PEAKS AND VALLEYS

A recent survey of Grand Masters indicated a need for factual data on 
"membership retention. " This Short Talk Bulletin has been prepared 
to put the "problem" into perspective.

This is an age of super technology. The electronic hardware, such as 
calculators and highly sophisticated computers operated by teams of 
programmers, statistical specialists, analysts, forecasters and "whiz 
kids," seems to have generated a new breed of "prophets of doom." 
They are reminiscent of those of a few years ago who operated the 
Ouija Boards and crystal balls, and who were also predicting the 
demise of Masonry.

To listen to these alarmists, one would think that shrinking 
membership is downright sinful and that within a matter of a very few 
years, the only Masons left will be you and me.

Sure, statistics can prove or disprove almost anything. And these 
computers can only produce results from the facts which their human 
operators provide. A great many of the factors which affect 
membership are not easily cranked into a computer. There are such 
things as wars, economics, social unrest, population shifts, 
taxation, transportation and even weather conditions which can 
seriously show its effects upon the membership picture.

To get a better insight into the membership problem, we need to take 
a long, hard look over the past half century. During the period 
between World War I and World War 11, American Masonry suffered many 
losses. The patriotic fervor of the First World War generated a great 
deal of lodge activity. That
activity generated interest in membership. following the war, during 
the "roaring twenties" social attitudes went through big changes. 
Those were the days of wild parties, "flappers" and "bathtub gin." 
The automobile became popular, plentiful and affordable. 
Consequcntly, lodge attendance and activity
fell off.

In the 1920's and 1930's, the United States was hit by a series of 
disasters. Florida was hit by two devasting hurricanes. Floods swept 
across Mississippi, New England, and Kentucky. The Western states 
were struggling under the effects of drought and dust storms. And 
then there was the matter of the Bank Crash and depression. They were 
difficult times. And it was a hard period for Freemasonry. In 1941, 
Masonic membership had dwindled to less than two and a half million 
members. (A low point.)

Hitler's hordes were gobbling up one after another European country. 
The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor-and America was again at war. The 
national will became strong again. There developed a feeling of 
togetherness. There was an urgent need for brotherhood . . for 
unified efforts. Masonic lodges were a focal point of activity.

During World War 11, Masonic Service Centers were established by the 
Masonic Service Association throughout the country near military 
bases and in metropolitan Areas. There were also Masonic Service 
Centers established in London, Paris, and Aukland. As an example of 
some of the services performed by these centers, following are the 
statistics for the first months of 1945.

Total attendance, all Centers, 904,847. Of all visitors, 12.86% were 
known to bc Masons. Contacts made in posts, 8,460. Contacts outside 
of posts, 8,919. Total contacts, 17,379. Checks and loans, 791; rooms 
and apartments secured, I8,916; other services rendered, 3,776. 
Patients visited in hospitals from hospital visitation Centers, 
52,763. Total patients visited 75,559. of these, 15.4% were Masons.

A noble effort-in the name of Freemasonry. M.S.A. was thell, as it is 
now, "Freemasonry's Servant. "

Activity at lodge level during the War Years generated involvement. 
Involvement spawned increased interest. Petitions poured in. The 
membership trend reversed; instead of losses, we showed constant 
gains. The trend continued through the post-war years and through the 
Korean War period, peaking at a total of 4,103,161 Master Masons in 
1959.

The decline in membership since 1960 has reflected many of the social 
changes affecting the nation. There have been large population 
shifts. A large portion of Americans arc "on the move" to warmer 
climates, job changes, retirement homes, and just plain traveling. 
Air transportation has become an accepted way of life, encouraging 
more and more people to travel. Keeping up with changes of address 
has become an accepted way of life, encouraging more and more people 
to travel. Keeping up
with changes of address has become a Lodge Secretary's nightmare. And 
if a Brother doesn't get his dues notice, he frequently overlooks 
paying his dues.

There's a whole mass of problems tied up in this situation, each of 
which could be a major topic of discussion. A number of surveys have 
been conducted regarding the large number of Masons suspended for 
non-payment of dues. A basic conclusion is there is a loss of contact 
. . . a lack of communication . . . and a lack of understanding. Too 
many Brethren are not aware of how to "demit" or how to affiliate 
with another lodge when they move. Too many don't know that, if they 
cannot afford to pay dues, other arrangements can be made. 
Frequently, we find that Brethren in financial
straits arc too proud to admit it.

And, then, once a Brother has been suspended for non-payment of dues, 
he doesn't know the procedure for being re-instated. We find that too 
often he is under the mistaken opinion that he must pay for all of 
the years he has been suspended. This is an area of information which 
needs to be made a matter of common knowledge.

The losses through death are normal and must be expected. Remember, 
the large number of initiates in the 1940's are now more than thirty 
years older. The hourglass and scythe are symbolic of time and the 
bringing of human life and its time to a close. We can easily relate 
this factor to our Masonic teachings.

The incidents of crime in the metropolitan areas particularly, have 
been a factor in lodge attendance. Many are intimidated by the 
reports of muggings, thefts, and vandalism. This has resulted in many 
lodge consolidations, which in most cases does not make either lodge 
stronger or more active.

Too many lodges have lapsed into unimaginative, apathetic, boring, 
repetitive business meetings which do nothing to stimulate attendance 
or interest. Those lodges quickly develop the problem of not having 
anyone willing to take office.

A lodge can be compared to a place of employment, where one must 
enjoy what he is doing; receive adequate pay; enjoy certain fringe 
benefits and where one feels useful and needed. It helps if the 
surroundings are attractive and there is a chance for advancement. 
Harmony with the boss and with your fellow workers is also an 
essential ingredient.

To be effective, the lodge, too, must provide an opportunity for 
useful and needed involvement for a member to enjoy it. It helps 
greatly if the Lodge room is clean, attractive and pleasant. The 
Master, Wardens, officers and members must work at practicing 
fellowship and strive for harmony. If these
elements are all present, the symbolic wages will be received in 
abundance. The corn, representing plenty will be paid in plenty of 
opportunity, plenty of friends, and plenty of work. The oil will 
truly be represented in gladness, happiness and real joy; and the 
wine will be that of peace, spirituality and health. The rewards of a 
good life represented by these symbolic wages will apply to both the
members and the lodge.

It is not a Masonic "secret" that harmony is an essential ingredient 
in a successful lodge. By working together in harmony, putting into 
practice our tenets, and keeping the members informed and usefully 
"employed," membership retention will not be a target for the 
"Prophets of Doom."


