Bob Conley,

1
Welcome!

• Bob Conley,
• Administrator MRC

2
What brings us here today?
3
Where have we been?

• In 1959 there were 4,000,000 Masons in the United
  States
• Today there are under 1,700,000
• From Leave it to Beaver to News Radio
• We dont fit in the Greater Society
• Once we created change, today we dont even react
  to it!

4
Lets do some thinking

• What do you believe is at the root of the
  membership decline?
• Why have our numbers fallen?
• Why havent our lodges succeeded as they once
  did?
• What caused this problem?

5
Keep Thinking!

• What is the average age of your Shrine Temple?
• What is the average attendance in your Shrine
  Temple?
• Do younger men join your Shrine Temple? If not,
  why not?
• What do you think?

6
The bigger picture.

• Every group has had significant decline in
  numbers.
• Most organizations have not been able to sustain
  themselves over the long term.
• No single answer is available.
• Today we do know a great deal.

7
Background Information

• In 1954 of those men who resigned or were
  suspended for NPDs, most had been members for an
  average of 23 years.
• By 1998, that time had been reduced to 2.3 years
• What does this tell you?

8
It isnt all our fault.

• Society changed.
• People changed.
• Generations changed.
• Entertainment changed.
• Education changed.
• Attitudes and ideas changed.
• We never did.

9
Society Changed.

• Changes in Mobility
• Work Patterns have Changed
• Womens attitudes have Changed
• Mens involvement with the Family have Changed.
• Families have changed

10
People Changed.

• Men are living longer today.
• Women are living even longer.
• Divorce rates went from 5 to 55
• The average family went from 1 home per lifetime
  to 11.
• Adulthood begins at 28 compared to 18.
• More--

11
Generations Changed.

• 1900-1945, Traditionalists-Chain of Command,
  Loyal
• 1946-1964, Baby Boomers-Change of Command,
  Competitive
• 1965-1979, Generation X-Dont Command me at all,
  Skeptical
• 1980-2000, Millenials- Dont Command,
  Collaborate, Realists

12
Defining events for traditionalists.

• World War 1
• The Roaring Twenties
• the Great Depression
• the New Deal
• World War 2
• the Korean War
• and the GI Bill

13
Defining events for Boomers.

• Viet Name, Watergate, Kent State
• Laugh In, Woodstock
• OPEC Oil Embargo, Womens Rights
• Bell Bottoms, Mood Rings
• Earth Day
• Television

14
Defining events for GenXers.

• Somalia
• Chernobyl
• Lockerbie, Scotland to Starbucks
• International Space Station
• the Internet
• Mario Brothers
• More television...

15
Defining events for Millennials

• From 90210 to Oklahoma City
• Columbine
• Internets instant information
• Chat rooms
• Cell phones
• 911

16
How do you see them?

• Millennial Kids are annoying,
• Generation Xers are tattooed slackers,
• Boomers are money driven workaholics,
• Traditionalists are drinking Metamucil milkshakes
  on the porch swing.

17
My generation is viewed positively by other
generations.

• 30 of Boomers said NO
• 24 of Traditionalists said NO
• And for Xers 60 said NO
• Source When Generations Collide, by Lynne C.
  Lancaster and David Stillman published by Harper
  Press

18
Stereotypes cause resentment.

• Xers resent Traditionalists for being resistant
  to change and unwilling to hand over the reins.
• Boomers resent Millennials for changing jobs so
  easily and demanding balance in their lives.
• Millennials resent Boomers for leaving the
  planet a mess.

19
Entertainment Changed.

• From Paper, to Radio, to Television.
• How many 22 year olds do you know that play
  gin?
• How many 75 year olds do you know that play
  Doom?
• Are there any games that span the generations?

20
Education changed.

• In Michigan every Freshman received a PDA
• Degrees online
• Metal Detectors in the doorways
• Title 9
• Diversity in the classroom
• Limitless information via the internet
• Participation oriented

21
Education continues to change.

• The fastest growing age segment obtaining an
  advanced degree or just going back to school are
  senior citizens.
• The concept of Life Long Learning is becoming
  more predominant among all age groups.
• Groups that provide education will be able to
  take advantage of these developments.

22
Attitudes and Ideas Changed.

• Diversity will continue to expand
• Concept of Family has Changed
• Elitist organizations are Feared and Suspect
• People must be Respected
• Their organizations must be relevant
• Value is expected

23
We never changed.

• We still do things exactly as we did.
• We still expect society to regard us well,
  without giving them relevant reasons.
• We didnt move when people did.
• Our rituals, presentations, etc., have not made
  any change since the invention of the light bulb.