build a vibrant lodge A Blueprint for a Successful Future table of contents 4 | A Rewarding Member Experience 10 | Strong Lodges and Halls Nurture strong relationships between brothers. Share the work of lodge leadership. Create unique customs and traditions that clearly Establish short- and long-term goals. demonstrate why membership and active Ensure revenue supports lodge goals. participation are special. Maintain accurate membership and Admit enthusiastic men who have made friends financial records. in the lodge. Ensure timely reporting to maintain Orient Prospect and give new members tax-exempt status. extra support. Create a plan to preserve your hall. Enable meaningful member participation and contribution. Cultivate and coach new lodge leaders. Prioritize member communication. Increase public visibility. 7 | Resources for Lodges 14 | Positive Impact on Society Be proactive about relief. 8 | Memorable and Meaningful Degrees Support California Masonic charities. Make every degree special. Give back to your community. Help candidate coaches propel advancement. Celebrate and encourage individual impact. Develop deep ritual appreciation. Encourage ongoing learning. a rewarding Lodges create a deep sense of fraternity and provide a highly member experience rewarding member experience. Nurture strong relationships between brothers. Strong lodges are built upon friendships between brothers, and meaningful connections are RESOURCES developed one relationship and interaction at a time. Finding common interests with members Member Center you don’t know well will encourage friendships and participation in lodge life, resulting in a On The Level and stronger lodge. Pass It On The Leader IDEAS TO TRY Sept. 2016, Aug. 2014, • Starting with active members, invite a • Ensure members from throughout the Jan. 2014, Aug. 2013 brother you’re not close to for coffee each lodge build friendships with prospects month. Recruit your executive committee before extending membership applications. and other active members to follow suit. • Host regular social events to give brothers an opportunity to connect in a casual setting. Create unique customs and traditions that clearly demonstrate RESOURCES why membership and active participation are special. Member Center Creating meaningful practices that are unique to your lodge gives members an opportunity On The Level and to connect and feel pride. Pass It On Engage and Retain IDEAS TO TRY The Leader • Write down existing customs and • Identify the types of customs most Sept. 2016, Aug. 2014, traditions – ritual regalia, dress code, important to your lodge (ritual excellence, Jan. 2014, Aug. 2013 candidate requirements, special meals, family-friendly meals, community service, events, etc. Review the list with your Masonic education, etc.) and reflect this lodge, and ask brothers which of these are emphasis on your lodge website to attract most meaningful to them. men with similar interests. • Ask members why they joined, and why they stay. Listen for what is important to them, and ask them to suggest new traditions. 4 Admit enthusiastic men who have made friends in the lodge. RESOURCES Each brother shapes your lodge’s future. Engage only with prospects who demonstrate a desire Member Center for deep relationships, curiosity to learn and improve themselves, and dedication to building On The Level and something momentous. Admit these men only after they have built a network of friends at the Pass It On lodge. Making a friend a brother is one of the most important activities of a lodge – educate Take Five and orient prospects before providing an application. First a Friend IDEAS TO TRY Member Skills and Interests Survey • Invite good men in your life to attend a • Educate prospects by reviewing the The Leader social event or mixer to meet the lodge Member Guide, discussing lodge customs Nov. 2016, Dec. 2013 and learn about the fraternity. and traditions, and setting expectations for participation. • Create a structured orientation process, ensuring each prospect builds friendships • Provide applicants and candidates with within the lodge before applying. Masonic education resources, such as a reading list of books and reputable websites. Orient prospects and give new members extra support. RESOURCES Prospects who become members are likely to remain active when they understand the value Member Center of their contributions to the lodge. Position them for success. Member Guide Engage and Retain IDEAS TO TRY The Leader • Survey new members to better understand • Ask new members to participate in Dec. 2012 their talents and interests, and connect committees to make an immediate them with like-minded brothers. contribution and to build relationships. • Host “new member” evenings to give members and their families an opportunity to connect. 