The Path Forward Blue Lodge Mason Survey Results
Indiana, Ohio, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania
My Brothers, I am pleased to present to you the results of the Blue Lodge membership survey conducted in Indiana, Ohio, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania in 2018. It expands and supports the survey data we presented in late 2016. This new body of work presents to you the views of more than 8,500 of our Brother Masons. There is much you will see in the results that gives us heart, as well as food for thought. We continue to learn about what Masons want from their fraternal experience. The call for more education and the ability to dive deeper into the teachings and degrees is ever present. They want more connection with each other and with leadership. Using technology to augment communication is welcome. Since the launch of the campaign, “Not Just a Man. A Mason.” in the fall of 2017, we are seeing a new vigor and renewed energy in our great Craft. Forty states are using the campaign and our international reach is growing. Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and Scotland are all using all or portions of the creative materials. A transformative spirit is invigorating Freemasonry. Much of that spirit has been inspired by the simple act of listening and responding to the member—the men who have sustained our great fraternity for more than 300 years. I sincerely hope this new data serves you well in your planning for the future. David A. Glattly Sovereign Grand Commander Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Northern Masonic Jurisdiction
Blue Lodge Mason Survey Background This report addresses combined data from the satisfaction surveys for Blue Lodge Freemasons which closed with excellent response rates around 84%: Indiana & Pennsylvania, 4424 completions Massachusetts & Ohio, 3742 completions
Many responses are divided into the following designations: • Very/Somewhat Satisfied • Very/Somewhat Dissatisfied
Key Learnings Overall satisfaction with membership is strong: 81% of all respondents are “very” or “somewhat satisfied.” Dissatisfaction, while low overall, indexed highest among members 35–65. Fraternalism/brotherhood drives meeting attendance and is the most important aspect of membership among all groups. Less than half of “very/somewhat satisfied” members attend meetings monthly. Volunteerism is quite weak, even among “very/somewhat satisfied” members. All groups agree that recruiting younger members is a top concern. Degree presentations are enjoyable, but the work to gain a degree can be daunting. The ritual work requirements are seen as a possible deterrent for potential leaders. More support and social connection top the areas for change.
Blue Lodge Mason Survey � 18–24
5. On average, how often do you attend Lodge meetings?
� 25–34
� Less than once per year
� 35–49
� About once per year
� 50-65
� 2–3 times per year
� 66–75
� 4–6 times per year
1. What is your age?
� 75+
� More than 6 times per year, but not monthly
2. Which state are you from?
� I attend my Lodge meeting monthly
� Indiana � Pennsylvania
6. What is your primary reason for attending your Lodge meeting?
� Massachusetts
� Fraternalism/Comradeship
� Ohio
� Witness the degree being presented � A good meal
3. What is your zip code?
� Other (please specify)
______________________________
______________________________
4. How long have you been a member of Blue Lodge Freemasonry?
7. What is the primary reason you do not attend your Lodge meeting?
� 0–2 Years
� Scheduling Conflict
� 3–5 Years
� Repetitive Meetings and Degree Presentations
� 6–10 Years � 11–15 Years � 16–20 Years � 21–25 Years � 26–30 Years � 30+ Years
� Personal issues � Other (please specify) ______________________________ 8. On average, how often do you volunteer time to Blue Lodge Freemasonry? � Less than 1 hour per month � 1–2 hours per month � 3–5 hours per month � 6–10 hours per month � 11–20 hours per month � More than 20 hours per month
9. Please select any officer roles you currently or previously have served in as a Blue Lodge Freemason
11. Please rate the following aspects of your membership on a scale of 1–6 (1 = important and 6 = most important)
� Worshipful Master
� The fraternal bond of being a Freemason
� Senior Warden
� Socializing with my Brothers
� Junior Warden
� Knowing my family would be supported, if anything ever happened to me
� Secretary � Treasurer � Senior Deacon � Junior Deacon � Senior Steward � Junior Steward � Chaplain � Marshal � Tyler � N/A or None � Other (please specify) ______________________________ 10. When thinking of degree presentations in your Lodge, please rank the following statements on a scale of 1–5, (1 = Strongly Disagree and 5 = Strongly Agree) � I enjoy participating in the presentation of Degrees
