Greetings Brothers,
(Due to the Worshipful Master's family distractions in February, the Secretary is submitting this article)
February was a slow month for the Lodge. Even the most active members are feeling the effects of this heavy winter and Lodge attendance is down. This leads to the question, " What can be done to revitalize our Lodge?"
We continue to serve a hot dinner prior to the 2nd meeting of the month. They have been priced at $5.00 and the food is as good as you would get at 3 times the price in a restaurant. Wives, family members, friends and prospects are all welcome. Yet our attendance is down.
We need active and exciting meetings so new ideas can be developed, but we need attendance to generate ideas. Everyone agrees that the meetings should keep "business" to minimum and generate entertainment, education or fraternity. We need a project or goal to focus on and to entice new membership interest. Traditionally, we have had the best turn out when there is degree work to watch, but we haven't had many petitions for membership over the last couple of years, and there are fewer people putting on the work.
Should we be putting on degree work schools? Is there something that we can do for public notice that will attract curiosity in the craft? Our pancake breakfasts not only raise money for our scholarships, but they are a way of staying in the public eye. Yet they do not stir the imagination like a "National Treasure".
We do have a treasure, however, and it is what has made Masonry the largest and longest active fraternity in the world. We have to ask ourselves, "How does it feel when a stranger, upon seeing your ring or decal, asks if you are a traveler"? Remember back to how you first came to the door of the Lodge. Come to a Lodge meeting. Call a Brother and ride together. Come and share that story about how you made that decision. Perhaps we can learn how to generate that enthusiasm among good young men once again.
Other reasons we need your input to the Lodge:
At the last meeting it was suggested to change our regular meeting night to Wednesday. There was quite some discussion. We are in obvious need of a greater sampling of opinion. Is this a good idea? Are there more conflicts on Wednesday than Thursday? Is there another day that would be even better? Let your opinion be known. Then there was a suggestion, to change the amount of our annual dues. That was immediately met with an opposing view. Here again, more input is needed.
It is now an obligation, if within the length of your cable tow, to help us plan for tomorrow.
Steve Claybourne PM,
Secretary
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