State President's Message

Balance was an idea born out of my experiences as a District Deputy.  It goes toward the long-term maintenance and growth of our lodges.  Specifically, our lodges should be looking where they are unbalanced.  Perfect balance is a goal, not an endpoint, because the balance point moves constantly. 

So what are we balancing, three things:

                Stability             Membership                   Tradition

Read Stability as financial stability.  The whole phrase wouldn’t fit on my pin.  Is your lodge in the black.  If not, serious changes need to be made to get back in the black and restore balance.  Also do the lodge members know where their money goes.  Are you subsidizing your bar or kitchen?  Can your ballroom, pool, bowling, golf course support itself?  Are you out of balance.

We always need to push Membership.  Grand Lodge’s emphasis on recruiting quality people is half the battle.  Quantity is also important and it affects financial stability.  We do need to recruit people that will stay and support the Lodge.  There is more talent outside our normal recruitment pool. Specifically, we need more youth and more women as members.  And we must adjust to different trains of thought.  People can be different and good members at the same time.  Beware of the artificial constraints that are thrown up as tradition.   Remember Balance.

Our Traditions are the fundamental base of the lodge.  Our tradition falls in three ways, Charity, Ritual and social.  Our charitable nature emphasizes veterans, youth and community.  Being financially stable helps strengthen our charitable efforts.  Ritual does not require us to be nationally competitive, but it does require us to honor our roots.  One of the easiest rituals is the “Toast”.  It honors those members that have passed on.  Finally, we are a social lot.  It is the balance between having fun and getting our goals accomplished.

Balancing the Future Together

Pat McCaffrey

OEA President