In my other universe (vocation), I am employed in the insurance business, having joined the family business some 30-odd years ago.  Groups within that industry are always doing studies about client acquisition and retention and I came across one such study recently that has a direct application to Freemasonry, called: "Why Customers Leave."  At first glance, you may be thinking that we don't have customers in Freemasonry, but in reality, our members are our customers, and if the Grand Lodge in general and your lodge in particular aren't careful, they will leave us.  Here are the numbers:

 1%    Die
 3%    Move away
14%   Buy from a friend/competitor
14%   Leave because of price
68%   Leave because of perceived indifference

Now, there isn't much we can do about the 1% who die or the 3% who move away. But 14% decide to focus their resources toward other groups or causes competing for that member's time.  That 14% is closely related to the 14% who leave because of price, because they don't really leave due to price, they leave due to value, or a lack thereof.  They leave because what their dollars spent on dues is less than the value they have received.  That is shameful and is something we most definitely can impact.  68% -- more than 2/3 of customers/members leave because they think we don't care about them... they leave because they think we don't value them.  That is 100% within our control. 

How much time and or money would you have to invest in each member to let them know you value them as people and as members?  Not much.  How long does it take to pick up the phone and call a brother who hasn't been involved in your lodge for a while and tell him you miss his fellowship?  Five minutes per member?  Ten?  Similarly, what does it cost to send a Birthday or a Get-Well Card to a Brother?  Two dollars (including postage)?  Three?

Any time/money invested in the two simple ideas mentioned above will come back to your lodge many times over.  Get together with your lodge leadership and brainstorm on these and other ideas to increase the value to your members and improve their perceived return on investment.  Think about it.  Do it.
6 Comments
 
 
By now, hopefully everyone should have received their one-of-a-kind Iowa Masonic Calendar.  Judging by the response thus far, both financially and in comment form, I'd have to say that they are a huge success! 

This has been somewhat of a quiet week -- at least compared to the next two.  Following a fairly lengthy Lodge Service Committee meeting in Des Moines, I had the pleasure of visiting Bluff City Lodge #71 (incognito) to help present the very first Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter Award in the state of Iowa. 
This honor is in memory of Daniel Carter Beard, who in the late 19th century, created the Boy Pioneers, an organization which was a forerunner of the Boy Scouts of America, and merged with them in 1910.  The recipients of the first two Daniel Carter Beard awards in Iowa were presented on October 14, 2009 to Brothers Larry Poffenbarger and Erik Moore.

Last night, October 15, we kicked off the first of 16 Grand Master's Area Meetings at Amber Lodge in Quick.  I thank all the brothers who attended and hope they got a lot out of the evening.  Next week, we take the show on the road to Mt Pleasant, Centerville and Pella.

I alluded earlier to the Iowa Masonic Calendars and the response thus far.  The proceeds from this fundraiser will be used to bring the Masonic Model Student Assistance Program to Iowa.  MMSAP is a program designed by former educators to assist schools to identify and assist students who may be at risk for drug abuse, violence, bullying, absence and other things that can derail a young person's life.  It has been helping kids for over 20 years and is in 26 states currently. 

Thanks to all the brothers who have shown their support to this vital project.  I will be posting names of all the donors on my website iagrandmaster.org in the very near future.
4 Comments