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Who checks on your older brethern ?

Bloke

Bloke

Premium Member
jermy Bell said:
In this time of the pandemic, and lodge is not in session, who checks and sees that the older brethren are ok and has what they need ?
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It's a really good question.

Here, in normal times, it is the Sec, Almoner and their friends (should some be surviving).

At the moment during COVID-19, is one or more of the 4 Almoners we have appointed (and they kinda self selected). A member just called me. He is in his 70's. He knew one of our older guys who is over 80. He has just been checking in with this older guy - would be the first time he has spoken to him in 20 years
(The late 70's guy resigned and reaffiliated last year. ... I've given him a job - speak to older members and write the history of the lodge in the 1980 and 1990's.. people like jobs and purpose and in calling me - he got two pieces of homework ahahahahahaa !).

*goes to call another older non-attending member*
 
H

Hasaf

Registered User
You make a good point, I don't know that anyone, at my Lodge, is doing this. I have gotten a few gently hints dropped on me about becoming the Chaplin; so I suspect that this might actually be my job.* I will contact the Secretary and discuss it with him.

. . . . Wow did that ever get a fast response! As an example of the," He who names it, owns it" rule, yep, it's my job. A list is being put together right now.



* I am in a program for a degree in Pastoral Ministry that is heavily subsidized by the local diocese. My job requires that I continually take college courses, and, being a generally cheap person, I find heavily subsidized to be an attractive feature in a college program.
 
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P

Pointwithinacircle3

Registered User
Hasaf said:
* I am in a program for a degree in Pastoral Ministry that is heavily subsidized by the local diocese. My job requires that I continually take college courses, and, being a generally cheap person, I find heavily subsidized to be an attractive feature in a college program.
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While I do not wish to highjack the thread it is worth noting that in some states people over 60 can attend classes at state supported colleges on a space available basis with out paying tuition. I do this at my local university.
 
Bloke

Bloke

Premium Member
Bloke said:
It's a really good question.
Hasaf said:
You make a good point, I don't know that anyone, at my Lodge, is doing this. I have gotten a few gently hints dropped on me about becoming the Chaplin; so I suspect that this might actually be my job.* I will contact the Secretary and discuss it with him.

. . . . Wow did that ever get a fast response! As an example of the," He who names it, owns it" rule, yep, it's my job. A list is being put together right now.



* I am in a program for a degree in Pastoral Ministry that is heavily subsidized by the local diocese. My job requires that I continually take college courses, and, being a generally cheap person, I find heavily subsidized to be an attractive feature in a college program.
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if it is to be it is up to me ! (or in this case, I am happy to say, you :).. but I would recommend you enlist some helpers..)
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H

Hasaf

Registered User
Hopefully, people are still reading this thread.

Here is the reality, I don't do sociable well. I am a failure at Smalltalk. Before I pick up the phone I want a plan. As I am no fan of reinventing the wheel, are there any scripts, talking points, or checklists that other lodges are using for this?

Some of the people on the list have not been active for years. I want to avoid sounding like a telemarketer and getting hung up on before I get started (although I have no doubt it will happen). I also do not want to use any language that sounds like I am pressuring them in any way.

When thinking of starting this programme, we are talking about the first call, any thoughts about the below as a basic guideline?
  • This call is:
    • To be kept very lite/social
    • To gently remind them that they are a Mason
    • To check for Sickness or Distress to be brought before the Lodge, or kept confidential at their request
  • This call is not:
    • To pressure for dues or even attendance
      • depending on the tone of the conversation, "we would love to see you at Lodge," may be acceptable
      • On the first call, "What can we do to get you to Lodge more frequently?" would be excessive pressure and not to be used.

If you don't have a sample that your lodge, or Grand Lodge, have developed, please consider the following questions:
  • What telephone greeting would put you most at ease and be most willing to continue a conversation (e.g. "Hi, I'm [Hasaf] calling from Masonic lodge xxx and . . . ,"
    • . . . And What!, what puts you at ease and makes you willing to continue the conversation?)
  • What would you want to be asked by a fellow Mason?
  • Anything else?

This is what I came up with really fast. The actual document is shared with several at the lodge too. I am very interested in suggestions.

Hi, this is _____ calling from Masonic Lodge _______.

The first thing I need to let you know is that the regular Lodge meetings have been suspended due to the COVID 19 situation. The plan is to give you a call once we start meeting again.

As we haven’t seen you for a while, this call is also a general wellness check, are you doing well?

Are there any issues of sickness or distress that you want to be brought before the lodge?

It’s good to have spoken with you, I will make a note to call back in about a month, or when we start having regular meetings again.
​
 
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jermy Bell

jermy Bell

Registered User
Hi my name is ( ) I'm calling on behalf of ( ) masonic lodge making a courtesy call to make sure that you are doing ok, and to see if there is anything that you may need ?

If this is a member that hasn't been in lodge in quite awhile , tell them that that are missed in lodge, and maybe see if you can arrange a ride to lodge.

End it with ,
1. Am happy to hear that you are alright in these times.
2. If there is anything the lodge can do for you, please let us know, because we are here for you.

I think it's pretty straight forward. Without being to forward.
 
Warrior1256

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
Glen Cook said:
I’ve been saying, “This is Glen Cook. Is Robert Smith available? Hi, Brother Smith. Just checking on members of the Scottish Rite. Everything okay? (Replies). Give me a holler if we can be of service. “
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Short, unobtrusive and to the point. I'll use this one myself.
 
Bloke

Bloke

Premium Member
(I think there is something strange in having to introduce yourself to your own Lodge members... I have one or two members where I say "G'day, <name> from <Lodge Name> just checking in on you and how you are going... but they know who I am... but this calling members is awesome ! The only time I really have to do introduce myself is when I get a wife who I don't know, but that is also rare, several of the wives have my mobile and call me themselves.. .. The aim is to get them talking and if they don't just letting them know we are there if we need them and getting off the call. You need to deliver the message they can contact you and you care, but also if they don't want to talk, respect that and get off the phone; you want your call to be positive and not annoying, asking if they have time to talk is always good move if they seem distracted, but don't see a short call as a failure. The fact you called them matters.)
 
Canadian Paul

Canadian Paul

Registered User
My lodge has a fantastic Almoner who not only checks on all members but also our Widows. He has commented on how happy the Widows are to know the Lodge is thinking of them.

Take care, Brethren, and stay safe.
 
I

Ian Thompson

Registered User
In our Group, each lodge has nominated a SPOC (Specific Point Of Contact) and several volunteers who are willing to contact brethren, check on their well-being, and also to carry out routine tasks (shopping etc...) whilst the lockdown is on.
Being the SPOC for my lodge, I contact all the brethren at least once a week to check if they need anything, and to those living alone, at least twice a week.
3 lodge members are under self-isolation, so their shopping is collected and delivered by myself or one of the other volunteers.
Our lodge Almoner is also in frequent contact with the widows and brethren, all of whom are grateful that they are in others thoughts.
 
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