Ever think about who the owner of your Lodge is? Let’s put this thought into perspective.
Who owns Ford Motor Company? Well, the stockholders.
- What do the stockholders want? – Profit, increased stock value, strong leadership.
- Who are their customers? -Those who buy Ford automobiles.
- What do the customers want? – Value, dependability, a quality product at a fair price.
- Would you even think of buying a new Ford, park it, never drive it and just admire it every day?
Now, who owns THE Ohio State University? We do, the taxpayers.
- What do the taxpayers want? - Quality education, high visibility, strong leadership, and to beat Michigan every year.
- Who are their customers? – The students.
- What do their customers want? – A quality education at a good price, a good job in the future, and to beat Michigan every year.
- Would you even think of earning a degree and never applying it in your day to day life?
Who owns your Lodge? You do, you’re a member.
- What do Lodge owners want? – Solid education in Masonry, support of charities, growth, strong leadership, value for the dues, and recognition of service.
- Who are the Lodge customers? – YOU are, the member.
- What do members want? – A solid education in Masonry, support of charities, growth, strong leadership, value for the dues, and recognition of service. You are an owner; you are a customer, and you want the same values.
(By now you should have reached the “aha” moment.)
If you have worked hard to earn Master Mason status and paid your dues, you are now part owner of your Lodge! Your Lodge now belongs to YOU.
What have you done with your ownership? Have you parked it so it can be admired every day from afar? Have you applied what you have learned in Masonry or given of your special talents to help strengthen the leadership of your Lodge? Have you taken an interest in your investment, are you keeping close tabs on what goes on in your Lodge or who is handling your belongings?
Sad, but true, a majority of Fraternity members today are content just to be ‘absentee owners’. They never attend meetings. They go with the flow, let someone else make all the decisions, and do nothing with their ownership. What kind of an owner are you?
