Our Retention Policy guides us forward

Speak to any Freemason and the subject will normally come round to membership numbers (or lack of them). How can they be increased and if you do, What are you doing about retention. This is something North Harrow has had to address mainly due to the exceptional increase in our numbers, namely 18 initiates over the last three years, these have been obtained firstly through our website and latterly from the referrals of those new members.

We have now acknowledged that something had to be done to make sure we manage these new masons in a way that we maintain their enthusiasm and recognise their potential.

So last January, at a G.P. Committee meeting, it was decided that we should agree to a recruitment and retention policy and put into action a strategy to enthuse and retain our existing members.

Over the previous year we had helped other Lodges by giving them almost thirty 2nd and 3rd degree Ceremonies when they had no work themselves, this had proved very successful in forging links and friendships and an opportunity to see some outstanding ritual.

A Father brings in his Son

However, it was recognised that for three years we had performed double initiations at every regular meeting and there was a chance that the existing membership could get bored with just seeing only initiation ceremonies in the Lodge.
We already had scheduled double initiations for each of our meetings in January, March and May this year and have a waiting list of 4 candidates, so with the vast majority of our new brethren having completed their 3rd degree, we were in a position to instigate a change for the forthcoming season. Following a Committee meeting in July a Recruitment and Retention Policy was actioned. To this end, the following strategy was agreed  and implemented.

1. For the time being, any potential candidates referred from our Website or Social Media presence will be introduced to another Lodge for their consideration.
2.  To restrict our intake to a maximum of two candidates a year to referrals by existing Lodge members only, providing that the Proposer has known the candidate for at least a year and the Seconder for six months.
3.  Freemasons wishing to join North Harrow as joining members will be required to attend four regular meetings as guests before their registration form is read.
4. To perform all three degrees at our own regular meetings during the year.
5. To assign Mentors to ALL lay brethren, who will maintain regular contact with their charges, encourage their inclusion in the ceremonies by giving them the opportunity of presenting short pieces of ritual in the Lodge. To encourage their attendance at Lodge of Instruction meetings and their involvement in social activities and subsequently report their recommendations as to the progress,ability and well being of their charges to the Lodge Committee from time to time.
6. To appoint a Social Secretary to arrange social activities and outings throughout the year to include partners/wives.
7. To maintain / forge links with other Lodges and encourage our members to visit wherever possible.
8. Progression in the Lodge will be by merit and ability, whilst taking into mind age, work commitments and attendance at Lodge of Instruction.
9. No pressure will be exerted on any member to progress before they are willing to do so.

We believe that these agreed strategies / procedures that are now in place will endeavor to enthuse the new and existing members and keep them involved in the Lodge workings and most importantly, feel a part of the North Harrow Lodge ‘family’

Watch for QCs at GQS

The Great Entrance 

Since being appointed to Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works at the Provincial meeting in May, I have made a point during my year of active office of promoting the Province of Middlesex in as many ways as possible. The first was to acquire (my grateful thanks to W.Bro Ian Ferguson) a Provincial flag and fly it from our chartered yacht in July whilst sailing along the south coast crewed by a number of North Harrow Lodge members and the second is to attend the Quarterly Communications of Grand Lodge whenever possible. This event is a great opportunity to meet and catch up with Masonic friends from other parts of the country. Such an event was held again this morning at Freemasons' Hall starting at 11.30 am. A bit early for some and an exercise for those travelling from far afield.

Myself with Dave Luckins (MetGSuptWks)
and Kent Club Members and others

However, this morning I had decided to make the effort, brave the scrum on a ThamesLink train to St.Pancras and travel into London early in order to meet a few of the Masonic "Twitterati"  ( 1111 followers on Twitter) and others for breakfast at The Shakespeare's Head in Holborn. There on table 10 we were able to pass an hour or so chatting whilst tucking  into Sausage, Bacon and Eggs and several mugs of tea before it was time to cross the road  and make our way to Great Queen Street for the Quarterly Communications which this meeting was chaired by The Pro Grand Master. The ceremonial work was of the highest standard as you would expect. The meeting was attended by numerous Grand Masters of District Grand Lodges from America, Monaco, Africa and Serbia (I may have forgotten a few) to say the least and t here was also an excellent and informative presentation on dementia and its various conditions. Then at the stroke of 1 pm it was all over for another couple of months, we said our goodbyes and made a move back home or across the road to the pub. Roll on the next one on 11th December.