DR Rawson, 32°, K.C.C.H.
8751 Dewey Drive, Garden Grove, California 92841-1611
dr@drrawson.com
Practical steps outline how beneficial change
can take place in your Valley.
Using
business as our metaphor, we should look at change as a topic
for consideration. First, let's discuss if there is even need
for change. Is there?
Many of us would agree change is necessary. We are not advocating,
however, changes in our values and morals, as represented in
the Degrees. Instead, we are addressing the ways in which we
operate at the local level where many Valleys have already begun
to change. Despite this progress, however, our overall membership
and our local activity levels are declining. It is harder to
get people into the Scottish Rite and, once in, to get them
to be active. Many of our more senior members say, "I've
been there, done that, and my time is gone."
What are you going to do? I say, "Plenty!" But let's
continue to focus on why change is necessary. Our culture says
that only certain people get to participate. Usually, it is
those more vocal and/or well-known persons. Our culture insists,
"This is the way it has always been done." Is that
good enough?
We have all heard the doom-and-gloom prophecies, many of which
have been shared in this magazine. However, what we're short
on, in my opinion, is a definitive action plan. Any plan worth
considering should have the effect of bringing in new members
and increasing the activity of your existing members. Remember,
the Scottish Rite will cease to exist if we lose the focus on
our members' needs.
To know how well you're currently doing, consider the answers
to the following questions:
1. Do you know the number of members you have by age group?
21 to 30; 31 to 40; 41 to 50; 51 to 60; 61 to 70; 71 to 80;
Beyond 81
2. Do you know the activity level of each age group?
3. Do you know the activity level of all members by area?
a.) North of the Scottish Rite Center
b.) South of the Center, etc.
4. Do you know how active the members are from each Class in
the last
two years?
5. Do you take roll of the members who attend?
6. Do you have an active widows' organization?
7. Do you know what percentage of your membership attends activities?
These metrics are just the beginning. They will act as your
scorecard. This method of self-evaluation will make the need
for change self-evident. Here's a sample action plan. Yours
may be different. Hopefully, the following will help to fuel
your mind-and actions!
Sample Action Plan
1. Review every position and every need within your Valley
so that you understand where people are specifically
needed.
2. Consider changing positions so that everyone will have a
chance to serve and grow as a Mason.
3. Interview each new member who has joined in the past two
years. Please don't use a form. Speak to him personally and
from your heart with a passion for the Rite.
a.) Begin by telling them we need them.
b.) Ask what they want to accomplish by being a member.
c.) Explore their talent to find out where they can be used.
4. Plot every member's location on a map.
a.) Ask active members specifically to work with a few inactive
members.
b.) Distinguish between the active and the inactive members
on your map.
c.) Assign active members to contact inactive members in their
area.
d.) Identify the needs of inactive members.
e.) Use active members to pick up inactive members, bring them
to
Scottish Rite events, and help them make new friends at these
events.
5. Notice the needs of young members.
a.) Arrange for babysitting and women's activities during Degrees.
b.) Arrange for babysitting during entertainment on dinner nights.
c.) Arrange for babysitting for work crews.
6. Focus on members' needs.
a.) All of your interviewing will bring a wellspring of ideas.
b.) Use these ideas to create opportunities for members to serve.
c.) Where possible, assign a mentor (other than the top-line
signer)
for each new member.
7. Interview with each Master of the Lodge in your Valley's
area.
a.) Strategize on how you can help each other get the Lodge
and
Freemasonry noticed within your community.i.) Public service,
e.g. speakers program events, highway cleanups,
family awards
ii.) Education support, e.g. scholarships, teacher recognitions
iii.) Local news stories, e.g. installation of officers, widows'
programs
iv.) Events open to the public, e.g. plays, concerts, patriotic
programs
b.) Assign a member of your Valley to act as an Ambassador
to the Lodge.
Do not use a member of your Valley who attends that Lodge.
c.) Give special recognition to new Masons and their wives.
8. Increase communication
a.) Eliminate the possibility of someone saying "I didn't
know that."
b.) Use automated dialers to call all members before: Stated
Meetings
Dinner Meetings v Work Assignments v Degree Practices v Degree
Nights
c.) Provide recognition, recognition, and more recognition.
9. Insure that the leadership in your Valley can answer the
following questions
of any potential Candidate:
a.) What's in it for me?
b.) How will I benefit?
c.) How will my family benefit?
d.) What's the benefit of spending my time at the Scottish Rite?
Here's the deal. We know that activity spreads enthusiasm,
and more activity spreads acceptance and, then, more enthusiasm.
We know this is true in business. This concept will also work
for the Rite. If we can agree on that, then the rest of the
issues will be handled. Suddenly, you will have more positive
than negative things to focus on, and each and every member
of your Valley will have much more to look forward to as they
participate in Scottish Rite activities.
You, each of you reading this article, can make a difference.
The real question is, "Do you want to?" Or perhaps
the question to be considered is this, "What will be your
Scottish Rite legacy?"
