Condition of Freemasonry in Alberta 2016 2017 THE

Condition of Freemasonry in Alberta 2016 -2017

THE ECONOMIC CLIMATE Economic conditions in the Province have continue to be impacted by low oil prices Some improvement reported – tell it to the unemployed $50 oil is in the ball park for sometime Small farms are disappearing and rural communities are shrinking Automation in the agriculture sector impacting employment In spite of the oil industry doldrums and huge office vacancy rates Edmonton and Calgary seem to be “getting by”

LODGE DEMOGRAPHICS 60% of our lodges are in the rural areas – defined as less than 100, 000 population for this analysis About 12 lodges account for approximately 17% of our total membership Large number of lodges with 30 or less members 47%of our members come from the rural areas If the rural communities continue to shrink we could be under 90 lodges in the non to distant future Rural amalgamations are the trend; 2 this year with no surrendering of charters

DEMOGRAPHICS From the bar chart note we have more members over 90 years old than between the ages of 21 to 30 The largest number is in their 60’s We appeal to men from 40 to 80 years old Younger men have different priorities than retirees – time is the isse Time is an issue for those with young families On the other hand Millennials just like the Boomers are concerned about the world they live in; this is positive We have to show Millennials we are relevant Our members, hence the public, need to be aware of the positive contribution we make to society

DDGM DEFINITION OF LODGE SUCCESS Good management, especially at the Worshipful Master and Secretary positions. Membership within a narrow age range Maintenance of relationships outside of lodge Good social functions, perhaps even monthly Joint lodges events Improved screening of candidates – 7 step program Excellent mentoring programs for candidates Good education programs

SUCCESSFUL LODGES (CONTINUED) Frequent visitation Constructive input from the Past Masters; no “stone faces” living in the past Good communication with the membership Lodge summonses are improving Spread the degree work around to maintain interest Critical mass of members attracts new members Quality people begets quality candidates Quality degree work instills pride

LODGE CHALLENGES Too much left to the Worshipful Master to handle Apathy within lodge management Critical mass of members needed – note lodge size issue Offices moving too quickly through the ranks; lack of a blend of young and experienced members Haste to fill chairs with warm bodies Insufficient officer training Lack of planning for year ahead Poor degree work begets poor attendance, begets fewer members, begets poorer degree work

CHALLENGES CONTINUED Lack of education and social programs Appealing social programs for a diverse demographic Private quarrels Family priorities Shift schedules and away from home for work Boring Aging meetings membership

DDGM COMMENTS CLASS OF 2016 -17 DDGM Elects need to communicate with their lodges prior to their installation to be better informed Reporting form needs revision to reflect reality; 10 -point grading system shouldn’t include yes/no questions – discussed later herein More extensive training in use of the forms Some reports are obsolete or not up to date So many questions to answer in a short official visit Financials should be examined by someone who knows something about finance; too little time to properly analyze same Get the Board of General Purposes agenda and material out sooner

DDGM COMMENTS (CONTINUED) The Board of General Purposes needs to spend time discussing issues facing Grand Lodge – it is the Board Support lodges through more District sponsored events Meet with Lodge Masters and Secretaries in a forum prior to September for two way communication of goals Improve the DDGM Handbook More meetings between the DDGMS and the Grand Line, even “virtual” meetings, to discuss issues would enhance the role Less focus on the number of visitations and more on mentoring if requested DDGMS fear of meddling in lodge affairs needs to be allayed

LODGE OFFICER TRAINING Training committee has had a difficult year with personnel changes Needs more promotion Have the DDGMS been following up to ensure the lodges are taking the training. Training presenters need to make presentations exciting Presenters need to know the material and be experienced to answer questions Lodges need to take ownership and willing to host training There are examples of effective training; Yellowknife and Edson Now after five years, the training content need updating

ATTENDANCE RATIOS DIST. NAME MEMBERS ATTEND. % ATTENDANCE RATIOS ALPHA ATHABASCA BATTLE RIVER BEAVERHILLS CALGARY HIGHWOOD CENTRAL CHINOOKARCH DINOSAUR LAKELAND MIGHTY PEACE NORTHERN LIGHTS PALLISER PHOENIX YELLOWHEAD 647 922 237 618 441 402 376 303 386 149 533 318 662 660 148 204 88 178 130 131 108 11 118 40 143 70 200 62 23 22 37 29 29 33 29 4 31 27 27 22 30 9 JURISDICTION 6654 1631 25 0. 9 1. 5 1. 2 1. 3 1. 2 0. 1 1. 2 1. 1 0. 9 1. 2 0. 4 % OF JURISDICTION MEMBERSHIP 9. 7 13. 9 3. 6 9. 3 6. 6 6. 0 5. 7 4. 6 5. 8 2. 2 8. 0 4. 8 9. 9

MOTION – I, RW BRO GORDON BERARD, SECONDED BY RW BRO KENN CULBERTSON, MOVE PAST DDGM RANK BE CONFERRED ON THE FOLLOWING District: Name: Alpha Murray Pay Athabasca Morris Nesdole Battle River Mitchell Elhard Beaverhills George Wert Calgary-Highwood Les Saggars Central Hal Neis Dinosaur Don Ewing Lakeland Terry Kennedy Mighty Peace Deric Delaney Northern Lights Chris Uchman Palliser Dale Luchuck Phoenix Roger Matas Yellowhead Garry Hedberg