The Path Forward
Plans for Member Service and Member Growth
Special Report M e m b e r S u r v e y R e s u lt s
Supreme Council, 33°, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Northern Masonic Jurisdiction
We will strive to be a fraternity that fulfills our Masonic obligation to care for our members. — Vision Statement, Scottish Rite, NMJ
Supreme Council, 33°, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Northern Masonic Jurisdiction Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, Lexington, Massachusetts ISBN: 978-0-692-92136-4
© 2017 Supreme Council 33° All Rights Reserved
2 November 2017 / The Path Forward
I am pleased to present to you the results of the comprehensive survey of Freemasonry and the Scottish Rite we conducted in late 2016. This body of work is the most comprehensive study of Freemasonry in more than 20 years. Much time and energy was spent in 2017 studying and quantifying the results, then interpreting the data into an action plan to service you, the member. The paradox is that the dry, sterile numbers that came out of survey work lead us to a place rich in fraternal feeling. In the end, the data circle us back to our fundamental values. We see why there is, in fact, much yearning among men today for what we have to offer. We learned much about what you want more of from the Scottish Rite and Freemasonry in general. In the coming months, you will see an increased response to the input we received from our members. Our technological footprint is growing larger. Connection with Scottish Rite leadership is becoming more open and frequent. A renewed sense of pride and the bonds of closer brotherhood are rising in our members. We promise you that our efforts in all these areas will continue with sustained comimitment. The transformation of membership services in the Scottish Rite is underway, and it is being driven by those who have sustained our great fraternity for more than 200 years— our members. We listened and are responding. Above all, together we will continue to touch that place from which one of the greatest honors of our lives comes. To be able to declare to the world, “I am not just a man. I am a Mason.” David A. Glattly Sovereign Grand Commander
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Charting the Path Forward
M
uch has been written over the years about the decline of membership in Freemasonry. From Brother Dwight Smith’s seminal 1961 work, Whither Are We Traveling, to Laudable Pursuit: A 21st Century Response to Dwight Smith (The Knights of the North, 2005), to the many essays in The Northern Light, there has been great thought and numerous ideas put forth on how to fix Freemasonry. The debates about Freemasonry have been long and passionate, with many theories and directions proffered, from de-emphasizing ritual to adopting a fundamentalist approach to the craft. And many, many changes have been made. Yet our numbers remain in decline.
On the current trajectory, what we recognize as Freemasonry will be all but gone in fewer than 20 years.
On the current trajectory, what we recognize as Freemasonry will be all but gone in fewer than 20 years. The average age of a Scottish Rite Mason is 70. Without profound intervention, this is, in the simplest of terms, unsustainable. The path Freemasonry has pursued over the past 50 years has been judged “in the calm light of history,” using the words of Abraham Lincoln. History has not been kind. What was once one of the largest and most influential organizations in our nation—an organization sustained by its values and led by men of character has lost threefourths of its membership. Our standing and influence in society at large has all but disappeared.
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This body of work includes two surveys—one of Scottish Rite membership, and the second of non-Mason American men at large.
Freemasonry has determined its path to the future largely through policies based on disparate personal opinion. However, if we are to succeed, we must choose our path carefully and on the basis of clear facts and undeniable, sometimes brutal, truths. Until this is done, the fraternity will be mired in debate, and real change and advancement will continue to elude us. This is exactly why John Wm. McNaughton, past Sovereign Grand Commander, commissioned a major research study to help us understand—on a factual basis—how to move the fraternity forward. The study we review here is the most comprehensive, data-driven looks into Freemasonry completed in more than 20 years. Conducted by the independent research and marketing firm, CerconeBrownCompany, this body of work includes two surveys—one of Scottish Rite membership, and the second of non-Mason American men at large. The questions were vetted by a professional agency specializing in eliminating bias. The study also included a press audit of all Freemasonry news coverage in recent years, a social media audit that catalogs all social conversations on Freemasonry, and a deep review of related writings and existing research.
The results of this effort present a fact-based foundation for the path forward. It is a direction that is exciting and hopeful. What is asked of us as Freemasons is daunting, yet achievable. Most important, the path is rooted in the values and intentions of the craft of Freemasonry and the vision of Scottish Rite.