� The knowledge that I would be able to help a Brother’s family in a time of need � Becoming a better man � Networking/other professional reasons � Helping public charities 12. What describes the main factor that influenced your decision to join the Freemasons? � Networking/other professional reasons � I was referred by a family member or friend � I saw an advertisement or brochure for Freemasonry � I saw a Masonic Lodge and decided to look into Freemasonry � I read a book or saw a movie that made Freemasonry seem appealing � Internet search
� I enjoy attending the Degree presentations
� I attended an open house at a Masonic building
� I am motivated to participate in the Degree work by the idea of moving up in rank within my Lodge
� I heard a radio advertisement on Freemasonry
� I believe some potential leaders may be discouraged by the prospect of memorizing Degree work
� I was a member of DeMolay and progressed to Freemasonry
� I saw Freemasons on Facebook
Blue Lodge Mason Survey 13. Which of the following service improvements/changes would you like the organization to implement? (Select all that apply)
15. Thinking about the recruitment of new Freemasons, do you agree or disagree with the following statements? 1 Strongly Disagree
� Provide more fraternal time together at meetings
2
� More social events outside monthly meetings
4
� More caring and support of Brothers and their families � Reduce the ritualistic requirements for leadership positions, allowing leaders to lead and others to present ritual work � Reduce the additional time requirement for officers � More open-minded/accessible leadership � More communication from leadership � More leaders who lead versus being told what they can and cannot do � More business/networking opportunities � More public charity efforts
3 5 Strongly � The organization needs to target younger members � Membership is good as it is � Younger members may be hesitant to join due to the fact most members tend to be older � Older members need to be open to diversifying membership � It is difficult to be a contributing member of the organization with a full-time job and family
� Young people do not understand the timeless values of the organization
14. How often do you use the following technologies/social media platforms?
� It takes a mature mind to grasp all that the organization has to offer its members
� Everyday
� Internet
� A few times a week
� Smartphone
� A few times a month
� Rarely
� Never
� Younger members may feel judged by older members when first joining the organization 16. Overall, how satisfied are you with your membership experience in Blue Lodge Freemasonry?
� Very Satisfied
� Podcasts
� Somewhat Satisfied
� Blogs
� Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied � Somewhat Dissatisfied � Very Dissatisfied
O p e n R e spons e s You indicated you were generally satisfied with your membership. What has contributed to that feeling?
What are some ways that the organization could IMPROVE your membership experience?
You indicated you were generally dissatisfied with your membership. What has contributed to that feeling?
Which of the following appendant bodies are you a member of? (Select all that apply) � Scottish Rite � York Rite � Shrine � N/A � Other appendant body (please specify) ______________________________
What are some ways that the organization could IMPROVE your membership experience?
Survey Response Was Highest among 50–65 The two youngest groups are combined due to small sample size of 18–24 (n=55). As with any online survey, technological barriers may reduce response rates among older age groups. Compare these percentages to the actual age composition of the target membership to determine level of representation.
Satisfaction Composition by Respondent Age Group 18–34
35–49
50–65
66–75
75+
n Very Dissatisfied
5%
22%
41%
21%
11%
n Somewhat Dissatisfied
6%
22%
34%
21%
16%
n Nor Satisfied nor Dissatisfied
4%
22%
29%
28%
25%
n Somewhat Satisfied
6%
20%
33%
26%
14%
n Very Satisfied
5%
15%
30%
28%
22%
“Very/somewhat satisfied” percent is highest among members with the least and most longevity in the organization Satisfaction by Length of Membership 8.8% 8.6% 8.4% 8.2% 8.0% 7.8% 7.6% 7.4% 7.2%
0–2 Years
3–5 Years
6–10 Years
11–15 Years
16–20 Years
21–25 Years
Overall, satisfaction with the organization is very high within each membership group. The highest proportion of “very/somewhat satisfied” was in the 0–2 years group, significantly ahead of the 30+ years group. (The remaining age groups form a third tier significantly below 30+.) This “barbell” pattern could suggest that initial enthusiasm is very high, but drops once novelty wears off.
