For those who are in lodge's that go dark . Do you like it ? Dislike it ? Would you rather meet year round ? Do you enjoy the time off ? My YR bodies go dark in the Summer and I do enjoy the break . But I do not think I would want to go dark in Blue Lodge (though we are not allowed to go dark anyway) . It seems the warmer weather and longer days get many of the older Brethren out of the house and into lodge .
Would not like it if my lodge went dark...YR does too so I havent been to a meeting yet....Most lodges in my area dont go dark
I would rather not go dark, although my wife would probably argue that. Our Shrine Club is very busy preparing for two big fundraisers in August, so the extra couple of nights a month is helpful that way. Lodge isn't air conditioned, and we have a lot of older members......but many of them don't show anyways.
I'm torn on this issue. I think Lodges shouldn't go dark for the reasons already given, but I find it difficult to have time to prepare lectures due to the frequency in which we meet. Going dark would allow me more time to accomplish my goals.
My Lodge is trying to reduce from two stated meetings a month, while being dark in July and August, down to one stated and a gauranteed special, still dark in July and August. With the number of meetings we have it's good for us not to get burnt out. I do feel as though we need to be utilizing this time to practice our degree work. We still have officer meetings and a monthly open lodge breakfast.
Our Lodge last year went down to one business meeting when we went dark. We had two a month last year. But we voted to be changed to one. So we are not really dark anymore. But the meetings size is down. We are only having one degree meeting a month while "dark". BTW, our official DDGM visit is in July, where we are "typically" dark.
All the Lodges I know of here in Wisconsin go dark in July & August. Although there is talk of allowing Lodges to choose if they want to meet year round.
We go dark in July and August and come back in Sept. I personally don't like it and am looking for lodges to either visit or hold duel membership with who don't go dark in the summer months. I really miss the fellowship and the work.
Round these here parts its up to each Lodge to set in their bylaws. Now the Master may call as many specials over the months of July and August. There are a few Lodges in this district who have not met their min. requirement for degree work done on candidates, they voted to stay open for the Summer. Last year my Lodge had 4 specials in the Summer, this year none.
Could you elaborate on "minimum requirements for degree work" that you mentioned? Am I to understand that a Lodge there must bring in a certain amount of men?
I will review my Code Book to make sure that the wording is correct but basically 2 of each per year. Must enter two apprentices, pass two fellowcrafts and raise two Master Masons. Like I said I'll look to make sure I'm not doing injustice.
My Lodge and OES Chapter goes dark for July and August, but my Lodge stays open all year long. They changed that the year I was SW, but was out of town when they voted on this. I was against it as the summer months is when my Army Guard unit does the 2-weeks annual training and also that is when everyone wants to take a vacation.
