Change

I have been reading and discussing change within the masonic word and it has dawned on me.....when we attempt to make changes, how much of the change do you actually think will come about during your time as a mason. Is making wide sweeping change or even small ones that really get the troops worked up (dues increases comes to mind) an exercise in futility?.... Do we have people blocking the change that in all actuality wont be around to see the benefits?

In the last few years, I've seen some change, almost all for the better. But we have had some very vibrant and skillful WMs. I've also seen a lot of things that we've wanted to change fall by the wayside. And sometimes, I think we try to change things when change isn't needed. Our newly installed WM has big plans. As his SW, I've encouraged him to nudge the boat, maybe rock it, but why try to tip it? We have a lot of good things going for us already/

Yes, there are many skillful WM guiding the ship to better waters...but as a whole are we going in the right direction or are we rowing the boat with only one oar and not really going anywhere??.....I know change is hard...in mine and GaryE vocation there is a saying: 200 years of history unimpeded by progress...

My opinion is that we are rowing the boat with only one oar. Freemasonry doesn't need a major overhaul, but it does need to maintain the roots upon which it was founded. I believe we have strayed from that.

Change will come about only if those that recognize the areas where we have strayed step up into positions that allow it to be corrected. It's a slow process for sure. As long as the Brothers that are in places of power continue to seek to keep things as status quo we are in for a bumpy ride.

You are right Fireman, they won't be around to see the end effect it has on the fraternity, but they will have swayed enough of the newer members (cronyism) we have now into thinking that's they way it should stay. Like begets like. It all boils down to the Western Gate. Freemasonry is not solely a social club by design.

That said, we ALL have something to offer the fraternity, and without the diversity we have, Freemasonry would not be what it is. There must be balance if we are to keep harmony. I submit that the scales are currently tipped.

I wrote a paper on this, and may share it in the future when it is completed. We reap what we sow. Are you being paid a Master's Wage? Are you doing the work (and I don't mean just esoteric work!) required to maintain that balance?

I would go so far to ask the blanket question, "Are you doing the necessary work to receive your wages?"

Change for change's sake is never the answer. But even a cursory examination shows that Gary is absolutely correct in that we have strayed in many respects from our foundations.

We can only become stronger by a deeper understanding of the history of our Order and why they did things the way the did.

Good points!

The "change" from the way we currently are doing things is what I am thinking....not necessarily coming up with a new plan, maybe we need to look back at some of the old stuff.
I do understand we need to do the work to make things better BUT I offer this for thought, discussion, ridicule or however you wish to respond:

I think we need to fix up our Temples & Lodge buildings, furniture, regalia and such....when a new Brother comes in and sees the leaky buildings, old a$$ furniture that has not been taken care of (old but taken care of is GOOD!!) or when the new guy comes in and finds out that he never sees any of the "brothers" except at the monthly stated and the occasional degree......I feel these items I mentioned are some of the greatest disservice to the fraternity.......before I get tore apart, I know we shouldnt be worried about the exterior things but you have to remember, MOST of the time, this will be the first impression a new Brother has of the fraternity and will never search for what the true meanings are.
I for one as a new Brother truly have felt let down and very disappointed from my first impressions....I do have to credit a few Brothers on here and from a few other places for keeping my desire going ( you Brothers know who you are).......

CHANGE does need to happen..... some or most will come along subtly but I wonder, should some of it more boisterously??

Changes in our buildings is something that can be accomplished by simple efforts from Brothers willing to roll up their sleeves and do some Handy man work.

I know my particular Lodge is in good shape, but the Temple needs tile near the altar and it could use some other minor cosmetics. Our lobby could use a make over, and some glass repair due to some vandals. Things like this can be a great way for brothers to show their love for their Lodges by just arranging to get these things done.

I agree, first impressions can be long lasting things. As far as political or preservation of historical practices, that can be tricky. Again, dealing with the status quo, and those that don't want to make waves can be a perpetual problem.

I for one, do not want to be the WM of my Lodge, but in reality it may take me doing just that to implement what I'd like to see happen in our particular Lodge. Those of us that want to see change must step up and help implement it. What ever those changes are that we want for this venerable fraternity.

