BARES.791

Action Always Helps a Sale
by Emmerich Bares, MPS

Hauing the world 's best idea will do you no
good unless you act upon it. People who want
milk shouldn't sit on a stool in the middle of a
field in hopes that a cow will back up to them.

Two little girls from the neighborhood stopped
by with a wagon-load of rocks and asked if I
would like to buy one. They were so excited
about earning their own money that I purchased
a few. As they were leaving, I heard one say to
the other "See. I told you. People will buy
anything."
Reader's Digest - July 1990

Over the period of many years we have
talked about the shrinking membership
in our Masonic Fraternity and while sur-
veys have been taken and ideas promul-
gated, really nothing has been done
about it.

I firmly believe the two quotes above if
thought about and considered have part
of the answer.

I also submit the two questions asked
about the candidate. Is he worthy and
well qualified? Duly and truly prepared?

Several years ago fourteen brothers
were invited to a picnic at the summer
home of another brother and a bus pro-
vided for their transportation. These
were active Masons with an average age
of sixty-eight years. Eventually the con-
versation went to the talk of "where are
the new members?" Knowing them I
doubt if anyone had submitted the name
of a petitioner in the last fifteen years. No
wonder the average age of our member-
ship is so high. Without any new blood
we are facing extinction. The petitioners
are out there. Several years ago a Lodge
in a very small area had fourteen candi-
dates in eighteen months by initiating an
informational program in their area. It
can be done.

Permission had been given by many
Grand Masters to nudge a good prospec-
tive candidate. In some jurisdictions
even to ask a person to join. It still must
be by their own free will and accord.

In my own way I try to ask a leading
question. Such as "Is there anyone in
your family who is a Mason? Have you
been to the Masonic Temple lately?" So
many times the reply is "What is a Ma-
son?" This gives me opportunity to then
discuss the benefits to this particular per-
son to think about joining. Several have
and others are considering the possibil-
ity. Those who have petitioned and re-
ceived their degrees have been impressed
with the excellent ritual work and the
warm reception that they have received.
We now make it a point to have all pres-
ent congratulate the candidates after
each degree.

Recently I started to educate the candi-
dates with a short history of Masonry
and a rambling of experiences, either
mine or others, while they waited to be
prepared. It is truly amazing what a dif-
ference this has made in the attitude of
the new brothers. I recommend that each
Lodge have its education committee
make this a practice. The brother that is
educated and informed about our Craft
will have a truer understanding of our
faith and practice throughout life, be a
better man and a credit to himself and
the Craft. Certainly this will help to
bring new brothers into activity within
the Lodge if we find something for him
to do and make it worth while for him to
attend Lodge.

Let us occasionally return to the dinner
table before Lodge or the collation after-
wards. Something where brothers will sit
and visit. Play cards and relax before the
trip home.

Now we are down to the rocks. Because
many men do not know about the bene-
fits of Masonry, both for themselves and
for the good that it has done for human-
ity, it becomes our privilege and yes,
duty, to explain our course to those we
should like to call " Brother. " Not every-
one buys but the law of averages proves
the saying "Go forth and plant the seed
and ye shall reap the harvest. "

When I was a boy there were sixty
million people in the United States. Now
there are two-hundred forty seven mil-
lion. There are many just waiting to buy
those rocks.

Having had a dairy farm after the war
I cannot remember any cow that I had
standing to be milked in the field. I had
to take the initiative to feed her and take
the milk from her. Some gave it freely,
others had to be worked on. So it is with
prospective candidates.

Presently we are writing to out-of-town
members asking if they know of a good
prospect for our Lodge. A recommenda-
tion always helps a sale.

Let us not forget the two questions. It
is imperative that the candidate be pre-
pared as to what he may expect from the
Lodge and Masonry and what the Craft
may expect from him. If married he
should consult with his wife before peti-
tioning. He should know of the family
benefits. Ladies organizations related to
the members of the Craft and the groups
for the children. It is also imperative that
the petitioner be able to afford the costs.
Masonry is not expensive, neither is it
cheap. Unfortunately our initiation fees
are too low for the Lodges to be in good
financial position and in most cases dues
are too low for the survival of the Lodge.
Consider the high costs of clubs and
unions etc. Our initiation fees in most
cases have not changed since the horse
and buggy days. I have not had a person
ask the cost as I beat them to the punch
saying the initiation fee is " only. " A
powerful sales word.

Worthy and well qualified. Again, it is
necessary that we choose wisely and
carefully. Thus, an investigating com-
mittee must visit the candidate in his
home and in the presence of his wife
explaining the nights out, especially if
after being raised, the gentleman would
like to go in line.

I firmly believe in the above which has
proven that there are many men of all
ages waiting for information about the
Craft or how they might become a mem-
ber. When I was Master in 1963 I had a
scientist join. I asked him why he waited
so long and he had the stock answer. No
one asked him.

Some say the young are too busy. They
are the future leaders and we must give
them the opportunity of deciding. We
cannot do it for them. Remember our
requirements. Of lawful age, well recom-
mended, and a belief in a supreme being.