Several guides offer practical ways to increase participation by Freemasons and a renewed Masonic spirit.
Masonic membership is declining as is attendance at most Masonic meetings. There is a continuing increase in Lodge consolidations, and the number of “dropouts,” including demits, is much too high. Unrest prevails throughout the Masonic Family. How can this be changed?
No one Mason or Masonic Body can claim to have all the answers, but, collectively, we Masons can improve our Fraternity without compromising Masonic principles. We can and must improve “customer service” and membership appeal.
Several years ago, the Southern and Northern Jurisdictions of the Scottish Rite, with the financial and active involvement of the Imperial Shrine and York Rite, formed the Masonic Renewal Task Force, which later became the Masonic Renewal Committee of North America under the sponsorship of the Conference of Grand Masters. The Committee gained the active support of over half of the Grand Jurisdictions of North America, conducted several well-attended leadership seminars in various parts of the country, distributed an executive summary, the Blueprint 2000, and prepared periodic newsletters.
The Masonic Renewal effort also resulted in the development and publication of several books to help Lodges solve many of their problems. Use of these resources can help your Lodge, Temple, or other Masonic group provide membership appeal.

101+ Ways to Improve Interest & Attendance in Your Masonic Lodge
This book (pictured above) was written to help build a foundation for the future on the finest traditions of the past. All the hints offered are designed to make Lodge meetings and activities more appealing. Finding ideas to use should be easy. Choose those that might work locally. At least review the list of wants resulting from the surveys, as listed on page 2 of the book. Men have told us, in no uncertain terms, what they want, need, and expect as members. Responding to members by providing a quality Masonic experience in your Lodge or Temple will result in increased interest and participation by Masons and a renewed Masonic spirit. Only interested Masons will recommend membership.

A Masonic Leader’s Planning Guide
Planning is the first step to the future. When hundreds of Masons were asked what they needed most for their Lodge, the most consistent response was “We need help in planning.” This guide gives that assistance by providing seven steps for developing a working plan and budget. P.G.M. Ben Franklin is credited with saying, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” Planning is choosing a course of action, making decisions to do the right things in an orderly manner, and providing for things to happen that would otherwise not happen.

Blueprint 2000
Here the Masonic Renewal Committee, with the input from Masons of the participating Grand Lodges, provides an annual plan including the steps any Masonic organization (Lodge, Valley, Temple, etc.) can take to achieve its goals during a one-year time span. Understand the premise of the Blueprint 2000 (Appendix C of the 101+ Ways book and Appendix A of the “Planning Guide”) and discover these important goals for any Masonic group: great fellowship, community involvement, family participation, excellent leadership, good ritual, and effective Masonic education. Together, these provide member satisfaction and retention.

Membership Management and Development Kit
The Masonic Renewal Committee of North America produced other materials including a comprehensive kit of videotapes and printed materials helpful to explain Masonry to the uninitiated (as well as to Masons themselves). Its associated “Trainer Kit” is designed to help the plan’s implementation, in particular a videotape “Getting the Most from Your Fraternity” which presents Masons and non-Masons speaking about the importance of Freemasonry and urging the active interest and support of the new Master Mason. Also, a brochure and “Friend to Friend” videotape, developed by one Grand Lodge, is part of a program offered to interest non-Masons in membership.

75 Ways to Attract and Retain New Members
In 1998, the Center for Leadership Excellence produced this how-to guide for the leaders of Masonic organizations. The material in this loose-leaf handbook assists a Masonic leader recognize just how important membership development and retention are to the future of a Masonic Lodge. It helps officers understand the important information about current members; has data about men who should be but aren’t Masons; increases one’s skill in attracting and retaining new members; and outlines important things leaders must do in their first six months in office. Finally, the guide suggests how to care for members and what to do if one is about to demit.

The Essential Skills of Leadership
The Center for Leadership Excellence also produced this five-booklet series of guides designed to help any Mason develop leadership skills in areas that will directly benefit him and the Masonic organization. Each booklet is based upon a single leadership skill considered important to the success of any Masonic organization. The subject of each booklet is: When You Become the Leader; The Power of Vision; Managing Change; Motivation; Developing and Using a Lodge Team.
The materials noted above, including those produced by the Center for Leadership Excellence, are available from:
The Masonic Renewal Committee of North America, Inc.
10200 N. Executive Hills Blvd.
Kansas City, MO, 64153
Phone 888–891–8235
Fax 816-891-9062;
E-mail masonicrenewal@hotmail.com.

The Imperial Council, A.A.O.N.M.S. published, first in 1998 but with current updates, a loose-leaf manual entitled Membership Development  designed to aid Shrine Temples and Clubs help solve the membership appeal problem. The manual contains sections on planning membership development, membership organization and staffing, membership development fundamentals, communication and recognition, as well as an appendix with many sample forms, letters, and other camera-ready materials which can be adapted for use in a membership development program. It can help you develop a membership plan that will enable any Masonic group achieve goals such as becoming the preferred choice of men in a community; attracting and retaining more youthful, community-active men; and rekindling interest and activity by existing members. For further information and availability contact Imperial Shrine Headquarters, Office of Membership Development, PO Box 31356, Tampa, FL 33631-3356; phone 813-281-8101; Fax 813-281-8460.

The books and guides mentioned above are available for a low cost to any Lodge or other Masonic group. Of course, their use requires commitment, time, and effort. They are of no value unused on a shelf. To use them will help Freemasonry accomplish its vision and improve our Craft by increasing our appeal, both to existing member Masons as well as to potential member non-Masons.
Masonic Renewal means an awakening of interest in and the rediscovery of the values of Freemasonry. Renewal means a rebirth or renaissance where individuals, largely at the local level, can provide fresh vigor and creativity. Masonic groups must rekindle the interest and satisfaction of current members who, in turn, can then speak with and interest prospective members. All Masons can be involved. All Masons should be involved.