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Membership And Attendance
CHAPTER viiI
THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER'S
HANDBOOK
Grand Lodge, F.A.A.M. of the
District of Columbia
Membership
A declining membership is a symptom of something wrong.
Correcting the symptom alone without attacking the cause will provide only
a short-term fix. The symptom of declining membership must be
addressed.
Ways to increase membership:
1. Set a goal for your year, e.g., 5% gross increase in
membership.
2. Distribute petitions immediately after your
installation, Ask each member to sponsor two deserving candidates for
membership.
3. Plan to award those who bring in members. For
example, you may want to give a life membership to those who sponsor
five candidates in one year. Lesser awards could be given to those who
are the first line signers of fewer petitions.
4. Talk of your pride in your Lodge and of your intent
to make the Lodge grow.
5. APPOINT A MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN and have him follow up
by contacts with members to see what progress is being made.
6. Suggest sources of new petitioners (family, friends,
church, clubs, business associates, employees of service organizations,
etc.)
Attendance
Good attendance at Lodge communications usually indicates
a healthy Lodge. Poor attendance, conversely, usually indicates an
unhealthy Lodge. The key is interest, creating sufficient interest in
Lodge meetings so that the Brethren will leave their television sets and
drive into the city for the evening. Much depends upon programs —
innovative programs.
Programs must be interesting, informative, and
entertaining. They must also be consistently good and well advertised. The
Brethren must know that when they attend Lodge, the experience will be
worthwhile.
Programs may be informational or eventful:
Informative programs usually involve speakers or films.
Sources include government officials, diplomats, foreign visitors,
business or professional people, and a host of entertainers.
Eventful programs include special dinners, cruises, the
theatre, and sports events. You may also want to schedule tours or trips
to specific points of interest (parks, gardens, embassies, the George
Washington Masonic National Memorial). Don’t overlook opportunities for
picnics, buffets, musicals, dances, etc.
Appoint a programs and events chairman early and arrange
a calendar. Be innovative. Try something different. It is easier to
apologize for a poor evening’s event than to do nothing and apologize for
a poor year. WHY BE MEDIOCRE AS MASTER WHEN YOU CAN BE
OUTSTANDING?
Organize your year early: Success is one part genius and
99 parts work, and work is 95% mental -- the hardest type. Do not delay.
Early planning is essential to success.
Don'ts for a Worshipful Master
DON’T schedule "Stated Communication -- Business."
DON’T open Lodge late.
DON’T let a meeting drag, particularly when guests are
waiting to enter for the program.
DON’T put on sloppy degrees. Get help from the School
or other qualified Brethren. Think of the need to impress the
candidate.
DON’T condone sloppy dress or performance of
officers.
DON’T let disharmony creep into the Lodge. Nip problems
in the bud.
DON’T be afraid to experiment with programs.
Be Innovative!
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