Is Freemasonry Out of Step with Society? It is no secret that membership in Freemasonry has been shrinking since its high-water mark in the mid-1950s. In speaking with Scottish Rite Brethren during this research, one detects an almost dour acceptance of the decline. There exists an insidious belief that this downward trend is not only irreversible, but also, inevitable. When asked why our craft is on the decline, representative responses include: • Young people have too many distractions. • Men have lost the basic beliefs that draw a man to Freemasonry. • Millennials are inwardly focused techno-centrics with limited attention spans. Many agree that the intense period of membership growth in the post-World War II era was a statistical aberration. It is also clear to most that the precipitous decline began during the upheaval of the 1960s and the Vietnam War era. This was a time when many young men categorically rejected the institutions of their fathers, Freemasonry among them. In A Laudable Pursuit: A 21st Century Response to Dwight Smith, the authors paint a grim picture of the fraternity’s state of affairs:
When World War II ended in 1945, the United States saw a rise in civic organizations with a generation of deeply engaged individuals and WWII veterans coming of age. The rise was short lived and society once again shifted, as the perfect storm of Boomers coming of age, technology on the rise, and the counterculture of the 1960s were at the forefront. The Vietnam War was the beginning of distrust of the establishment, driven by the counterculture of the 1960s,
individualism of the 1980s, and rise of the Internet, which all left civic organizations and volunteer groups hurting for members. With this rejection by the Baby Boomers (ages 52–70 in 2017), Freemasonry was dealt a generational blow. Without the Boomers joining as young men, the legacy custom that passed Freemasonry from father to son was broken, and new membership slowed to a crawl. These issues of declining membership are not unique to Freemasonry. Many traditional and hierarchical social groups—religious groups, business organizations, and fraternal organizations, in particular—have seen a steady decline in membership over the last few decades. There is a counterpoint, however. Society is now seeing the rise of new organizations that deepen community in powerful ways. These groups are formed by common social, political, or economic interests, and are proof that people are finding new ways to connect.
Even in the face of the Internet’s effects on society, people are coming back to the belief that we need real institutions and real human connection.
Though much empirical evidence and research point to a decline of “joiners,” it is important to note that there is still a vital energy at work that creates the will to join. Much of the evidence of that will is found beyond the purview of traditional groups. There is a grassroots phenomenon that grows up from tight-knit affinity groups bound by common social, political, or economic interests. While formal institutions such as Freemasonry may not feel this phenomenon (yet), we see it in many secular trends: fitness movements have an almost religious fervor; post-college sports groups are at an all-time high; bonding experiences in political activism and charity work abound.
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Even in the face of the Internet’s effects on society, people are coming back to the belief that we need real institutions and real human connection. People know it is missing from their lives. The basic need to connect is still present: humans yearn for face-to-face interaction and conversation. This need for connection is an elemental aspect of the human spirit. It is why Freemasonry can again gain a foothold in today’s society.
But are Millennials the right target? Let us tease out demographic information about Millennial men. These young men have the least money and least amount of discretionary time of the existing generations. They are at the beginning of their family and professional journeys and are least likely to find the time to join organizations and stay active. What’s more, most are missing the paternal connection that was once so strong a draw for young men to join Freemasonry.
Who Will Be the Next Freemasons?
Boomers and the Call to Service
There is a clear desire, in terms of recruiting new Masons, to attract younger members. Many look to Millennials to fill the ranks. Seventy-six million strong, and between the ages of 21 and 38 in 2017, this is now the nation’s largest generation.
As mentioned earlier, the membership in Scottish Rite and blue lodge Masonry is aging. Our research shows that while Boomers as young men may have once turned their backs on Freemasonry, societal influences and their life stage are calling them back to our tenets and values.
At first glance, Millennials look promising: they differ from other generations in that many define success by personal satisfaction rather than material wealth. They are known to be solution-oriented. They want answers and don’t rely on past history. Instead, they choose to research their options thoroughly and quickly.
Consider these factors: the Boomer generation is extremely large, and its values are tied to its collective commitment to faith, friends, family, and country. On the cusp of retirement, Boomers look to the future with great optimism. They do not view retirement as a time to slow down, but rather, as a time to seek meaningful ways to use their time and money.
Research shows the strongest values among Millennials are loyalty, equality, and responsibility; they are, therefore, predisposed to finding and delving into Freemasonry as an option for fulfillment.
