here in Toronto, Canada we are seeing a surprising increase in membership! My Lodge almost went Permanently Dark 6 years ago, now we have had 8 new members in the last 1 1/2 years! It’s insane..We have 2 waiting to be initiated and 2 waiting to be passed with 3 waiting to be raised. Masonry is really really picking up again. I believe that Technology has bored people to pieces now and it’s a rather empty past-time, so the reverse has happened as we had lost members to Video games/TV and PC’s well we are now gaining members back because of those same issues! People want substance and Masonry as we know gives us all that. I see a RISING SUN and it is pulling Masonry up..Stay the course boys, I believe SUNNY DAYS ahead.

So mote it be!

You’re absolutely correct. I thought their story was important, but didn’t want to point them out specifically, although I beleive they have a very positive and excellent plan in place.

Many Masonic Temple Associations are running into this problem. I thought Ft Wayne’s story is a great metaphor to generate ideas on how to set in place pro-active revenue generation opportunities before MTA’s run into trouble with their buildings

Faced with falling numbers and rising costs a few years back, we completly renewed our heating system, boilers etc. which resulted in a better system and a dramatic reduction in gas & electricity bills, which meant we could reduce the annual levy on members, which arrested the decline in numbers.

At the same time, we redecorated the dining room (sits 80-100) and bar (we have always had an alcohol license), which increased our non masonic functions. We also let out the dining room during the day to a toddlers play group (3 mornings)and to yoga and art groups (one morning each). Sundays often have Christening parties or kids birthday parties. This way we keep costs down and retail membership.
Weekday evenings are kept free for masonic meetings.

Membership remains a problem – if each lodge attracts one new candidate a year they consider themselves lucky. I can’t imagine a situation where we could target 20 new members a year ! At it’s height in the 60s/70s an average lodge in this area would have 60 members and initiate perhaps 3 candidates a year.

We are, however, getting more proactive in this area and often hold open days for the centre and also, once a year, invite partners and non masons to one our Festive Board meals. The meal is usually preceded by an invitation to view the temple together with a short talk on our history and symbolism. Often an after dinner speaker will expand on the joys of being a Freemason.

Outside of the lodge we try and hold an annual summer barbecue and also a formal dinner-dance, both of which we use to invite potential members and their partners.

Whilst writing, if any of you are in the south east of England anytime, please contact me and I will arrange a warm fraternal welcome. I am a member of Cariboo No. 4 and have many good friends in different areas of BC, so we probably have mutual friends.

See here: http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/masonic-lodge-has-plan-to-stay-open