Benton
Premium Member
3- Every Grand Lodge should host a statewide Open House, similar to Massachusetts.
Just a thought on that idea, brother. I know our lodge recently tossed that idea around - having a lodge open house - as we're really starting to build up our membership again, and I think there are many that are excited about the momentum.
However, a very valid point some of the older brothers brought up is a particular church congregation in our area that is very anti-Masonic. Apparently, in the past when they've had meet and greets, open houses, etc, they've shown up at the lodge for the sole purpose of criticizing us, 'gathering information', etc. For less than honest purposes, basically. They have no interest in learning about Masonry, they simply want to find things to damn us for.
As a result, all the older brothers were particularly cautious about having an advertised open house. The compromise was having brothers invite friends to our monthly breakfast, which is open to the public anyway, and really serves the same purpose in a lot of ways. It brings in other people, people who you generally know to be trustworthy because they're friends of brothers of the lodge, and you can avoid conflict with those who wish anything but the best for our fraternity.