Generational Freemasonry

Throughout history Freemasons have regularly come together to conduct business, ritual and to socialize. When, where and how they met was largely defined by geographical region, population and local economics. As time passed, some geographical regions enjoyed a boom and new lodges were born. Conversely, others faced and economic downturn and so too were lodges forced to downsize or amalgamate. These changes and experiences over time have created a lasting effect on each generation of mason and helped to shape their values and beliefs. Take a look at the demographic in your lodge, which generation of mason has the greatest influence in your lodge. How do they view the other generations of masons? How do the other generations of masons view them? It come as no surprise that amalgamation in freemasonry is a hot topic of debate as each generation of mason view the subject distinctly differently from one another other. As we speak, Freemasonry is experiencing a rare and rich situation. There are four distinct generations of masons in each and every lodge. The challenge is to understand and accept each generation’s values while at the same time balance the interest of the lodges for the good of freemasonry and its future.

My thoughts on amalgamation in general……

Fully support the concept of amalgamation.

Not a new idea or concept.

Recognizes the declining population of freemasons and offers a solution.

Only a temporary solution.

Address in the decline in membership:

Lodges perish when they fail to meet the needs and demands of the brethren?

Do all masons have the same universal needs and demands?

Understanding the needs and demands of the brethren.

Individually the needs may include: Convenience, Cost, Ritual type, Education, Fellowship.

Understanding from a Generational Perspective.

Freemasonry is experiencing a rare and rich situation. There are four distinct generations of masons in each and every lodge.

Veterans, Baby Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y (Nexters).

Veterans (1927-1944)

Glory days of lodge memberships ‘bursting at the seems’.
Ritual and formality were the order of the day.
Hard work meant learning the ritual because it was the proper thing to do.
Lodge had structure and a distinct class system and everyone knew their place.
Strong respect for authority.
Paying your dues.
Time very valuable – Not to be wasted.
Loyalty

Core Values:

Dedication
Sacrifice
Hard work
Conformity
Law and Order
Respect for Authority
Patience
Delayed Reward
Duty before pleasure
Adherence to Rules

Baby Boomers (1945-1963)

Striving for personal achievement, recognition and status within the craft equals success.
Hard work meant learning the ritual to showcase their personal abilities.
Teamwork.
The same structure and class system existed but this time they wanted to be on top.
Loyalty – Leaving a lasting legacy.
Willing to effect change – Question authority.

Core Values:

Optimism
Team Orientation
Personal Gratification
Health and Wellness
Personal Growth
Youth
Work
Involvement

Generation X (1964-1979)

Very focused and determined to learn from every experience.
Impatient for change.
Hard work meant quickly learning the ritual in order to free up time for other pursuits.
Loyalty – NOT.
Not intimidated by authority and will not ask permission.
Desire independence and sense of creativity.
Requires continuous meaningful feedback.
Adaptable to new situations.

Core Values:

Diversity
Global Thinking
Balance
Techno-literacy
Fun
Informality
Self-reliance
Pragmatism

Generation Y (1980-1999)

Requires lots of positive reinforcement.
Positive attitude and optimistic outlook on life.
Diversity – more accepting and understanding.
Technologically adept.
Multi-tasking.
Their opinion matters.
Eager to show competence, drive and make a difference.

Core Values:

Optimism
Civic Duty
Confidence
Achievement
Socialiblility
Morality
Street Smarts
Diversity


In conclusion, if each generation practiced a little more patience, understanding and compromise when relating to one another, the craft would be thriving and lodges would be brimming with enthusiasm and memberships.

Grand Lodge Membership Statistics Analysis

This is the analysis that I used to show Freemasonry in four 5-year segments:

• 1920-24: Immediately after WWI with a very high "Rejection Rate" of 3/lodge/year
• 1951-55: The highest amount of Initiates, averaging almost 1,200 per year
• 1962-66: BC's greatest Masonic population with 167 Lodges and over 27,000 members
• 1999-2003: Current statistics indicate that we have a net loss of 163 members per year from suspensions and demits alone.
• Today: There are 148 Lodges with 11,251 members (76 members / lodge). A new Freemason has an average Masonic life expectancy of only 4 years.

Click here to see the Analysis

Click here for the location of the raw data from the Grand Lodge website.

Blog Tutorial - Introduction to Blogging

Here is a video tutorial that I created to help demonstrate how BLOGS work. Please note that the audio slowly lags behind the video - only about 5 - 10 seconds towards the end. Approximate tiem: 14 minutes.

Click here to view the tutorial

Opportunities for Input and Feedback

This listing shows the time line of our Strategic Planning Committee. It also demonstrates all of the opportunities that all members had to participate during this process:

• March 2005 Notice: Enclosed SWOT worksheet, request for input
• Planning Session: March 19
• April 2005 Notice: request for input
• Planning Session: April 30
• Planning Session: July 4
• Mock Event Night at Wardroom: August 17, 2005
• September GP meeting
• September 2005 Notice: Announcement of Presentation
• September 2005 Regular communication: Presentation from Strategic Planning Committee
• Phone calls to members about October GP meeting
• October GP meeting and open informational session
• October 2005 Notice: enclosed bylaw changes, presentation, & sample schedule
• Phone calls made to all members not present at informational meeting in mid October
• October 2005 Regular Communication

Confederation Lodge Strategic Planning Update & Feedback Minutes

August 9, 2006

NOTE TO BLOG READERS: This is an example of one of our strategic planning meetings. It was basically a recap of the first half year of the New Confederation Model, noting positives, negatives, and future plans.

