8 Reasons Why Freemasons Can Never Leave or Quit Freemasonry [shocking] - S2 E81

8 Reasons Why Freemasons Can Never Leave or Quit Freemasonry [shocking] - S2 E81
Welcome back to The Old Fashion Masonic Podcast! In this episode, Past Master Brian Byrd dives deep into the critical issue of retention within Freemasonry. Despite the success in attracting new members, Freemasonry is struggling to keep Masons engaged and committed. Discover why Freemasons feel compelled to leave and what we can do to change this trend.
Key Points Discussed:
Getting New Masons vs. Keeping Them:
The problem isn’t recruiting new members; it’s retaining them. With 1.6 million books on sales and marketing but only 34,000 on retention, it’s clear we need to shift our focus.
The Masonic Retention Challenge:
Many new members contemplate leaving within the first 90 days. Freemasonry needs to address this issue head-on to prevent losing them through the backdoor.
Engagement Strategies:
1. Celebrate Masonic milestones: Send members a Happy Birthday text or a Happy Anniversary message on the day they were raised as Master Masons.
2. Personal Touch: Send a photo of them being raised as a Master Mason or a certificate on parchment paper.
3. Assign mentors to new Freemason for guidance and support.
4. Make personal calls when members miss meetings to check in and understand their absence.
5. Provide jackets for those who need them.
6. Community Involvement:
a) Encourage members to participate in community events to foster a sense of purpose and belonging.
7. Communication Enhancements
b) Create video recaps of meetings for members who couldn't attend, ensuring they stay informed and connected.
⏱️⏱️VIDEO CHAPTERS⏱️⏱️
0:00 Intro
1:00 Problem With Freemasonry
1:45 Cost to Get a Freemason to Join
3:15 Freemasons are thinking of quitting in the first 90 days
3:51 Fostering Success From Day 1 (Initiation Mystic / Invited by Person in Tuxedo)
6:21 Personal Texts on Milestone Events from Master of Lodge
7:21 One year anniversary photo (framed) from the Lodge
7:53 Assign a Mentor
7:59 Follow up with Members that have been missing meetings
8:53 Donating Sportscoats to Lodge for Members
9:30 More Charity and Community Involvement
10:42 Video Recap of Lodge Meeting by Master
By implementing these strategies, Freemasons can enhance member satisfaction and retention, ensuring that once a man becomes a Freemason, he remains a Freemason for life.
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more insightful discussions on Freemasonry. Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments below!
#Freemasonry #Freemasons #MasonicLodge #MemberRetention #Community #Brotherhood #FreemasonRecruitment #FreemasonRetention
⚠️ Disclaimer: The views expressed in this video do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Old Fashion Masonic Podcast, any Grand Lodge or Shrine Center, and we encourage viewers to conduct their research and form their conclusions based on reliable sources and personal beliefs
We get these questions often: What does the mysterious secret society of Freemasons actually do? Does this episode expose freemasonry and masonry? What about The New Order and The Illuminati? Is there a whole Secret world of Freemasons? We think not.

[@rebeccadimaggio848]

Thank you Brian! I'm taking these tips to my sons DeMolay chapter!

[@OldFashionMasonicPodcast]

Glad it was helpful!

[@LawTzuTao]

I agree with a lot of what you're saying. I've been traveling a short time, but I'm president of my class and have experienced a lot since being raised. What I value in Freemasonry is the challenge work that learning and understanding the craft provides. The only way I was able to recognize that value was having enough self-awareness to push through the thoughts of giving up when things got hard. This craft is quite difficult to embody. It challenges us in ways that push us far outside our comfort zones. I think that's when people drift away from the lodge. The mentor assignment suggestion is a wonderful idea. I always reach out to my older brothers when I feel lost. However, having brothers in my corner when I didn't ask or expect them there was a priceless gesture I will never forget. Another thing I hear often is that many people join for the wrong reasons. Perhaps that's not made clear enough to some candidates. Some people come in expecting "benefits." While I would say there are many benefits to this craft, I think some would misinterpret my meaning. I think many rewards come from doing the work and practicing it throughout your life. Maybe we all come in with some fantasies about Freemasonry, but the reality sobers us up pretty quickly. I think what makes me want to keep being a mason is having the understanding from the beginning, it would be a difficult path if I were going to make anything out of the craft. So every time the thought of quitting comes up, I'm already conditioned to question it and push beyond it to see what I'm capable of. This was my mindset before EA, and the moment I was assigned president, I was faced with an opportunity to quit. I didn't want to take on a bunch of new responsibilities so quickly, but I knew I was far outside my comfort zone. When you're outside your comfort zone, you learn. Freemasonry constantly pushes me outside my comfort zone. I established long ago that the edge of my comfort zone was the entrance to a diamond mine. So I tricked myself into fighting the urge to quit.😆

