| Los Altos Lodge No. 712: | Last Updated on October 4, 2001 |
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The Labor Day weekend signals the end of summer. It was a good summer. It started with our Junior Past Master getting married in late June. July we were busy with the Los Altos Art and Wine Festival. In August we had our visitation to Nevada City for the Raising of Justin Martin to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. August ended with the Family Picnic at Shoup Park.
The summer also saw our next year's top three line officers diligently studying their work for advancement. Beside getting proficient for their next station they have also been struggling with filling the line of officers.
When I first joined Masonry there was a waiting list of Masons wanting to join the line and progress to Master and I was one of them. I thought what an honor to be addressed as Worshipful. The Lodge that raised me had a degree team composed of side liners proficient in the work. These Brothers usually did all the work of putting on the degrees. It started with them doing only the First and Second degrees, but after a few years they said "why not a Third Degree". From that group came many of the future officers that went on to be Master of the Lodge. I was part of that group of Brothers and when one of the Officers had to drop out of the line I was asked to fill in for the rest of the year and was appointed to the same office the next year. Being installed that first time gave me the feeling that was hard to describe.
I know that in this high tech work environment, time is a very cherished thing. I don't think anyone is any busier than our current top four officers. Please, look at your schedule! See if you have a few hours a month; that could be your entry into the line and possible Master of our Lodge.
We are not alone in in having trouble in filling our line. As most of you know I'm active in several of the concordant bodies and they are having the same problem. At a practice of Eastern Star last night we were looking at the line for next year and there are two openings near the top. Who fills these openings would be the presiding officer in 2004 and 2005. Another problem Eastern Star has is a shortage of men. Many of us rotate form the East to the West and back again. In fact J. R. Bishop, the husband of this year's Worthy Grand Matron, has been Patron of his Chapter 13 or 14 times. In order to keep our Fraternity strong and alive and hopefully growing we need this kind of dedication.
Fraternally
William J. Malmstrom, P.M.
Master
Greetings from the West. September is here, and the Masonic year is going smashingly. This month we had a great time at our family picnic at Shoup Park. Our Worshipful Master cooked tri-tip, and our Junior Warden provided all of the fixins and liquid refreshments. It was well attended, the companionship and food were great. The kids had a blast playing together. Even the Bain girls (1 month old twins) made an appearance. If you missed it, just wait til next year. We're planning to make this an annual tradition.
September was also our lodge Constitutional Observance program. The speakers were great. Thanks to all of those who participated. Grand Lodge is just around the corner. Before this happens, the officers will be discussing the resolutions at an upcoming Officers Association Meeting. At our October lodge meeting our officers will present the resolutions for our members to discuss. While the Officers will listen to the presenters' arguments (pro and con), make their decisions and cast their ballots at Grand Lodge; knowing the intent and opinions of our membership will help frame our decisions. I hope to see you in October.
Fraternally,
Robert Lake
Senior Warden
The results of the Los Altos No. 712 membership questionnaire are in! We sent out 115 surveys to our Brethren within a cables-length and I received 48 completed (46% [48/105]) and 10 blank. The 10 blank most likely fell out of the August Trestleboard upon mailing. The numbers to the left of the possible answers are the frequency of response. Most questions received multiple answers.
I thank all the Brethren who took the time to respond with many useful suggestions. The four main themes that stand out above all others are: 1) We need to emphasize events that promote Fellowship, 2) We need to increase efficiency of the "business" at Stated Meetings thereby providing more time for Masonic Education, 3) We need to increase our involvement and exposure in our community, 4) We need to attend youth group meetings and events and show our youth that we Masons care about them and what they do, this in turn will encourage them to continue their Masonic involvement throughout their entire lives.
The majority of Masons learned of Masonry from relatives, friends, or aquaintances. This is key to improving our Membership. One brother stated, "Abolish the prohibition on solicitation for membership". This deserves further thought and discussion. Would informing our relatives, friends, neighbors, acquaintances, and others that we are Masons, why we are Masons, what we do, and what "Masonry can do for you" be considered solicitation? I think not.Ê Let's share our enthusiasm with others. Then they can decide of their own free will and accord if they want to learn more about us by asking the question, "How can I become a Mason?"
Our Stated Meeting dinner for October 1st will be an Oktoberfest theme. Assorted rolls, coleslaw, sausages, sauerkraut, carrots & peas, German chocolate cake. The price will be $10.00 each. Please make your reservations to me by Noon, Friday, September 28th.
Richard Weyers
Junior Warden
Bro. Robert Bruce Johnston's Passsing
Bro. Robert Bruce Johnston passed away in Rosvill on June 26, 2001.
