tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post6144706689348713710..comments2024-03-26T12:05:58.591-04:00Comments on Freemasons For Dummies: National Sojourners Make Important Membership Rule ChangeChristopher Hodapphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04201859873755654395noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-6121594557044784522018-07-24T14:41:47.950-04:002018-07-24T14:41:47.950-04:00The membership issue had some roots in the fact th...The membership issue had some roots in the fact that most chapters met in the Offices Club which was usually off limits to enlisted soldiers. This has changed ans so has the view on membership. I am 52 year member of Sojourners and proud of it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04159128053288060142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-3802964749224740892017-06-11T12:44:08.327-04:002017-06-11T12:44:08.327-04:00Having served as an AMS3 on the USS Theodore Roose...Having served as an AMS3 on the USS Theodore Roosevelt in 1990, It doesn't take much to change course in an aircraft carrier. It takes but a command from the skipper. Soldiers and sailors fall to command. They have little choice. As do we all.<br />TomJoadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12585909621655069852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-86803549723437949012016-06-22T22:39:00.046-04:002016-06-22T22:39:00.046-04:00I have never served in the armed forces, so I am t...I have never served in the armed forces, so I am talking out of my butt here. Having said that, I think I can understand the historic resentment over the previous policy, without having lived through it myself. It really did fly in the face of Masonic equality among members by making two classes of membership based solely on military rank. That was the culture of the time, and bear in mind that the group initially started as an officers club.<br /><br />On the other hand, from a practical standpoint, the only real restrictions between actives (higher ranking military officers) and honoraries (everybody below E-7) was the ability to hold national office. There was also a restriction to 15% of honoraries in a chapter. Now, that one WOULD have stuck in my craw, because it was obviously an attempt to make sure the officers dominated every chapter. <br /><br />But, while some of you may say that the change was simply motivated out of desperation for members now, that really denigrates the guys like Shelby Chandler and many, many others (many of whom were honoraries themselves) who spent the last decade or more doing the tough work locally and nationally to really push hard for this and make it happen. The Sojourners could have gone the way so many other groups have done, which is to ignore the problems and die rather than change. The Sojourners HAVE changed, and for the better. <br /><br />We all know that changing anything in Masonry is like steering an aircraft carrier. It takes a long time, and it takes dedicated men working their asses off. So I hope that some of you who felt snubbed over the years by the old policy take another look at them. They serve a worthwhile purpose and have now righted a situation that was long overdue.Christopher Hodapphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04201859873755654395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-82865127369332748442016-06-22T21:20:52.962-04:002016-06-22T21:20:52.962-04:00Actually, this membership change was a smart move....Actually, this membership change was a smart move. Despite their proud heritage and Masonic requirement, National Sojourners current leadership is aging and looking to the future. They are trying to stay relevant. <br /><br />Men (and women) of today who have served our great nation with Military Service have several good non-Masonic Military Service related organizations they may join during, and upon completion of their Service. VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) and American Legion easily comes to mind. Both of these organizations are chartered by an act of Congress and have proud eligibility requirements for membership. And their emblems are trademarked.<br /><br />This post brought back some good memories and a smile. I used to help train military Cadets and 2nd Lieutenants.<br /><br />Tom- VFW, member at large.😃<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Thomas Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16496528868148315705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-89173349786725161422016-06-22T15:16:24.334-04:002016-06-22T15:16:24.334-04:00I applied several years ago and was told they were...I applied several years ago and was told they were over quota for Honorary Members. So, my 5 years 5 months and 29 days wasn't good enough then and its not good enough now.<br /><br />Layrd Cunningham<br />Columbus, OhioAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03227736375114822661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-21679447763155515952016-06-22T13:59:36.391-04:002016-06-22T13:59:36.391-04:00I am sorry that you feel that way my Brother but t...I am sorry that you feel that way my Brother but there were many brethren who worked for many years on this endeavor who only thought it was a return to the Level. I pray that after plus ten years of these brethren working on this, that in posting here, the brethren would consider otherwise for these brethren's sake. Let us not belittle a good ending, especially after many fought a hard fight for this. Forgive if you feel that I have offended.Warbardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08237425786865970019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-87196763114059165222016-06-22T11:52:42.138-04:002016-06-22T11:52:42.138-04:00That's about 20 years over due & I am no l...That's about 20 years over due & I am no longer interested <br />T Thornton<br />Mossisto0wn NJ<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00137873997709810923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-48195278306691327332016-06-22T09:54:58.725-04:002016-06-22T09:54:58.725-04:00Like anything else appendent body related ... memb...Like anything else appendent body related ... membership numbers are suffering, thus the reasoning to open the doors to everyone. I don't buy the new "let's be on the Level" attitude. Not enough members to where it can be as exclusive as it once was. Meanwhile - Blue Lodges suffer when there's too many appendent bodies taking up valuable time from the Brethren ... who are only allowed out a few times a month per the wife ;) Burx Norrodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03293514788567217226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-79768741444420986972016-06-22T02:33:57.442-04:002016-06-22T02:33:57.442-04:00They lost the farm.They lost the farm.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10691488431006483445noreply@blogger.com