My Freemasonry | Freemason Information and Discussion Forum
Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
What would you like to see changed in the Masonic experience?
- Thread starter cemab4y
- Start date
- Status
What would I like changed? I would like to see more Masons actually work instead of telling the real workers to do more work. Instead of proposing more and more programs, actually work some programs. Instead of telling us all what is wrong with Freemasonry, get out there and fix Freemasonry. Thems that can does. Thems that can't posts.
cemab4y
Premium Member
I would also like to see more Masons contribute to their lodges MORE than their dues. Contributions can take many forms, "sweat equity", driving the widows to the doctor, directing/advising youth groups, etc etc.
Society, demographics, economics, a declining membership base, are all forcing changes onto the Craft (and the appendants). We can manage these changes, or not.
I once volunteered to assist in the administration of a DeMolay chapter. I took the adult advisor classes, and supervised some of the activities. (Lazer tag games, etc).
The DDGM criticized me, for getting involved in the new DeMolay chapter. There was already a chapter in the local area.
I once offered to lead volunteers in my home lodge (KY), who wished to adopt a stretch of highway. Members of the lodge who were opposed to the project, and who never wanted to assist anyway, shot the project down.
When I was at Al Asad, Iraq. The military lodge at Speicher asked me to take over the leadership. I volunteered at once, I was delighted! I donated many hours to the project, obtaining all of the equipment to run the lodge. The GL of NY, told me that I needed to join a NY lodge, so that I could participate. I sent in $100, and joined Master Builder lodge in Tonawanda, NY. The GL directed me to send the charter back, to be displayed in the Masonic museum. The GL owns the charter, so I sent it back. I was promised, that the lodge would receive a new charter, next year (This was in December 2005). I never received a charter, and the lodge never operated at Al Asad. We set up a square and compass club, so that we could have snacks and soda pop, and fellowship.
I spoke with a brother Mason, who was a CPA in New Jersey, to get some advice about how we could order Masonic supplies. I got a blistering letter from the Grand Secretary of the GL of KY, for asking for advice from a Mason from a different GL.
Ever since I was raised (Sept 1982)., I have donated many many hours to the Craft (and the appendants), and attempted to start and run several projects. I have been criticized, bullied, everything except tarred and feathered, for serving the Craft. I wish I had a nickel for every time I have been told "We never did it that way before". My standard answer is "Then we are lucky, we get to go first!"
Last edited:
cemab4y
Premium Member
I honestly do not think there is anything seriously "wrong" with Freemasonry/appendants. Nevertheless, our Craft can make some changes, that will enhance the Masonic experience, and help to ensure our continued survival. Adding more daylight lodges, to accommodate our older membership base, is not really a change, more of an "adaptation". Being able to pay dues on-line through PayPal or Payliance, will not alter our ancient landmarks. Phasing out print newsletters, and publishing on-line only, is just a way of using current technology.
"How many Masons does it take to change a light bulb?" Answer- None, Masons do not believe in change. And if you tried to change it, everyone would say, that "we never did it that way before".
"How many Masons does it take to change a light bulb?" Answer- None, Masons do not believe in change. And if you tried to change it, everyone would say, that "we never did it that way before".
You left out all your efforts to establish a Masonic "employment bureau" and what about your efforts to get Masonic license plates and your advocacy for a
"national" GL.
If I was as discontented with Masonry as you appear to be, I would resign.
Well, these and having a few more visiting dignitaries lecture to the attending Brothers on getting out there and inviting non-attending Brothers to attend once again. That would surely contribute to getting the organization back to glory.
Long ago I realized that you could effect the outcome of a debate if you could control the words used in the discussion. For example, In your "answer" you used three plurals: Masons, everyone, we. <Big Sigh> Plurals discuss, Individuals accomplish.
Would you like to know how many Masons it takes to change a light bulb in my Lodge? Answer - Nobody knows, because when no one was looking I just reached up, unscrewed the burned bulb, screwed in a new one, and walked away. Yeah, it cost me 89 cents. But listening to the Brothers say "duh, is there more light in here?" made it all worthwhile. I used exactly the same strategy when it came to Masonic education. I didn't ask permission or form a committee study the problem. I just researched, organized, and presented. By the time they realized what hit them I was sitting back down.
Last edited:
LOL! I can SO relate! I asked just once and got back: Bro. Nagy, we don't need no masonic education books being written. We have all the masonic education materials we need.
That was just before I release Building Hiram (Volume 1 of 9 of the Uncommon Masonic Education Series). I never looked back!