5 Enable meaningful member participation and contribution. RESOURCES Engaged members are emotionally committed, actively participate, and have a clearly Member Center defined, meaningful role in the lodge. Help brothers understand that their presence and Engage and Retain participation matters. Member Skills and Interests Survey IDEAS TO TRY Member Survey • Encourage attendance at meetings and • When brothers propose new programs On The Level events by asking brothers to send regrets or events, be receptive – and encourage to the master if they cannot attend. Follow them to take the lead in their development up with absent brothers and read regrets and execution. aloud, if possible. • Survey members’ skills and interests. Suggest involvement opportunities based on responses. Prioritize member communication. RESOURCES In a successful lodge, members are connected and aware of lodge life. Officers share goals, The Leader challenges, and progress with members, and members share their opinions, perspectives, Oct. 2016, July 2016 and ideas with officers. Open communication boosts engagement and encourages healthy relationships. Lodge Services The Lodge App IDEAS TO TRY Lodge Website Template • Create a communication plan to ensure • Schedule regular check-ins to request all members receive important news feedback and ideas – at stated meetings, and updates. Include your website, app, during events, or one-on-one. Trestleboard, social media, phone tree, and mailings. • Partner tech-savvy members with those who are less experienced to teach them how to participate in online dialogue. 6 resources for lodges Most resources noted in this book can be found on the Resources and Publications page of the Member Center at freemason.org, in the following sections: • Communications tools • Masonic education • Membership development tools • Lodge support documents • Member assistance Services from Grand Lodge The Leader Monthly E-Newsletter Visit freemason.org/lodgeservices This monthly email is sent to all for more information about: lodge officers and includes: • Intacct • Best practices from lodges around the state • Tax preparation services • Monthly to-do lists for most lodge officers • PayPal • Reminders of upcoming events • Real estate support • Quick links to important documents • Lodge app • Lodge website template and hosting services View all past issues of The Leader at • The Vault freemason.org/Leader • Iron Mountain Archival Storage Helpful Contact Information Member Services: Communications: Masonic Assistance: (415) 292-9180 (415) 292-9180 (888) 466-3642 [email protected] [email protected] masonichome.org Intacct and Financial Lodge Support Committee Administration Services: freemason.org/ (415) 292-9170 lodgesupportcommittee [email protected] 7 Memorable and The ritual experience is our most cherished custom. Its teachings Meaningful Degrees transform members’ lives. Make every degree special. RESOURCES Receiving the degrees of Masonry should be one of the most important experiences in a man’s life. A Mason receives each degree only once and through each degree he is transformed. Member Center Participating brothers have the honor of carrying the torch of Masonic light to a new member. Engage and Retain Member Skills and IDEAS TO TRY Interests Survey Member Survey • Ensure candidates have sufficient time to • Give each candidate a role within the absorb lessons before each degree so lodge to bind him closer to the fraternity. On The Level they can fully benefit from the experience. • Celebrate degrees through a special • In addition to the proficiency, ask the meal, festive board, or thoughtful candidate to write a paper to reflect presentations and mementos that will upon his personal growth as a result of have lasting significance. each degree. Help candidate coaches propel advancement. RESOURCES Each candidate’s success begins with his coach. Help coaches succeed by creating structured support and accountability measures, and praising coaches for a job well done. An Member Center Candidate Learning Center accountability system helps ensure that both the candidate and coach are focused on the Candidate Guides for candidate’s transformation and individual study. Each Degree Sample Candidate Progress IDEAS TO TRY Report • Ensure each coach has only as many • Set a degree schedule at the beginning The Leader candidates as he can comfortably devote of the year so the coaches and candidates May 2016, June 2014, himself to coaching. have a goal for their proficiencies Oct. 2012 • Ask coaches to report on candidates’ and degrees. advancement at each stated meeting and • Train coaches so they can best support praise their progress. candidates