Making Past Masters feel like they belong.

[Brother_Steve]

So one of the tasks I've assigned myself is to brainstorm on how to get participation back into lodge. Right now, I'm concentrating on getting the purple back into lodge.

One idea I have is to create a set of wood lockers for sitting officers and past masters to hang their jewel, apron and maybe a suit depending on where we would locate it.

It is a *nod* to the PM's that show up and reserved space could be accounted for to accommodate past masters that get the word of what we're doing and wish to have a spot.

Each door would be engraved with a brass plate with their name.

This is the image that I'm 'stealing' my idea from.

 

[Bloke]

It's a nice nod. I've actually had the idea for lockers, like you , to make people feel they belong and give them a sense of ownership, but also on a different rationale, to make it easier for them to attend (I would love to see showers as well so members can come straight from work) and as a revenue raising move - I've suggested we charge rent on the lockers.

With my locker idea, they would be available for all. At the end of the day, the future of the lodge rests with obtaining then retaining and developing new members. That should be one of only the few goals of PMs and one of the primary ones. Support (not interference and not blocking) WMs should be their other role, along with assisting in the masonic development of members via ritual but especially education. Also to walk around smiling a lot and showering encouragement and happiness on all.

In my experience PMs having a job, and especially one they enjoy, will see them attend. In one lodge I know, that meant appointing a PM as support to each progressive officer seeing them prompt that individual and sit next to them. It's also created a link between the past and the future leaders. The problem with it is that some MM are using them as a crutch and I'm watching the results closely.

Flipping your problem around, why do the PMs who are attending do so ? I would ask them how to get your "purple" ('dark blue' here) how to attendee. There might be some on the fringe of occasional attendance, but I know the PMs we have here attend because they enjoy it and want to support their lodge and their friends and the future of the lodge.

I guess that would be key in my approach, finding personally satisfying (enjoyable) ways they can support the lodge.

We've done that by

• Giving them charges
• Making them mentors (not just ritual and education but also support in the lives of new brothers)
  
• Putting them in charge of EAs and FCs when we are working in higher degrees - during which they host discussions
• Getting them to work with specific officers at rehearsal in corners
• Giving them outside projects they then report on at lodge in lodge (newsletter, web site, building, almoners groups, GL, socials)
• Getting PMs to mentor and shepherd PMs into new roles, upskilling each other
• Giving PMs liaison roles with GL or other masonic bodies (like Masonic homes or wider masonic charity work).

I think you are completely on the right track brother - trying to positively influence how PMs feel about the lodge to influence them to support it and its members. The lockers is simple a vehicle to influence their feeling, you should also try to look for less labour intense and more ways to influence how they feel.

 

[Warrior1256]

In one lodge I know, that meant appointing a PM as support to each progressive officer seeing them prompt that individual and sit next to them. It's also created a link between the past and the future leaders.

I really like this! Makes them feel needed and respected.

 

[jermy Bell]

I understand wanting to make past masters feel wanted, but I've seen in a few lodges, that they wanna reach the east as fast as they can to get the past masters apron. Then after they get it, most don't show up for degree work, and a few that do don't want to do anything but sit on the sidelines. So, I'm a bit baffled........

 

[Bloke]

I understand wanting to make past masters feel wanted, but I've seen in a few lodges, that they wanna reach the east as fast as they can to get the past masters apron. Then after they get it, most don't show up for degree work, and a few that do don't want to do anything but sit on the sidelines. So, I'm a bit baffled........

Then they are there for themselves and not to support their lodge, their members or their warrant.

 

[Warrior1256]

I understand wanting to make past masters feel wanted, but I've seen in a few lodges, that they wanna reach the east as fast as they can to get the past masters apron. Then after they get it, most don't show up for degree work, and a few that do don't want to do anything but sit on the sidelines.

I have seen this as well as some not attending lodge at all after they leave the East.

Then they are there for themselves and not to support their lodge, their members or their warrant.

Very true.

 

[dfreybur]

I understand wanting to make past masters feel wanted, but I've seen in a few lodges, that they wanna reach the east as fast as they can to get the past masters apron. Then after they get it, most don't show up for degree work, and a few that do don't want to do anything but sit on the sidelines. So, I'm a bit baffled........

Some Brothers go through the line and stay active. Other Brothers go through the line and disappear. Some even do both - After my first time through the line I relocated and went through the line again. Most of the Brothers at my mother lodge just saw me go up and out.

At lodge meetings we often approach half PMs. Yet certain PMs rarely show up. it evens out in the wash.

 

[Warrior1256]

At lodge meetings we often approach half PMs. Yet certain PMs rarely show up. it evens out in the wash.

Also true here.