WHAT TYPE OF MASON ARE YOU?
W Bro Petros N. Zenieris
PM of the Lodge of St George No 1152 EC
How the Pareto theorem links to Freemasonry?
The Pareto Theorem, which is known as the 80/20 rule, states that roughly 80% of the effects in a given situation come from 20% of the causes.
In essence, a small minority of inputs often produces the majority of the outputs.
This principle has broad applications across various fields, including business, time management, and even personal life and lastly why not Freemasonry. Let’s try to elucidate the later.
Over my 17 years I have been involved in Freemasonry, I have come to realise that not all Masons tend to exhibit the same level of commitment. Owing to work schedule, family priorities, intrigues and misunderstanding with other brethren, personal distresses etc. brethren tend to display various levels of masonic characteristics and commitments towards the craft and to their Lodge and brethren as well.
From my own observation as well as my personal understanding, I incline to believe that in general terms of masonry there are three (3) distinct categories, which will classify brethren into three most essential types.
These are:
1) Faceless
Brethren who are more than happy to pay their annual dues each and every year, but they are not willing to attend any Regular or Installation Meetings or even participate in any functions or social activities organised by the Lodge.
They may reside near or far but that does not represent any prohibitive reason for not being able to attend a Regular Meeting.
For the record, I am not referring to old-aged brethren who lack the necessary mobility and/or physical strength to attend Lodge’s meetings.
Perhaps such brethren joined a Lodge for just the simple reason of being a Mason or for wanting to get some new connections and improve their personal status or to progress further their business career.
Older members of a Lodge may still recall the name of such a brother, but they have already forgotten how he looks like owing to his continuous absence from the Lodge affairs.
2) Spontaneous
Brethren who from time to time may present themselves to a Regular Meeting or even to an Installation, and/or sometimes be able to positively respond by contributing to the Master’s Charity appeal.
They may, for many own reasons, refuse to participate to any committee meetings, or any masonic functions or even accept an offer for an office when officially asked by the Master-Elect.
They tend to voice complaints and disagreements on any new proposals brought forward about potential ceremonial improvements in the Lodge or certain ritual modifications and they tend to complain about any increases in annual fees or higher charges in relation to Festive Board’s costs.
3) Passionate
Brethren (junior or senior ones), representing a minority, who are fully committed to their Lodge and always be present in each and every Regular or Installation Meeting as well as regularly attending the Lodge of Instruction meetings. They are also willing to participate in the administration of the Lodge and would happily accept an position in the Lodge and deliver any task given to them.
Senior brethren tend to be very familiar with the modalities, rituals and various functions of the Craft in general and the Lodge in particular, whilst junior brethren appear eager and enthusiastic, with a strong willingness to learn more.
Some of them – more senior - are also willing to share their trials and errors in Masonry, which allowed them to gain hard earned experience. Most importantly they are enthusiastic and eager in guiding their younger brethren so the latter may obtain required knowledge which will enable them progress higher in the Masonic ladder, as one day they may rise to become the master of the Lodge.
How the Pareto Theorem applies in Freemasonry:
As I indicated earlier, Passionate masons represent approximately a 20% of all Lodge’s members, leaving the remaining 80% to Faceless and Spontaneous ones.
Passionate members tend to attend all meetings, perform various tasks during respective ceremonies, participate in Lodge’s various charity activities and frequently attend Annual Communications in order to represent their Lodge with pride and honour.
Therefore, most of the total work required for the proper function of a Lodge is contributed by the Passionate members, whilst the remainder of the work comes from the Faceless and Spontaneous members.
That’s why I believe the Pareto Theorem applies to Freemasonry.
20% of the very active members of a Lodge do contribute 80% of the total Lodge’s functions.
So, now I would like to ask you this.
What type of mason are you? Where do you place yourself in relation to the above-given three types of Masons?
Are you willing to contribute in a passionate manner or remain a spontaneous or faceless brother?
Brother…, the choice is yours!
PS: Some years ago, I came across to an article written by an American brother which also believed that a small number of brethren tend to perform most of Lodge’s activities and linked it to 20/80 rule.
That article acted as an inspiration to me to write this article you have just read.
Hard questions and solutions not easily come.
Personally, and in my capacity as Bro Mentor of my Lodge, I am aiming to retain passionate members and reduces their attrition rate. I started with all our junior brethren by engaging them regularly with short mentoring sessions to enhance their masonic understanding by which I want to belive they will maintain the masonic interest for longer periods. After all, they are going to be our future officers and eventually WMs.