| Brethren: These days, we hear a
lot of discussion concerning one-day classes versus the need to
take time to learn the work of the craft, and we often get so
worked up over how to make masons that we miss an important point.
If we are trying to get masonry back on its feet, whether we give
one day classes or one degree per year is almost irrelevant! Why?
Because, as one wise old past master used to say, "You may not be
able to make a horse drink if you lead him to the water, but first
you first must lead him to the water!" In other words, a man
cannot be brought to masonic light unless we can get him to the
lodge in the first place.
Here is our answer: Television!
We know that we can sell masonry and the
initiation system in whatever form it takes, we have done it
before! What we often cannot do, and have historically been
prevented from doing, is to tell the good man that we want him.
Such recruiting is NOT what is proposed here! That, too, can be
counterproductive! If a good man comes to us, "of his free will
and accord", you and I you can get him initiated, passed and
raised one way or another. But, if he is asked to join, the good
man is just as likely not to value the experience no matter how it
is conducted. Here is the crux of the matter! He must come to us
and ask in order to truly value what we have to give.
So...how do we get him to come? Easy!
Advertise! Do "public relations" activities. Get a higher profile
in the press. But MOST important, get on television! Television is
the key, one way or the other. Television is the common
denominator for all of our "brave new world". The Shriners are
already beginning to see this, and their excellent shrine hospital
public service announcements are an example. If we are willing to
see this, then we, the blue lodges, can blossom into this new era
of electronics.
How do we know this? Great examples abound!
The Navy gets large PERCENTAGE increases in recruits every time
there is a new television series about the Navy (like "JAG", or
even "McHale's Navy"). And we do not have to get into the
television series business: Every time a "good guy" on TV is
identified with an organization or cause during a show, the calls
and public interest go up dramatically. Also, every TV station
needs public service announcements, get in there and push. These
are just a few ideas to start the creativity rolling. Most, if not
all, grand lodges have public relations committees. If you, as a
mason, are really concerned with doing more than you are to
encourage new petitions, or to prevent the loss of membership, put
some time into this grand lodge committee. They probably need your
help.
Some may say that the reason for sagging
numbers and lost members is that so many good men are watching
television instead of coming to lodge, but as long as these men
are in front of the tube, let's show them the craft as a
worthwhile alternative. Of course we need to find ways to retain
members, but we are most vulnerable at the application level. We
must keep looking to television as a tool. Because we cannot bring
a man to masonic light unless we can lead him to the lodge. And
these days, you may not be able to lead a man to a lodge unless
you show it to him on television, first!! |
