, traditional thinking, is limiting whereas thinking outside of the box can be quite rewarding.  If you think money is the answer here, you are still thinking in the box.  Not only should you be thinking about the financial outcome, but every fund raiser should be a recruiting opportunity!  Each lodge, at the minimum should have a display set up informing the purchaser of Masonic offerings, including in my opinion, O.E.S,, DEMOLAY, AND RAINBOWS.  Each lodge should have a MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE appointed for such purposes occuring throughout the year.  Being at a Masonic event, and having the materials available just opens the opportunity for the purchaser to ask the question!

Doing the same old thing is also not thinking outside of the box.  Free advertising is everywhere and can reach for more people than your whole lodge would have the opportunity to reach in thirty days.  Again, what results do you want to get?  Do you want to reach your immediate area or raise money over the internet.  One internet site for this purpose is http://www.indiegogo.com/ where you only pay 3% of the total funds collected if you reach your goal.  So if your goal is $100,000.00 you proportionately elevate your goal to cover the charges.  On the other hand, if you take my advise and want to also recruit during your fund raising you will want to use local advertising. On the internet you will find http://wral.com and http://news14.com both offer free classified advertising.  They both also have community calendar event listings at no charge.  Johnston County has http://4042.com in addition to the two above sites.  Social media such as http://facebook.com, http://twitter.com, Google Groups through http://google.com, http://foursquare.com also are free but limits the advertising to those who follow you. Your lodge website is a free source, of course, but unless you plan on using some kind of search engine optimization, it generally will not be the most effective source for reaching the local community. Most Starbucks, and many other coffee houses, laundromats, grocery stores, cleaners, Lowe's Home Improvement, Home Depots, and gas stations offer community billboards free.  Some newspapers still offer low cost advertising such as "the Thrifty Nickel", "the Southside Shopper".

Assuming still that your fund raiser is going to take place at a certain time and place and is intended to get funds from more than just your fellow lodge brothers, your next step is to draw people to the events location.  For this you will need some sizeable banners, usually 8' x 4', and not little posterboards.  THEY MUST BE READABLE!  You  will need at least two, one for either side of the road to be readable from the direction of the flow of the traffic approaching the location.  Putting one banner out lettered on both sides will not be as effective because the opposite side approaching traffic will have more difficulty reading it. If, however, the location is at a busy fourway intersection, you will want four.  These should be placed out on the side of the street approximately one week before the event.

Now that you have decided how you are going to get the word out, what do you say?  Are you going to market the product used to raise money, or the event, group, etc for which you are raising money?  You want to make this the most professional possible.  This will strongly show the level of seriousness you have for the event.  Hand written materials for an adult fund raiser shows little concern for or interest in the group for which the money is raised.  This little attention to detail can also be interpreted as a lack of concern for food preparation, health concerns, etc., and will result in drive by rather than drive in customers.  Think for a second about the last car wash put on by the local school.  Chances are the marketing was done on a posterboard, in hand, and was very difficult to read.  Being philanthropic, you decide to stop in, but in the back of your mind did you wonder how clean your car was going to be?  Now think back to the last church fund raiser you paid for.  What went through your mind? 

More than likely, your event will take place at the lodge.  For the above types of fundraising, this would be the best location.  This allows you to have the tools available for both the fund raiser and recruiting.  It will also be more relaxed than if you meet under a tent with limited staff allowing more time for a one on one.  Sometimes the fund raiser doesn't require a location.  In that case, not all advertising mentioned above will be necessary.

How many ways can you raise money.  Let me count the ways.  Pulling them out of the box, there are the chicken and fish dinners, turkey breasts, pancake breakfasts, spaghetti dinners, movie nights, fried candy bars, and so on.  Along the edge of the box are shopping cards, candle sales, dinner cards, reverse raffles, etc.  Totally out of the box are car shows, 5k, 10k or marathon runs, motorcycle rides, bike rides, dance-a-thons, turkey shoots, boat raffles, car raffles, gun raffles, golf tournaments, tennis tournaments, fishing tournaments, eating contests, talent shows, ipad raffles, tv raffles, etc.  Again, What results do you want?

Regardless of whether you want to raise money on the internet, or go door to door in your community, fund raising should not just be for money.  Doing so is not looking at the whole picture and leaves big opportunities on the table.  Can't think of any fund raisers after reading this?  They have this thing called the internet you access through the device from which you are reading this blog.  A search for fund raisers and a review of a couple of sites will give you more than enough to get started.  Next determine what you want to say and where you want it said.  Then, just do it!

