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!

Candidates are the greatest gift and responsibility... How to loose them

Bloke

Premium Member
Candidates are the greatest gift and responsibility a Lodge can have.

That's how my lodges think...

Can you think of moments or circumstances where you lost a new Freemason and knew that would be the outcome ?

Can you think of a moment or circumstance you resigned from a lodge because of a systematic problem we could address to help retention of members ?
 

Angler

Registered User
We have lost more than one EA who should not have been initiated in the first place. We use like-ability rather than character and commitment as our standard for admission.
 

Bloke

Premium Member
In my view they were not really suitable to be WM and they realized that and could see no way out but to quit.
[/QUOTE]

There are many purists in a lodge, all too often they focus solely on ritual. In my lodges we have researchers, newsletter editors, guys who run the building - operational and strategically, guys organizing social activities,guys involed in music, guys working on social activities, and then general pastoral care for members. Funny, we don't really do much specialized fundraising, but its a subject we touch on - we normally just rely on raffles and quarantining off some of our dues for charity. All this takes many hands, and it is really useful to have talent who are not interested in participating in ritual, but want to help - there is a lot of jobs they can do.

I actually met a guy yesterday who is very involved in the community, he was a member of his lodge but resigned 30 years ago when he declined to go into the chair and was told "that's not good enough!!" He had a young family, was into scouts, schools and all sorts of other stuff, and some idiot past masters lost him to the Craft...and yes, you guessed it, the lodge no longer exists... Funny thing, he and his wife were otherwise really positive about the lodge. Both are not heavily involved in a community organisation (President and Treasurer with 300 members).... those PMs cost the Craft that talent, enthusiasm and commitment - all because they only saw the world one way... Destructive Idiots...
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
That situation was equally the result of a secretary actively recruiting nice guys and the lodge pushing the brethren up the ladder too fast.
I can see how that can be a problem but it can also have the opposite effect. I was raised in August 2014 and was elected Senior Deacon 4 months later. I threw myself into the role and learned everything I could as fast as I could. I enjoyed it greatly. This month I was elected Junior Warden and am doing the same. Being advanced quickly in my case just made me relish Masonry all the more.
 

cemab4y

Premium Member
Any time you accept a new member into your lodge, there is a risk that he might resign (or leave the organization). I would like to see lodges work with new members, and make them know that they are appreciated. You should not force a man into a position that he does not want to be in.
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
To me, one of the beauties of Freemasonry is that there is a way for every Brother to use whatever his particular skill set may be to contribute to & support his Lodge.
 

Radical540

Registered User
Any time you accept a new member into your lodge, there is a risk that he might resign (or leave the organization). I would like to see lodges work with new members, and make them know that they are appreciated. You should not force a man into a position that he does not want to be in.
I will soon be transferring from my original lodge because they continue to allow unsavory candidates come thru the door! I can't deal with it anymore.
 

Radical540

Registered User
Exactly!
The "powers that be" make a run like the 50 yard dash, to the office to grab petitions for ANYONE interested.
If they could, I'm sure they be admitting women. It's lunacy!
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
Exactly!
The "powers that be" make a run like the 50 yard dash, to the office to grab petitions for ANYONE interested.
If they could, I'm sure they be admitting women. It's lunacy!
I've heard a number of complaints on this forum about lodges seemingly lowering standards to increase membership.
 

Radical540

Registered User
"Crap" rolls down hill! The Grand Lodge of Michigan is OBSESSED with maintaining membership at WHATEVER costs necessary!!
We voted to remove 25 guys due to NPD and the Grand Lodge overturned it saying we didn't try hard enough to locate (complete B.S!!!!!!).
(They want their per capita at all costs!!)
 

Randy81

Premium Member
I was told in my lodge in 2015 did 15 EAs, 1 FC, and 0 MM degrees. I'm not sure what the issue is/was, but I don't think it's the lodge as I've loved it and have had zero issues with anything.
 
Top