3 ms·

One of the things about getting older and divorced, people use to join organizations at higher rates, now we moved to online communities and an online/mobile li

One of the things about getting older and divorced, people use to join organizations at higher rates, now we moved to online communities and an online/mobile life. With a fulltime job and you working till death, you don't have time to do much. The local eagles/lions/moose/etc club, you at least got to go out and have dinner, chat with people, make friends, etc. I checked out the local Masons lodge, and I was at least 20 years younger so I didn't ask to be sponsored. My friend in Ireland joined the Masons, he says the lodges are filled with younger people from 20s and up. I read the "Starting over" and think, did you change your hobbies and activities too? There's so much to do now, how can one be bored. Even a trip to the library and parks is cheap and free.

mooreds 8y ago
I am a member of a fraternal order similar to the Masons ( https://odd-fellows.org/ https://odd-fellows.org/ ). It's great because: * There are standing meeting nights that I can go to for social contact * It does good work in the community * It lets you meet folks outside of work circles * It lets you have an opportunity to build soft and leadership skills * If I have to leave for a while because of work or other time commitments, I know I can rejoin in 1, 5 or 10 years and be welcomed back. Highly recommend. Even easier if you can get a group of folks to join. And most of the older members I chatted with were thrilled to have new members.
- andyidsinga 8y ago
  I'm seriously considering something like odd fellows (thanks for reminding me of them) - exactly for the non-work social and community aspects - but with a secular flavor ( I have some family members who are in the Lions club). A buddy of mine mentioned "mastermind" groups too. (ps. fwiw - portland or)
  - mooreds 8y ago
    Odd Fellows may not meet your needs, but optimists or rotary are a good option.
Zelphyr 8y ago
Not all lodges are the same. Check out other lodges in your area to get a feel for them and their membership.
x2f10 8y ago
Maybe a dumb questions, but what does a person do as a member of the Masons? Is it all dinners and connections? Is there community outreach? What do the Masons do?
- andyidsinga 8y ago
  Here's the oregon masonic lodge faq: https://www.masonic-oregon.com/faq/ https://www.masonic-oregon.com/faq/

mooreds 8y ago

I am a member of a fraternal order similar to the Masons ( https://odd-fellows.org/ https://odd-fellows.org/ ). It's great because: * There are standing meeting nights that I can go to for social contact * It does good work in the community * It lets you meet folks outside of work circles * It lets you have an opportunity to build soft and leadership skills * If I have to leave for a while because of work or other time commitments, I know I can rejoin in 1, 5 or 10 years and be welcomed back. Highly recommend. Even easier if you can get a group of folks to join. And most of the older members I chatted with were thrilled to have new members.

andyidsinga 8y ago
I'm seriously considering something like odd fellows (thanks for reminding me of them) - exactly for the non-work social and community aspects - but with a secular flavor ( I have some family members who are in the Lions club). A buddy of mine mentioned "mastermind" groups too. (ps. fwiw - portland or)
- mooreds 8y ago
  Odd Fellows may not meet your needs, but optimists or rotary are a good option.

Zelphyr 8y ago

Not all lodges are the same. Check out other lodges in your area to get a feel for them and their membership.

x2f10 8y ago

Maybe a dumb questions, but what does a person do as a member of the Masons? Is it all dinners and connections? Is there community outreach? What do the Masons do?

andyidsinga 8y ago
Here's the oregon masonic lodge faq: https://www.masonic-oregon.com/faq/ https://www.masonic-oregon.com/faq/