membership strategy · 2 days ago · appendix b: duties of pmo appendix c: duties of area and...
TRANSCRIPT
Provincial Grand Lodge of Lincolnshire
Membership Strategy
Led Zeppelin was an affair of theheart. Each of the members was important to the sum total of what we were.
Jimmy Page
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Lincolnshire provincial Strategy and Operational procedure for the Development of membership
cONteNtS
Strategic imperativeOperational structure and deliverKey stages, outputs, and challengesOutcomesMonitoring and ProgressSummary and ReviewAppendix A: Points of contactAppendix B: Duties of PMOAppendix C: Duties of Area and Centre Reps
Strategic imperative
This document sets out measures to addressfalling membership numbers within theProvince of Lincolnshire. Diminishingmembership numbers could well be consideredas the greatest threat to Freemasonry’s future. This strategy is for the information of the‘rulers’ of freemasonry in Lincolnshire and asa guide for those closely involved inimplementing the pathway.Specifically, this strategy considers theattraction of new members rather thanfocussing on retaining members, but clearlythese issues are closely linked. Fallingmembership numbers is a national threatrecognised by Grand Lodge who havecommissioned the production of a MembershipPathway to inform provinces and lodges ofsuggested approaches to address the issue. The Province of Lincolnshire is committed tothis approach and fully supports and hasadopted implementation of the pathway. Thisdocument seeks to set out a strategy and wayforward for the Province to address this issueby means of the pathway. It also sets out someguidance on measures and new approaches thatcan be considered to promote interest in andattraction to freemasonry. The pathway can be
seen as a suggested approach to lodgesmanaging themselves and potential candidates.The pathway strongly encourages review andreflection within the lodge and in some lodgeshas produced a much more modern governanceand made the lodge more attractive to potentialmembers. Lodges have a growing awarenessthat many of our charitable activities aregreatly appreciated by the wider public andthat freemasonry is increasingly being seen tobe at the heart of the community by the localcommunity. The Province is fully aware of theindependent nature and sovereignty ofindividual lodges but is also aware of itsleadership role in securing a healthy future forlodges in Lincolnshire. It is recognised that the pathway provides abroad and very comprehensive ‘framework’rather than a strict set of rules to follow butacknowledges the principles it contains havebeen demonstrated to be successful. It is hoped that lodges will give it properconsideration and fully embrace the concepts itcontains, working together with the Provincein partnership for the betterment ofFreemasonry in Lincolnshire.
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OperatiONaL StrUctUre aND DeLiverY
A Provincial Membership Officer (PMO) has beenappointed to oversee the implementation of thepathway. An Assistant PMO has also been appointedand Centre and Area representatives are alsoappointed to assist with implementation and supportlodge MOs. See Appendix A for details.Delivery of the pathway within Lodges is quiterightly set at local level by appointed LodgeMembership Officers (LMO) who have a detailedJob Description set out within the pathway. A launchevent was held in June 2018 and follow up sessionsfor lodge MOs in May 2019. A further event washeld in March 2020, but unfortunately subsequentevents were postponed due to CV19. Events havealways been very well received by those attending.Further workshops will be held. The appointment ofa Lodge MO is a key decision for any lodge and willpositively affect its sustainability and success goingforward. The PMO reports to the APGM and his dutiesinclude overall responsibility for overseeing andencouraging implementation of the pathway acrossLincolnshire, working closely with the ProvincialMentor to ensure a seamless and joined up approachto membership. See Appendix B for his duties.Freemasonry across Lincolnshire is decentralisedcompared to many provinces. There are strong
feelings of affection for and commitment tofreemasonry at local level and within their ownlodge buildings. This is evidenced by the impressiverecent developments of lodge buildings acrossLincolnshire. This network of regional centres canbe regarded as one of Lincolnshire’s great strengths.This strategy seeks to maximise the benefits of thisby the Province and its Area and Centre reps.through working together with lodges at a locallevel.
Attraction of New MembersAttraction of new members is currently by severalmethods which can be summarised as follows.
Traditional recommendation by existing membersof an individual known to them and put beforethe lodge for approval or rejection.
Introduction via the Grand Lodge website whereinterested persons do not know any existingmasons. These are collated by the Provincial MOand passed to the relevant centre and area rep. forfurther action and possible referral to a lodge
Introduction via the provincial website, these areprocessed in a similar way to 2 above.
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Take up and adoption of the pathway has beenpatchy across the province. Some lodges haveresponded very well but many have not. The lack ofenthusiasm to embrace change as articulated withinthe pathway could be regarded as a weakness withinLincolnshire freemasonry. As an encouragement forlodge MOs to progress matters a feedback report wasdevised. This report asked for details and progress onissues such as…. initiates in 2018, 19; and numbersin the pipeline for 2020; as well as creation of lodgeprofiles; development of centre /area web sites; themanagement of candidates; amendments to lodgeprocedures such as interviews; measures taken topromote freemasonry in the community etc ie thevarious measures suggested for action as set out inthe pathway.
The feedback report was designed to encourage thelodge MOs and their lodges to embrace and engagewith the pathway and act as a spur to action.
At the time of writing (August 2020) 52 lodgeshave appointed Lodge MOs. A target for 2020was to increase this to 60
Implementation of the pathway is patchy withinlodges and only 35 lodge MOs returned arequested feedback report on activities for 2019.A target for 2020 was to increase this to 50
The new centre/area rep. structure is designed tosupport Lodge MOs at local level and encourage andassist with achieving the above targets. The bestresults are likely to result from joint activity betweenlodges and collaboration within centres, egdevelopment of centre web sites and open days.