Inside the Minds of Millennials •
Millennials represent 25% of the US population and hold $1.3 trillion in spending power (RBC Capital Markets).
•
Skeptical of any individual report, Millennials assuage their doubts with rigorous research that combines the wisdom of crowds with word-of-mouth endorsements from family and friends.
•
Millennials want to trust brands, institutions, and individuals, but to do so they must first verify that those entities will meet their expectations. (CEB Iconoculture, 2015)
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Retirees are projected to constitute a volunteer army, and to contribute more than 58 billion hours of their time to helping others. (CEB Iconoculture Consumer Insights, 2016) Nearly 60% of Boomers believe that they will have a meaningful impact on society in retirement. (Iconoculture, 2016) Boomers are realizing the responsibility they have to give back to the community, and feel compelled by the desire to help neighbors and those in need. Indeed, for many it becomes a life passion. Responding to the call to service has become a key marker of personal identity and social status. Boomers’ life stage aligns with Freemasonry. Even if they are no longer part of the workforce, Boomers still want to feel that they are a necessary part of society, and to put their skills and experience to good use. When asked to rank 100 values from most important (#1) to least important (#100), Boomers ranked the core values of the Scottish Rite highest of any generation, with “Justice” and “Integrity” ranking in the top 10 of all Boomer values.
Values common to both generations further underscore this connection. They include: • Loyalty
60%
• Authenticity • Responsibility • Courtesy
percentage of Boomers
• Success
who believe they will have meaningful
• Equality
impact on society in retirement
Boomers are the Prime Target Market
(Iconoculture, 2016)
The Boomer–Millennial Connection Fortunately, focusing on Boomers to increase membership ranks does not alienate other generations. In fact, focusing on the Boomer “target market” aligns the organization with attracting Millennials, as well. Research points to many similarities between the two generations: • both want to make a difference • both want to be heard and respected • both see themselves as “rebels” and reject their generational stereotypes
Ta b l e 1 :
Through the research we conducted, it is clear that Baby Boomer men, ages 52–70 years, are the prime target to become the next wave of Freemasons. The aperture for recruiting this demographic is wide open. Further, targeting Boomers will reignite the generational cycle of Freemasonry as Millennials learn of the craft from their Boomer relatives.
Will 21st Century Men Want to Join Freemasonry? Although societal trends provide a promising backdrop for the future of Freemasonry, and by extension, Scottish Rite, does this translate to men actually joining?
Scottish Rite Values Resonance by Generation: Justice & Integrity
Millennials
Gen X
Boomers
Justice (27)
Justice (8)
Justice (4)
Integrity (29)
Integrity (11)
Integrity (8)
Toleration (36)
Service (24)
Service (22)
Reverence for God (52)
Toleration (31)
Reverence for God (27)
Service (58)
Reverence for God (36)
Toleration (33)
Devotion to Country (85)
Devotion to Country (73)
Devotion to Country (50)
Values ranked in 2016. Ranked from 1 (most important) to 100 (least important) for each generation.
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My generation’s definition of success is closer to my grandparents’ genera-
80%
tion where it is more about life balance than the accumulation of stuff.
percentage of men interested
— Shaun, Millennial, November 2016
in joining an organization that “helps me become a better person while helping to improve the quality
To determine this, we conducted a national survey of 1,000 men, ages 21–65, who have never been Freemasons.
of life for others”
Among those surveyed we discovered: • nearly 81% had some level of awareness of Freemasonry
Nearly 80% stated that they would be interested in joining an organization that “helps me become a better person while helping to improve the quality of life for others.”
Nearly 3 of 4 (73%) would be interested in joining an organization “where you will form deep and lasting friendships, regardless of race, religion, culture, or geography.”
• conversely, only 20% were aware of the Scottish Rite • fewer than 30% were aware of the values of Freemasonry • only 25% knew that Freemasonry is a Brotherhood built on, among other things, the principle of selfless giving The results from this non-Mason survey were staggering. The value of integrity polled at 91%, with respondents saying the value was either “important” or “extremely important” in their daily lives. Across the board, the values of Scottish Rite align closely with the values of today’s men, particularly the Boomers. After establishing an undeniable connection between the values of Freemasonry and those most commonly held by American men, the survey drilled deeper to determine what organizational attributes men find most appealing.
