in Alberta 20162017 THE ECONOMIC CLIMATE Economic conditions in the Province have continue to be impacted by low oil prices Some improvement reported tell it to the unemployed 50 oil is in the ball park for sometime ID: 604767
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Condition of FreemasonryinAlberta
2016-2017Slide2
THE ECONOMIC CLIMATE
Economic conditions in the Province have continue to be impacted by low oil prices
Some improvement reported – tell it to the unemployed
$50 oil is in the ball park for sometime
Small farms are disappearing and rural communities are shrinking
Automation in the agriculture sector impacting employment
In spite of the oil industry doldrums and huge office vacancy rates Edmonton and Calgary seem to be “getting by”Slide3Slide4Slide5Slide6
LODGE DEMOGRAPHICS
60% of our lodges are in the rural areas – defined as less than 100,000 population for this analysis
About 12 lodges account for approximately 17% of our total membership
Large number of lodges with 30 or less members
47%of our members come from the rural areas
If the rural communities continue to shrink we could be under 90 lodges in the non to distant future
Rural amalgamations are the trend; 2 this year with no surrendering of chartersSlide7
DEMOGRAPHICS
From the bar chart note we have more members over 90 years old than between the ages of 21 to 30
The largest number is in their 60’s
We appeal to men from 40 to 80 years old
Younger men have different priorities than retirees – time is the
isse
Time is an issue for those with young families
On the other hand Millennials just like the Boomers are concerned about the world they live in; this is positive
We have to show Millennials we are relevant
Our members, hence the public, need to be aware of the positive contribution we make to societySlide8
DDGM DEFINITION OF LODGE SUCCESS
Good management, especially at the Worshipful Master and Secretary positions.
Membership within a narrow age range
Maintenance of relationships outside of lodge
Good social functions, perhaps even monthly
Joint lodges events
Improved screening of candidates – 7 step program
Excellent mentoring programs for candidates
Good education programsSlide9
SUCCESSFUL LODGES (CONTINUED)
Frequent visitation
Constructive input from the Past Masters; no “stone faces” living in the past
Good communication with the membership
Lodge summonses are improving
Spread the degree work around to maintain interest
Critical mass of members attracts new members
Quality people begets quality candidates
Quality degree work instills prideSlide10
LODGE CHALLENGES
Too much left to the Worshipful Master to handle
Apathy within lodge management
Critical mass of members needed – note lodge size issue
Offices moving too quickly through the ranks; lack of a blend of young and experienced members
Haste to fill chairs with warm bodies
Insufficient officer training
Lack of planning for year ahead
Poor degree work begets poor attendance, begets fewer members, begets poorer degree wor
kSlide11
CHALLENGES CONTINUED
Lack of education and social programs
Appealing social programs for a diverse demographic
Private quarrels
Family priorities
Shift schedules and away from home for work
Boring meetings
Aging membership Slide12
DDGM COMMENTSCLASS OF 2016-17
DDGM Elects need to communicate with their lodges prior to their installation to be better informed
Reporting form needs revision to reflect reality; 10-point grading system shouldn’t include yes/no questions – discussed later herein
More extensive training in use of the forms
Some reports are obsolete or not up to date
So many questions to answer in a short official visit
Financials should be examined by someone who knows something about finance; too little time to properly analyze same
Get the Board of General Purposes agenda and material out sooner
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DDGM COMMENTS (CONTINUED)
The Board of General Purposes needs to spend time discussing issues facing Grand Lodge – it is the Board
Support lodges through more District sponsored events
Meet with Lodge Masters and Secretaries in a forum prior to September for two way communication of goals
Improve the DDGM Handbook
More meetings between the DDGMS and the Grand Line, even “virtual” meetings, to discuss issues would enhance the role
Less focus on the number of visitations and more on mentoring if requested
DDGMS fear of meddling in lodge affairs needs to be allayedSlide14
LODGE OFFICER TRAINING
Training committee has had a difficult year with personnel changes
Needs more promotion
Have the DDGMS been following up to ensure the lodges are taking the training.
Training presenters need to make presentations exciting
Presenters need to know the material and be experienced to answer questions
Lodges need to take ownership and willing to host training
There are examples of effective training; Yellowknife and Edson
Now after five years, the training content need updatingSlide15
ATTENDANCE RATIOS
DIST. NAME
MEMBERS
ATTEND.
% ATTEND.
ATTENDANCE
% OF JURISDICTION
RATIOS
MEMBERSHIP
ALPHA
647
148
23
0.9
9.7
ATHABASCA
922
204
22
0.9
13.9
BATTLE RIVER
237
88
37
1.5
3.6
BEAVERHILLS
618
178
29
1.2
9.3
CALGARY HIGHWOOD
441
130
29
1.2
6.6
CENTRAL
402
131
33
1.3
6.0
CHINOOKARCH
376
108
29
1.2
5.7
DINOSAUR
303
11
4
0.1
4.6
LAKELAND
386
118
31
1.2
5.8
MIGHTY PEACE
149
40
27
1.1
2.2
NORTHERN LIGHTS
533
143
27
1.1
8.0
PALLISER
318
70
22
0.9
4.8
PHOENIX
662
200
30
1.2
9.9
YELLOWHEAD
660
62
9
0.4
9.9
JURISDICTION
6654
1631
25
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MOTION – I, RW BRO GORDON BERARD, SECONDED BY RW BRO KENN CULBERTSON, MOVE PAST DDGM RANK BE CONFERRED ON THE FOLLOWING
District: Name:
Alpha Murray Pay
Athabasca Morris Nesdole
Battle River Mitchell
Elhard
Beaverhills
George Wert
Calgary-Highwood Les Saggars
Central Hal Neis
Dinosaur Don Ewing
Lakeland Terry Kennedy
Mighty Peace Deric Delaney
Northern Lights Chris Uchman
Palliser Dale
Luchuck
Phoenix Roger Matas
Yellowhead Garry
Hedberg