[@OldFashionMasonicPodcast]

Wow! Great feedback about your journey. Glad to know you as a Brother

[@wesleysmith1463]

You are offering some great opportunities in this video. This really resonates with me.

[@OldFashionMasonicPodcast]

Appreciate the feedback. If you're not a subscriber, you might want to. We have another piece coming out fairly soon about a related topic.

[@TK-le8wd]

Thank you, brother. I'm going to be sharing these tips and video with the Master and Secretary of our lodge.

[@OldFashionMasonicPodcast]

Hopefully this proves to be a useful resource

[@seabhac1000]

Younger members are looking for esoterica. Mentors and LEO's can really help here. Freemasonry is a special fraternity. We should stand apart from supper and animal clubs. Just IMHO. Thank you for the great video and great ideas!

[@OldFashionMasonicPodcast]

Agree with your comments. Thanks for the feedback and support.

[@Glennbda01]

Here in Bermuda we keep Our Brothers busy. We give/ assign Every Brother a job/task to keep them engaged.

[@OldFashionMasonicPodcast]

Love it! Could be why Freemasonry is growing outside of the United States. Great job!

[@dragleg1960]

I’m taking notes. I think any kind of Communication is a step in the right direction. We don’t know if it works till we try it.

[@OldFashionMasonicPodcast]

Absolutely!

[@GaFreemason]

Hello from St Marys Ga Lodge #109. Thank you

[@OldFashionMasonicPodcast]

Thanks for following

[@JohnSNagy]

re: How far off is Brian? Okay, I listened, intently! Took notes... evaluated the reasons... here's my assessment: 1) 8 Reasons Why Freemasons Can Never Leave or Quit Freemasonry Not one offered reason addresses the actual problem or would prevent someone from leaving and for all the right reasons. All offered solutions are nice "warm" touches to a Lodge experience, but not one addresses and deals with the actual problem. A Lodge invests 300 Man-hours to bring one petitioner through to full-member status. How many Man-hours are invested in these members post-degrees that are focused upon ongoing nurturing. Currently, line officers can't begin to think about post-degree stuff as long as they are stoking the machine fires. That being said, Brian is right on one thing... There is a major problem. Can Brian clearly and succinctly voice what it is? I would LOVE to listen to that video if he can! 2) [shocking] Not really. Nice tips. Not really addressing the problem.

[@OldFashionMasonicPodcast]

Thanks for the feedback

[@jameslong4929]

I tell ya one thing I've experienced and this I will add is NOT a problem with Freemasonry in my area. As for other fraternal organizations, such as Oddfellows, Knights of Pythias, etc I cannot even get anyone to contact me with one and the other did contact me after several attempts with the reply well we really don't meet anymore, but are working on doing that soon. That doesn't inspire participation at all. The only fraternity I see activity at is Freemasonry, which is why they have become my choice in my area. They meet twice a month, but I've noticed their cars there every Friday evening regardless. That to me inspires participation. I have not as of yet stopped and knocked on the door, but I have all intention of doing so soon. Would it be best to do that on a scheduled meeting night or the off nights they are there?

[@OldFashionMasonicPodcast]

Great feedback.

[@OldFashionMasonicPodcast]

How far off is Brian? Is he dead wrong or is he right? Let us know.

[@Smiley19764]

I know some quit because of other brother's' disrespect to them. I know from experience. I have seen it and had it happen to me. We all want to see freemarsony do better. We are losing brothers and we can't get knew ones in. And I hate to see that.

[@OldFashionMasonicPodcast]

@Smiley19764 sorry to hear that. Appreciate your feedback.