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"That's not how we do it..."

jermy Bell

Registered User
My favourite reply. ( that's not the way we did , do , done, gonna do) it.

Why can't it ever be like that's the way ( we are, would like, gonna try ) it ? At times it just seems like your whipping a dead horse.

In the Times we are facing, it's time to send that dead horse to the glue factory, and start fresh with new ideas and ways to keep and preserve old tradition. Seriously, it it really that hard ?
 

Winter

Premium Member
My preacher used to say last words of a dying church "we've always done it this way."
Sent from my SM-G960U using My Freemasonry mobile app

Just as important is to understand that some things that have always been done a certain way are that way for a valid reason. All too often the reasoning gets lost because there was nobody to pass it on to in time. Look how many parts of our ritual are only in there because they have always been, regardless if anyone remembers why. Innovation can be great, especially when getting away from the ridiculous way most of our Lodges conduct business instead of Freemasonry. But at the same time, innovations can be damaging. One day degrees, no memorization or proficiency, artificially low dues, absent education program, etc. At one point in time, every Lodge who is in the negative situation it is today added one or more of these innovations and did something different.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
Just as important is to understand that some things that have always been done a certain way are that way for a valid reason.
I certainly agree. Change just for change sake is useless. If it works, don't fix it. However, when something no longer works or changing times call for different measures the old refrains "That's not the way we do it here" or "We've always did it this way" are no longer valid arguments.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
My preacher used to say last words of a dying church "we've always done it this way."

Sent from my SM-G960U using My Freemasonry mobile app
Reading some of the further quotes, it really is a question of wisdom in knowing what to change and what not, while still holding onto the essence of the organisation while using change to create a vibrant future... but what people see as the "essence" will vary. It is not having a pancake breakfast on the 3rd Sunday of odd months at 9:30 am on Saturday - that's just a tool to meet greater ends..
 

Rifleman1776

Registered User
My hometown (and where my former Lodge is located has a large retiree population. All too often someone in Lodge would jump up and say "You aren't doing it right. That's not how we did it up north". This has been heard so many times over the years the Lodge has earned a very unfavorable reputation. Just like any segment of the population we have our share of jerks. Ignore them.
 

CLewey44

Registered User
My hometown (and where my former Lodge is located has a large retiree population. All too often someone in Lodge would jump up and say "You aren't doing it right. That's not how we did it up north". This has been heard so many times over the years the Lodge has earned a very unfavorable reputation. Just like any segment of the population we have our share of jerks. Ignore them.
That is sort of rude and I hear you but masonry often slides towards a more "relaxed" or casual version of itself. Sometimes it's ok to call out when people are doing things incorrectly or in a lackadaisical manner. Depends on the situation I suppose.
 

BroCaution

Registered User
Hello,

So I've been in Freemasonry for 2 years ....

Currently going through this right now Brother. I hear the "bring forth ideas" talk all the time, but everything gets shot down or given an excuse. Very disheartening for the Mason with zeal. Sadly, I dont know the solution yet. It seems like some of the "old guard" has to move on.
 

jermy Bell

Registered User
This was exactly what was happening at the lodge I was raised. And still continues. They do the same pancake breakfast fund raiser , the business meetings are the same every time, and screwing up ritual, then teaching it to what new members they can get to stay. But also will say we need new ideas, we want your input on how to improve things here at the lodge. Then when you offer an idea, it's sit down that's not how we do things. So I demitted to another lodge where everyone has a voice. 9 out of 10 times we will give an idea a whirl. And business meetings are always fun. It's sad that you need to kinda push the old guard to the side to show them that new ideas = growth .
 

BroCaution

Registered User
As to why i'm spending this Masonic year traveling between PHA and GLoS , seeing how different Brothers operate.

But yes, its very frustrating, especially watching grown men make excuses as to why we arent operating to our fullest abilities. I was raised with 9 men and only me and 1 other Bro show up consistently. I suggest we focus on Masonic Education, and having more social events for Brothers and Candidates to raise money instead of the 1970s' "ticket pandering" mess. Older Bros and PMs agree, but when its time to put up or shut up, nothing changes...still the S.O.S. I'd rather try and influence change in my Lodge than demit, or change Jurisdictions (GLoS) but sometimes its like beating a dead horse.
 

JJones

Moderator
I was told that the GL Officers manual is just best practices and did not have to be followed.

This quote really stuck out to me. If a brother is upset with you trying to follow and share best practices with your lodge then I'd be very curious what type of lodge he wants to be a member of.

Anytime you settle for less than what you believe is the best then you are lowering your standards. This applies to everything in life, not just lodge.

I guess a good question is this; what did you learn and how might you introduce such things more effectively in the future?

This.

You really have to know your target audience. It's good that you want to improve your lodge but sometimes you have to take baby steps, especially when the brothers are being obstinant. The good news is that you have plenty of time to ease in new practices unless you just decide that you're tired of being a secretary soon.

I invite you to check out my blog in my signature below if you haven't before, hopefully, some of my content will help you out on your journey.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
Currently going through this right now Brother. I hear the "bring forth ideas" talk all the time, but everything gets shot down or given an excuse. Very disheartening for the Mason with zeal. Sadly, I dont know the solution yet. It seems like some of the "old guard" has to move on.
On thing for sure, perseverance is required.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
This was exactly what was happening at the lodge I was raised. And still continues. They do the same pancake breakfast fund raiser , the business meetings are the same every time, and screwing up ritual, then teaching it to what new members they can get to stay. But also will say we need new ideas, we want your input on how to improve things here at the lodge. Then when you offer an idea, it's sit down that's not how we do things. So I demitted to another lodge where everyone has a voice. 9 out of 10 times we will give an idea a whirl. And business meetings are always fun. It's sad that you need to kinda push the old guard to the side to show them that new ideas = growth .
"So I demitted to another lodge where everyone has a voice. 9 out of 10 times we will give an idea a whirl."
Good to read Bro !
 
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