Overall numbers of freemasons in Lincolnshire havebeen in decline for several years. The main reasonfor this is demographics and the loss throughinfirmity or by death of an ageing membership. Thisstrategy seeks to encourage lodges to adopt thepathway, consider changes and put increased effortand focus into attracting more new members.Numbers of new initiates (excluding joiningmembers) for the past few years are shown below.Recent efforts do appear to be having a positiveimpact. The Members Pathway provides a wonderfuland real opportunity for lodges to embrace changeimprove lodge procedures and further increase thenumbers of new initiates attracted into Freemasonry.It is clear that the core principles of Freemasonrybrotherly love (friendship and companionship)relief (charity both in giving money and time to helpothers) and truth (personal integrity and standards)are just as valued today as they ever were. ForFreemasonry to succeed and thrive other options andnew approaches to make our core values known tothe wider community are needed.
KeY StageS OUtpUtS aND cHaLLeNgeS
OUtcOmeS
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Year Initiates % increase/decrease from previous year
2019 146 -6.0%
2018 155 +4.9%
2017 149 +9.1%
2016 137 -0.7%
2015 141 +5.7%
2014 133 +0.8%
2013 132 +2.3%
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The PMO will monitor progress with outputs andoutcomes and report back to the APGM from time totime as well as annually. In particular, the number oflodge MOs and the return of feedback reports willact as a proxy for increasing membership numbersand indicate that the best recommended approachesare being adopted by lodges. A specific report and evaluation of the Facebookproject will be carried out. (see below)
NeW apprOacHeS
All successful organisations learn from others, wheresuccess is evident. Ongoing discussion with otherprovinces has identified a highly successful approachby Buckinghamshire using Facebook. This approachhas been explored and a limited trial in the Granthamarea is being carried out during September, October,November 2020. The trial involves targeted paid foradvertising with a particular market agesegmentation of 30 - 49 and 50 -70+ (with a subsetof retired persons). If successful when evaluated thisproject could be extended to the rest of the province.Further options are to also target members of thearmed forces in any future campaigns.
The focus of the strategy is to encourage a high pro-portion of lodges in Lincolnshire to fully adopt andembrace the pathway. Thereby seizing the opportu-nity to embrace change. Our greatest strength in Lin-colnshire is our network of regional centres and theundoubted affection and regard our members havefor their freemasonry. At a provincial level a networkof support is now in place to provide leadership anddirection for our enthusiastic Lodge MOs. If thepathway is adopted and embraced by lodges, it is an-ticipated that current attraction of new members willbe at least maintained and hopefully increased. Approaches such as the Facebook initiative lead bythe province will support the pathway and hopefullyprovide a stream of interested candidates for lodgesthat are better equipped to receive them.
This document will be reviewed annually or as andwhen required.
David Price PGStBProvincial Membership OfficerJuly 2019, reviewed August 2020
mONitOriNg aND prOgreSS SUmmarY aND revieW
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appendix aprOviNciaL memberSHip Officer StrUctUre aND pOiNtS Of cONtact July 2019
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Masonic Centre or Area
Lincolnshire Provincial Membership Officer
Lincoln and Market Rasen and Assistant MO
Barton, Brigg, Scunthorpe, Gainsborough, Crowle
Grimsby and Cleethorpes
Louth, Spilsby, Alford
Horncastle
Skegness
Sleaford
Boston
Grantham
Bourne and Deepings
Long Sutton
Spalding
Name
David Price
Mike Clay
Dave Metcalf
John Lambert
Martin Reeve
John Elliot
Alan Fisher
Chris Williams
Chris Bradley
David Carter
Barry Harriman
John Grimwood
Andrew Wright
Telephone
07469 726052
01522 68522507711 861074
01652 65320807981 318267
01472 580911
01754 81199007767 690930
07919 694223
01754 76809407788 127743
07976282408
01205 310555
07809899366
01778 42449807798 851911
01406 37290007971 658138
01775710807
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PMO responsibilities will include
Responsible for enthusing and promoting goodmembership practices via the centre and area rep.network and also directly with lodge MOs fromtime to time Speaking at Lodges to promote the pathwayMaintaining a close working relationship with theProvincial Grand MentorDealing with more serious issues or problemsraised by Lodge MOsEncouraging joint work and collaboration be-tween lodges in the same centres.Representing the Province at regional and national events Organising workshops and similar for LodgeMOs and others. The PMO is responsible for the initial assessmentof internet referrals and referring to the relevantArea /Centre rep. Directing inwards migrating masons to the relevant Area/Centre rep. Maintaining a spreadsheet of internet referrals Producing an annual report and other reports asrequested from time to time
Centre and Area reps. Specific responsibilities include:
Encouraging joint work and collaboration between lodges in the same centres.Developing close, collaborative, supportive andharmonious working relationships with the lodgeMOs in their Centre/Area Second assessment and referral onwards to lodgesof internet applicants after PMO has notified theseReferral onwards to lodges of inwards migratingmasons after PMO has notified theseActing as the point of contact between PMO andthe lodges to disseminate information etcEncouraging any lodges in their centre without alodge MO to appoint oneEncouraging lodge MOs to return reports etc andattend any workshops or similarReferring to PMO any serious issues or problemsraised by lodge MOs Working with PMO to help develop the MO network and its effectiveness in their centre/areaWorking with PMO on any other specific centrerelated projects such as open days
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appendix bDUtieS Of pmO
appendix cDUtieS Of area aND ceNtre repS
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There may be additional matters as the project develops and the Pathway is further developed nationally.
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