It is difficult to speak of consolation, but all of us who knew John recognized that he was a jewel both to his friends and family. Personally I would categorize him as a pearl of perfect quality. We know that where he is now, he is a cherished enhancement. God Bless! Ed.
Los Altos Lodge Membership Survey Results
Stats: 48 completed results from 115 surveys, with 10 returned blank, for a 46% response, of these 15 impactful Masonic questions:
QUESTIONAIRE RESULTS
How did you learn of Masonry?
(28) My father/grandfather is/was a Mason.
(27) I have a friend/acquaintance that is/was a Mason.
(10) My wife/mother/sister/brother/relative... belongs to a Masonic
organization.
(0) Internet browsing/Library/General Information Search/
Documentary.
(5) I saw Masons in a Parade/East-West Shrine Football
Game/Community Fair/Art & Wine Festival.
(0) Charitable contributor.
Comments:
* I had relatives that were Masons.
* My father-in-law was a Mason.
* Experience with a Masonic gravestone.
* I was a member of DeMolay.
* Masonry was considered a society of honorable and God
respecting men.
* My uncle was a 32 degreed Mason.
* I saw Masonic rings, etc...in store windows.
* My oldest brother went both ways in the Lodges - I found out
5 years after I joined Los Altos Lodge.
* Masons did a lot back in my small home town in Texas. My
family were very poor. They always helped the poor at Xmas
and other times of the year.
* I was a DeMolay, which met in the same building in Salt Lake
City where Masons held their meetings.
Why did you become a Mason?
(14) Curiosity/Learn more about the "Masons".
(21) My friend(s)/relative(s) joined and I wanted to be part of the
their Fraternity.
(6) I wanted to be more involved with my community.
(27) I wanted to join an ancient and honorable organization.
Comments:
* I wanted to become a DeMolay Advisor.
* A need for advanced and applied knowledge.
* For the fraternalism in a very honorable organization.
* I wanted to be able to fully support Rainbow Girls.
* I wanted to join an ancient and honorable organization that
taught the highest degree of Brotherhood where a Brothers
word was his bond.
* Learn the secrets.
* To continue the family tradition.
Do you attend Lodge regularly (6 or more times per year)?
(26) Yes
(22) No
Comments:
* I used to, not now.
If you attend Lodge regularly, what attracts you to Lodge?
(12) I'm an officer in my Lodge
(7) Dinners
(8) Meeting content
(28) Fellowship
(10) Degree Conferrals
(0) Nothing better to do
Comments:
* I take my commitments seriously.
* Fellowship and the hope to rekindle the Masonic Brotherhood.
If you are not a regular attendee, why not?
(3) I can't hear what is said
(5) I'm too old and can't get to Lodge
(5) I live too far from Lodge
(6) The stated meetings are boring
(5) My Lodge doesn't do anything that interests me anymore
(1) The dinners are too expensive/not adequate/don't taste good
(1) I have a personal problem with one or more of the
members/officers
Comments:
* The Lodge does not care for sick members
* I don't know why I do not regularly attend
* I am retired, I travel and volunteer a lot
* I can't eat beef/pork/chicken at the dinners
* Too formal (requiring coat and tie)
* No time with the guys (the ladies are invited to dinner)
* It is the responsibility of the Master to expand on the program
planning. Dividing business and social matters so that the
stated meetings are productive and the Lodge sponsors
interesting events
* Conflicting schedules
* Time pressures/other commitments
* My spouse is ill and it is difficult to leave her alone at
times
* My wife and I are both handicaps and we use walkers
* I have trouble with my hearing aid and I can't hear what is
said
* I am too old - 80
* My wife is ill, congestive heart failure
* The stated meetings are too long
* Family comes first!
What can a Lodge do to attract Masons to Lodge?
(15) Make the meetings more fun/informative (please provide
suggestions)
(19) Spend less time on business and more on education/Masonic
topics
(22) Business discussions need to be brief, otherwise defer to
committees
(18) Quality after-dinner programs for the ladies
(16) Quality dinners/Affordable dinners
(7) Provide babysitting for young families during stated meetings
Comments:
* Have a brother preferred to give a 15 minute talk on something
interesting
* Hold open meetings where family can sit in
* Care about its sick members
* The dinners must be at least as good as a decent home-cooked
meal
* The Lodge MUST provide babysitting for young families during
stated meetings
* Provide babysitting in the fireside room with toys, etc...