Last edited:
cemab4y
Premium Member
During my ten(10) years in Iraq/Afghanistan, I have been as active as I could be. This sounds like a cop-out, but it really isn't . Some Army commanders are delighted to have an activity like a S&C club. Some refuse any such activity at all.
Since my return to the USA in Jan 2014, I have not been active in my home lodge. (I live in Virginia, my lodge is in KY).
Since I was notified of my assignment to Kuwait, I have been researching Freemasonry in the emirate. I have tried to reach out to Masons who have served in Kuwait in the past. Once I arrive, I would like to set up a working lodge, but considering the experiences I have had in the past, getting a chartered lodge is not likely. I do plan to set up a "Square and Compasses" club, if the Army permits me to do so.
cemab4y
Premium Member
I cannot remember every project, that I have contributed towards, in my 33 years of Freemasonry. I am proud to say, that I enjoyed every one of them. If I have contributed to the advancement of Freemasonry in a few small ways, then fine.
I am especially proud of my work, in getting Dr. Kafoglis to introduce and sponsor the legislation, to get Masonic license plates in KY. I never consulted with anyone at the Grand Lodge. If I did, they would have ignored the project, or else "talked" it to death.
One small nit-pick: I have NEVER advocated a "National" Grand Lodge. That is nonsense on stilts.
I am NOT discontented with Freemasonry. I have cherished my Masonic experience. My father and both of my Grandfathers were Masons. I have my grandfather's heirloom diamond Masonic ring, and I wear it with pride and remembrance of my family's Masonic tradition.
If you believe that am discontented you are wrong.
I will NEVER resign my efforts to improve and enhance the Masonic experience.
"It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds." - Samuel Adams
Last edited:
cemab4y
Premium Member
I have often endured much criticism for speaking the truth. I tell people that the membership numbers for Masonry, in most states and nationally, are declining. Many masons refuse to acknowledge this fact.
See [URL]http://msana.com/msastats.asp[/url] and decide for yourself.
If you believe that obtaining a web page/facebook page, and enabling members to pay dues on line, will return Masonry to the membership numbers enjoyed in the post-WW2 years, then you are mistaken.
I (and many others) believe that Freemasonry is ideal for the internet. Greater use of the internet, is vital in a "holistic" approach to a renaissance of the Craft.
see [URL]http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/freemasonry_internet.html[/URL]
I am continually amazed at the number of Masons who are not convinced of the value of the internet.
Last edited:
cemab4y
Premium Member
These ideas have some worth! Most stated meetings are BORING. If meetings were more interesting, and the meetings offered VALUE to the membership, it follows that attendance will increase.
Iowa (and other states) have "rusty nail" and "rusty trowel" programs. There is even a "fun degree" that is performed. I believe that reaching out to our inactive members, is part of the "holistic" approach, that could lead to a renaissance. After all, if we cannot give value to our existing membership base, we will never be able to attract and hold new members.
Such a lecture would only be welcome if meetings were of value to those who would attend. As a whole, they do not have value enough for a return, even if it were to go through a made up degree that is designed to make someone feel good about attending. Such activities have limited appeal. Once you realize it's a theatrical society, you either accept this and joyfully participate OR you go elsewhere realizing you'll never get what you thought you were paying for.
LAMason
Premium Member
This is a false claim that I debunked in another Forum. Dr. Kafoglis did not introduce and sponsor the legislation. Here is one of your many posts about it and my reply.
"…When I decided that Kentucky Masons should have the ability to obtain a Masonic license plate, I did NOT go to the Grand Lodge. If I had, they would have debated it to death, and said "We never had a license plate before", and the project never would have gotten off the ground.
I accomplished the task, by going straight to my state senator. I got a copy of the Pennsylvania legislation, and he just crossed out "Pennsylvania", and wrote in "Kentucky". He then submitted it to the legislature, for passage. Now the masons of Kentucky can get an official plate, and the Grand Lodge of Kentucky gets a $7 rebate on every plate sold."
When I first saw his claim, I thought it unlikely that a State Legislature would pass an act affecting the Grand Lodge of that state without some input or agreement from the Grand Lodge.Once the plate was authorized it would have to be designed and certainly that design would have to be approved by the Grand Lodge.The documentation required for authorization to purchase the plate would also have to be determined; again Grand Lodge input would almost certainly be required.Further if the Grand Lodge did not approve or consent to the plate then the Grand Master would in all likelihood issue an edict prohibiting their purchase or display by members of the Grand Lodge.