Call to Action

As many of you are aware, lodges, affiliate bodies, and appendent bodies are all struggling for membership in these tough times.  One concept holds true regardless if it is in a for profit or not for profit business, ACTIVITY BREEDS MORE ACTIVITY.  If you are not visible, people will not know where or how to reach you. Open businesses with cars in front draw more inquiries.  People drive by closed businesses.  It is also true that more active lodges, bodies, etc are growing due to another principle from physics which says, "a body in motion will stay in motion'.  In life, a body with no pulse, is a dead one!

What you need to do RIGHT NOW!

First, check your pulse.  If you are reading this, I am relatively confident you are alive.  Second, be proactive. Take the initiative.  Do you see things that need done?  Do it, but don't go around your leadership!  Can't do something? Get help from your other brothers if you lack the ability or the task is monumental.  Thirdly, ASK your leadership, Worshipful Master, Eminent Master, Illustrious Sir, etc., what you can do.  Want to start a Demolay, Rainbow, or Eastern Star unit?  Take ACTION. Fourthly, help place Masonry in the community.  Help community involvement groups such as the Raleigh Food Bank, Autism Society, Special Olympics, Durham Rescue Mission, etc.  Volunteers are needed everywhere!  Just a post note here after the TMR, for those skeptical about this, I don't mean merging to do a fund raiser.  Most of these group don't do fund raisers per se, but they do work to take care of the needy in the community. Just like work, my company doesn't represent the food bank but we are reaching out to the community.  So taking part saying "we want to help" should not cause any conflicts of interest.  Furthermore, this would be a great opportunity to wear your lodge shirts.  Get your lodge, affiliate or appendent body involved.  Your efforts will be appreciated and you never know where you will find a candidate for a petition. A further side note here, don't forget you are supposed to know the petitioner for a minimum of a year, but again you don't know who you could run into, and you can always plant seeds.  Have an idea for a fund raiser?  Fund raisers reach the community. Community involvement recruits new members.  If you are not in the community, then what is the point of 2B1ASK1?

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Food for thought:

Caution!!! Reading this just might inflame you!

We had a great time yesterday at our 14^th District School of instruction, thanks to our DDGL, Don Butto and our DDGM Larry Hudson.  Before taking charge of the membership drives in the other bodies, most of you who regularly read the TMR know of my concerns for the bodies due to attrition.  Since then, membership and participation issues have frequently surfaced from all bodies.  This meeting reverberated the recrudescence taking place in our district, and is fueling the flames throughout the state.

Why are some lodges more successful than others?  This question was addressed in one of our membership ambassador training sessions.  As a former multi-unit hotel manager, the first person looked at when troubleshooting a failing property was the manager.  So, think about your WM.  As a lodge are you training those Wardens for a future role leading your lodge?  I asked what does Wilkerson College teach, not to demean the work, but in earnest to see what is lacking.  This education is left for the Warden on his own to pick up.  If your lodge is not having fund raisers, activities, and reaching out to the brothers AND HIS FAMILY, you are not preparing him to take the east?  If the upcoming Warden is unable to fulfill his chair’s duties should he be allowed to move up?  One doesn’t promote an assistant manager who has poor attendance, no follow through, or poor employee relationships.  In Masonry, somehow we feel we are doing the Warden a disservice by not voting him into the next chair.  Who are you really hurting?  The consequence of an unprepared warden is a decline in lodge membership, attendance, or income.

Something else they don’t teach you at Wilkerson College is membership recruitment and retention.  Is lodge only about Business, Fund Raisers, Masonic Education, Code, By-laws, and Degree work?  I recently had a brother tell me he was thinking about leaving a body because he felt there was no fellowship.  Do brothers join the lodge for work or pleasure?  One thing stands out!  A big difference between active lodges and struggling lodges is the programs and activities provided. Fund raisers can be fun but they can also be work!  Degree work can be tedious and frustrating for some who have trouble learning and is not the best place for a type A personality leader.  Another more important difference is outreach.  Does your lodge have an 

