THE 4 "Ms" of LODGE MANAGEMENT

All businesses must be properly managed in order to be successful and profitable for its owners or shareholders. Recent statistics show that eight out of ten new businesses started in the United States fail in the first year due to improper management.

Our Lodges fall under the category of a business and the task of proper management falls upon the management team, i.e. the Master, Wardens, Secretary and Treasurer. How they perform their various duties and their interaction with the other officers and members in general have a direct effect on the success or failure of a Lodge.

The make-up of the Membership must be understood in order for the Lodge to fulfill their needs, desires and their ability to participate. The management team should know the number of members in their Lodge, the number of 40-year members and the names and number of those who are unable to attend due to health reasons. It is the Master's duty to keep abreast of those who are in need of a visit and to work with the Chaplain as he ministers to those in need.

Money is an indispensable part of Lodge management. If a Lodge does not plan and prepare a budget, it is like going on a road trip without a destination in mind. How will you know when you get there? Most Lodges have fund raisers to provide money to give back to their community. If a Lodge has to depend on fund raisers to have enough money to operate, they should consider increasing their dues to cover operating expenses.

The dictionary defines Morale as the mental condition in regard to courage, confidence or enthusiasm. Morale or esprit de corps in a Lodge manifest itself in a show of intense loyalty, devotion and enthusiasm of its members. When this sense of union and common interest exist, it has a profound effect on what a Lodge is and can do. One of the best ways to increase morale in a Lodge is by its members working together whether it is a fund raiser, Lodge upgrade or a project to help or benefit someone in the community. The comradery generated with members working together will spill over into the Lodge and its meetings in a positive manner and everyone will benefit.

Memories are important and those made in the Lodge are some of the "special" ones. Do you remember the night you were raised? How about a moving speech or presentation by our Grand Master or the time you were able to participate in the degree work for your son or a family member? These are the important things we remember and they bring us back into the warm fellowship of our Lodge time after time.

Membership, Money, Morale and Memories are important to us and to the success of our Lodges. Let's manage for success.

Sincerely and fraternally,
William R. Logan, Senior Grand Warden
Chairman, Masonic Education Committee

 

Old Masonic Temples Never Die

Today, with Masonic membership down to about a million from four million in the 1950s, the Masons can't afford the upkeep of all the antiquated Buildings and Temples that serve as meeting places for their Fraternity.

These Buildings, which are typically located in the downtown areas of large cities, usually have limited parking and with the absence of working elevators, making them difficult for aging members to use.

So, what is happening to many old Temples that are located in these cities?  Masons are selling them and relocating to smaller, more modem structures in the suburbs where the upkeep is more nominal.

A Lodge with 2200 members in 1928 can use a much smaller building in 2014 with only 800 members. Encouraged by the rebounding real estate market and with an eye to make some money from the demand for luxury condos, developers and individuals have snapped up old Temples in cities such as New York City, Columbus, Ohio and Newport, Rhode Island.

The majority of these structures were built from the late 1870s to the early 1930s. During this period of time, Freemasonry was a major force in American Society. Labor and materials were cheap and members built large and elaborate Temples and Lodges across the country, often with imposing facades and intricate carvings.

Since Masonry is a central component of the origin of the Freemasons, these structures were very well built, however converting a Masonic Temple with a large meeting hall to residences isn't always easy for the developer, but they knew they had a solid building with which to begin their conversion.

Drawing cards for tenants of these condos were the wide-open spaces, forty foot high ceilings, spiral staircases and the exquisite stone-carved symbols, all worked into the transition from Masonic Temple to luxury living spaces.

Many of these condos are rented, most even before the conversion is completed and prices can range from $900 to $2000 per month.

However, many are for sale, ranging in size from 700 square feet to 1800 square feet in size. A three bedroom, two bath unit in New York City recently sold for $2.7 million.

Even though these old Temples are not now being used for their original purpose, their solid foundation, well-built structures and intricate designs continue to benefit and influence another generation with our Fraternity's purposes and values.


Sincerely and fraternally,

William R. Logan, SGW
Chairman, Masonic Education Committee

Brotherly Love and Affection

The tenets of our profession of Masonry give guidelines on how we should interact with one another. I have a friend who always closes his communication to me with the words 'Brotherly love and affection'. What do these words really mean? Several months ago, during a refreshment period of a Lodge meeting, I observed nine young Brothers in a circle. They were not discussing Lodge business or degree work. They were just talking about things that were happening in their lives and it was obvious they were thoroughly enjoying each other's company. This was an example of Brotherly love and affection being demonstrated for all to see.

