Masons, etc.

[Rainbow]

OK...I keep reading in various Masonic publications, about the drop in Masonic members and the "dead Lodges"...everyone is wringing their hands, contemplating the loss of members and the lack of activity. Asking what can be done.

In my opinion, there is NO mystery here...Mason's and their related organizations need to pull their heads out of the sand and speak the truth. Masons WAS a brotherhood, where members truly cared for one another and also cared for the related organizations such as Eastern Star, (for men and women). These related organizations also cared for one another and all existed in harmony for the good of their orders.

Masons made a huge mistake by going by the motto: To Be One, Ask One...they were not allowed to approach men and ask if they wanted to join, they had to wait to be asked. How foolish is that? Think of the many members that never were because of this crazy stand. But what is troubling to me as a person who has a Masonic related history going back over 45 years...is the current lack of brother/sisterhood.

Where once Masons and Eastern Star worked together on projects, dinners, floats, and projects,...now there are bad feelings going back years, bitterness, stubborness. People hold grudges, and no one works together. It is like the two organizations have no relation.

Within the organizations, people forget their obligation, they back stab and lie and climb the ladder no matter who they step on to go higher.

I know someone who joined Masons here in Roswell and no one did a thing to reach out to him to make him feel welcome. No one sat with him or checked to see how he was doing. If you aren't going to made to feel like you matter, why come back?

With a bunch of other clubs, TV, work, movies and other distractions...a club has to go above and beyond to attract and keep members. Mason's and Star have failed miserably...anyone have a comment on this???

[mfish]

First of all - I am not a Mason. In fact, I don't do "joiner" very well. I refused to participate in "Leadership Roswell" over the years (I felt most of the cirriculum was redundant to what I was already doing in various other positions and through other state associations I was a meber of - I probably knew my way around the "Roundhouse" better than the tour guide for that class, and I never had a problem getting an audience with any city councilor or state legislator), although my wife went through the program and enjoyed it immensely.

My brother in Texas became a Mason a few years ago, and has nothing but good things to say about that fraternal order, so perhaps it's a localized issue of apathy, rather than a national problem...? Any club is only as good as its members - so perhaps the local order of Masons needs to take a look at their own structure and determine if changes need to be made.
I'm just sayin' ...

[Rainbow]

Right you are...I was told once that a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link. The lodges here in Roswell are shrinking, and members hold grudges for years, centuries. People are set in their ways and not willing to try new things or think outside of the box.

I also think there are so many choices...TV, movies, tons of other groups, the competition for our time is limitless. This is why people have to poop or get off the pot.

Put pride aside and forgive and forget. Try news ideas. Pick one organization you can stick with and back it whole heartedly.

I have just about decided that I am happiest when I help individuals, use my creativity in positive ways, volunteer quietly on short term things where I can come, help and go, and stay home with family, friends and pets.

[mfish]

Didn't the Elks build a new lodge? They must be doing something right.
And, the Eagles Lodge always seems to be jumpin', too.

[Abu Binat]

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