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Quality vs. Quantity
Brethren:
As I have traveled in and about the apartments of
Freemasonry, I have heard, read, discussed and debated the
Quality vs. Quantity
argument regarding new members. To the
discerning observer, each side has good, solid arguments as to which should
be the guiding philosophy on this issue. None of us wants to call an
unworthy man his brother and we certainly can’t argue with the increased
size of our treasury when new members are admitted. The answer is:
A greater quantity of quality
people.
Masonry teaches: A man is first prepared to be made a mason
in his heart. My mother taught: Birds of a feather, flock together.
Star-Kist pointed out: they don’t want Tuna with good taste; they want tuna
that tastes good (a subtle, yet crucial distinction).
There are thousands of men moving and interacting with and
among us as we mix with the outside world who have the right to expect to be
made masons, but for any number of reasons, have yet to ask. There are even
a greater number who would be deemed unfit. We have all met someone and
thought, wow, this guy may be a mason – turned out, he wasn’t, and we were a
little disappointed. Nothing wrong with winners thinking all winners are
members of their team! And that element of pride is the clarion call to each
of us to find new members.
Over recent months, Mizpah has run an enticement to bring
new members to the Craft, specifically, Mizpah Lodge. This enticement is
offered to our membership as a challenge to take the time to notice the
worthy men,
distinguish them from the community at large and
create an atmosphere
which induces them to ask the question.
The task at hand is to spend that most precious commodity, time, on
filtering through the people you see around you. The concept of the “1
year’s free dues” is meant to stimulate this action on your part.
The “water which turns the wheel” is new membership. Officer
proficiency and the quality of our leadership is in direct proportion to the
amount of “work” they are asked to do– no new members – no degree work. New,
proficient Officers are the lifeblood of a lodge, created and molded by
conferring degrees and drawn from the pool of new members each year. This is
a continuous and vital circle. The student becomes the teacher while still
remaining a student. It is said, you don’t really know something until you
teach it. Freemasonry provides a wonderful vehicle to that end.
The long-standing statistic for new member retention is
around 20-25%. While it is utopian to desire 100% of a given class to become
active – this is not practical. Nor is it desirable or necessary to the
lodge. No lodge in the state can seat all of its members if they all came
out. Masonry is weakened by simply “bringing in numbers.” As Carl Claudy
said, “Freemasonry is
anxious to give of her secrets to worthy men fit to receive them but not all
are worthy, and not all the worthy seek.”
The Craft is strengthened
and survives by a filtering
process: Two brethren recommend a man they believe worthy (a selection); a
committee goes out and further screens; this man is then processed by the
three degrees and mentoring (not all retain interest or are a good fit –
“natural” selection). Arguably, not a bad thing. There is no shortage of
worthy men right next to each of us.
Any program, enticement or recruitment drive should be
inherently viewed with all our Masonic teachings as a template. I challenge
you to look no further than your circle of acquaintance for the future of
our lodge and am offering a token of your lodge’s gratitude for your
efforts. Remember, seek and ye shall find!
Brian S. Pollock, WM
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