New Blog--sort of

This represents something of a change in approach

 And, on why one might...or might not...join a fraternal organization, like the Freemasons, although there ore others, like the Optimists, The Knights of Columbus. 

So, why wouldn't a young person join one of these groups?

 I chatted with a few of them (being 25+) over the last year or 2, largely because I had the time during COVID. Those with whom I spoke denigrated the idea of signing on with groups. To them the groups referenced were passe and irrelevant to the issues presented by contemporary society.

1) Timing and time commitment. The old style of recruiting is based on a candidate asking  3 times to join before the "ask" is acknowledged. Most of the time this request is based on curiosity. Where might one search to get legitimate information about, as an example, Freemasonry. Yes, there are Grand Lodge sites and some are much better than others. Some describe extensive community commitments, civic engagement, opportunity to meet others from diverse backgrounds, and imply an opportunity to build networks of acquaintances locally and across a jurisdiction. The GL of BC would be one good example. Another Canadian Grand Lodge to check out would be the GL of NS. There are some US Grand Lodges as well: New York, Rhode Island, North Carolina, California, Oregon, Washington State. Directing the potential candidate to one of these is simple and will address most preliminary questions. 

2) Demographic. Is this a bunch of old guys or is there an age relevant group to meet with? A good question. Pictures typically posted by Lodges show guys even older than I am with one foot in the grave. Not a draw for a person under 50. Nor might the activities advertised be age appropriate or of interest. Further, many have partners, or wives. Do they have a place in the organization? Are there congenial opportunities for them or is this exclusive and gender specific? In fact there are some innovative opportunities. Le Droit Humane is one. Richelieu Clubs are another.

3) Diversity. Does the group promote diversity? The part of the world I am in is heavily Christian. There is talk of a Church Parade, attendance at (Christian) church meetings, affiliation with certain religious groups. The VOSL's is invariably the King James version even when the WM is Jewish or Muslim. (for the uninitiated, the WM gets to choose which VOSL is open at the alter during open Lodge). In fact, much of what we believe was initiated during the Enlightenment with reference to Hobbes Locke and Rousseau (he of Social Contract fame) . And, part of what he wrote was based on his understanding of the way First Nations tried to conduct their lives. But it is never referenced. One might read The dawn of everything: a new history of humanity to get a different perspective on our ritual and its meaning.

4) Networking. Is there an opportunity to network so that one can understand the community better, can develop skills he might not have...or which he has but wants to improve, or simply to share skills and experiences? Or is just a place where men meet for a drink and dinner and get out of the house for a few hours? Younger men probably want to network if they have any kind of ambition in the community or in their work. The problem with most Lodges, at least in the eyes of the younger men who might otherwise be interested, is that Lodges fail miserably in providing this opportunity. 

5) Relevance. Those interviewed identified several issues germane to contemporary Canadian society:

• immigration and the diversification of our society. How are new Canadians well integrated into our society? What values are important to us?
• how is the decline (almost extinction) of the middle class being addressed.
• there is a national movement disingenuously referred to as the alt right or christian right. This is a colonial pro-white movement which denigrates diversity and democracy. Sound alot like fascism??
• there is a gap between the rich and the rest and it is growing.
• there is climate decay/degradation and little constructive is being done about it.
• large media groups (and others) are buying out smaller papers. here in NB, all of the English speaking newspapers in the province are owned by the Irvings...who coincidentally are predatory in their treatment of small business.
• English public schools in NB have a 30% absenteeism rate. What is the position of 2500 Freemasons in NB on this matter? 
  

Are Lodges without influence?  Or, as Putnam (Bowling Alone) noted at the beginning of Century, perhaps big organizations like the Masons are no longer relevant because what people want to do is join targeted activist groups.