The claim that the Senator “just crossed out ‘Pennsylvania’, and wrote in ‘Kentucky’. He then submitted it to the legislature, for passage” is also highly suspect since the proposed legislation would be changing an existing Kentucky statute, the legislation would have to specifically reference the existing Kentucky statute.
After a little research it became obvious that there were inconsistencies in the story.While the legislation was introduced in 1992, it was not introduced by the Senator, it was a House Bill introduced by two representatives:
/LRC_Sessions/92RS/bills/hb731.htm (2 hits)
HB 731/LM (BR 2269) - R. Adkins, R. Bentley
AN ACT relating to special license plates.
Create new section of KRS Chapter 186 to provide for special license plates
for members of http://www.lrc.ky.gov/lrcsearch
While I am inclined to think the story is total BS, I will give you the benefit of the doubt and just say you must have had a “Brian Williams moment”.
cemab4y
Premium Member
You should see:
[URL]http://grandlodgeofiowa.org/docs/Ceremonies/RustyNails.pdf[/URL]
[URL='http://[URL]http://grandlodgeofiowa.org/docs/Ceremonies/RustyNails.pdf']Reaching our inactive members, is a laudable goal. If we can get inactives back to lodge, and interested in their Craft, then the Craft will benefit. Many inactives have sons, grandsons, friends, etc. If we can one inactive member re-energized, it has the potential, to bring others into a knowledge of Freemasonry, and perhaps petitioning.
I believe also, that we should inquire of our inactive brothers, WHY are you inactive? Is there something lacking in your Masonic experience? Can you tell us what we need to differently? If we can find our the WHY, then maybe we can also determine HOW to make an inactive Mason, active again![/URL]
Last edited:
cemab4y
Premium Member
This is a false claim that I debunked in another Forum. Dr. Kafoglis did not introduce and sponsor the legislation. Here is one of your many posts about it and my reply.
cemab4y wrote:
"…When I decided that Kentucky Masons should have the ability to obtain a Masonic license plate, I did NOT go to the Grand Lodge. If I had, they would have debated it to death, and said "We never had a license plate before", and the project never would have gotten off the ground.
I accomplished the task, by going straight to my state senator. I got a copy of the Pennsylvania legislation, and he just crossed out "Pennsylvania", and wrote in "Kentucky". He then submitted it to the legislature, for passage. Now the masons of Kentucky can get an official plate, and the Grand Lodge of Kentucky gets a $7 rebate on every plate sold."
When I first saw his claim, I thought it unlikely that a State Legislature would pass an act affecting the Grand Lodge of that state without some input or agreement from the Grand Lodge.Once the plate was authorized it would have to be designed and certainly that design would have to be approved by the Grand Lodge.The documentation required for authorization to purchase the plate would also have to be determined; again Grand Lodge input would almost certainly be required.Further if the Grand Lodge did not approve or consent to the plate then the Grand Master would in all likelihood issue an edict prohibiting their purchase or display by members of the Grand Lodge.
The claim that the Senator “just crossed out ‘Pennsylvania’, and wrote in ‘Kentucky’. He then submitted it to the legislature, for passage” is also highly suspect since the proposed legislation would be changing an existing Kentucky statute, the legislation would have to specifically reference the existing Kentucky statute.
After a little research it became obvious that there were inconsistencies in the story.While the legislation was introduced in 1992, it was not introduced by the Senator, it was a House Bill introduced by two representatives:
/LRC_Sessions/92RS/bills/hb731.htm (2 hits)
HB 731/LM (BR 2269) - R. Adkins, R. Bentley
AN ACT relating to special license plates.
Create new section of KRS Chapter 186 to provide for special license plates
for members of http://www.lrc.ky.gov/lrcsearch
While I am inclined to think the story is total BS, I will give you the benefit of the doubt and just say you must have had a “Brian Williams moment”.
The process of how the legislation was first considered by Dr. Kafoglis, and his instructions to me, are factual. Of course, there are some intervening steps, of which I was not brought in on. I saw the first draft of the legislation, and some of his notes. After that, I am really in the dark.
It is not without precedent, that a legislative act could occur, without the knowledge of the Grand Lodge. The bizarre situation in Arkansas is one example:
[URL]http://freemasoninformation.com/2010/03/grand-masters-ruling-hurtful/[/URL]
Arkansas got masonic license plates, and the GL of Ark, was completely in the dark! Now, if an Arkansas Mason purchases a plate, and displays one, he will be expelled from Masonry.
- Status