Membership Development Workshop

1
MembershipDevelopmentWorkshop

• Supreme Council, 33, S.J.
• May 23 24, 2003
• Dallas, Texas

2
Membership Update

• S. Brent Morris, 33, G\C\
• Director of Membership Development
• Supreme Council, 33, S.J.
• bmorris_at_srmason-sj.org

3
Membership Update

• Who are we?
• Where are we now?
• Where are we going?
• Membership since 1999
• Progress report on programs
• A strategy for membership

4
Who are we?

• S.J. membership 343,325
• Average member age 67.7
• Average initiate age 48.4
• Average drop out age 61.8

5
Where Are We Now?

• This Year Last Year
• Initiations
• Affiliations
• - Attrition
• - Death

6
Where Are We Now?

• 343,325 362,000
• 4,933 (1.4)
• 7,667 (2.2)
• - 18,700 (5.5)
• - 11,724 (3.2)

7
Where Are We Going?
8
Membership Since 1999

• The 20th-century paradigm for American Masonry no
  longer works
• The bottom line Everybody is down
• ? S.J. -14.5
• ? N.M.J. -11.1
• ? Shrine -9.3

9
S.J. Annual Membership Data 19892002
3
2
1
0
'89
'90
'91
'92
'93
'94
'95
'96
'97
'98
'99
'00
'01
'02
Initiations
-1
Affil. Reinst.
Deaths
NPDs Demits
-2
Net Loss
-3
-4
-5
-6
10
N.M.J. Annual Membership Data 19892002
3
2
1
0
'89
'90
'91
'92
'93
'94
'95
'96
'97
'98
'99
'00
'01
'02
Initiations
-1
Affil. Reinst.
Deaths
-2
NPDs Demits
Net Loss
-3
-4
-5
-6
11
Shrine Annual Membership Data 19892002
3
2
1
0
'89
'90
'91
'92
'93
'94
'95
'96
'97
'98
'99
'00
'01
'02
Initiations
-1
Affil. Reinst.
Deaths
NPDs Demits
-2
Net Loss
-3
-4
-5
-6
12
Is There Any Good News?

• YES!
• Western Union Experiment
• NPD Restoration Program
• Life Membership Initiative

13
Western Union Experiment

• 88 Valleys (176,627) in VBS suspend after 12 or
  24 months
• 16 Valleys (41,646) in experiment
• 72 Valleys (134,981) in control group

14
Western Union Experiment

• On Nov. 1 3,218 members in the experimental
  Valleys were 8 weeks away from SNPD
• Each pre-NPD member was sent a Western Union
  last ask letter from ADM Sizemore

15
WESTERN UNION

• Dear Brother,
• Our records show that your dues are in arrears.
  In compliance with Art. XVII, Sec 26.1 of the
  Statutes, I must regretfully begin suspension of
  your membership unless at least the past-due
  total shown below is received prior to December
  31, 2002. If a personal problem prevents you from
  paying your dues or if you think this notice is
  in error, please immediately contact your Valley
  at 555-123-4567.

16
WESTERN UNION

• You are a crucial part of the Scottish Rite. Your
  membership is important to the Masonic
  Fraternity, and Scottish Rite Philanthropies are
  important to our country.
• To avoid suspension, remit balance in
  the envelope provided
• To discuss your dues status, call your Valley at
  555-123-4567
• To pay by credit card, call 1-800-776-2766

17
Western Union Results

• Control (134,981)
• 10,545 pre-NPD members
• 1,776 (16.8) paid at least 1 year
• Experiment (41,646)
• 3,218 pre-NPD members
• 658 (16.8) payments expected
• 1,052 (32.7) paid at least 1 year

18
Western Union Results

• 3,218 W.U. letters 5,812
• Members saved 394
• Cost per saved 14.75
• Increased revenues 51,600

19
Plans for Western Union

• The Supreme Council will send a Western Union
  last ask letter on November 1, 2003, to every
  pre-NPD member
• VBS Valleys need do nothing else
• Other Valleys must send their pre-NPD mailing
  list to Western Union

20
NPD Restoration Program

• Identify NPDs for 27 years back
• Cull out deaths non-MMs
• Restore between 9/1/033/1/04
• No dues or per capita
• Bill for 2005 dues 9/1/04
• Follow up! Follow up! Follow up!

21
Life Membership Initiative

• Available in Every Valley
• Cost
• Balance actuarial fraternal needs
• Installment purchase through SC
• Recognition
• Plaques, certificates, hats, pins, etc.
• Promotion
• Scottish Rite Journal Valley pubs

22
A Strategy for Membership

• Control losses
• Dues collection management
• W.U. last chance letter
• Satisfy current members
• What we have done no longer works
• Attract new members
• Identify prospects
• Oct. 01 SRJ new brochures

23
The Bottom Line

• Loss and change are inevitablethey need not be
  fatal.
• The winds and the waves are on the side of the
  ablest navigator. Edward Gibbon