The Membership Challenge for Berkshire
December saw the launch of ‘the Strategy for Freemasonry, 2022 and beyond’ by the Pro Grand Master at Grand Lodge. It is wholly consistent with the work that we have been doing for a number of years within the Province. As a tool to delivery, The Members' Pathway is an essential and integral part of the strategic approach and it is vital that this is consistently and effectively implemented if we are to be successful in addressing our key challenges. We are endeavouring to cement our reputation as a force for good in our communities and society at large, and as a thriving organisation that people aspire to join. Based on the strong foundations of Integrity, Friendship, Respect & Charity we are building our future on three key pillars namely Thriving Membership, Coherent Organisation and Community Engagement.
The Membership Challenge is a critical component of the Thriving Membership element of the Strategy for Freemasonry and is the difference between gains and losses of members within Lodges and must always be kept under active review. It identifies the necessary increase in initiates, joiners, re-joiners and the reduction in resignations required in order to stabilise and grow lodges. The Province will be discussing with and supporting individual lodges to meet their own specific challenge.
To close the gap and achieve sustainable growth will require us to be creative and courageous. We will not get everything right at the first attempt. Everyone has a role to play in ensuring that their lodge thrives. So the two considerations, I would like you to address personally are:
• what can I contribute to Freemasonry in Berkshire to make a difference?
• what role can I play in addressing the Membership Challenge?
This is not a numbers game but rather a move to attract quality members who can actively contribute to lodges and help them thrive whilst developing their own masonic journeys. Our recent work, both nationally and within the Province, has shown that there is a significant number of people wishing to join and contribute to a community-based membership organisation such as ours. So, the Provincial challenge is to equip more members to feel comfortable acting as ‘Ambassadors for Freemasonry’ so as to attract their own candidates from their existing circle of friends and acquaintances rather than relying heavily upon the Province. We also need to show members how to get involved and engaged outside of their own lodge. Freemasonry is global and widening one’s own experience has a dramatic effect on one’s feeling of belonging and of being a real and valued contributor. Each of us has a role to play in transforming and delivering an amazing membership experience for others starting with the very first welcome.
For my part, I am keen to ensure that Provincial support is professional and laser focused on where it can make most difference. With that in mind, we will be asking you to help us see what we need to change to grow the Province across the Board. Whilst retaining its core values, over the centuries, Freemasonry has consistently evolved to address societal change. Evolution and adaption are to be welcomed not feared.
