Rite Notes – July 2026

The Mystery Visitor

15 JULY 2026

In the previous Rite Notes, we learned “What Drives People Away” from organizations. In this writing, we are going to focus on your York Rite Body to see what its problems are, and how to begin solving them.

It should be remembered that each York Rite Body is unique. Your approach must be tailored for your particular group.  The basic problem that plagues organizations can easily be categorized, and with knowledge, you and your York Rite Body can develop a plan to overcome them.

Information is power. The more information you have the better the decisions you make.

How do you determine what kinds of problems your York Rite Body has? It might be best to get an outside opinion.

The Mystery Visitor

In the corporate world, they realize that problems in their presentation to the world are sometimes hard to see.  As a group, we are friendly — to each other. But how does a new or potential customer see the store and its staff?

Enter the mystery shopper. Mystery shoppers arrive unannounced, posing as customers and evaluate staff friendliness and customer service.  When they leave the store, the staff has no clue as to who they were. They rarely announce themselves. Instead, they submit a report of their experiences, and management is able to review it and make recommendations.

In the fraternity, all York Rite Bodies are friendly–to each other. It’s how they receive a new member and a visitor really reflects the character of an organization.

Most York Rite Bodies that have had no new members in many years have become introverted. Their focus has turned inward, and they have fallen into a rut?  And what is a rut? one definition of a rut I heard years ago is that a rut is a grave with the ends kicked out. trying to move laterally rather that vertically.

A mystery visitor gives their impression of your Body. Their observation can give you an opinion of your strengths and weaknesses.

How can a person fairly size up you masonic Body in a single visit?  It’s called first impression.

It has long been said that we never have a second chance to make a first impression. First impressions are how most people judge us. Right or wrong they offer us some kind of criteria in which to judge.

Who can be a “mystery visitor”? Choose someone who isn’t known to your members. They may be a contact of yours, but should know no one else there.

Contact someone you know that is a Mason (or member of your appendant body)and ask them to come and visit.  Set up what day they are coming. It would be a good idea to make it a night of regular communication.  Those nights generally reveal the true nature of your Body.

That person should be able to enter your meeting without you vouching for them. Remember, no one is to know that you have invited them.  This person is to experience your meeting as a stranger would they arrived that night.

Give the mystery person the basic details of your York Rite Body. What time does it meet?  Does it have a dress code and preferable dress for its members? Is there a dinner before the meeting?

The mystery visitor should arrive about 20-30 minutes before the meeting.  This will give him time to be examined, and to see what kind of reception they receive.  Specifically, they should be looking for the following:

• Are they greeted by the presiding East?
• Does someone write down his name for introduction?
• Does the sentinel greet them?
• How are they examined?  Are they treated with respect or are they treated like some kind of intruder?
• Do other people come and greet them, or must they take the initiative?
• If the visitor must take the initiative to meet the members, what is the member’s reaction to them.

During the meeting, the mystery visitor should not do ritualistic work, and undercurrents in the meeting, and if he is received and introduced in their proper form. Are they ever given a chance to speak and/or bring greetings?  All these things should be noted.

After the meeting, the mystery visitor should linger around at least 20 minutes. Is there coffee afterwards, or is everyone looking to make a hasty retreat?  Do people come and talk to the visitor, or is he simply ignored?

Within 30 days, the mystery visitor should submit a copy to his contact within the Masonic Body.  This report should include the above information, plus some additional ones.

The additional information should include the following:

• How easy was it to fine the meeting place?
• What condition was the regalia in?
• What condition are the bathrooms in?
• Did they feel safe in that neighborhood?
• Any other comments that might be helpful.

Once you’ve received the report, it is not to be brandished as some kind of message from on high. It is information that can be used for positive change.

Not everyone will appreciate the comments.  Change, except for a baby, is not easy. And, it is one person’s opinion. Should the report come back quite negative, it might be good to have two or three more mystery visitors come to your meeting and see what the reports have in common.

Once you have had one mystery visitor, it might be wise to carefully share the information with the presiding East privately. The purpose of the exercise is not to divide the group but to improve it.

The mystery visitor is a good way to learn how an outsider sees your particular York Rite Body. Their opinions may not be 100% accurate. But they are an opinion, based on their impressions of their visit. And their information can be very valuable.                                             

There is no substitute for an all-out campaign to strengthen and build our membership.

Membership and Retention is everyone’s business.

EXCERPTS FROM THE GRAND CHAPTER OF FLORIDA

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO –DEFUNCT CHAPTERS

42.01   Disposition of Assets.

If any Chapter under the authority of the Grand Chapter shall cease to exist, except by consolidation, the last High Priest or King or Scribe of such Chapter shall within thirty days thereafter, transmit to the Grand Secretary all funds, books, papers, jewels, furniture, robes, seal and all other property, together with the Charter of said Chapter if said Chapter has not been arrested or removed by order of the Grand High Priest or by Grand Chapter

Membership by Chapter for 2026:

REMINDER: MASONIC MEMBERSHIP SOLUTIONS (MMS) RULES STATE THAT NEW COMPANIONS AND SIR KNIGHTS NEED TO BE PLACED IN MMS WITHIN 15 DAYS.  If this is not done, the magazine will not be sent automatically. The Secretary will have to contact Grand Encampment.