First Impression:
The old adage, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression" is so very true and can apply to our fraternity. Candidates who petition a Lodge for membership have given the idea a lot of consideration, and all of them have done so due to a "favorable impression of the fraternity."
But what is that first impression after they've been with us a while? Did the new Brother get their phone calls returned and questions answered promptly? Were they made to feel welcome and truly a "Brother" outside of the actual ritual? Did anyone from the Lodge call invite them to visit another Lodge, attend a BBQ or just hang out and have a cold beverage = act as a friend would? Was bickering over heard among the brethren (of course not.......)?
By the time a newly Raised Brother gets to that point, they have a strong impression of the Lodge and the people who make up the ranks. Is it a good impression or one we would not be proud of if they were really candid and told us what they think? Do they identify with the other Brothers, have they made "real" friendships, what "ties" have been created that would encourage them to come back for more?
Continuing Education:
Why do so many move quickly from the Third Degree to an appendage body? More than likely they are still seeking knowledge and/or broadened relationships. Does the Blue Lodge offer continuing education? Are the programs interesting and well presented? We spend so much time rehearsing degree work, do we ever consider rehearsing additional lessons of the more esoteric aspects of the Craft? Do we involve new members in the discussions of what they are interested in? If the Blue Lodge is only doing degree work and paying bills, with the occasional pancake breakfast thrown in; its no wonder young people don't want to come back to Lodge when there are so many other "more interesting" things do entertain them, i.e., Monday Night Football.
Communication:
Is the only way we communicate with our brethren who are not coming to Lodge is through a bland newsletter that looks like it was written on a typewriter and ran off on memograph machine? If you need a definition of a typewriter or a memograph machine, well I've got shoes older than you... and you made my point! Desktop publishing is easily within anyone's grasp these days. Combine that with a cheap digital camera and you are in the publishing business. Put a communication together that looks professional and includes pictures; and I'm not talking about the old standard of all the officers in tuxedos standing there all solemn and serious. Put young faces, smiling, laughing faces in the document. When people see others having a good time, they will be more interested in coming down to see what everyone is all happy about. Do not, I repeat DO NOT sing a song of sadness, chastising the membership for not attending. No one likes to be scolded, and they are even more likely not to want to come down and face you afterwards.
Does the Lodge have a sharp, professional looking website, are they on FaceBook and/or Twitter, do you circulate information via email? If you watch someone under 40 for a few hours chances are they have checked their email and one of the Social Media outlets via a smartphone. If you've never heard of Social Media or email, well, ask you grandson or daughter to show you. ;-)
My $.02 worth...