LODGE MEMBERSHIP RETENTION
Brethren, I trust you had a great summer with some time to relax and enjoy family and fellowship. While many of our Lodges, having been dark for the hot summer days, will gather again to recommence their labors in the quarries of Freemasonry, most of our Lodges have remained at labor and continued to bring in new members and work on Lodge improvement projects. It is now time to kick off our Membership Programs as we sprint to the end of the year! It is time to make contact our members and share what your Lodge has been doing this year BEFORE dues collection. Will the dues notice be the first time members have heard from your Lodge this year? It is my hope that is not the case for your members sake!
Recently, I was speaking to a Brother Mason at a conference in Denver, CO. I was asking about his wife who had some health issues, and had followed up with him on a couple of occasions. As we sat together, he shared a sad story of how his wife had been stricken with a sudden illness and several months of recovery. He commented how much it meant that Brother Masons had supported him and his wife. He shared that his church, however, had not made one call, not one message, not one card during the time and that they knew about it because of the involvement both had with the church. They called the church to let them know that they would not be able to teach or serve on committees. His disappointment was obvious! He went on to say the first notification from the church was the annual giving notification and the pledge card! He indicated that he was so upset that he was seriously considered for a few moments not participating as he has always done. We discuss how all of us fall short in our duty to each other, but thankfully his support from the Freemasons and the great lessons from his faith and the teaching of freemasonry allowed him to pause and reflect.
What about your Lodge members that are not attending regularly? Have we forgotten them, like this example of my friend and brother? Are we only asking for their dues money and forgetting that they too are our brothers?
My Brethren, I submit it is time now to reach out, check on our members and see how they are doing. Some will need our encouragement, others may need our direct assistance and some may need to hear from a familiar friend from the past. Regardless of the situation, isn’t it part of our duty to our members? It is easy to forget those which we cannot see, especially when we are busy and focused on other things. But our “Duty is with us Always!”
So Let us take time this fall to reach out to our all of our members, establish a new habit of staying in touch, especially with those in need. Some members may only get to interact with you my brethren. Isn’t that what we value the most from our Masonic Journey, fellowship with good men and the Fraternity of Light!
Our lesson plan for the month references some ways to improve communication with your members. Find the Masonic Light Lesson plan under the resources tab at www.scgrandlodgeafm.org. Salve! Salve Frater!
Brethren, I trust you had a great summer with some time to relax and enjoy family and fellowship. While many of our Lodges, having been dark for the hot summer days, will gather again to recommence their labors in the quarries of Freemasonry, most of our Lodges have remained at labor and continued to bring in new members and work on Lodge improvement projects. It is now time to kick off our Membership Programs as we sprint to the end of the year! It is time to make contact our members and share what your Lodge has been doing this year BEFORE dues collection. Will the dues notice be the first time members have heard from your Lodge this year? It is my hope that is not the case for your members sake!
Recently, I was speaking to a Brother Mason at a conference in Denver, CO. I was asking about his wife who had some health issues, and had followed up with him on a couple of occasions. As we sat together, he shared a sad story of how his wife had been stricken with a sudden illness and several months of recovery. He commented how much it meant that Brother Masons had supported him and his wife. He shared that his church, however, had not made one call, not one message, not one card during the time and that they knew about it because of the involvement both had with the church. They called the church to let them know that they would not be able to teach or serve on committees. His disappointment was obvious! He went on to say the first notification from the church was the annual giving notification and the pledge card! He indicated that he was so upset that he was seriously considered for a few moments not participating as he has always done. We discuss how all of us fall short in our duty to each other, but thankfully his support from the Freemasons and the great lessons from his faith and the teaching of freemasonry allowed him to pause and reflect.
What about your Lodge members that are not attending regularly? Have we forgotten them, like this example of my friend and brother? Are we only asking for their dues money and forgetting that they too are our brothers?
My Brethren, I submit it is time now to reach out, check on our members and see how they are doing. Some will need our encouragement, others may need our direct assistance and some may need to hear from a familiar friend from the past. Regardless of the situation, isn’t it part of our duty to our members? It is easy to forget those which we cannot see, especially when we are busy and focused on other things. But our “Duty is with us Always!”
So Let us take time this fall to reach out to our all of our members, establish a new habit of staying in touch, especially with those in need. Some members may only get to interact with you my brethren. Isn’t that what we value the most from our Masonic Journey, fellowship with good men and the Fraternity of Light!
Our lesson plan for the month references some ways to improve communication with your members. Find the Masonic Light Lesson plan under the resources tab at www.scgrandlodgeafm.org. Salve! Salve Frater!
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