Masonic Forum Home Search Members Calendar Who's On Welcome Guest ( Login | Register ) Recent PostsRecent Posts Popular TopicsPopular Topics Home » General » General Masonic Discussion » Selling the craft 105 posts, Page 10 of 11«««7891011»» Selling the craft Rate Topic Display Mode Topic Options Author Message M PerrottM Perrott Posted 03/01/2010 00:05 Fellow Group: Forum Members Last Login: 2 days ago @ 22:45 Posts: 291, Visits: 2,183 Alan Campbell (02/01/2010)Selling the craft isn't just about public processions, it is also about education. My own mother in law still doesn't fully trust masons, even although her son in law is one. This must be to do with lack of education of whar freemasonry is about, what we are and we we are not. That is a great point, succinctly made. The whole reason for raising the profile of Freemasonry is to show that Masons are good men, honest and true. Somewhere between cup and lip that message has been lost. No parade can change that.So how about getting back to the basics. Remaining true to the ideal of building something that does not change with every wind blow, and not changing the message for evey person an individual encounters just to win favour would be a good start. A lapel badge means nothing if the person wearing it remains as mendacious and unpleasant as those on the outside. Post #16941 lauderdalelauderdale Posted 03/01/2010 10:57 Excellent Master Group: Forum Members Last Login: 04/07/2010 12:56 Posts: 2,238, Visits: 4,269 The main problem is that the Media, be that "Dead Tree" or Electronic, is hostile to Freemasonry. At best they dismiss it as a social club for old codgers and irrelevant to modern society, at worst they drag up any adverse publicty they can find whilst ignoring the good work done, e,g, "Masonic Treasurer defrauds Building Society" is on the front Page, but "Local Lodges buy mini-bus for the disabled" is on Page 23 with the Livestock prices, if printed at all.An unsypathetic editor can spike any publicity sent to them by a Lodge, Province or even a Grand Lodge but a Public Parade is something that will be seen by the man and woman in the street and talked about thereafter. It would certainly highten the profile of The Craft and favourably.Some Brethren try their best to "spread the word" and Masonic Fora such as this and others certainly help and GLs such as UGLE and some of its Provinces are on the right track with Open days, Stalls at Country Shows and other public activities. As for the Indivdual Brother , it is up to them and some have good reasons to keep their affiliation to themselves. However, if wearing a lapel pin or an S&Q ring illicits an enquiry from a non-Mason it affords the wearer the opportuntity to explain The Craft as far as is permitted and can even lead to new members in due time. I have found recruits that way over the years. Post #16945 wayne cowleywayne cowley Posted 03/01/2010 18:41 Master Group: Forum Members Last Login: 26/07/2010 20:32 Posts: 553, Visits: 974 Alan Campbell (31/12/2009)Tom, mines isn't quite in your face as much as our now famous black and gold jacket, but i did get lodge t-shirts made last year with a lrage Gold S&C on the left breast. They look great in white and navy and i have one of each and wear it all the time. We have similar T-shirts here in Caerphilly for our work promoting Freemasonry in the Community which we wear at fairs and other suitable occasions - such as the Big Cheese organised by the local authority each year Wayne PM Hamlet of Van Lodge 8334 UGLE (Caerphilly - South Wales); Scr N. Hamlet of Van Chapter 8334 JW, Caerffili MMM 1348; PCN, Caerffili RAM 1348; St Teilo Chapter A&AR 789 Brangwyn SRIA 75; Castell Caerffili OSM 466; Fforest KT 582: Merthyr Tydfil R&SM 120, Penychen - Athelstan 53, RCC 295 Post #16953 M PerrottM Perrott Posted 04/01/2010 00:27 Fellow Group: Forum Members Last Login: 2 days ago @ 22:45 Posts: 291, Visits: 2,183 wayne cowley (03/01/2010)Alan Campbell (31/12/2009)Tom, mines isn't quite in your face as much as our now famous black and gold jacket, but i did get lodge t-shirts made last year with a lrage Gold S&C on the left breast. They look great in white and navy and i have one of each and wear it all the time.We have similar T-shirts here in Caerphilly for our work promoting Freemasonry in the Community which we wear at fairs and other suitable occasions - such as the Big Cheese organised by the local authority each yearWayneThe Big Cheese? Wasn't that you in 2006? Mind you, that's nothing compared to your latest title, eh Grandad. Post #16958 chestnutchestnut Posted 04/01/2010 09:48 Master Group: Forum Members Last Login: Today @ 10:20 Posts: 652, Visits: 2,093 Happy New Year to everyone. I mentioned very early on in this thread and similar comments have been made that selling the Craft is primarily an individuals responsability. We have had such bad press through global media that it will take many good deads and public works to alter perception. When each of us agrees to uphold our obligations and to keep locked in our own