It is the responsibility of us all to find men to carry on the many programs of Naja Shriners and our great philanthropies. We cannot stress too strongly the vital need for a continuous flow of new members into our Temple. They instill us with new loyalty, devotion and sincerity of purpose and provide new leaders with new and current ideas. We must not fail to do all possible to offer this opportunity to every deserving person as all of us know the future of Naja Shriners rests on a steady increase of new members.
You've heard it said many times, membership is the life blood of our Temple. All activities, both social and fraternal, are based on membership. The end result of our philanthropic efforts for crippled and burned children are based on the energies, size and enthusiasm of the membership.
The same basics that we have used in the past for membership development are still excellent for now and the future. They are:
- Good leadership
- Hard work
- Personal example
- Offering and excellent product
- Giving every Master Mason an opportunity to join with us.
The leadership of Naja Shriners is "tops", it is here today. It is our responsibility as leaders to be enthused about our membership growth. WE MUST MAINTAIN OUR MOMENTUM!
In putting together this presentation on Membership, geared to you Nobel Boyce Gillies, having been elected or appointed to a leadership position in your Club or Unit, with prestige, recognition, and also responsibility, we have tried to make it an overall informative "package".
One of the responsibilities is to project the development of our "less informed associates"., who have not joined our Masonic Fraternity. The question always arises: "How can I approach them? What can I say to them?"
We all recognize that our life blood is the Blue Lodge, therefore, the necessity of a program that begins at the roots and entails a system of development.
We count on our Shrine members to assist us in spreading the Masonic word by communicating with relatives, friends, neighbors or associates. Perhaps a few words about the fraternity are warranted. We have all read numerous articles on whether it is right and proper to solicit membership. We know that the basics of Masonry point out that the principle that an individual interested in Masonry must make the first approach. There is, however, a responsibility on us to indicate to potential Masons the qualities and benefits of Masonry. A decision to become a Mason must come from the candidate himself, and we hope it will be based on a favorable opinion preconceived of the institution and a general desire for knowledge and a sincere wish of the individual to render himself more extensively serviceable to his fellow man. Just asking the question whether an individual has an interest or knows anything about it and providing some general information does not fall into the category of improper solicitation.If you know someone who you believe would make a good Mason, you might tell him (and his family) some of the things that are important for him to know. He must believe in a Supreme Being and an existence after death. It should be pointed out that Masonry is founded on the purest principles of pride and virtue. That is possesses great and invaluable privileges for worthy men, and that it has a philosophy of life which, if practiced by men the world over, would bring peace and happiness. It has a beautiful system of moral instruction, and a friendly atmosphere in which all men may find brotherly love.
The decision to join has to be that of the individual who would make it of his own free will and accord.
Questions and Answers About Shrine Membership |
