Stevecoath wrote:Freemasonry is actually relatively cheap compared to a few years ago.
When my Lodge was consecrated in the 1920s the Initiation fee and dues were the equivalent to 6 months wages.
Imagine joining masonry today and being asked to stump up £20,000.
Also look at comedians such as Arthur Askey. Many used to provide the entertainment at the Festive Board, that couldn't have been cheap.
Agree Steve,
I got some old Lodge menu cards on ebay for a friend of mine. They were for a Lodge Festival. 7 course banquet, at the Hotel Cecil (now long gone), cabaret by Elsie & Doris Waters.
Also consider the massive amount of money contributed to fund the building of the Peace Memorial in Gt Queen St. I doubt very much if many of today's Freemasons could afford such sums, even if they wanted to.
Freemasonry has changed. Freemasonry has changed because society has changed.
Let's not get into the distribution of wealth, that cold get a bit political.
The work/life balance is different to what it was and people have a lot of calls on their limited spare time. We could compete with the gyms for the time and money people spend on gym memberships by putting exercise equipment in our buildings. Maybe having used our gym facilities they might join our Lodges. That suggestion is ridiculous, but I use it to illustrate the point that we should not be chasing after potential candidates who only have a partial interest. If they're interested they will come to us. If they're not interested we have to plan and organise accordingly.
In my personal opinion we still have too many Lodges. I helped resurrect a dying Lodge and took it into the University Scheme. It had an active membership of 4 and was about to surrender its Warrant. There are Lodges that have not had a candidate or joining member for 10 years or more. It's simply not possible to save them all, searching for candidates who might keep them going is not the answer.
As far as providing financial aid to younger members is concerned, UGLE and some Provinces reduce fees for under 25s. I think that's enough.
Older members on fixed incomes have financial issues too. I think it's tragic when a member with 40 years service considers resigning because he can't afford the fees.
The young members I meet in the University Lodges Scheme seem much more concerned about quality than cost.
S&F, Jules