Dear Dedicated Members for Change,
Do you ever reflect back on why YOU first joined your Odd Fellows Lodge?
If you haven’t done so recently, take just a moment to think about it. The reason may be related to a persuasive family member – perhaps a mom or a dad or a grandparent – encouraged (or, perhaps, expected) you to submit an application. The reason may be that a friend asked you to join. The reason may be related to a particular event you attended that was sponsored by the Lodge. The reason may be because you thought the Lodge could be a place where you would find a social network.
Now, let’s reflect for a moment on why a person in this new Century would be interested in joining your Lodge. After all, the times are different now – faster, more high tech, the Internet is pervasive. Look at young people today, and you are likely to see them looking at their smart phones.
So, let’s get “scientific” for a moment. Ron Carrey, one of our long-time DMC members and a member of the Dedicated Members for Change Committee, has submitted the article, following, on the results of a survey which tells us two very important things about the men and women of today: (1) Reasons given by folks on why they would be interested in joining a Lodge, and (2) Reasons given by folks which are a real turn-off when considering joining a Lodge. Take a look at the results of the survey. Is your Lodge in the first category, or is your Lodge in the second?
F – L – T
Dave Rosenberg
Grand Master
Jurisdiction of California
DEDICATED MEMBERS FOR CHANGE:
A NATIONAL STUDY WAS DONE BY A GROUP AND PUBLISHED IN THE FRATERNAL TIMES NEWSPAPER. THESE WERE THE RESULTS OF THAT SURVEY.
WHY MODERN PERSONS WOULD WANT TO JOIN A LODGE:
TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS
TO FIGHT DISEASE
TO FIGHT HUNGER
TO FIGHT POVERTY
TO WORK ON THE ENVIRONMENT
TO GO ON CHARITY WALKS
TO HELP HUMANITY
TO WORK WITH EQUALITY
TO HAVE FAMILY EVENTS
TO WORK ON EDUCATION
TO WORK IN THE COMMUNITY
TO HAVE FUN
THE REASONS PERSONS NEVER WANT TO JOIN A LODGE:
TO NOT BE CONTINUALLY ASKED FOR MONEY AND THEIR TIME FOR NO WORTHWHILE REASONS
BORING ROUTINES
MEMORY WORK
TOO MUCH DEATH
DISCRIMINATION
INEQUALITY
CLIQUES
CLOSED MIND SETS
OUT-DATED VALUES
BULLIES
LODGES THAT ARE SUCCESSFUL IN CALIFORNIA KNOW THIS AND CONTINUE TO GROW. MOST OF OUR LODGES DON’T.
RON CARREY.
D.M.C.