Condition of Freemasonry - PowerPoint Presentation

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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”Slide3
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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

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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