This is a clear vote of confidence. If we raise men’s awareness of what is core to Freemasonry—fraternity, compassion, and self-realization — it stands to reason that they will join.
Across the board, the values of Scottish Rite align closely with the values of today’s men, particularly the Boomers.
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The Right Message about Freemasonry for Men Today
T
o determine how best to communicate with men today, our research study provided non-Masons with a series of statements about Freemasonry, ranging from its historical beginnings to messages of fraternity. After each statement, the survey asked if this statement improved their perception of the craft. We asked about: •
Charity
•
Masonic Values
•
Fraternity
•
Selfless Giving
•
Moral Standings
•
Founding Fathers
•
History
Here are the results.
Improves My Opinion 49%
No Change 50%
Worsens My Opinion 1%
Charity Freemasons do a lot of work for charities, including holding and participating in various fundraisers within the community to promote charitable causes.
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Improves My Opinion 48%
No Change 51%
Improves My Opinion 47%
No Change 51%
Worsens My Opinion 2%
Worsens My Opinion 2%
Masonic Values
Fraternity
Honor and integrity are at the core of the
Becoming a better person while helping to
Masonic belief system. Members are obligated
improve the quality of life for others means
to practice self-control and treat people with
forming deep and lasting friendships that
respect, regardless of their own personal
transcend the boundaries of race, religion,
opinion of that person.
and culture, as well as those of geography.
Selfless Giving Improves My Opinion 45%
Being a Mason means the kind of deep satisfaction
No Change 53%
that comes only from selfless giving—from doing for others without asking, or expecting, anything in return.
Worsens My Opinion 2% 10 November 2017 / The Path Forward
Messages of compassion, integrity, and “becoming a better man” ranked highest. Improves My Opinion 44%
No Change 55%
Messaging That Resonated Least with Non-Masons Worsens My Opinion 1%
The concepts that resonated least with non-Masons were the organization’s historical ties and relationship to the nation’s Founding Fathers, which have been emphasized in outreach programs to non-Masons.
Moral Standings The main principles of Freemasonry insist that each member show tolerance, respect, and kindness in his actions toward others; practice charity and care for the fraternity as a whole; and strive to achieve high moral standards in his own personal life.
Improves My Opinion 39%
No Change 58%
Messaging That Resonated Most with Non-Masons What is immediately notable (and energizing) is that nonMasons are most likely to join organizations that reflect our craft’s most important values. Messages of compassion, integrity, and “becoming a better man” ranked highest. These findings demonstrate that not only are American men morally aligned with the beliefs of Freemasonry, but also, they are seeking out organizations able to provide experiences grounded in those beliefs.
Worsens My Opinion 3%
Founding Fathers This refers to sharing the values of our nation’s founding fathers. Men who believe in the brotherhood of man are firmly rooted in the Constitution of the United States.
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Deploying the Right Message The fact that 81% of respondents had heard of Freemasonry, yet did not know our fundamental tenets, fully suggests our messaging must overtly and clearly articulate Masonic values.
Improves My Opinion 29% No Change 69%
Worsens My Opinion 2%
History This speaks to being part of an unbroken tradition that stretches back more than 500 years to a time when guilds of Freemasons traveled throughout Europe laying the stones of the great Gothic cathedrals.
The fact that 81% of respondents had heard of Freemasonry, yet did not know our fundamental tenets, fully suggests our messaging must overtly and clearly articulate Masonic values.
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The lack of understanding of what Freemasonry is about and what it offers was underscored in the survey. It will come as no surprise that among the general population of men, erroneous ideas about Freemasonry abound. These range from characterizing the fraternity as a secret society to more fantastical notions. The clear alignment of what Freemasonry stands for and what American men are seeking is a surprising reminder of how truly relevant we can be in society today. More importantly, the data indicate that when men are presented with the news of our craft with well-targeted, values-based messaging, they react in an open-hearted and positive way.
But Will They Join? We have established that societal conditions are trending in our favor. The Boomer target market is well aligned with Freemasonry. The core tenets of the craft have appeal for men today. But the question remains, if presented with the right message, will men want to join Freemasonry? In a word, yes. Our study revealed that, when presented with messages of fraternity, integrity, compassion, and becoming a better man, 57% of American men today would consider joining Freemasonry. In absolute terms, this means 57 million American men. Read that again: 57 million—more than every man in the entire Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.
