I have been a member of Wrexhamian Lodge for twelve years, the first ten have been an enjoyable time. I Filled in for the Junior Warden a couple of times, the Senior Deacon,  was the Lodge Mentor for five years, was the Lodge Representative to the NWAMS, wrote and managed their website, and even went through the chair.

Unfortunately the last two years of my membership has left me no better than a visitor (And occasionally worse than a visitor). The Lodge decided to start using WhatsApp for communication, which I do not use since my phone is used for work (WhatsApp itself states if you use your phone for work you can not use normal WhatsApp because it breaks GDPR) so I do not get the messages. I did not mind when it was just chat, social stuff, etc but they started doing all communications over WhatsApp.

So if they need to arrange what we are doing in the next few meetings, or get volunteers to do parts of the work, or even arrange a committee meeting it was only done over WhatsApp. So I (along with others) were excluded. This has led to the DC bringing his friends for his mother lodge along to do parts of ceremonies, and act as Wrexhamian Officers while there are multiple Lodge members sat watching and not being allowed to take part.

It got so bad that last year while I was at a meeting in the Province of Cheshire, a member of a Lodge told me he was visiting Wrexhamian’s next meeting to see the first degree tracing board, and he had heard about it from a member of a Lodge in a different Masonic Hall. That was the first I heard what we were doing, so I as a member of Wrexhamian was not told of what we were doing, but multiple other Lodges, in other provinces had been told.

When the issues of WhatsApp were brought up, and how multiple members of the Lodge were not getting any communications the DC (Who was only organising ceremonies and volunteers/officers on WhatsApp) stated it was nothing to do with him, he was not doing it, and the Secretary stated “I am too Important and busy to send multiple communications out, its just easier to post on WhatsApp so tough if you don’t get anything just ask people if they have received any news”

So after twelve years, this evening I handed in my resignation. I can not justify paying hundreds of pounds to be a member of a Lodge where visitors get more communication and participation.

WhatsApp is a very handy tool for the members to keep in touch with each other, and interact and keep the social aspect alive, BUT when it is used as the official communication method it is harming Lodges. I have seen it cause issue in multiple units in several orders.