I am a new Brother relatively speaking and not a real young man....but not too old either, I know that the young men looking into the Fraternity appreciate the history and everything but they dont want some old run down building either..... a nice well kept building with some new updates.....HERE IT COMES!!!!......I think there needs to be a room with a nice television maybe a Wii, or whatever the latest gaming system is..basically a nice entertainment area.....I spoke to a Brother from the Boston area and they did this as an attraction for the younger Brothers......we need to have places for socializing. I know we arent a "SOCIAL" club but we do...make that MUST offer forms of social interaction. Just doing degree work and a stated or two a month is not gonna cut it......I for one have asked myself....Am I getting what I paid for (not in a monetary sense)....How do we develop the Friendship or Brotherly Love if we dont ever really get to know each other???.... I know of a Brother that has been injured and off work for several months and the WM of the Lodge hasnt even called to see how he was doing. The Brother has went to Lodge and a nice prayer was said for his recover but where is the concern from the WM??? I firmly believe we must develop personal relationships before we can really begin to teach the lessons of masonry. Yea, a Brother may know the ritual inside and out BUT....can he explain what it means ...I know plenty of people that participate in plays and memorize line after line but it really dont mean anything to them.....
I do believe that there are many Brothers out there that want to bring back alot of the "old school" things about masonry and the new guys are wanting that.....but it does need to be done with a little bit of modern flair....we do need to spruce up our Lodges and make them attractive....if it looks like an abandon building 20 plus days a month, a guy will be looking at another Lodge that is vibrant and seen.....I also believe we may need to rattle the cages of the old buzzards blocking the change.....we need to remind them that when they came in, it probably was not the way it is now....I am sure back in the height of masonic membership, Lodges were seen as places to be...

Well......<gasp...gasp...gasp>...I guess I will pause for a deep breath.......

I agree with what you said Fireman. While we are not primarily a social club, that doesn't mean we don't get together for fellowship and fun in general. There has to be some friendly appeal to the younger crowd. Besides, they spend more time at Lodge that way!

My Lodge has get together's fairly frequently that even our wives, etc., are invited to.

As far as the WM not calling the injured Brother, well... A lot of things may have prevented him from calling in a timely manner. It doesn't excuse it though.

True

With as many people with ADHD....we need to do everything we can to keep the new Brothers interested...............ooooooo...did you see the shiny trinkets around his neck..............

Freemasonry is not primarily a social club, yet we enjoy a level of social interaction unknown among other organizations. If you live Masonry, and you Raise Brothers, the social aspect just happens naturally.

Would I love to belong to a Lodge that had an XBox 360 and COD4 on Live? You bet your sweet Apron I would! Matter of fact, that gives me ideas!

But those are not the tools to make Brothers socialize. The degrees, properly applied are.

If we do it right. Everything else falls into place.

Brother Winter.... I agree 110% with ya that they are only tools but the issue (IMHO) is that the degree work is being done technically and the new Brothers are getting just inside the gate and are finding out that we meet once a month to talk about the bills or maybe do a degree but never really building relationships, which in turn is how we build better men. Without social interaction and getting to know each other how are we supposed to teach the true lessons? I honestly dont think much along the lines of lessons are really taught during the degree work most are really nervous and if you gave them a quiz afterwards, they wouldnt remember much....some do get bits and pieces, it is during the time between the degrees that the lessons should be being really taught...now this is where the BIG problem starts.....does the Lodge have Brothers that have done a Masters work and can they really teach the new Brothers??

Why set up away from the Lodge???? Set the rooms up inside the lodge building...just not in the Lodge room. Why not give every member a key??? Do they not want the new Brothers or anyone not having a key to spend time in the Lodge outside of stated or called meetings. Ya see.....if we are just gonna have a meeting a month and maybe a degree then I say get rid of most of the lodge buildings because they are just a waste of the money put into them and merge all the lodges in a county into one building.....The lodge building must be accessible to all members.....or they will never feel a part of that Lodge. Back in the day of our Grandfathers, the Masonic Hall was "THE" place for social interaction....

My understanding is that most Lodges in my area have a set of key holders (officers). I'm not sure why that is. It may be for security purposes I don't know.

Another thought might be because it would run up the utility expenses if the Lodge was in use all of the time.

And our Blue Lodges wonder why brothers put more time into the appendant bodies.......MAYBE the Lodges should take a look at what the Shrine or SR are doing.....for the most part, they are not hurting the way the Lodges are...

PS...I told my Lodge if they wanted me to do anything they would have to get me a key....when I was doing my degree work, I had to meet my mentor in parking lots because we couldnt get into the building....THAT was a huge shock to me....and to be honest, it did make me question why I joined that Lodge....Do they NOT want us there????