"Your Breaking Your Dads Heart"

By; Gary J. Bergenske

Fraternities in America are all struggling with their memberships.  That aged old problem of how do we keep getting enough new members in to keep our membership rolls sufficient to keep our programs, and budgets in tact.  It is a problem all are having difficulty with.  Masonic organizations are no exception, they to are continuing to fight what seams to be an uphill battle to get enough new members in.  If there was one easy fix, one that would not solve all problems, but one that could make a substantial impact, I believe it would be the task of bringing in family members.  You might say that is easy, it happens all the time.  Well, we hear of son's, and fathers, and Uncles  coming in every once in a while, however we are only scratching the surface of the potential that is before us.

How many times have you been with a Shriner at a family function, and meet the son of a fellow Shriner who is not yet a member of our fine fraternity.  It happens often, way to often.  I think I have heard most of the excuses, my son's just to busy right now, his wife is not ready for him to join yet, or he still has kids at home, or he is just waiting for the time to be right.  THE TIME IS RIGHT NOW.  What are they waiting for, they don't know, they are only making excuses.  Later, in talking with the Noble, and sometimes it's even a Past Potentate the real story will come out as to why the son has not joined.

The reasons will vary, in most cases the father has spoken to his son about joining our Fraternity. The son usually always has a good handle on what we are all about and what our Hospitals mean to so many children in the world. So it's not from lack of knowledge, or from lack of funds, in most cases the Father would be delighted to pay his son's way in to the Fraternity.  So what is it??  I think it is a lack of commitment, it may also be a lack of confidence that they might not live up to the expectations of their Father, or that they really don't feel that they will fit in. 

These men do not realize they are breaking their Father's hearts by not joining him in one the most important aspects of his life.  I have seen many a strong man appear week and confused when asked, "Why is your son not a Shriner yet?"  It's something you do not even really want to talk about,  no doubt you have tried to get him in.  Those of us that have a son, have to look forward with enthusiasm to the day our son crosses the Hot Sands.  But unfortunately for some the day never comes, it has to be a heartbreaker.

So how do we handle this dilemma?  What should be easy is not always the case.  We must join together to help our fellow Shrine Masons.  Think about this if you will, we know that every father would be proud to have his son in, but somehow it just has not happened.  I would like to see each of us find the opportunity to talk to these men that are not Shriners without their Fathers present.  Talk to them about the benefits of being a Shriner, the wonderful purpose that we have in Shriners Hospitals For Children, the fun and camaraderie.  Then put the big one on them, simply put, let them know that they are "Breaking their Fathers hearts by not being in the fraternity with him."  I would even go so far as to say, " Don't let him go to his grave without you being a member, it is one of the best gifts you can give to him."

I can only imagine how surprised and proud a fellow Noble would feel if one of his brothers was able to announce to him that his son was going to become a Noble of the Mystic Shrine.  We need new members, and what better place to start than with our own families.  Now think about what family you might be able to help, it is guaranteed to give you the GREATEST feeling.

You can make a difference in someone's life, GO FOR IT !!