Masonic Renewal, Shaping Masonry For The Twenty-first Century

T. Michael Fegan, 33°
Chairman, Masonic Renewal Committee of North America, Inc.
PO Box 207, Junction City, Kansas 66441

Masonic Renewal is an ongoing process, not just a program.

The Masonic Renewal Committee of North America (MRC) was mandated by the Conference of Grand Masters to provide continuity in Masonic Renewal in the member jurisdictions and to preserve Freemasonry.s long-standing position of preeminence as an active, viable, and relevant institution in our communities. The MRC was charged to develop and coordinate Masonic renewal efforts incorporating, to the extent possible, related programs then in use by several Grand Lodges and other Masonic organizations, including the Scottish Rite. In addition, the Committee was directed to develop new products and programs to achieve its goals. To that end, partnerships have been developed with, among others, the Scottish Rite Research Society and the International Order of DeMolay.

MRC Purpose and Duties
(A) Produce and distribute membership development materials to assist Masonic organizations in enhancing leadership potential, increasing community and family involvement, and expanding Masonic public awareness.
(B) Analyze, evaluate, and conduct training seminars, educational programs, and workshops appropriate to facilitate and promote the Masonic Renewal effort.
(C) Focus attention on Masonic Renewal programs in order to position the Fraternity to take advantage of 21st Century opportunities.
(D) Provide Grand and Craft Lodges, as well as Concordant and Appendant Bodies, with the knowledge and training to implement these programs in their respective jurisdictions and organizations.

Program and Product Distribution
Since the distribution center for our Masonic Renewal Products was relocated in Kansas City, Missouri, at the DeMolay International Headquarters, we have established approximately 1,000 active accounts throughout North America and abroad. Many of these accounts are Grand Lodges which in turn distribute MRC products to their constituent Lodges, Scottish Rite Bodies, and individual members. Over the last 12 months, we have added over 100 new accounts. During that same period, we have distributed products to 42 states, Canada, Mexico and other foreign Jurisdictions.

Many products and programs of the Masonic Renewal Committee, together with a detailed explanation of their use and application, are currently available upon request to the address above. Also, MRC has established an informational Website www.masonic-renewal.org, and E-mail masonicrenewal@hotmail.com. These allow instant exchange of information, and for ordering convenience, the MRC has a toll-free telephone number 1–888–891–8235 or FAX 1–816–891–9062. These numbers go directly to the Masonic Renewal Distribution Center located at Kansas City, Missouri.

The MRC also offers Leadership and Membership Development Seminars. For instance, on November 19–20, 1999, at the St. Louis, Missouri, Airport Marriott Hotel, the MRC sponsored and conducted a fall seminar created especially for Grand Lodge Wardens, Grand Lodge Membership, and MRC Chairmen. Masonic Renewal itself is a process, not a program. The overall goal is to place Masonry back in the popular culture. To this end, Ill. Bros. Jim Tresner 33°, G.C., and Robert G. Davis, 33°, both nationally know Masonic scholars from Guthrie, Oklahoma, facilitated the St. Louis Seminar at which 34 participants representing the following Grand Jurisdictions and groups attended: Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Washington, Imperial Shrine, and the Scottish Rite, both N.M.J. and S.J.

This program, the latest in the planned Leadership/Membership series, emphasizes the importance of leadership and membership development to increase and retain Masonic membership. These programs are designed to: (1) develop effective leadership in both Grand and Constituent Lodges and Appendant Bodies; (2) promote family involvement; (3) encourage community participation, and (4) demonstrate Masonic relevance by illustrating the variety of Masonic contributions to local communities.

Freemasonry must continue to reach out to our respective communities. Current plans are to continue the Leadership/Membership Seminars by hosting one or, hopefully, two each year at locations easily accessible to as many jurisdictions as reasonably possible. We have tentative plans to hold a seminar again in St. Louis, Missouri, November 3-4, featuring a theme of "Membership Retention." The MRC will also provide speakers on request to Masonic organizations that would like to know more about the MRC.s efforts presently underway and their positive influences.

The Masonic Renewal Committee asks: "Where do you want to go tomorrow?" Masonry is still in a state of decline. Although the slide has diminished, membership loss is still the single greatest threat to the viability of the Fraternity. The MRC offers a prescription to deal successfully with the problem of declining membership. This prescription for success means we need to start thinking outside the box, coloring outside the lines and, in doing so, change the paradigms. Programs, seminars, and products are designed to complement the renewal process in the Lodge at the local level. That.s where the problem begins, and that.s where the problem will be solved. The MRC is committed to the continued development of new products and programs. These products offer, we believe, the best hope for the future of the Fraternity in North America and the world. The seed we plant together today will produce abundant fruit for us all tomorrow.

T. Michael Fegan began his Masonic career in high school as an active member in Central Chapter of DeMolay, Junction City, Kansas. He was made a Master Mason in Union Lodge No. 7, Junction City, serving as Master in 1991. Bro. Fegan was Treasurer of his Lodge and is President of the Union Masonic Building Corporation. Illustrious Fegan petitioned membership in the Salina, Kansas, Scottish Rite Bodies in 1985, was invested with the K.C.C.H. in 1991, and coroneted a 33° in 1995. He is the Asst. Personal Representative, Valley of Salina, Kansas, a member of many Masonic Bodies, and has served on several committees of the Grand Lodge of Kansas and as Grand Master in 1998. He has served on the Masonic Renewal Committee of North America since 1994 and as Chairman from 1999–2001. Aside from involvement in Fegan Enterprises, a Kansas corporation managing real estate in Kansas, Ill. Fegan is very active in his community. He was on the City Commission of Junction City, served four years as Mayor, and held office under Governor John Carlin on the Kansas Council of Employment and Training, a division of the Kansas Department of Human Resources.