2006
GRAND LODGE OF MISSOURI
91
recommend that an achievement award in the form of a certificate and lapel pin be used for this purpose. The lapel pin should distinctly display that the new brother has successfully turned in his proficiencies in all three degrees. Attendance Many of our members are not able to drive at night and no longer attend lodge unless picked up on meeting nights. Telephone committees have been established in many lodges to notify members of important events and to check on the welfare of our brethren that have not been attending lodge meetings and to provide rides or assistance as appropriate. All lodges should have telephone calling programs for the information of their members. The role of these committees should include but not limited to checking on our widows, calling members in nursing homes to update them on lodge happenings and checking on our members in sickness and distress. We again suggest that lodges which are unable to open because of poor attendance, particularly in small communities give consideration to a merger of their memberships and that the meetings rotate between those communities, previously served by the lodges, if this is economically feasible. Thus, the members would still have the satisfaction of meeting in their own community, and maintaining a Masonic presence every 2 to 3 months, but still be able to attend a fully functioning lodge. This would also reaffirm our support for the communities served. Community Awareness Civic and social organizations are recognized for their contributions to local communities for their work, and attract new members who want to participate in those endeavors. It is increasingly necessary for us to take a leadership role in our communities and become community leaders in the process. We again recommend that the sponsoring of youth sport activities or teams should be considered. We need to reconsider our restrictions on the use of the square and compasses for sponsored team activities and events. Sponsoring of scout troops should receive strong consideration by our lodges. We must convince our new members as well as our long-term members and their families that we have to be a driving force in our communities and solicit their participation in our lodges’ support of community-sponsored projects. Our assistance to homeowners that needs repairs on their property would convince mankind of the goodness of our institution and perhaps make others want to join. We should conduct fund raisers for Non- Masonic charities such as Multiple Sclerosis Society, March of Dimes, etc .in order to demonstrate to others that Masons care about people. Whenever possible we should try to have our youth organizations participate in these fund-raisers with us. Examples of fund raisers include barbeques, fish fries, and chili and spaghetti dinners with all of the profit going to the Non-Masonic charity. We must continue to maximize our opportunities to put masonry on display to the public. Every presentation of service awards and installations of officers must be an open event. We cannot interest friends and family in masonry if we close our doors to them. We recommend that our lodge halls be made available for polling places and community meetings as the need arises and our schedules will permit. This would enable the public to view masonry from within and might encourage interest and questions about our fraternity.