The Past Is Past ... The Future Is Now

Freddie G. Davis, 32°
2027 W. 149th Street, Gardena, California 90249–3813

A few basic steps can go a long way to rejuvenating any Masonic Body.

As we begin the new century, it is an especially appropriate time to look at our Craft regarding where it has been, where we are going, and where we want to go. When I joined my Lodge 20 years ago, there were new members everywhere, Degrees almost every week, and activities galore. Now, 20 years later, there are few members at any meetings, three Degrees in a year is considered good, and we are basically doing very little. In two short decades, America and the world have changed drastically, for better or for worse. Does this mean we should have changed, too? I personally believe we should not have changed, in the sense of altering out character, but we certainly should have adapted.

The real issue is not to debate what happened or why. The real issue is what are we as individual Masons, Lodges, Shrine Temples, and Scottish Rite Bodies going to do to move forward? In spite of certain segments of our society not understanding us, there is a general lack of knowledge by the public about who Masons are or what we do, yet we are needed in our world, our country, and our communities now more than ever.

All that Masonry stands for, works at, and believes in is lacking in today's society. We need to step forward to fill the void and help our communities grow back to what our Founding Fathers envisioned as a strong, free, moral nation. I am sure many are thinking, "That's easy for you to say" or "You are preaching to the choir." Yes, on both counts, but, Brethren, take a look around; the church is empty and the choir is all that is left! What is ahead of us is not going to be easy, and it will take hard work, but we must do it if we are going to survive and be a positive force in the new century.

The obvious question is "What are we going to do to move ahead?" Each Lodge, Shrine Temple, and Scottish or York Rite Body has good ideas that would work. Do them! Some areas I believe would help are:

Contact our Brethren who are not active; drive them crazy with attention to get them out. Even if we get only 25% of them active, this is a good start.

Get involved in your community with visible, positive, and fun activities that will make non-Masons ask that famous question.

Generate activities that appeal to different groups; reach the Brethren where they are and with the subjects and activities that interest them.

When we get a new member, assign him a mentor to help him fit in. He and his family should be treated like royalty when they participate in an event. Put them at the head table, introduce them, and make them welcome.

Give everyone a job. Spread the work out so a few people are not doing everything. When someone is doing something, he feels part of the group, a player, someone of importance—and that's a good feeling. With everyone doing a little something, Masonry quickly becomes a team effort fulfilling to everyone involved.

Every Mason needs lots of Masonic education when he is going through his Degrees—and after. Help him in every way possible through personal conversations, group discussions, and family participation.

In the words of Henry Ford, "I am looking for a lot of men who have an infinite capacity to not know what can't be done." This all sounds basic, and, yes, it is! But are we doing it? Sadly, not often. Why? Because it takes hard work by all of us, yet our hard work is the only way to get that future Brother away from TV and to ML, the Masonic Lodge. We need to start working, telling, and calling now, before our window of opportunity passes us by.

Freddie G. Davis
is a past Master of Gardena–Ascot Lodge No. 372 and Inspector of the 367th Masonic District, Grand Lodge of California. He is active in the Los Angeles Scottish Rite, Al Malaikah Shrine, Sciots, Eastern Star, and South Bay High Twelve Club. In DeMolay, he holds the Chevalier Degree, Cross of Honor, and Legion of Honor. His community involvements include the Gardena Elks, Big Brothers, and the Gardena Economic Development Corporation (vice president). A manager in field operations for 20 years with Pacific Bell, he is married with two stepdaughters and three grandchildren.

	Contact our Brethren who are not active; drive them crazy with attention to get them out. Even if we get only 25% of them active, this is a good start.
	Get involved in your community with visible, positive, and fun activities that will make non-Masons ask that famous question.
	Generate activities that appeal to different groups; reach the Brethren where they are and with the subjects and activities that interest them.
	When we get a new member, assign him a mentor to help him fit in. He and his family should be treated like royalty when they participate in an event. Put them at the head table, introduce them, and make them welcome.
	Give everyone a job. Spread the work out so a few people are not doing everything. When someone is doing something, he feels part of the group, a player, someone of importance—and that's a good feeling. With everyone doing a little something, Masonry quickly becomes a team effort fulfilling to everyone involved.
	Every Mason needs lots of Masonic education when he is going through his Degrees—and after. Help him in every way possible through personal conversations, group discussions, and family participation.