Re: General observation on younger brethren
Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2013 3:16 pm
I can understand the issues around younger working members and their ability to make meetings and commit the time. I myself am in my early 40's and have been a member for about 5 years, I'm lucky that I predominantly work from home, but I also frequently travel thrroughout the UK with my work, and if within my power I wil try and re-arrange meetings and travel to work around my masonic work. Recently I've missed a couple of LoI's and rehersals for which I feel I should have attended, but I'm always told by the WM, DC and all other brethren that family and work comes first
I'm in a very understanding lodge who appreciate the younger working members and there's always a strong contigent of members who are willing and very much able to step into roles when the designated younger officers are unfortuantely unable to attend
My lodge meetings at 18:00 if we're doing a 3rd and typically 18:30 for any other meeting, other than the installation which is usually earlier, which for some younger members if rather early, but it's a balance between starting earlier or finishing late
As our lodge is predominantly made up with older members, we also have the issue of the older members not wanting to have a late night and driving in the darm etc., so much so that our PGM likes lodges in out province to have finished, where possible the meeting & festive board by 22:00. Those that can and wish to stay later are very much welcome, but those who want to leave then have still shared in the proceedings. This seems, pretty much, to be a happy balance, with our meetings always having a good attendance of members and visitors
One of the precepts of masonry is helping a friend or brother in time of need and in my lodge this is definately true and no doubt if the profile of our membership changes, the timing of lodge meetings can and would be flexed to accommdate to find that happy balance
I'm in a very understanding lodge who appreciate the younger working members and there's always a strong contigent of members who are willing and very much able to step into roles when the designated younger officers are unfortuantely unable to attend
My lodge meetings at 18:00 if we're doing a 3rd and typically 18:30 for any other meeting, other than the installation which is usually earlier, which for some younger members if rather early, but it's a balance between starting earlier or finishing late
As our lodge is predominantly made up with older members, we also have the issue of the older members not wanting to have a late night and driving in the darm etc., so much so that our PGM likes lodges in out province to have finished, where possible the meeting & festive board by 22:00. Those that can and wish to stay later are very much welcome, but those who want to leave then have still shared in the proceedings. This seems, pretty much, to be a happy balance, with our meetings always having a good attendance of members and visitors
One of the precepts of masonry is helping a friend or brother in time of need and in my lodge this is definately true and no doubt if the profile of our membership changes, the timing of lodge meetings can and would be flexed to accommdate to find that happy balance