Note: This is here for the comment from Don M.
“Can Freemasonry survive and prosper in the 21st century? It can and it will. Freemasonry is as relevant today as it was 250 years ago. But we need to make Masons, not members.”
The above is from 21st Century Masonry at The Magpie Mason. I recommend reading it. It sounds suspiciously like what we are doing at Specialis Procer.
clubs and societies in general are diminishing as younger folks have less interest in doing them. I am curious to know of Masonry is 'aging' like many other social clubs.
At this regular meeting of the Lodge, they had about 18 brothers in attendance. Just judging from appearances (I didn't ask their ages)at least half of them were under 35 years of age. Another 3-4 were under 50. This small Lodge has a net membership growth last year of 12. This year, they have already taken in 12 new members since September, and are working on 2-3 more. And the young guys are running the Lodge.
As demonstrated by this Lodge, there is no question that as long as a Lodge is active, as long as the members are willing to talk about their Lodge and what they are doing with others, there is no problem getting new (and young) members.
Other Lodges where "the old guys" have stepped aside and let the new guys actually do things, the results are similar. Perhaps not to the extent of this Lodge, but definitely on the same track. Young men are more than willing to participate in Lodge and invest their time in making in work.