Charity, Masonic Value, Fraternity, and Giving Most Resonate with Non-Mason Population 49%
48%
47%
45%
44% 39% 29%
Charity
Masonic Values
Fraternity
How Do We Effectively Attract and Retain New Members? How then do we change course? How do we effectively attract and retain new members in order to share the values and instill the pride for which contemporary men are searching? And perhaps most importantly: if we are successful in appealing to these men, how can we be sure that their experience with Freemasonry will meet their expectations?
Selfless Giving
Moral Founding Standards Fathers
History
When men take the obligation and are raised as Master Masons, and then proceed to take the degrees of Scottish Rite, where will they find themselves? Will they be amidst a fraternity solemnly dedicated and built on the values of justice, integrity, toleration, reverence for God, service, and devotion to country? Will they be part of an organization in which age, social status, race, and wealth are irrelevant, and to which all Brothers are welcome? To gauge these questions carefully, we conducted a second study on the state of Scottish Rite membership. What do our own members most value and desire? This is what we found.
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Scottish Rite Member Study
T
he Scottish Rite member study was conducted online. Subject matter ranged from issues troubling the blue lodge to satisfaction among members. We explored ritual, technology, leadership, and moving through the ranks to leadership positions in both the symbolic lodge and in the Scottish Rite.
3. The biggest challenges facing the Scottish Rite are related to inter-personal conflicts.
In total, more than 3,000 Scottish Rite Brothers participated in the survey. They provided more than 12,000 openended comments and suggestions. Every single one of these open responses was read, categorized, and analyzed in order to make the conclusions quantifiable. This endeavor has yielded one of the most comprehensive, detailed studies of the Scottish Rite and the state of Freemasonry completed to date.
Our study shows that, overall, members of the Scottish Rite are satisfied. In fact, only 8% of members surveyed reported being “somewhat” or “very” dissatisfied.
What We Learned Scottish Rite member feedback was clear on several fronts. In summary, we gained three primary insights: 1. Members of the Scottish Rite want more of everything:
The State of the Scottish Rite: How Members See It
When asked about the source of this satisfaction, 2 of 3 (67%) cited “Brotherhood, fraternity, and fellowship” as the greatest benefits of Scottish Rite membership. Tenure appears to play a role in satisfaction: those who have been members for either fewer than five years or more than 20 years reported the highest level of satisfaction. Why this is so is not clear, and more study is required. Brothers echoed the values of the Scottish Rite and its vision in their comments. When asked, “What is the greatest benefit of being a Scottish Rite member,” the following comments capture the essence of thousands of responses:
•
more interaction with leadership
•
more engagement with one another
“The love and support from Brothers.”
•
more ability to dive deeper into the craft
“Emphasis on being a better man.”
2. Members of the Scottish Rite want modern communication tools. Though they do not see technology as a replacement for gathering together in fraternity, they do see it as a way to enhance and augment the member experience.
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“Brotherhood, camaraderie, and exchange of ideas.” “The lessons learned, which have aided me with a strong sense of self discipline to direct my life.”
What Can the Scottish Rite Do to Improve? When members are questioned on the areas needing improvement in our organization, 1 of 4 members (25%) indicated that interpersonal issues and relationship conflicts are a main source of dissatisfaction within the Scottish Rite. Specifically, members report that: •
There is a perception that senior members (both leaders and non-leaders) are neither welcoming, nor interested in the development, of younger members.
•
48% of members agree that younger members may be judged negatively when first joining the organization.
•
Conflicts between individuals and social dynamics are expressed as a reason why many new members have been hesitant to participate more in the organization.
•
Members allude to factions existing among the member base (e.g., ritualists, those in favor of reforms, etc.) that are aligned with issues that have become flashpoints for conflict.
When given the chance to provide unfiltered feedback, Scottish Rite members’ comments paint a picture of rifts growing within the organization, which are creating significant challenges:
“Stop internal bullying”
“Too much infighting and pettiness by some members”
“The view from the top was not worth the climb. Very dissatisfied with power-hungry politics”
“Mostly upper level cliques . . . snobby leadership at the district, state, and Northern Masonic Jurisdiction level”
“If you’re not part of the leadership clique, you’re going nowhere in this organization”
These are the words of our Brothers. This is their experience within our fraternity. Is this the same fraternity that is made up of men that took a solemn obligation to support one another? Could this be the same fraternity built on values that include integrity, justice, and toleration? This must change.