effective communication system?  If you are still using Morse Code, you might just be a little behind the times!  Do you have a multi-levels communication system?  Does your system adapt to the variant needs of the body?  It doesn’t make sense to email a brother with no computer.  Nor does it make sense to have a web page but no direct communication system such as a phone tree, email list, facebook communication, text messaging, or other direct contact method.  The program has to reach the intended market, otherwise it is of no use.  Do your members only meet for lodge or do they get together for family dinners, exercise, running, biking, or other specific interest type events?  What draws new members to your lodge?  Other members, of course.  Brothers will attract others with like interests.  Are you meeting the brother’s family’s needs? What is the wife supposed to do while the brother attends lodge?  Are you providing masonic value and morals to help raise his kids?  What?  We have something for the whole family!  Why not start or further develop an Eastern Star program, Rainbow, or Demolay program.  Do so and you will be developing your future lodge!  You will also have a list of new recruits for years to come. 

Are you afraid of change?  Is this really change?  Even though this is 2014, your grandparents were doing this and they had more membership. No they didn’t have computers and this should be an eye opener.  They had personal contact.  While we have so much more, there is no substitution for personal contact. Although it happens, the lodge is not the place for personal gain, other than the gain of a greater masonic experience.  Are you being offered a greater masonic experience at your lodge?  You can make the difference!  Why not start with a family bbq(doesn’t have to be a pig picken)?   Start by discovering your brother.  Secondly, don’t expect success by tomorrow.  Get your lodge on the same page and then accordingly develop.  One plan does not fit all. Then, make sure to invite the rest of us, because we like to share your masonic experience!

My Passion Project

What do you have to share? Over the last several years, after I joined the blue lodge, I have had the pleasure of doing one thing that intrigues me, observe people, in particular fellow Masons.  The blue lodge was very eager to raise me.  After that, I waited for all of the things, I called exciting, Masonry had to offer. And, I waited! My curiosity lead me to the York Rite first.  I observed a whole new set of issues.  I then traveled through the sands gaining yet, different experiences.  Next I ended up in the Scottish Rite, where I heard they had a larger participation. From this trip, I saw numerous needs similar to mine that were not getting fulfilled.  Among them, I saw the loss of membership through attrition. Lodges are out there begging for help because they do not have enough available officers.  I saw lodges with waiting lines for officers.  Yet, I talked to brothers who were dropping out, or were dissatisfied with their lodge, and about to drop out.  How could some lodges be thriving, while others could barely hold meetings.  I asked myself, what could I do?

The good news is apparently, I am not alone.  I see other brothers in the same vein, offering numerous ideas. Have we gotten to the root cause?   What is the root cause?  In this day and age, time is precious.  The cable tow is often stretched so tight.  We don't have much time.  No one is asking you to do it all, only what you can do! For some that might be going through the chairs.  For others that might be serving on a committee.  Have you thought about being a "mentor"?

The Masonic Experience starts in the blue lodge. Do we have a higher level of Masonry? I have heard brothers say, I belong to the York Rite, or the Scottish Rite.  I have seen brothers bypass the Rites and become Shriners.  They try to suggest one body is better than another.  Seriously?    What did you have to do to become a member of that body?  You then joined that body to enhance your own Masonic Experience, but not because it was itself a higher experience.  We should encourage our entered apprentices to gain their own experience for a better understanding by becoming members in all the bodies they can handle.  We need to not forget if it wasn't for the blue lodge we wouldn't have our own Masonic Experience to talk about.  We can share our experience with new brothers.

Before the candidate becomes an entered apprentice, he has to be investigated.  Often, the wife leaves the room, the kids are not home or they to go to their rooms. The family does not share in the information given the new candidate.  After a year the wife feels abandoned(divorced), the brother doesn't want his wife upset, so he stops attending lodge.  We do him a disservice and Masonry because we failed to offer the whole Masonic package.  The buzz is killed!

This next year, my passion is to change this.  Through the Triangle Masonic Report, membership drives, presentations, Ambassadors, mentors, phone trees, etc.  the intent is to make the information from all of the lodges, Rites, and Temples available to all Masons.  Tthrough mass communication via the numerous links in the report into the many social networks, websites, and phone calls we can handle, this will be accomplished.  This will provide all brothers equal access to all Masonry has to offer for the entire family.  By being informed, each brother has the opportunity to go to any event he has rightful access to. The end result will be a better unified group of Masons as the brother gains new friendships.  Another result will be more involvement.  The ultimate goal is to increase numbers in all the lodges, Rites, and Temples.  This is MY vision.  I CAN do this.  Will you share in this recrudescence?