FORMULA for Success

The successful growth of Columbia Lodge No. 286 in Columbia, PA, is no secret. Simple steps have led to the lodge’s growth, which was the most of any Pennsylvania lodge in 2021. Lodge officers have a lot planned for the future, but the one thing they are not planning to do is slow down.

Just a few years ago, the lodge was on the brink of surrendering its warrant and merging with another lodge. The lodge had sold its building due to expensive repairs required and had moved across the Susquehanna River from Columbia to Wrightsville (to share Riverside Lodge No. 503’s building).

Lodge officers began evaluating the future of Columbia Lodge. Realizing the growth of their membership was essential to their future success, the officers set about identifying and attracting new members. During that time, the officers also realized the importance of returning to Columbia, where it all began in 1854, and meeting in a lodge room of their own.

“At our core, we are a fraternity – a group of men enjoying each other’s company,” Brother Jason A. Martin, P.M., Worshipful Master, said. “There are no real secrets here. We like to have social activities and remind ourselves how important they are to our fraternity. As much as I love the ritual and enjoy conferring the degrees with passion and sincerity, they are only one piece of the equation for success.”

Each lodge meeting includes an educational or entertaining program to keep brethren interested and engaged.

Jason looks to balance history and current themes, ranging from a discussion of the Pythagorean theorem to Apollo, the Carmick Manuscript, the importance of logic, Mozart and his musical genius and a program by his wife, Jessica, about forensic nursing, which is her specialty.

Jason always attempts to keep meetings moving along and maintain everyone’s interest. After the meeting closes, members retire to a local restaurant for refreshments and conversation. Officers have also hosted several well-planned family events, often with a caterer and entertainment, balancing the Masonic year with meetings and fellowship.

“It builds a brotherhood of lifelong friendships,” Jason said.

Making mentoring and education a high priority ensures members, new and old, can speak confidently in public about Freemasonry in general and Columbia Lodge in particular. The officers realize that mentoring is more than the esoteric aspect of the degree work. Columbia Lodge educates new brethren about the fraternity, why Freemasonry is different and what makes it a lifelong enjoyable experience using the Grand Lodge mentoring program as a basis.

“Training members to answer simple questions is the first place to start,” said Jason’s father, Brother Robert W. Martin, P.M. “Historically, we were told not to talk about ‘secrets.’ Members used to be afraid to talk to their wives or children about Freemasonry. We have general information we don’t share with the public and a few private rituals, but overall, very little is secret. Through education, we can overcome the reluctance to answer questions from the public and avoid being misleading.”

Several of the lodge’s committees have been revitalized by re-educating the brethren how committees will benefit the lodge’s success, and many skilled members have stepped forward, eager to contribute. Every new member is encouraged to get involved with one or more of the committees.

Jason emphasizes that if you don’t make it look like a job, members will want to do it.

“Member involvement is critical to the success of a lodge,” Jason said. “Get to know your members and figure out what they enjoy doing to find the right place for them in the lodge. Brothers are volunteering their time, so it is important to make everybody feel it is worth his time and effort.”

Lodge members are kept informed through various communications, including social media, posts on Grand View, monthly lodge notices, the Call ‘Em All system, emails, texts and posts on the District One app.

“At a recent Grand Lodge Leadership Seminar, the need to be able to communicate with members from age 18 to 118 was emphasized,” Jason said. “We have to spend more time communicating to reach everyone, but it’s worth it. Adapting to the technology available must be utilized for younger generations to respond.”

The more enthusiastic members become, the more they are willing and eager to participate in all aspects of the lodge, from bringing in new members, to committee involvement, to serving as an officer or trustee. Enthusiasm is contagious; everyone wants to be a part of the movement.

“You don’t want members doing too much and becoming burned out,” Robert said. “You need officers who aren’t afraid to delegate and let brethren learn. The more each member puts into it, the more he gets out of it.”

Relocating the lodge to Columbia on Walnut Street has been like a homecoming for long-term members. The lodge rents its new space. It doesn’t have a kitchen or dining hall, but the members are enjoying the less expensive monthly costs and freedom from maintenance.

“All things come into play,” Jason said. “We believe it is important lodge notices contain attractive, informative and personalized content. The lodge also should have a current social media presence, an attractive lodge room and educational and entertaining programs. There should also be lots of opportunities for social gatherings.”

As a 44-year member of the fraternity, Robert said, “It’s fun to be a member of Columbia Lodge. First of all, there is laughter in the lodge. There is a serious side, but we are a fraternity, and laughter should be a part of it. We want to have fun and fellowship.”

As a member for over 25 years, Jason said, “At the end of the day, what were men at the time doing 300 years ago? It was a group of like-minded men of good, moral character gathering at a pub to talk, resolving some serious issues, doing good and having fun. It’s not much different today.

At lodge events, our goal is to promote fellowship amongst the members and their families and our involvement in the local community. At lodge meetings, we come together to talk about what we are doing outside of the lodge room, have some sort of program and to discuss lodge business. This includes hearing committee reports, recognizing brethren who are in sickness or distress and how we can assist them, conducting Masonic education, supporting our troops, paying the bills, planning future events and conferring degrees, all of which remind us to live a good and moral life.

“Before you know it, you are becoming a better Mason, citizen, husband and father, and more aware of the virtues illustrated in Freemasonry.”