I think that it is great to see Grand Lodges evolving with the times and going digital. This make it easier for members to stay current on membership dues, verify good standing, communicate, and much more. My Grand Lodge is embracing this full steam ahead and I love it... it is something that I am surprised others are still afraid to embrace. While tradition is tradition, not embracing and taking full advantage of technology, while complaining of issues with recruitment, demonstrates a need for leadership change in my eye... but I am just one person. I found this article on the UGLE very cool and a great example of this evolution. Again, I understand and respect tradition, i.e. rituals and lodge operations, but it bothers me to see older members fight against things like digitizing records, paying dues online, and things of that sort.
GLCA has made great strides setting up online payments, free boilerplate websites, emails... but it is still the lodge’s choice whether to use them. Our Worshipful Master does not want a website, or electronic payments, or even lodge emails. The fact he embraced Zoom so heartily when the shelter orders came down was actually surprising. edit: I just watched Inside Freemasonry and Brother David (previous post) was featured in the last episode, when he was made Deputy Director of Ceremonies. A fun watch.
To be honest that article is pretty misleading as many of our Lodges in England are fully conversant with and have been using online resources for many years. It's really a bit of spin by David to the public to say "hey look how modern the Masons actually are".
There is a fun story regarding IT-security. "The CEO asked the CTO to ensure 100% security in the network. The CTO then proceeded to throw out all computers" In all honesty, if freemasonry wishes to survive going completly digital (preforming degrees etc.) is completly the wrong way. You cant secure any digital system completly. Zoom for example has had its security compromised with people being able to acess business meetings. With digital rituals its only a matter of time before they get uploaded to Youtube, Vimeo etc. and then one of the big selling points will go out the window. Ciphers etc. will be useless. Computers are usefull but there is an over reliance on them and too many people think that they are some sort of magic thing that can cure everything.
Thank you for your perspective Br. Elexir. I agree totally regarding rituals and degree work. I think it is great for communicating, checking on Brothers, publishing minutes, etc. I am a military IT professional, manager, not technician, but know that it is almost impossible to make something so secure as to not be hacked/compromised. I appreciate the comment. Stay safe.
I only know of one lodge that actually opens online, Castle Island 190. It is how they’ve conducted business since their inception. Others may follow suit... In a discussion (on Zoom) regarding hackers learning rituals, the reality of many older buildings was brought up. You can stand outside the doors of nearly every lodge I’ve been in and hear the ritual. This includes exterior doors on some buildings.
Techno-navite. I know they exist and I honestly think its an awful idea. Regarding building security that is a diffrent question. And honestly, if they cant secure their building the should either fold or put on their degrees in a park.