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Leadership in the Blue Lodge
T
he challenges facing leadership at the blue lodge level become even more acute when we consider our Brothers’ feedback. Our Scottish Rite members remain deeply committed to ritual and its value to the craft. However, they also feel that an over reliance on ritual represents a major component of leadership and membership challenges affecting Masonry. Many members told us they feel that using ritual as the only arbiter of who is deemed worthy to lead is failing. Good and honest men who join our craft for reasons reflecting humanity’s deepest values are then subjected to a boring, tedious experience that is 180 degrees from what they were promised. Many survey respondents talked of being shut out of involvement in their blue lodge. In fact, one member told quite a disheartening story. The Master of his lodge announced to the men gathered, “If you can’t memorize and you can’t give a good sum to the charities, then you should get out of Masonry.” Members told us they want leaders who connect to them through their hearts and minds. They want to be rallied to
Our Scottish Rite members fell that ritual and memorization represent a major component of leadership and membership challenges affecting Masonry.
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a just cause. They want a leader who demonstrates wisdom, compassion, and insight while running the lodge with “equal regularity.” This debate about what makes a man worthy to be a Masonic leader has been raging for years. For the first time we asked and cataloged the perspectives of Scottish Rite members on leadership in Freemasonry. And what do they say? • Nearly half (48%) agree that many good men avoid leadership roles in the blue lodge to avoid participating in the strict rules and edicts it takes to get there. It’s important to note that this is not to say that ritual should be reduced or eliminated. In fact, the data suggest the contrary. Scottish Rite Freemasons believe that ritual is, and should always be, a central part of the craft of Freemasonry. But, our members also believe that the ability to perform should not be a prerequisite for leadership at the blue lodge level. The data further suggest that there is frustration with the lack of change in this area — not with ritual itself, but rather, its coupling with leadership and advancement. When asked “which improvements/changes would you like Freemasonry to implement,” nearly half (47%) of all members reported that they “would like to see more open-minded leadership” in the organization. This indicates that, even when appealing to leadership for change, at least half of the men of the Scottish Rite question the ability of leadership to be responsive in initiating such changes.
When asked “which improvements/
changes would you like Freemasonry to implement,” nearly half (47%) of all members reported that they “would like to see more open-minded leadership” in the organization.
This is a clear shot across the bow that Masonic leaders at all levels must heed. Should the message need to be clearer, read these words from a member sent in a letter to the Supreme Council:
My lodge has a single-minded purpose, and that is to help the same four or five recycled (for the last 15 years) past masters refine their bullying skills. I am a reluctant blue lodge member only for the purpose of belonging to the Scottish Rite and Grotto. Unfortunately, some of our blue lodge tyrants have also infiltrated my Scottish Rite jurisdiction. They are so mean-spirited, power hungry, and bitter. After I joined, I was somewhat ostracized by the ruling elite.
Needless to say, my blue lodge is spiraling down at a record rate (as it should and should be expected) due to lack of community involvement, outreach to our own Brethren in need, and the attitude of superiority. When TWICE we turned away from offering help to a Brother in such dire need it was aired on the local news, I was finished.
An article on this issue of balance appeared in the February 2017 edition of The Northern Light, and it generated a great deal of comment. The letter below is representative of the feelings expressed by a number of our members who wrote to react to what they see as problems in the blue lodge:
Indeed, lack of balance is precisely why many lodges have such low attendance they can scarcely open. Watching someone be scorned for his dress or his appearance is not what I call Brotherly love. It is an attitude that has degraded our purpose and meaning.
I chose to apply for membership 50 years ago because I was honored to be accepted among good men. It was then, and still is, something I am proud of, to be called a member of the Masonic lodge. I proudly remember my father and his look of approval when I was raised.
I sincerely hope other Brothers read and heed this message of balance and review the lodge mission.
Call a work day. I’ll be there. Call a mission to help. I’ll be there. Call a project for youth. I’ll be there. But, this old routine? No thanks.