What can we do to insure Brotherly love and affection is a priority in our Lodges? The Senior Deacon is charged with greeting all visitors, but should not that be a priority for all officers and members?


Some Lodges have a short refreshment period before stated meeting where everyone is greeted and enjoy fellowship and food in a relaxed setting. Much can be accomplished during this time to insure a good and productive meeting will ensue.

The next time you visit a Lodge, notice how quickly someone comes to greet you and welcomes you into their fellowship. This says volumes about their Brotherly love and affection not only for visitors, but for members themselves as well. At a meal, never let a Brother eat alone. Show you care for him by sharing your company with him during the time of refreshment and also in the Lodge.

It is understood that our main business in a Lodge is to confer the three degrees and then teach, our initiates how to live by the lessons they contain. This can be illustrated by a tree where the degrees are the trunk of the tree, but the tree cannot live without its branches. The branches that keep this tree alive and well are the Brotherly love and affection we show and practice with each other. It is our duty to instill in every Brother
there is never a day too short or an hour too late that we cannot share our resources in his behalf, no matter what the situation.

Although our detractors are sure they have obtained all our secrets from the internet and other places, the one thing they cannot obtain is our dedication to each other through the Brotherly love and affection we share. Remember that around our altar we have promised to befriend and relieve every Brother who shall need our assistance. Are we fulfilling the duties we owe to each other by faithfully practicing that all important tenet of Brotherly love and affection? Only you know the answer.

Sincerely and Fraternally,

William R. Logan, Senior Grand Warden
Chairman, Masonic Education Committee

"A Gift To Your Lodge"

In 1970, Willard Faroe Bond, Jr. published a book entitled "The First Hundred Years." It was a history of Aiken Lodge No. 156, Ancient Free Masons of which he was currently serving as Senior Deacon. During his information search, I had the privilege to ask him about his task which I think resulted in a gift of an autographed copy of his book from him and Aiken Lodge. As noted in the introduction, Brother Bond admitted that it was no easy task and lamented that the first four minute books of Aiken Lodge had not been seen in the last thirty-five years.

The book has other special meanings to me as I remember the encouragement the members of that Lodge gave me as I became more involved in the various branches of Masonry. That encourage­ment has increased over the years and I still cherish the friendships and encouragement that comes my way from Aiken Lodge.

I intended this article to be about writing a Lodge history and the importance of such an endeavor. As usual, I went to my "library" in search of information. To my surprise, I found a Short Talk Bulletin written by our own Past Grand Master WC. Wylie, Jr. entitled "The Lodge Historian", (Vol.73, Nov. 1995, No II). This STB was originally published as a paper in the 1994 Transactions of the South Carolina Research Society. The MSA thought it was a good article and printed it as a Short Talk Bulletin. It is an excellent guide for a Lodge Historian.

How would you like to give your Lodge a gift that would last for ages? I know there are many Brothers that have the patience, deter­mination, enthusiasm and curiosity to undertake such a task. One of the statements Brother Bond made in his introduction "The first four minute books of Aiken Lodge have not been seen in thirty-five years," causes me to reflect on where my own Lodge's minute books are located. Do you know where your Lodge's minute books are and their condition?

The sources of information to one writing a Lodge history are almost limitless. Old minute books are the natural starting place for a Lodge Historian. They give a factual record of not only who received what degrees and when, but show a record of visitors, why they were there and what they said. There are many other events which will be recorded in the minutes that will make a good record and an enjoy­able read. If minute books are lost, one can rely only on the Grand Lodge figures and facts reported in the Annual Report.

In addition to the minute books, there are many other sources of information for the Historian. The visitor's register, old newspaper clippings, Grand Lodge Proceedings, the older members in our Lodges and the list is endless. But, let us return to the earlier question of the location and condition of our old minute books.

Even if you say doing a history of my Lodge is above my pay grade, there is one thing you can do; That is, to locate all your old minute books and list them in order of dates used and make a report to the Lodge of what you have done and the condition of the books. Then, make arrangements for them to be stored in a safe and secure place such as a fireproof safe and have this information stated in the current minutes. At this point, a challenge to write your Lodge's history may seem a little less intimidating. Think about it. A history of your Lodge would be a great gift for years to come.

