Involvement of Membership

(Excerpt from NC Grand Lodge Program for Progress 1996)
    According to the Masonic Renewal Committee of North America, 1989, seventy-five percent of the lodge members had not been in lodge in the last three years. Why? They expressed their reasons: lack of interesting programs and  activities, lack of qualified leadership, and the repetitive ritual. Yet, the brethren say they are proud to be a Mason. Becoming a Mason was a very meaningful experience. Lodge attendance seems almost irrelevant as far as pride in Masonry is concerned. Involvement in the life of the lodge must also be a meaningful, fulfilling experience of personal growth and development.

    Only about ten percent of lodge members regularly attend lodge communications. The lodge officers working as a team and lodge members cooperating as a team can, within a relatively short time, change that percentage figure for the better.

 The Master or another officer of the lodge should study the Membership Information Form to discover interests and talents of lodge members. With meticulous scrutiny discover the interests and talents of each member. Make a list of lodge needs: material, personnel, brotherly love and relief. Match the need with a brother's interest and talent. Contact the brother; present him the challenge; request his assistance on a particular committee, project, or program. Follow his progress, recognize his achievement, reward him for his efforts.

    Most of the time dedicated involvement does not "simply happen;" one plans for it to happen. Working together through a committee to complete a program or a project can be a very meaningful experience in brotherly love and friendship. The Master, or someone in the lodge, must know the needs of the lodge and its members and know the interests and talents of a brother before meaningful involvement can be effectively realized. Match need with interest and talent.