Members present: Bros. Heppell, Kirk, Cammisuli, Headen, Milne, Wilson, Carrie, McConnell, Stewart, and Barkley

Event #1: Christmas Dinner

Positives:

• Venue
• Attendance 90+
• Positive feedback
• Inter-lodge communication
• Good widow attendance
• Entertainment
• Food

Negatives:

• Organization for #’s
• Access control
• Tickets/pricing (under priced)
• Loss incurred by Confederation Lodge 116

Christmas 2006 Plans:

• Deposit of $200 for each lodge
• Allotted number of tickets for each lodge
• Projected price of $40 per person

Event #2: Freemasonry in Pop Culture

Positives:

• Well presented
• Other lodges attended
• Non-Masons attended
• Good food and venue
• Good value

Negatives:

• Discussions drifted off topic

Future plans:

• Other venues
• Adrianna’s was suggested

Event #3: DDGM - Debate

Positives:

• Murray made Norm speechless!
• Great feedback from Art Scott
• Dinner was upstairs
• Meeting was light/levity

Negatives:

· Promotion was lacking

Future Plans:

Debates

· Are Freemasons adhering to the obligation?

· Belief in a supreme being?

Celebration of vision of Confederation Lodge

• Trailer
• Use projector

Event #4: EA Degree at Henderson Lodge

Positives:

• Great ritual
• Henderson members enjoyed presentation
• Confederation Lodge provided dessert
• Good pre-lodge dinner

Negative:

• Needed more Confederation Lodge members to attend

Event #5: MM Degree with dinner at Rib and Bones

Positives:

• Franks chant
• Music
• Ritual was good…but could have been better.

Negatives:

• Ritual was good…but could have been better
• Dinner was too late
• Rushed at the restaurant

Future plans:

• Members perform stated ritual
• Build inventory of who does what ritual
• Develop Ritual team
• If going to dinner members pay individually, no ticket sales
• Emergent meetings for degrees if necessary

Event #6: Charity Night

Positives:

• Well attended
• Enjoyed by all
• Wives involved/Engaged
• Well planned
• Presented Freemasonry in a good light
• Good charity
• Scholarship presentation
• Good dinner
• Widows enjoyed the event

Negatives:

• Widows pin/presentation
• Needed designated doorman
• Advanced name list
• Name tags

Future plans:

• Widows name tag with husbands name below
• Concierge

Future charities that were considered:

• Santa’s Anonymous
• Make a Wish Foundation
• Prostate Cancer
• Alzheimer
• Open Door
• Diabetes Society
• Leadership Victoria

The general consensus was that we should support a local charity versus a national one.

Bill gave a quick presentation on Leadership Victoria. It was felt by the members present that we should support this group for this year’s charity.

Event #7: Da Vinci Code Movie

Positives:

• 88 tickets sold
• Made approximately $400 for Fred Horne Scholarship Fund
• Good fellowship
• Well promoted

Negatives:

• There were no negatives!

Future Plans:

• Informal gathering pre/post movie

Meetings in General

• Need new members
• Need active participation
• “How do you want to participate?”
• Benchmark core competencies
• Brainstorming ideas for upcoming events
• Promote Confederation Lodge
• Confederation Lodge address team
• Whole lodge visitation night

Let's Amalgamate or Maybe Integrate!

On Wednesday, January 24, 2007, 30 very interested Freemasons gathered at the Ward Room in Victoria, BC. Hosted by Confederation Lodge, this great event cultivated a number of great ideas, but I believe that it is best summed up by our Deputy Grand Master, Godfrey:

"A most refreshing evening last night and obviously enjoyed by all, yes even the EA was stimulated by the event; my personal congratulations to you all. Such events do not just happen; careful thought and planning clearly went into the event and what emerged were the fruits of your labours. Hence the enjoyment of those who attended. You have convinced me even more that our dilemma in our lodge of poor support and attendance is through continuing to do what has been in the past. The possibilities of creating evenings like this where we are bombarded with so many thoughts and ideas just needs to be the norm. Creativity creates creativity and if nothing else I believe that attenders will have noted that Freemasonry is for the thinker. It reminds me again of the words which I spoke to the young EA last night – whatever you want give it away. You wanted to stimulate, you gave it away and I am certain it will be harnessed by those who were there to make them rethink their meetings. We grappled with several thoughts worthy of further exploring. Maybe the Masters and Wardens under the direction of Bro. John Espley will take this further and develop more discussion at the next association’s meeting. Please continue to be stimulating. I will do my best to let you have my notes and place them into a document which could be shared. Thank you again."