* During meetings, have one 5 minute Masonic discussion, one 5
minute paper, need a topic of applied Masonry
* Attract the Ladies to Lodge by having: travel videos; speaker
videos; guest speaker; classes on: computers, first aid,
self-defense, international investments, tax minimization,
travel clubs, make-overs
* Gear some Lodge activities for the 20-30 year olds
* Add more fun events outside of Lodge
* Condense the business for officers and interested brothers to 1
hour maximum
* Provide general topics for general meetings
* Provide athletics programs for Masons who have sports
backgrounds
* Spend money on good meals and expect members to pay a fair
share
* Support DeMolay by attendance at their meetings and functions
* Ask El Camino Research Lodge to provide something like the
Orator's function in Scottish Rite
* More fellowship and less meetings
* Provide short historic presentations
* Provide guest speakers on current events
* In the past, the smokers "stinked-out" the non-smokers!
How can Masons increase visibility in their communities?
(25) Advertise Lodge events in the community
newspapers/Lodge billboard
(30) Increase involvement in community programs
(23) Sponser community events - annually
(24) Invite prominent citizens to speak
Comments:
* Take advantage of the brothers that have kids in school and
have the lodge go to the school and give free kids ID,
talks, after school tutoring
* We need to advertise, a budget of $1000.00 per month would be
appropriate
* We need to purchase flags/banners to put on surrounding streets
for important Lodge events
* Have Masons serve on various city committees
* Present scholarship awards for Masonic Youth at school
assemblies or at graduation exercises
* I do not know how we can increase our visibility in our
communities
* Lodges do almost nothing for the community
* Most activities of Lodges have to do with their own enjoyment
* I suggest you review what our Lodge has done for the community
over the last 5 years
* If the Lodge or any Lodge wishes to hold public schools
programs (Dinner and Speaker) most Lodges has the dinner in
the Lodge dining room and the program in the Lodge room.
This results in limited space. Why not tell the school and
parents that the event will be held at the school with a
large dining hall. Sell tickets to parents and teachers,
etc...with all the funds going to the school (less the cost
of the dinner). Make the event successful by having the
membership support by ticket sales. Publicity through local
newspaper. Have school children support, PTA, etc...Funds
to go to scholarships or use at the school for materials,
improvements, etc...Just a thought but most Lodges are
looking into themselves, their own activities rather than
looking outward to others.
* We are NOT a secret organization, yet we act as though we were.
Our good works are not broadcast.
* Competition in these fields is extensive with other
organizations and sponsors. Do what Freemasonry set out to
do - be a small exclusive and selective organization
* There has been too much bad and biased information regarding
the Masons (ie: Bad Press)
What is the attraction for Non-Masons?
(8) Join the oldest Fraternity in the World
(32) Fellowship with men having similar values
(14) Carry-on the family Masonic tradition; "Following my Father's/
Grandfather's footsteps"
(9) Curiosity/Education regarding the "Masons"
Comments:
* The benevolent activities of Masonry
* Shrine
* Scottish Rite
* A place to bring the family for free
* A good place to take a nap
* Pay dues but never have to do anything
* Travel advantage - Friends everywhere
* Fellowship with men who have similar values in life
* Follow in the footsteps of men whom they admire
* Desire to participate in the good work that Masons do
* Contribute to the community
* An interest in the unknown
* Join the oldest and honorable fraternity in the world
* Join a worthwhile organization that does not consume too much
time
* Opportunity to make a contribution to the community
* Community service of value to their family
What are the best attributes of our Fraternity?
(35) Trust/Fellowship/Fraternal Intercourse
(29) Willingness to help others in need
(20) Worldwide family
(32) High moral beliefs
Comments:
* Teaches respect and courtesy
* When traveling, its always good to introduce and meet fellow
travelers
* Learning our precepts is very valuable
* Although we claim a willingness to help others in need, we are
not doing very much charity work at all. This is what we
originally stood for, but very little is done or talked
about these days.
* All of these are attributes but the question is: To what degree
are Masons following these? This is a serious concern
amongst the fraternity. Just follow the problem in our
jurisdiction. This is one of the most important areas to
address. Membership at any price is not the answer.
* Exclusive
How can we improve our Fraternity?
