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| Author | Topic: Education |
| John Miller |
posted 10/13/08 6:53 PM
Taking a poll..... What type of education is needed to retain membership and how do we acheive this goal? |
| larry fellows |
posted 10/13/08 10:01 PM
I've been asked a few times how do you become a mason. I know we don't go looking for members maybe there is away we can let some of these men know what they need to do. |
| Jim Chapman |
posted 10/14/08 7:28 AM
During my year as Master I asked myself the same question, but the question was more along the line of how do we get members to come back. these days young men want their time to be valuable or worth their effort. It is not for us to say that coming to lodge and hearing the same jokes or doing the same thing everyweek is enough. This simply will not retain membership. We must become visible in the community and for the lack of a better term, make Masonry look "fun". During my year we formed a softball team and a bowling team. This made us highly visible and the brothers had a great time week after week, even the older brothers came out to support and participate. When a brother has something more than ritual to look foward to every week it makes him want to be involved in every aspect of lodge. Noe granted this is not for everyone, but the question was how do we retain membership. |
| William Ball |
posted 10/16/08 2:00 PM
John being a newly raised brother in the past couple of months I can speak on behalf of a lot of the new brothers when I say that being able to spend the time with you and the other brothers on those Thursday evening meetings was a wonderful experience. Just entering the Lodge; there was quite a lot about Masonry that none of us knew and the effort and time that was put in by so many to assist us newly made brothers in preparing for our proficencies and enlightening us into the history and traditions of Masonry was not only greatly appreciated but it was also our first real experience as to what it really means to be a Mason. The willingness for one to spend just moments of their time to help another out or to just lend an ear as to what concerns or questions we as new brothers may have was an excellant introduction to us as to what it means to be a Mason. It kept a lot of us coming back each week to learn more, as well as to spend time joking and building friendships. I think if you truly want to retain memberships and inspire others to become more active then it is detrimental that somebody pick up the banner and continue on these weekly meetings, not only for the newly made brothers but for those brothers who may have forgotten things over the years or never truly understood all that they could have. I hope this ranting has been of some help and again I want to thank you and all of the other brothers for all that has been done to enlighten me as to this fraternity that is ours. |
| Mike Barham |
posted 10/19/08 11:23 PM
Brethren, Masonry has always espoused, and Masons have always been seekers of Light. Each of us must keep our quest for further light alive within ourselves. We must continue to be seekers of Light. King Solomon, humbly, asked for wisdom and a discerning heart to govern his people and was granted his request. As a result, he excelled in prudence, knowledge, justice and insight, and his wisdom's fame spread to all surrounding nations. He set the example for us, as Masons, to follow. We should, each one of us, take his lead. It's a fun trip. By-the-way, in the Great Light of Masonry, there are several references to wisdom and the benefits of seeking and having wisdom. I'm reminded of a very wise philosopher, Tao, who said, so eloquently, "The journey is the reward". Seeking wisdom should be our daily goal in our 'journey' of life. Now, I told you that to tell you this. In answer to WB John's question, I do think that the practice of continued education in Masonry is essential. In the first year of a MM's quest for Light and knowledge he should attend as many degrees and stated meetings as he, possibly, can. And, his mentor should be right along side of him. Ask questions, read and study on your own and get out and visit other lodges in your district, and in other grand jurisdictions when time and opportunity permit. This is how we learn. |
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