26–30 Years
30+ Years
Dissatisfaction indexed highest in the 35–49 and 50–65 groups
Indexed Satisfaction by Age 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%
All
Very Satisfied
Somewhat Satisfied
Neither Satisfied nor Dissatisfied
Somewhat Dissatisfied
Very Dissatisfied
T2B Satisfaction
B2B Satisfaction
n 75+
20%
22%
14%
25%
16%
11%
20%
15%
n 66–75
27%
28%
26%
28%
21%
21%
27%
21%
n 50–65
31%
30%
33%
29%
34%
41%
31%
36%
n 35–49
17%
15%
20%
15%
22%
22%
16%
22%
n 18–34
5%
5%
6%
4%
6%
5%
6%
6%
This unhappiness is concerning, as these age groups usually provide the “workshorses” of an organization—members who have both knowledge and energy
The fraternal bond is the most important aspect of membership, even among the “very/somewhat dissatisfied”
Q6: Among all respondents and for all satisfaction levels, “Fraternalism/Comradeship” was by far the primary reason for attending a Lodge meeting. Q11: Importance of Membership Aspects by Satisfaction Levels 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%
n All
A. The fraternal bond of being a Freemason
B. Becoming a better man
C. Socializing with my Brothers
20%
22%
14%
D. The knowledge that I would be able to help a E. Brother’s family Helping public in a . . . charities 25%
16%
F. Knowing my family would be supported, if anything ever happened . . .
G. Networking/ other professional reasons.
11%
20%
n Very Satisfied
27%
28%
26%
28%
21%
21%
27%
n Dissatisfied
31%
30%
33%
29%
34%
41%
31%
Each aspect is significantly higher than the next for each group. Networking is by far the least important aspect for all groups, and there is no significant difference among the groups for this aspect. The “very/somewhat satisfied” group rates aspects A–E significantly higher than do “All Respondents.” Within E. Helping Charities, “very/somewhat satisfied members rate this aspect significantly higher than do “very/somewhat dissatisfied.”
Despite robust satisfaction, only 48% of “very/somewhat satisfied” attend Lodge meetings every month. 45% of All Respondents and 50% of “very/somewhat satisfied” cite “Scheduling Conflict” as the reason for non-attendance. Distance and ill-health are also mentioned in the open responses. Degree work is not a driving negative—even among “very/somewhat dissatisfied” only 15% cited it as the primary reason not to attend.
Meetings per Year Less than one
All 20%
Very Satisfied
Dissatisfied
16% A
32% AB
About one
7%
7%
9%*
2–3
10%
10%
12%
4–6
7%
7%
7%*
7–11
11%
12%
10%*
12
44%
48% A
29% AB
* Small sample size
Despite their dissatisfaction with membership, 29% of “very/somewhat dissatisfied” make it to every meeting, and 40% attend 7+ times.
Volunteerism is weak, even among “very/somewhat satisfied” Volunteerism 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% <1
1–2
3–5
6–10
11–20
20+
n All Respondents
48%
12%
14%
10%
7%
8%
n Very Satisfied
44%
13%
15%
11%
8%
9%
Hours per Month
44% of “very/somewhat satisfied” do not volunteer, i.e., the volunteer <1 hour/month. The majority (57%) of “very/somewhat satisfied” T2B members volunteer less than 3 hours per month. The factors could be the same as those that affect meeting attendance (scheduling conflicts, distance, health) There was no distinction between volunteering within the organization or externally. Helping public charities was only a mid-range motivator for membership.
Degree presentations are generally seen as enjoyable. The actual work is sometimes daunting. Degree Work Attitudes 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%
A B D
A B D A B C
A B C
A C D A D
A C D
A C D
Q10-1: I enjoy participating in the presentation of Degrees.
Q10–2: I enjoy attending the Degree presentations.
D
A B C
Q10–3: I am motivated to participate in the Degree work by the idea of moving up in rank within my Lodge.
B D
B D
A B C
Q10–4: I avoid leadership roles to avoid memorizing and presenting Degrees.
n All Respondents: Strongly Agree/Agree (A)
n All Strongly Disagree/Disgree (B)
n Satisfied Strongly Agree/Agree (C)
n Dissatisfied Strongly Agree/Agree (D)
A B C
A C D
Q10–5: I believe some potential leaders may be discouraged by the prospect of memorizing Degree work.
Degree work as a means to advance within the Lodge is not a major motivator, even among “very/somewhat satisfied” who are significantly more likely to enjoy degree presentations. Conversely, 55% (B) say Degree work is not enough to deter them from leadership roles, but more than half believe it is a discouragement to others.
The yearning for social connection and support drives the top two areas for improvement.