(21) Increase membership
(24) Increase fun events/occasions
(15) Increase cross-Lodge events/occasions
(9) Increase efficiency of officer's practices/stated meetings
Comments:
* If we knew the answer, we could name our Grand Master
* Care about ALL members, not just the officers
* We must have dances and events where young adults are going to
be attracted
* Get proper facts and dates in the Trestleboard
* Attract quality men
* Ensure our non-mason friends know that we are Masons and tell
them what we are and do
* Community involvement and visibility
* Increase the importance of what Masonry was established for
* We are missing one of the greatest opportunities available to
us. I hear a lot of discussion and see a lot of hand-
ringing over the fact that our affiliated youth
organizations are slowly going out of existence- I mean
Rainbow Girls, DeMolay, and Jobs Daughters. However I do not
know of any Lodge who has an active committee of Masons
whose purpose it is to sit on the sidelines of each of their
meetings. Just the very presence of a group of Masons
showing interest in their activities and support of their
functions would go a long way toward their progression and
continuity into the Masonic family. Rainbow Girls and Jobs
Daughters grow up, get married and have children. Their
sons could be potential Masons if their mother had been
indoctrinated properly in the ideals of Masonry when they
were young women. A group of Masons regularly sitting on
the sidelines of DeMolay meetings and showing and interest
in their activities should very easily be able to influence
a good proportion of them to be interested in becoming
Masons. I am sorry but I am not aware of this kind of
activity on the part of the members of a Masonic Lodge.
Hand-ringing seems to be the highest level of concern that
can be attained. I submit this thought to you humbly and
with the realization that I might be all wrong in my
observation. Take it for whatever it is worth, it may
deserve some further thought.
* Events and occasions are based on the interests of the Members
* Abolish the prohibition on solicitation for membership
* Increasing membership does not necessarily improve any
organization
* Increasing the efficiency of officer's practices is probably
the most important to me as I have seen some very poor
Ritual work in 25 years as a Mason. The excuse is not
enough time. If it were really important to the officer, he
would make the time and do it correctly
* If we are asking men to join our organization based on what
they can do for Masonry, we will continue our slide to a
non-entity. Instead of "what can you do for Masonry" we
should turn the phrase to "what can Masonry do for you"
* Increase membership only with the right members
* Charge twice the dues and make it a class organization
* Increase community service and get publicity
* It is time to modernize!
Are you a member of other Masonic organizations?
(36) Yes
(12) No
If so, what are they?
(22) York Rite Bodies
(28) Scottish Rite
(12) Eastern Star
Comments:
* DeMolay
* I have dropped out of Scottish Rite and Shrine, I never
attended
* Order Of The Amaranth
* Tall cedars of Lebanon
* Shrine
* Research Lodge
* Several other Blue Lodges
* Britannia Council
* Robert The Bruce
* Royal Order Of Scotland
* Allied Masonic Degrees
* Hi 12 Club
* White Shrine Of Jerusalem
* The Shriners are one of the smaller Masonic Bodies yet Shriners
spend 1.4 million per day on charity. All of the rest of
the Masonic Bodies combined spend 1.0 million. How can the
smallest spend more than the others combined? Because we
are Shriners and Masons.
* Sciots
* I quit Scottish Rite when they sold out. It is the best
building in San Jose. It is still standing & safe!
When should a Mason join the other Masonic organizations?
(31) Anytime
(1) After he has completed his year as Master
(0) Never
Comments:
* After he has completed his one year and proficiency as Master
Mason (this was the rule years ago)
* When he feels like it
* After one year of being an active member of Blue Lodge
* When he can afford the time
* Anytime, but don't let it interfere with your obligation to
your Blue Lodge
* After one year as a Master Mason
* It seems necessary to join all Masonic organizations but it
could be considered a Brother could not hold office in more
than one body at the same time
* After being raised
* Only after one year as a Master Mason who attends Lodge
regularly to really learn Masonry
* After he has completed his commitment as Master
* After his 3rd degree proficiency
* After he has served as an appointed officer & possibly
preferred a charge in one or more of the degrees.
* When he decides to
For Line Officers: Why did you join the line at your Lodge?
(15) I wanted to increase my involvement in my Lodge
(5) I felt the current/future line was in jeopardy
(11) I want/wanted to be Master of my Lodge
(0) I was forced/tricked into joining the line
Comments:
* When I understood the value of going through the line
* A Past Masters card opens more doors
* I helped start the Lodge!
What is the highest office you've held in Blue Lodge?
(2) Steward - Junior/Senior
(3) Deacon - Junior/Senior
(3) Warden - Junior/Senior
(20) Master
Comments:
* Inspector
If you did not progress to Master, why not?
(0) I did not want the responsibility
(3) I did not think I could learn the ritual work
(1) I did not have my family's consent to continue
(6) My job/health/other commitments prevented me from continuing
up the line
(3) I'm currently in the line to become Master
Comments:
* I am not in a financial condition to do so at this time
* Though my wife does not object to my Masonic activity, she does
not share or assist in it
* It is important to have a supportive family when going through
the line
* I moved to another Masonic jurisdiction
* I am self-employed and my job and other commitments prevented
me from becoming Master
* I wasn't included in the "officer's click" at that time
* Family first
The End.
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