Masonic Wages

What is it that the brethren are looking for? Is it just fellowship? Is it recognition for a job well done?

Every Lodge has brethren that are the movers and shakers, or for a simplier term these are the "leaders".

However, every Lodge needs the brethren that just want to help and be part of selected activities. It is the leaders job to make Lodge enjoyable for all. Many of our meetings can seem boring to our brethren. It doesn't have be be this way. We are a craft that tends to do things the same way year after year. In fact, we usually do it the same way, by the same people, until these people tend to lose their enthusiasm.

It needs to be our goal to help others enjoy their lodge experience, and avoid boredom with their lodge. Part of this is getting them to buy in to the projects and activities of the Lodge. The best way to accomplish this is to get the brethren involved with the decision making process. Find out what they want, why they want it, and how they want to accomplish it.

Let the brethren run with a activity, and then assist them by giving them good counsel. Don't forget their wages for their efforts!

The wages do not have to be monetary. They could be any one of the following:

• Just saying "Thank You...Job Well Done!"
• A written thank you to the brother.
• Special recognition from the Lodge during a regular meeting.
• A special mention of the Brother's help in the Masonic News or Lodge Trestle Board.
• Present the Brother with a Certificate of Appreciation.
• Give Brother special recognition in the Grand Lodge E-News.
• Have an Annual Awards & Achivement Night and recognize the Brother's accomplishments.

The Awards & Achivement Night should be a great night of fellowship with the Brethren and their wife. This is an opportunity to pass out Grand Lodge recognitions, thank Honorary Members, acknowledge outstanding contributions made to the community by the Lodge or individuals, and acknowledge those who have worked for the profit of the Craft.

However, one of the problems with our fraternity is that we initiate, pass and raise a brother...but do not get them involved at the start of their journey.

Every Lodge should have several Mentors and these brothers should be well versed with the "Mentor Booklet", which can be downloaded from the Grand Lodge website. This Mentor Program will stress education of the brothers through their journey, and developing a friendship in process. If we want our fraternity to grow, we must be ready to invest our resources. The biggest resource needed is our time and effort in PROPER MENTORING.

We need to make an effort to get to know our new and existing members. I would bet you, that some of our existing members would be in need of mentoring. In fact, make an effort and have every active member call and invite several other members to a Lodge Activity. If they attend, get to know them. Find out what makes them tick. Try to pair them up with Lodge Programs that they may have interest in. Maybe even make them a "Leader". Lets get more participation in our activities, and who knows...by accident we might even GROW!