Fraternally Submitted,

William R. Logan
Senior Grand Warden
Chairman Masonic Education Committee

The Masonic Information Center recently published a pam­phlet entitled "What has Masonry done for the world?" It points out very clearly that Freemasonry has done more for the world in which we live than most people or even most Masons realize. In a quote from his book The Beginnings of Freemasonry pub­lished in 1924, Illustrious Brother Melvin M. Johnson, PGM of Massachusetts has this to say, "A Study of the tremendous influ­ence which Freemasonry had in the pre-Revolutionary days, in the years of that war, and throughout the formative period of American Institutions, will demonstrate that Freemasonry has exercised a greater influence upon the establishment and devel­opment of this Government than any other single institution. Neither general historians, nor the members of the Fraternity, since the days of the first Constitutional Convention have ever realized how much the United States of America owes to Freemasonry, and how great a part it played in the birth of the Nation and the establishment of the landmarks of that civiliza­tion which has given to the citizens of this great land the liberty which they enjoy."

We realize that actions done in the past, laid the foundations for us to build on in the future. The future is now and the ques­tion arises, "What are we doing for the world in the 21st century?" Education is an important part of any institution. Are we fulfilling our obligations to our Brothers by giving them ade­quate opportunities to gain education? In January, every Lodge member will have the opportunity to participate in an educa­tional session. In addition, most Lodges have programs to inter­face with and serve their communities. Grand Lodges partner with educational, health and many other initiatives to make Masonry visible to the general public.

But, will education and our current efforts be enough to sus­tain our Fraternity? Clearly, the world is changing. While we tell our Fifty-Year members that Masonry is the same as it was fifty years ago, our members are faced with a whole new list of concerns and obligations. Our Lodges are challenged to respond to these new concerns by providing instructions, programs, and help to meet the needs of our current membership. The preser­vation of Masonry and our country will say much about how we meet this challenge.

When future Masons look back at the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, what can they say to con­vince the world that we have done our part in keeping this nation great? It is up to us now to see that this assessment is positive.

Fraternally,

William R. Logan
Senior Grand Warden
Chairman, Masonic Education Committee

In South Carolina Masonry, it is generally understood that the Senior Grand Warden is charged with seeing that Masonic Education is provided for the Craft through various means. One of the fundamental purposes of Freemasonry is to improve and strengthen the education of the individual. There are many reasons for our Craft to be educated, especially concerning the rules and reg­ulations as they relate to membership and the operation of a Lodge. There are many other reasons why we should continue to study.

One of the pleasures that we as Masons enjoy is that of visit­ing other Lodges. This practice promotes fellowship and gives us the opportunity to see how others conduct their business, ini­tiate their candidates and practice Masonry in general.

However, visiting other Lodges can become complicated if you are not well informed and educated on the customs and practices of that particular Lodge or jurisdiction. Our popula­tion has become highly mobile and visits to Lodges in other states and even other countries around the world are becoming commonplace. Several weeks ago, I observed nearly twenty cars from out of state on a trip to re-dedicate a Lodge in our state. At the ceremony, there was a Brother from another state and one from another country who visited with us and had the prop­er credentials to attend our ceremony.

In most cases, visits to another Lodge in your own state are easy and a current dues card usually suffices. The Tiler's Oath is not used in South Carolina but in many states the recitation of this oath and a current dues card will be sufficient to gain admittance.

If you plan to visit Lodges in a foreign country, the Grand Secretary, if asked, will furnish you with a letter under seal to prove you are a member in good standing of a regular constitut­ed Lodge in South Carolina which could save you time and embarrassment. Dress in Lodges can sometimes be a barrier to admission. A black or dark blue suit, white shirt and tie is the required dress in many Lodges. If you know you are planning to visit, carry your apron or other regalia.

Another source of good and necessary information for travel­ing Masons, Lodge Secretaries and Grand Lodge Officers is called List of Lodges. Masonic published yearly and sold by Pantagraph Printing and Stationery Co. It will list all Lodges recognized as regular by state, hence keeping you from attend­ing a clandestine Lodge.

Education on membership requirements can be beneficial to your Lodge. Would you know how to explain to a Brother from another jurisdiction if he asked for the procedure to apply for affiliation in your Lodge? Our book of Constitution and Code, the Ahiman Rezon, 2012 edition is recommended for your study and further education.

Sincerely and fraternally,

William R. Logan
Senior Grand Warden
Chairman Masonic Education Committee