The Leader

Taking the Digital Analog

Zoom fatigue is a real ailment that lodges are facing as they struggle to reengage their membership in the work of the lodge. With some members still reluctant to return to indoor, in-person events, lodges should return to the basics, according to Chris Smith, chief technology officer for the Grand Lodge. “I know it sounds ironic coming from a tech guy,” Smith says, “but I really think lodges need to find ways to make the digital analog again—that is, they need to go back in person safely.”

During the pandemic, lodges across the state found innovative ways to stay in touch, from Zoom whiskey tastings and movie nights to remote funding drives and charitable efforts. Lodges have shown they can navigate the digital universe when they have to. But now they face a new problem: getting members out of the digisphere and back together again. “It’s important to validate the fears of some members,” Smith says. Since Past Grand Master Arthur Weiss issued the directive allowing lodges to return to in-person meetings last May, following strict but necessary guidelines, most lodges have shown they can return to in-person meetings safely. “But that doesn’t mean the pandemic disappeared,” Smith says. “Some members remain conflicted about meeting up, and lodges need to allay those fears if they want members to return.”

One way that lodges can do this is by holding pandemic-proof events—think socially distanced outings. “So many Masons are golfers,” Smith says. “So go analog. Close out Zoom and head to the links.” If golf isn’t your thing, try a hiking meet-up, or a group bike or motorcycle ride. “The point is to think of ways to engage in fellowship in a way that still takes into consideration the reality we find ourselves in,” Smith says.

It’s also important to keep in mind that while some lodges were able to keep their members’ attention during the pandemic, others struggled to do so and now find themselves with members they haven’t communicated with in months. “If your lodge has MIA members, the first thing to do is get back in touch with them,” Smith says. Although seemingly a no-brainer, you’d be surprised how easy it is to get paralyzed by inaction. Take the first step and pick up the phone. Check in with members and see how they’ve fared over the pandemic. And be sure to have a plan for getting them back together again. “Reaching out to members without having something for them to look forward to is a wasted effort,” Smith says.

In the end, if you’re struggling to figure out what activity to entice your members back with, just ask them. “Endeavor to reach members by the methods they want, rather than those that we prefer.”