I would add to what Brother Isaac said, if a lodge does not ACHIEVE all this goals, they have still better off than a lodge that doesn't even ATTEMPT these goals. As long as the membership is aware that they need to work on these items, and are taking steps to improve in these areas, they are moving in the right direction. Too many lodges are complacent; they keep doing what they have always done and occasionally grumble that they aren't bringing in new members and can't fill the chairs. If things are not working for you, you need to step back and ask, "What can I do differently?" I'm sorry if this sounds trite and obvious, but it is true. If every lodge, and every Mason, was self-examining, posts like these would be self-evident already.

What can _I_ do differently?
By Christopher Douglas

The characteristics of a "best" lodge, are a combination of structural and environment attributes. The structural attributes means, having, enough members to keep fresh masons upcoming in the chairs, active past masters to mentor and support the activities of the lodge, enough brethren to perform the degrees, enough members to man the committees in action not just title, sound and stable finances to support the annual activities and long term perpetuation of the lodge. The environmental attributes means, having an environment that inspire the brehtren to want to come out, having activities that foster participation, maintaining relationships in an open and respectful manner.
As we are all individuals and volunteers, these attributes are hard to achieve and maintain, certainly on an ongoing basis, however, when achieved, the rewards are boundless. This is certainly one of the secrets of Masonry.
By Isaac Lazar — CFP