IT'S TIME...
By John E. Adams, Jr., Membership Chairman

Have you accepted the Operation Rescue/Recovery challenge placed upon the trestle board by Grand Master Cunningham? Has your Lodge held a "Friend-to-Friend" program as recommended?

Since Solomon II was introduced 20 years ago, Grand Masters have tried to reverse the devastating decline in membership. Those efforts afforded moderate success, but were met with mixed reactions by the Members.

Each program was excellent. Dedicated and concerned Brethren worked diligently to carry forth the designs upon the trestle board. Unfortunately, their efforts were not fully accepted by 100% of the Members. Negative responses ranged from "We never did it that way before" to "It's solicitation."

It's time for each Mason to be concerned about the seriousness of the situation. Here are the facts: Membership in Pennsylvania peaked in 1960 at 257,915 and since then has declined steadily. The membership as of Dec. 6, 2002 was 134,396, -- a loss of 123,519, or a 48% decline.

Lodges are merging at a rapid pace. Twelve surrendered their Warrants during 2001. In 2002, another six Lodges surrendered their Warrants. Presently there are 456 Blue Lodges in Pennsylvania. There are reasons for mergers, such as financial circumstances brought on by declining membership and increased operating expenses. Another is lack of competent and dedicated leadership because too many Brethren seek titles, but are not willing to furnish the required leadership. We need to become more concerned as to why there are so many resignations and suspensions for non-payment of dues. The apathy among the Brethren who have fallen by the wayside is difficult to explain.

Here are statistics as of Dec. 13, 2002: Elected to Membership ­ 552; Initiations ­ 1,964; Restorations ­ 378; Members Deceased - 3,380; Members Expelled ­ 4; Members Resigned ­ 504; Members Suspended ­ 1,618; and Net loss for 2002 ­ 2,612.

On Dec. 28, 2001, R.W.Grand Master Marvin A. Cunningham, Sr., introduced "Operation Rescue/Recovery" to stem the tide of the declining membership in Pennsylvania. This simplified approach to spreading the light of Freemasonry is the challenge set forth for our Symbolic Lodges

IT'S TIME... Let's do the job! Ask your new Worshipful Master when the next "Friend to Friend" program is scheduled for your Lodge.