Recruitment Retention & Retrieval - June 2008

Those of you [or should I say, the two of you (like Crewe Alexandra supporters outside Cheshire)] who are regular reviewers of this corner of the Provincial web-site will remember that, when closing my missive in December last year, I mentioned (amongst other things) the future advent of Multi-Lodge LOIs. What's that? I hear you say.

………………..well! actually, a really great tried-and-tested way by which new Masons (and their respective Lodges - oh! and Freemasonry in general, of course) can benefit hugely, in a number of ways - without a great deal of effort, but conversely, with a great deal of fun. It is, first and foremost, an LOI for Entered Apprentices, Fellowcrafts and Master Masons from a multitude of Lodges, who wish to know more about our fraternity, and also demonstrate their newly-acquired ritual skills…..and make new friends with people of like-minded freshness to the Craft.

It is, primarily, for those members whose Lodges are relatively low in numbers, and are unable to hold regular LOIs of their own; or those where Officers nights, only, are the order of the day. The Masonic centre at Bletchley has been holding such an LOI for the past 15 years, with great success. More recently, the Marlow centre has held a Summer LOI which has been extraordinarily successful.

For the past 2 years, under the guidance and drive of Bro Peter Bennett, an average of more than 15 new Masons from many Lodges have, with the blessing of their Mother Lodge, enjoyed a regular weekly LOI, in a very friendly and relaxed format, under the guidance of a group of experienced DCs. I have personally witnessed the fruits of their labours, and I can truthfully say that their work has been as good as anything I have seen from relatively new brethren, in the whole of my 35 years in Freemasonry.

In the course of their work, not only have they become much more knowledgeable about the Craft, but also somewhat competitive between themselves; good friends socially (with regular visits to each other's Lodges - and the local curry house, I might add); extremely useful to their own Lodges; and more importantly than anything else, as far as I am concerned, bonded to the Craft as a result.

Brethren, this is all about RETENTION.

Why am I telling you this? Because, as from Monday the 19th May, a new Multi-Lodge LOI for the Slough Centre Lodges has come into being at the Faraday Club in Slough, and is meant to cater (again, primarily - but not exclusively) for those many Lodges in the Slough centre, with low membership; few Lay brethren; no LOI for their members to attend, or merely an Officers night to practice the needs of the next meeting; and consequently, a struggle to stay afloat.

It is NOT meant to usurp or replace their existing arrangements, but more importantly, to give their newer members a place to go regularly; to make new friends; find a real purpose in their membership; find answers to their many questions; polish their ritual; bind them to the Craft; and ultimately become really useful to their Lodge's future.

Any member from any Lodge can go there (even those with a successful LOI of their own). W Bro Richard Reano is the man to contact. He has four established and experienced DCs working with him. Try it!

Call ME (my number is in the Blue Book!) and I'll put you in touch!!!!

This is a wonderful way to retain your members, Brethren. RETENTION at its best.

Clifford Drake