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Going Dark and Slacking

billyjfootball

Registered User
My lodge went dark after our stated meeting in June. From that point, until now, I have slacked completely. I was planning on memorizing the EA degree, so that I could become the Junior Warden. I have most of it down from all of the work I did prior to going dark. It's just upsetting because I had really planned on getting ahead during these summer months. I've just been so busy with new teaching job, kids, vacations, and coaching.

I was just curious as to how much work you guys have done this summer (if you had gone dark). Plus, I'm wondering if it's normal to put Freemasonry aside for a few months? Don't get me wrong, I'm still following the lessons and trying to be the best man possible; I'm still in love with Freemasonry. I'm just feeling a bit...guilty.


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LK600

Premium Member
I couldn't imagine my lodge going dark. I'm not sure I understand why they would anyway. It must be hard.
 

Elexir

Registered User
Sure, I just don't get why I guess. Is it financial or...?

In Sweden lodges go dark over the summer during the period where most people have vacation but then we have periods with 2-3 meetings a month (sometimes even more, a lodge I visit sometimes hold 2 meetings a week most weeks) with degree work.
 

billyjfootball

Registered User
Our lodge goes dark because it's extremely hot during the summer months. Unfortunately, most of the lodges in my district were built in the mid to late 19th century, so there's no air conditioning. Believe it or not, it gets really hot during the winter months too. Our fellowship rooms are on second floor, our lodge room is on third.

One of the joys of living in PA, I guess.


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Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
One lodge that I visit goes from two meetings a month to one in June, July and August but the rest meet same as usual in the summer months.

I have done a lot of memorization this summer but then I am retired with no children at home so that I have plenty of time to do this.
 

MasterBulldawg

Registered User
My lodge meets on the 1st and 3rd Mondays so we go dark the first meeting of July, August and September because of the holidays. I usually use to visit other lodges that are meeting. But I did hear the crops, heat and family vacations thing too as reason to go to go totally dark those months.
 

MarkR

Premium Member
Used to be so crops could be tended to....

But these days I see no real use for it.
Historically, my lodge was very much an agricultural lodge; brothers needed to be farming in the summer. Now? As others have said, we have a very old building (we've been in this location since 1877) and the lodge room is upstairs. It is not air-conditioned, and becomes unbearably hot in the summer. Also, as others have said, families want to do vacations and other activities during the summer. We have a relatively young officer line, with many of them having school-aged kids. We'd probably have difficulty getting enough attendance to open the lodge if we tried to stay active all summer. So, we're dark in July and August.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
My lodge went dark after our stated meeting in June. From that point, until now, I have slacked completely. I was planning on memorizing the EA degree, so that I could become the Junior Warden. I have most of it down from all of the work I did prior to going dark. It's just upsetting because I had really planned on getting ahead during these summer months. I've just been so busy with new teaching job, kids, vacations, and coaching.

I was just curious as to how much work you guys have done this summer (if you had gone dark). Plus, I'm wondering if it's normal to put Freemasonry aside for a few months? Don't get me wrong, I'm still following the lessons and trying to be the best man possible; I'm still in love with Freemasonry. I'm just feeling a bit...guilty.


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In Victoria Australia, lodges generally meet 11 times per year... we skip the Dec or Jan meeting, depending how late or early you meet in the month... Generally if you meet in the first three weeks, you'll meet in Dec and skip Jan. If in the last week or so of the month, skip Dec and meet in Jan...
 

CLewey44

Registered User
I think up north being dark in winter months makes more sense. Winter is rough up here...Just experienced my first one in Rochy. If not closed in the winter, I think year round is good. Maybe reduce down to one meeting per month during summer or winter.
 

Brother_Steve

Premium Member
In Victoria Australia, lodges generally meet 11 times per year... we skip the Dec or Jan meeting, depending how late or early you meet in the month... Generally if you meet in the first three weeks, you'll meet in Dec and skip Jan. If in the last week or so of the month, skip Dec and meet in Jan...
I am torn between once a month and twice a month. We meet twice a month. Factor in rehearsals and district lodge and it could mean being out of the house a minimum of 3 times and as high as 6 ~ 8 times in a month.

For me, I am out 4 times a month.

Twice for stated. Once for district instruction. Once for craftsmans club. That is where we get together informally for fellowship and discuss upcoming fundraisers that have been already set.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
I guess it's not really the frequency - but the quality of meeting.

I've been a bit worried about my mother lodge because attendance has been falling. With 40 members, we're only getting 12-18 members attending. We had 16 last meeting with 3 visitors - but we had a great time. Full close was the work, so we were in the South by 8:40 pm after a 7:30 start. A great dinner with a great vibe and we all had a great night, with the tyler's toast just after 10 pm, so it was not that late, but several people hung around for a while chatting.

By the time we have 1 meeting and 1 rehearsal, it feels about right... it also creates gaps were we can go to the pub one night and do other things outside lodge.
 

CLewey44

Registered User
Yikes!
One of my lodges is 4 x year. My chapter is 3 x year. Just right.

I like the idea of this, Bro. Glen. Maybe up to monthly meetings but sometimes less is more. Twice a month, plus special meetings and degree work can be pretty overwhelming sometimes.
 
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