Q13: Areas for Service Improvements or Changes More caring and support of Brothers and their families
Tier 1
More social events outside monthly meetings
•
More leaders who lead versus being told what they can and cannot do
Tier 2
More public charity efforts
• •
Reduce the ritualistic requirements for leadership positions More communication from leadership
•
More open-minded/accessaible leadership Reduce the additional time requirement for officers
Tier 4
More business/networking opportunities
Tier 5
•
Less degree work, providing more fraternal time together at meetings 0%
5%
10%
n All Respondents
• •
15%
20%
•
Tier 6 25%
n Very Satisfied
30%
35%
40%
n Dissatisfied
Sign Diff to All & Very/Somewhat Satisfied Sign Diff to All & Very/Somewhat Dissatisfied
“Very/somewhat dissatisfied” are significantly more unhappy with leadership concerns: requirements, communication, and style. “Very/somewhat dissatisfied” are also looking for more social time at meetings.
Tier 3
45%
50%
Recommended Follow-ups Additional research with qualitative techniques might be considered to: Address apparent contradiction of high scores for “membership good as it is” and the expressed need to target younger, more diverse recruits Discover reasons for volunteerism being so low and how to address them Identify deep motivations for unhappiness of middle-aged members Specify what “more caring and support” would look like Brainstorm “more social events outside monthly meetings” Identify specific issues with leadership styles and ways to address them
Areas for Change All groups agree that recruiting younger members is the top concern. More support and social connection top the areas for change. Members want to see the fraternity keep up with the times. This means a change in attitude, younger members, more digital communication, and a better understanding of modern family dynamics.
Sampling of Open Responses The sampling of responses presented here are selected because they mirror many of the same types of comments expressed by the Blue Lodge Masons in this survey.
More than 50% of the answers directly point satisfaction being tied to fellow Brethren and feeling welcome.
In areas that discuss challenges, many responses singled out ritual as the be-all end-all of their Masonic experience.
Many friends of good men of all ages who I otherwise may not have met.
The only avenue to legitimacy in the Blue Lodge is through ritual. We lose so many brothers because we offer them little more than ritual! New brothers find, upon joining, that what they were told was not consistent with what they discovered. We say that we make “Good Men Better,” but do we?
The instant feeling of brotherhood. I had not felt that since serving in the US Army. The feeling of brotherhood and friendship that is hard to find in today’s society. Brothers support during difficult times. We help ourselves by helping others. Contributing to Blue Lodge activities is my path to being a better person, especially at home. Being a part of something bigger than myself, the challenge of learning good ritual, and the chance to contribute to the building of the Fraternity. It has fulfilled certain things in my life, while not detracting from other obligations. I have a ton of new friends. I lost my father at a young age. They have been my mentors throughout my life to help me make good decisions. Our lodge is still going strong. The younger generation is getting involved. We still pride ourselves on ritual work. And I feel that we do just the right amount of community work. The possibility to learn and improve myself as a man.
Ritual is what we do, not who we are. We are a Brotherhood of friends. We want Fraternity, not endless repetition. Feel that ritual has become the be–all and end–all of Lodge. People’s eyes glaze over with the endless repetition. It is excruciatingly boring to sit through month after month. When ritual is performed it is just rote memorization, there is no understanding of its deeper meaning. Our membership is unimaginative, not interested in learning, care only about themselves, and fight and bicker about nothing. Our Grand Lodge is too focused on ritual work while lodges are recycling masters and struggling to retain or recruit Masons. Masonry is about fraternal Brotherly love. We are missing the point. We need to find a balance between ritual and fraternal bonding. I have not met a single candidate that understood the degrees after going through and, therefore, feel they may not be effective. I personally find them boring. I am junior warden because nobody else will do it. I will not advance because I as a busy professional do not have time in my life at this time to commit to memorizing degrees.
Better ritual work for new members. Like give them a mentor to teach and guide them through the process of joining Freemasonry. The meetings are too rigid, the degrees are too long. We have 450 members, but are lucky to get 25 people to show up for meetings, 15 for degrees. The rituals are boring. I have only been a member for a year, if I was not an officer, I would not attend. I am just trying to be honest. You will not get younger people to get involved unless you change your formats. This is 2018 not 1818. Sorry, but that is what I think.
Wanting to participate in ritual and being told how wrong one is in memorization and floor work. Our day job is tough enough and completely nag to lodge should be much better. Also politics are really hard with favorites. I need to be challenged and stimulated, not bored with ritual (and introductions).