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The Role of Technology What Do Scottish Rite Members Want?
bers join the organization, these numbers will, without question, increase. Communicating and connecting with membership in ways that they prefer only makes sense.
ther changes that Scottish Rite members would like implemented include “more social events” (52%), and to “use social media to increase fraternal bond” (50%). Both of these improvements speak to the point made earlier that members of Scottish Rite want more interaction with leadership and with each other.
Scottish Rite members provided feedback on how technology could be used on a range of issues, from recruitment to deepening their experience within the craft. Each of these recommendations is being addressed and implemented. •
80% are in favor of continuing to provide news and updates through email and social media
In fact, the use of technology to augment in-person interactions was a predominant theme in the research. One member reflected many similar comments in his own: “I believe online communication should take place at all levels. This would make communication possible with all members who are not able to attend a physical location.”
•
60% would like to see more interactive webinars and live presentations with leadership and want online education and discussion boards
•
60% would like more interaction on social media with local Valley leaders and the Supreme Council
•
50% would like to see blogs written by the Supreme Council or local Valleys
•
40% would like the chance to interact with fellow Brothers, either in person or online, to learn more from one another and discuss degrees
O
The use of technology to augment in-person interactions was a predominant theme in the research.
These sentiments are reinforced through the thousands of comments from members. Here are some examples: It is important to underscore that members define technology primarily as social media communication and improved website services and tools. Technology is not, nor should it be, a replacement for in-person events. This desire for adding more strategic and more robust digital communication capabilities comes as no surprise. The survey shows that 80% of Scottish Rite members use smartphones, and nearly 60% use Facebook. As new mem-
18 November 2017 / The Path Forward
•
“Utilize technology to help members with memorization problems, who want to help and become leaders, to learn and participate in degrees and leadership.”
•
“Provide seminars, educational courses, books, lectures, blogs, meaningful websites, [and] text reminders of meetings and events.”
•
“Provide instructional classes in understanding and implementing new technologies into the operation and administration of the lodges and Valleys.”
Members and Education Education was a main theme with Scottish Rite members for how technology could be used with more impact. In fact, when asked to provide an open-ended response on how the organization can best improve, one in five (20% of) respondents voiced an opinion about integrat- ing technology for educational purposes; 97% of these responses were in support of online education. How do we help men who want more from our craft, or who want to go deeper into the teachings? The members have asked for an online member center rich with learning materials and interactive opportunities to connect with each other. They want the center to be robust—sustained with new content and teaching tools that are curated to
The members have asked for an online member center rich with learning materials and interactive opportunities to connect with each other. It is being developed on our new website and will grow over time.
keep them vigorous and current. They want the leadership with “hands on the keyboard”—active and participating in this online arena in order to create connection across all members.
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Secular Charity vs. Caring for Each Other
P
erhaps the most interesting data from the Scottish Rite section of the survey relate to the question of secular charity versus an increased emphasis on taking care of our Brothers, as articulated in the Scottish Rite vision statement. When asked which improvements Scottish Rite should implement, half of all members (49%) state that they would like to see “increased focus on supporting members and member families in need.” In addition, when presented with the option, only one of five members (21%) is in favor of adding “more secular charity work.” This disparity
presents a mandate to leadership. We must continue to shift our focus inward and steer this organization toward our agreed upon mission to fulfill our Masonic obligation. This portion of the survey can be seen as proof undeniable of support for our vision and the path the Scottish Rite is taking into the future. Our members are speaking loudly and clearly about how they are living Freemasonry in thought, word, and deed. Scottish Rite leaders now, and in the future, must take this to heart. We must continue to hear our Brethren, see them, and act on their wise counsel.
Which of the following improvements /changes would you like Scottish Rite to implement? 52%
49%
46%
50%
21% 14%
Add more business networking opportunities
13%
Add more social events
20 November 2017 / The Path Forward
Better facilities
More open-minded leadership
More secular charity work
Use social Increased media to focus on supporting increase the fraternal members bond and member families in need
What This Research Teaches Us
A
s mentioned, this study is one of the most comprehensive, data-driven looks into Freemasonry conducted in more than 20 years. The paradox is that data and fact bring us full circle to the Masonic values of caring. It is imperative that we heed the words and wishes of our Brethren—our very existence as an organization depends on it. It would be a considerable misstep not to follow the very clear instructions given by our Brethren, and from men across the United States. This research has evidenced unequivocally that: • If Freemasonry positions itself correctly, today’s men will join. However, the fraternal promise must be real and experiential for the members at blue lodges and in the Valleys. • The Scottish Rite organization must focus on better servicing its membership — critically, through focus on what survey respondents report as the two most important benefits of membership: compassion for each other, and the fraternal bond.
