Search results

There is no convincing these people. I have attended two Anti-Masonic conventions, one in St. Louis, and one in Atlanta. These people propagate all types of bizarre ideas. They said that the Shriners set up the children's hospitals, so that the Shriners could have access to the children for...

Modern technology can help. The minutes of each meeting, should be posted on the lodge website, and/or the facebook page. Printed hard copies can be provided prior to the meeting. Then the lodge can just vote. Determine if there are errors/deletions/additions to the minutes. After any necessary...

"Spiffy" is the opposite of "sloppy". I visit a lot of lodges (13 states, WashDC, and 5 foreign countries). I cringe when I see an opening ceremony, where the officers flub their lines, or when the officers giggle and chuckle like children. Masonic ceremonies should be performed with seriousness...

It is good to have this discussion. We need to offer all of our members, a quality lodge experience. If our meetings are enjoyable, and our rituals spiffy, and our programs interesting, and our meals delicious, we will have men banging on the doors trying to get in. If our meetings are...

I do not agree that the problem of retention has been over-discussed. We need to examine this phenomenon carefully. If we cannot appeal to our own membership base, how can we attract and retain new members? Masonry is losing more members to suspensions (non-payment of dues), resignations, and...

I suggest "The complete idiot's guide to Freemasonry", and "Freemasonry for Dummies". These will give you a good "overview" of the Craft and the appendant bodies. I also recommend "A Pilgrim's Path" by John Robinson. This is possibly, the finest book about Masonry, ever written by a non-Mason...

A steep decline in our membership numbers, is cause for concern. Two (2) lodges that I belonged to in the past, have had to consolidate. These lodges (Glebe 181, Arlington VA, and Master Builder 911,Tonawanda NY) are "gone with the wind". I feel sad, whenever any lodge has to close up. With the...

The Master Mason degree is not the end of your Masonic experience. It is the beginning. You need to take a breath, and examine what you have just concluded. I suggest that you look around at nearby lodges, and attend a MM degree, so that you can observe it from the sidelines. It will enforce...

If you have been paying dues for eight years, and have not been able to attend, fear not. There are many men who pay dues ,but do not attend. And no one will be upset, that you have not attended. Although you are NOT the "prodigal son", you will find that if you return to lodge, you will find a...

The first working lodges in the American Colonies, were British Military Traveling lodges. Prince Hall was made a Mason in one of them. The British Army spread Masonry throughout the world. That is why there are working lodges in English-speaking countries in Africa. Any USA Grand Lodge could...

Also: Check out: http://www.freemasoninformation.com/2009/06/there%E2%80%99s-a-hole-in-our-bucket/

Check out this interesting article: http://www.themasonictrowel.com/leadership/management/renewal/crisis_what_crisis.htm

Masonry hit its peak, in the late 1940's and early 1950's. We will never hit those numbers again. When the WW2 generation is gone, the numbers of Masons will decrease, and the average age of Masons will decrease. This is why the Masonic Renewal Task Force, studied the membership situation, and...

Agreed. When you are dealing with the tax code, always be careful. Masonic lodges, are not 501(c)3 corporations. That is why your lodge dues are not tax-deductible. And when a lodge has a fund-raising project, like for a new carpet or roof, contributions are not tax-deductible. That is why...

I am not an expert, you should consult a tax attorney. The procedure for transferring funds runs like this. Your non-profit corporation opens a bank account. Individuals can donate funds into the account. Your lodge can host a fund-raiser. The proceeds from the fund-raiser can go into the...

The procedure is simple. You set up a "foundation", and incorporate it as a non-profit corporation. You register the non-profit corporation with your state government. You register the non-profit corporation as a 501c(3) corporation with the Internal Revenue Service (Federal). Then you can...

For a more detailed statistical profile, you should contact the Masonic Service Association of North America. http://www.msana.org You can also contact the Grand Lodge office in any of the states you are interested in. Masonic membership is not secret. I personally, find these statistics...

bump- There are some terrific ideas here

I am returning to Afghanistan, in a couple of weeks. I will be more than glad to work with the GL of Texas (or any other Grand Lodge) to set up a military traveling lodge in Afghanistan.

I am back in the USA, for a short break, and to complete some additional medical exams, get a new ID card, etc. I will be returning to Afghanistan, in a couple of weeks. If you (or your lodge) want a US (or Canadian) flag, or you have previously ordered one, and not yet received it, please...