ARE WE PARTICLES? ARE WE WAVES? - THE GREENING OF MASONRY

Think of all masonry as a body of work. Now join me as I visit every Grand Master to exchange his teachings for an idea.  Why do we not measure the success of our lodges in terms of the quality and function of teamwork? And then, why do we not help lodges transform each particle into coordinated, harmonic streams? Recently I spoke with a lodge officer new and eager- you know the type, pure joy, about drop offs.  For a time, the lodge was on autopilot, month by month of initiations. This for many older members was the sought after success. Except there was a masonic elephant in the room.  After initiation, few folllowed up; fewer went on to advance their degree work; perhaps 1 in 20 committed. The officer explained how difficult it was for younger members to juggle his family, occupational and masonic schedules.  You'll become and officer. You'll join us for regional activities. You'll join us for a pint. This seems to push away new members.  So can anything be done to alter the status quo? Of course!  We change expectations. We change the narrative to make it welcoming and we add a measurement of teamwork that balances the needs of new boys with the needs of the lodge.

Teamwork.  We regularly pour such enormous talent onto the field but don't tell them what is the game.  We seem comfortable watching the ensuing confusion and frustration as they head for the exits leaving the loyals to shrink.  How sad. How unnecessary. The issue isn't attracting talent or their commitment. It's understanding how the game is played and how to get it right.  The mentoring is a narrative that speaks about things that inspire us  and a view that teaches the part each performs, big or small, to achieve our goal. Teams have individual talents complemented by common knowledge that if each of us performs our role, the goal is within reach. We carry one another. We encourage.