IMPROVEMENT DELIVERY GROUP
FOLLOWING IN THEIR
FOOTSTEPS The Members' Pathway offers a structured route to help lodges in the recruitment and progression of new members
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n the Spring2017 issue of FreemasonryToday,Sir David Wootton, Chairman of the ImprovementDelivery Group (IDG),reported on the developmentand launch of the Members'Pathway- a series of steps for lodges and members to follow to attract,introduce and encouragenew members while retaining and addingvalue to the existing membership.
WHY HAVE A PATHWAY?
HOW WILL IT WORK?
For some time, there has been concern as to how to address recruitment and retention In Freemasonry In order to stem the decllne In membership and meet the long-term needs of the Craft and the Royal Arch.
Every lodge member shares a responslblllty for Introducing members, helplng In retention by making the new recruit feel welcome and then supporting them.
Evidence from successful lodges reveals there is good reason for optimism on Freemasonry's future. There are many suitable men who would be attracted to joining if they knew more about it. The evidence also suggests that lasting and committed membership is most likely to be achieved when: Applicants and candidates are carefully screened to ensure they meet the qualifications for membership Both the lodge and the candidate make their expectations clear to each other There is a good match between the lodge and the candidate Both parties work at meeting each other's expectations
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The Members' Pathway has been created to help a lodge plan for its future and to take a man who is interested in Freemasonry, but not yet a member, on a journey to becoming a committed Master Mason. The pathway draws upon the experiences of many strong and healthy lodges across the Constitution.
Each of the 11steps on the Members' Pathway is set out in the diagram opposite. Further information is available in the Members' Pathway leaflet, which you'll have seen on the front cover of this issue. In addition, comprehensive support material will be provided to Provincial Membership Officers and Provincial Grand Mentors to roll out via local workshops. It contains a brief summary that will also be made available to all members in the country. Alongside these packages, the IDG will make the Pathway available via TeamApp on smartphones and tablets. This will not only be an effective communication channel for Pathway delivery but also for other updates on membership developments and initiatives.