Sampling of Open Responses These comments reflect sentiment across all four states on organizational issues in the Blue Lodge Successful and honorable men of 2018 cannot spend four to seven nights a month at Masonic meetings for the sake of opening, feeding an ego, then closing. Officers spend their entire masonic careers attending District, and regional events that only take away from Freemasonry instead of providing a fulfilling experience for the members of their lodges (the people who Freemasonry actually consists of). Our Blue Lodge structure is broken. Older members do not support charity, community, education, degrees. They only want a meal and boring stated meetings. Hard to get things going without support. Worshipful Masters do not want to rock the boat and get grief from older PMs. WM also too involved in district deputy requirements to attend to lodge. District Deputy also only focus on their job, and do little to enhance our Lodges and district. We need a business structure with a manager who spends time correcting so many age old issues Letting the quality of your character not the color of your apron speak for you. Our membership is unimaginative, not interested in learning, care only about themselves, and fight and bicker about nothing. The arguments are most bitter when the stakes are smallest— that is Freemasonry in the 21st century. It is a small minded organization. As an organization we should be involved in the great issues of the day. Instead we fight over paying the electric bill and whether to have peas or beans at dinner.
I have dyslexia and a memory disorder that means I will never be able to go through the chairs in my large because I cannot memorize the degree rituals. Look at ways for the chairs to have less district requirements. Maybe co occupants of chairs to split the work load. Anything that can make the responsibilities more flexible with time and non-Masonic commitments. I come from a long family line of Masons. Up to my generation, all my uncles and father belong. In my generation, there are only 4 of 20 that belong. One is a PM who no longer attends. The main reason is lack of activities, and the fact that the lodge is run the same as it was in the 1960’s. That is why it is failing to keep younger members.
The clique is universally abhorred, and seen as damaging, petty and non-Masonic My personal lodge has a clique. and if you’re not in that clique, you’re not considered for any position and your opinion does not matter. The value just isn’t there. I have infighting among my lodge members and officers. There are cliques forming. Brothers I was raised with don’t show up due to these and other issues. We’re not do anything beyond business meetings and the occasional degree work. There are very few people of my age group in the lodge. In short, it doesn’t feel like a brotherhood. Internal fighting within the lodge leadership has driven many younger brothers away from the lodge.
Leaders that do not lead they make a joke out of the organization ceremony. They do not communicate and do not act Masonically. I was very committed in moving to the East, I was beyond exited to do so. Then, my work schedule changed and I knew I could not commit 100% to my lodge and it wasn’t fair to them so I stepped aside from any officer position. It hurt me to do this but my work and supporting my family comes first. The attitude I received from the older members was negative, and I was not in the “in crowd” anymore. Why pay $150 a year to get be ostracized and mistreated?
The Call for Continuing Education is Universal Watching the rituals is when you start to sense what is going, but associating the ritual to everyday life is elusive/confusing. There is no LEO education bridge between ritual and modern world—so how does a man get better? No way to learn more and dig deeper into the teachings and the values. Lack of education and inequality between officers and non-officers Once I completed my third degree there was nothing else beyond that except for degree work and monthly meetings. No Masonic education, no history, nothing. And when I asked where to go and what references I could use to begin my journey, no one could give me answers. Have an education person explain things. I never had that opportunity and wanted it.
There is no education on history which is the main reason I wanted to join in the first place. Also having no real education in Masonry, I reluctantly furthered myself by continuing on with the York rite only to find no more education there also. I’m just expected to show up and play dress up and practice degrees I don’t understand. Very frustrating and disappointing. I honestly want to quit all together. There is a lack of truthful historical origins of the fraternity presented to new members. Where are the Lodges of Education? Who are the teachers? Where are they? Not enough education on the symbolic and metaphorical dimensions of the personal approach to ritual work. Also, needs to be more friendly.
Politics and Other Charged Issues Surfaced in Comments from Each State Many older members voice overly conservative (at times racist and homophobic) political views that do not belong in the lodge room. Not a welcoming environment for those who do not share these politics. Religious overtones and racist comments experienced at meetings. Does not belong. Not Masonic. Latent racism and bigotry and high nepotism. Too many hypocritical brothers passing judgement and there are still racist Brethren (pet peeve). We need to be less judgmental of those different than we are in sex, occupation, religion and race. Be more open minded. Stop petty bull***t. Be less racist. Less homophobic. Less xenophobic.
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The Path Forward Blue Lodge Mason Survey Results
Indiana, Ohio, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania © 2 0 1 9 S u pr e m e Co u n c i l , 3 3 ° , A n c i e n t A c c e p t e d S c o t t i s h R i t e Nor t h e r n M a s o n i c J u ri s d i c t io n , L e x i n g t o n , M a s s a c h u s e t t s