Shiloh Lodge #327
October 2004
 Trestleboard

From the East

MOTIVATION OF LODGE MEMBERS

IN MASONIC ACTIVITIES

Motivation implies movement. It means the difference in getting up and doing something rather than just sitting there and doing nothing or letting someone else do it - that is apathy and indifference. Webster defines motivation as “causing or having the power to cause motion; an impulse from within.”

If we feel as we say we do regarding our Fraternity, let’s do something rather than just talk about it and appoint a committee to report back next year and the next.... Numerous subjects have been presented in that time covering various areas of our operation.  Many have skirted declining numbers, indifferent leadership and so on. But I found none which said directly, “Hey, we have a real problem, let’s do something now!”

Many speakers have been saying or implying that we are not concerned about numbers; that we want QUALITY in our ranks. This has been so often repeated, that it sounds a little like the small boy who said, “I don’t believe in ghosts but I’m still afraid of them. The fear of change does strange things to people. It has been known to close their eyes, tie their hands and stop them from thinking. No one seems to want to rock the boat; perhaps it is time that we do a little rocking. He who was called a radical a few years ago is rapidly becoming just another old conservative “stick in the mud”.

This Fraternity cannot live and thrive on the stories of its great and glorious past. If we do, we may be not long for this world. Pessimistic, you say. I have seen the problems (challenges) at the grass roots level and that is where we had better get the job done. We’re in a rut, particularly in the Mid West area; and the only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth of the hole. If our efforts have failed in the past, perhaps we are fortunate; now we know some of the things NOT to do.

North Carolina is one of those jurisdictions where gains were continuing and conditions appeared healthy. A past Grand Master, William Hooks, in addressing the Shrine gave two reasons for part of their status. One, minimizing the secret aspects of our Order to the public, and secondly, the unity and mutual cooperation between Craft Masonry and the appendent bodies; he said that the latter is a must.

Many of you, perhaps a majority, are members of, have been active in, and honored by one or more of the various bodies that predicate membership on the Blue Lodge. However, I often observe that many such brethren are too busy to lend their time, talents, efforts and attendance at functions of the Mother Lodge, from whom their organizations derive candidates. I heard of a Potentate who asked his Nobles to HUMBLE themselves and attend Blue Lodge.

Apparently these new brethren were eager to learn more of our Craft, as in many cases the meetings were prolonged by many questions asked of the Master. When a new Mason is motivated to learn more about our organization, often some lodge Officer or Grand Lodge Officer has been directly responsible.

The need for interested candidates is always with us; it always has been. If every petitioner was as enthusiastic as we would have him, there would be no hue and cry about declines, attendance, and Masonic Education; for there are always those who of their own accord seek knowledge, light and education. The problem then, is to extend our circle of light further into the multitude of our membership. One of the best ways to do this is by example. Let our light really shine in all places and at all times. As stated by M.W. Brother Hooks, “We should tell the world what Freemasonry is, what it teaches, what it stands for; and we should get this message across to every Mason in every Grand Jurisdiction . “

How many times have we seen to it that each of the newspapers in our major cities have been given extensive coverage about what Masons are trying to do for the good of our Nation, mankind in general and what we really stand for?

Success in the business world is based on motivation; these same factors can be applied to Masonry where the wages are satisfaction, pride in a job well done, the inner glow of personal accomplishment and something good done for one’s fellow man. Efficiency is a dandy word for the other fellow; but let’s put on that hat ourselves and start where we should start, with number one . . . ME . . . all the Masonic Education and candidate training available will not help if we at this level do not implement it in those lodges which think they have neither the know-how nor personnel to get the message across, so take the easy way out and do nothing. Sometimes these lodges feel alone and not really an integral part of our Masonic Family; I believe that some change in this area is a must. It is results that count, not oratory at Conferences and at Grand Lodge.

Efficiency takes imagination; and imagination goes hand in hand with initiative. Imagination is not necessarily being far out and impossible. Imagination can be the difference between routine and real progress. Originate and Invent ideas and then give them a hell of a try. Nearly everything in our modern world today is the result of imagination. Technology; medicine; space flight; communication. That which is now in use was once only imagined.

Action is the key word; and enthusiasm is necessary to create action. Let’s get a piece of the action. Our own actions, if you please, and create the action, not wait for it to come to us. Let’s stop talking high sounding phrases and do something NOW!

Are you a Master Mason? . . . The Candidate answered enthusiastically, “I AM!” . . . If you were brought to trial for being a Mason, would there be enough evidence to convict you?

Now its time for me to rock the boat again - in the past we have always given two fund raisers a year but this year we are going to have three. In November we will have a fall fund raiser (Spaghetti) Bill Redmond and Russ Lambert will be coordinating the fund raiser. Also Shiloh Sting winter basketball team will be starting up in October or November Perry Taylor and I will be coordinating what day and time we will play. The last and most import ideal is the Masonic Friends & Family movie outing in November.  I would like to rent a movie theater on Thursday night or whatever day I can get the most masons to attend. The Movie we are going to see is National Treasure release date November 19, 2004.

Academy Award winner Nicolas Cage stars as the brilliant Benjamin Franklin Gates, third generation treasure hunter. All his life, Gates has been searching for a treasure no one believed existed: amassed through the ages, moved across continents, to become the greatest treasure the world has ever known. Hidden by America's Founding Fathers, they left clues to the Treasure’s location right before their eyes … from their nation’s birthplace, to the nation’s capitol, to clues buried within the symbols on the dollar bill and other mosaic symbols. Gates’ life-long journey leads him to the last place anyone thought to look: a map hidden on the back of the Declaration of Independence. But what he thought was the final clue is only the beginning.

Any brothers that would like to attend the Masonic Friends & Family movie outing please call me ASAP. I need a head count to verify if we can rent the theater. This open invitation is for all Mosonic Families not just A.F. & A.M. I will be contacting our Prince Hall brothers as well.

Are you a Master Mason?  Are you a Master Mason?  Are you a Master Mason? 

Fraternally Yours,  

Cleo Miller Sr.

Worshipful Master-2004

We would like to provide support to our brethren in times of distress and celebrate with them in times of gladness. Please immediately inform any of your lodge officers of such information regarding yourself or a brother.