• The Scottish Rite must find ways to remove barriers— and more important, open pathways—for more men to participate in leadership roles. In doing so, the Scottish Rite can be an alternative to the challenges at the blue lodge level—a place where members can be confident that the values of Masonry will be felt, lived, and passed on. • Members feel that returning the focus to taking care of each other is the single most important factor in revitalizing the fraternity; this theme permeates all responses. In fact, it is because of that bond and that promise that these men joined the craft.
• Scottish Rite leadership must get to know and become more involved with members at all levels. Using technology to accomplish this goal will be key in the years ahead.
Pride and Hope The staggering fact that 57% of American men would be interested in joining Freemasonry—if presented with the right Masonic messages—should give each and every Brother a renewed sense of pride and hope. According to the data, we can be sure, finally, that we are not an organization out of step with society. In fact, trends point to the opportunity for a renewed interest and period of growth. Even more encouraging is that the messages that resonate with American men — especially those seeking something
According to the data, we can be sure, finally, that this is not an organization that is out of step with society. In fact, trends point to the opportunity for a renewed interest and period of growth.
The Path Forward / November 2017
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greater — are at the core of Freemasonry. They want to be part of an organization that is about selfless giving, integrity, justice, becoming a better man, and taking care of each other, all within the bonds of fraternity and Brotherly love. But we have also seen through this research that which is killing Freemasonry at all levels: interpersonal challenges, pettiness, disorganization, and power mongering. The results show that we can no longer deny that the insistence that memorized ritual be the portal to leadership is a millstone around the neck of Freemasonry. The groupthink that supports leaders to continue practices counterproductive to the craft must be recognized and resisted by courageous men. Groupthink is one of the most dangerous and insidious phenomena at work in Free- masonry today. It occurs when the desire for harmony or conformity in the group results in dysfunctional decisionmaking outcomes. Group members minimize conflict and reach a consensus without critical evaluation of alternative viewpoints. Actively suppressing dissension conveniently isolates leaders from outside influences—and reality. This must end. The Scottish Rite will rise to this occasion. We will become the standard bearer for the craft. We will base our Masonic leadership on the Scottish Rite vision statement. Our obligation—and our members—demand nothing less. The Scottish Rite difference is in the strength of our vision. Our strength is fraternity. We remain committed to one another, dedicated and bound by hundreds of years of Masonic teaching.
Freemasonry Itself Is Our Salvation Freemasonry itself is our salvation, albeit based on incredibly important changes that demand we live up to our oaths: 1. In our blue lodges, we must cultivate and allow openminded leadership. We must support the men who are brave enough to step out from behind the yoke of ritual as the only path to making men leaders.
22 November 2017 / The Path Forward
2. In Scottish Rite, we must stay steadfast in helping members and member families in need. This is what makes us a unique and powerful voice in the fraternal world. 3. For our Scottish Rite members as a whole, we must provide more attention and interaction, and build ways to increase the bonds among Brothers. The use of technology is key in this regard. To make these changes, we must reinvigorate membership around the core values of Freemasonry. Men have been introduced to the fraternity in different ways, whether through a father or uncle, an event, or even television advertisement. Whatever it was that was seen or experienced, something stirred us, something that was always there in our innate spirit that then drove us to this path. For no matter from whence we came, we were all first prepared in our hearts. The research outlined here highlights serious challenges that must be addressed should we have any hope of rebuilding our numbers. There is simply no place for anything within the fraternity that is petty, negative, or non-productive. To be Masonic is to lift our Brothers up, to show them the light. And in doing this, we too find the light.
So How Do We Change? We, the Scottish Rite, must lead by example, and rally all Masons, including ourselves. Each man is to be moved to become the change we want to see, not only in the world, but also in our own Brotherhood. As the Scottish Rite, we must bring our values to the fore and show men that there still is a place for “all that once was good, and can be again.” To be more than just men. To be Masons.
The Path Forward
Plans for Member Service and Member Growth
Special Report M e m b e r S u r v e y R e s u lt s Supreme Council, 33°, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Northern Masonic Jurisdiction