safe and sacred repository the secrets of FM, we are not required to keep secret our new allegiance to FM. We each now have a duty to act in accordance with our various obligations and take those obligations seriously, for if we do not why should we expect the world at large to take us and FM seriously? I have heard it mentioned and witnessed in GQS before and after meetings Masons suited and booted in their finary drinking in the bars, these bars can be very busy so naturally there is an overflow of groups on the outside chairs and pavements. Now I am all in favour of a quiet drink of two, but when groups become raucous with ties half undone and forcing the public to step into the road to get round them, what impression does that provide? Morals and politeness are on the decrease, as FM's we do not have to buy into that decline. There are many reasons, all valid, as to why numbers are dropping. However FM was always frequented by the minority not majority. FM has become more expensive over the last 5 years after a reduction in real terms as to the fees. It is the sustainability of many Lodge with few numbers which is the problem. A strong Lodge with active membership is preferable to a weak Lodge with few members. The weak Lodge will not encourage regular participation and new members will not last. Before we can educate the public we must educate ourselves and have a clear understanding as to what we as individuals and masons want from openness. Will becoming more open lead to a better understanding and acceptance or more fuel for possible ridicule? Parades are fine if that is what Lodge want in their community. Personally I would prefer a parade with collars only no aprons. I know for some large charity events is not what FM is about. However in this instance an event open to all in the community, for the community raises profiles. Small steps taken on many fronts may help over time. David Post #16960 lauderdalelauderdale Posted 04/01/2010 10:29 Excellent Master Group: Forum Members Last Login: 04/07/2010 12:56 Posts: 2,238, Visits: 4,269 Bro Chestnut, I am puzzled as to why you would not want Aprons to be worn as well as Collars were there to be a Public Parade of Brethren?I have from time to time seen pictures in the local papers of the Master and Charity Steward of XXXX Lodge presenting a cheque to some good cause and they are only wearing their Collars. To me those Brethren look half dressed, almost as if they were wearing their shirt and tie but no trousers. I can't see the objection to wearing the Apron as well as the Collar but perhaps you could elucidate. Post #16962 chestnutchestnut Posted 04/01/2010 10:48 Master Group: Forum Members Last Login: Today @ 10:20 Posts: 652, Visits: 2,093 Hi Bro Stephen, the pictures of cheque giving are normally done in a masonic setting. So aprons would be perfectly ok. My reason for no aprons on public displays are just that perhaps they can be seen by the unenlightened as a reason for ridicule. The collars show our rank or role in the Lodge why the need for anything else. Perhaps its more to do with me, I would not feel comfortable wearing an apron in public but would be happy with a collar. David Post #16963 lauderdalelauderdale Posted 04/01/2010 11:13 Excellent Master Group: Forum Members Last Login: 04/07/2010 12:56 Posts: 2,238, Visits: 4,269 Thanks for the clarification Bro David.For myself I would have no problem wearing my full Regalia in public at a Parade etc, whether that of Craft, Rose Croix, (in LDH we still have the Apron) or KTs. Also if only the Collar could be worn and not the Apron the Ordinary Brother would be left with nothing if not an Office Bearer in that Lodge. I also feel that those who would mock Freemasons in a Parade would do so anyway whether we were wearing Aprons or not.I was always quite happy for non-Masons to see me in my Regalai if they wished. My missus was always interested and I was only too happy to show the varous Aprons etc I had to a family friend who visited. I can also remember that Toye-Kenning in GQS used to have a tailor's dummy in their window wearing not only the dark jacket and pinstriped trousers etc but the Full Dress Regalia, Collar and Apron, of a PSGD of Grand Lodge. Very smart it looked too and I never saw any passers-by laughing at it.In the end I suppose it all depends on what one feel comfortable wearing in public. Post #16964 CheshireCheshire Posted 10/03/2010 00:27 Apprentice Group: Forum Members Last Login: 2 days ago @ 13:13 Posts: 13, Visits: 114 Personally i think every lodge should at least have their own website, creating a website isn't that difficult these days, i've created a few for friends and my company in the past, it doesn't take that long. I know a few people who would like to be considered to join the craft, but without personally knowing a Mason they think that they can't get in. More exposure on the world wide web is what's needed in every county, I'm sure every lodge may gain more members just by having their own website hosted. Post #19397 lauderdalelauderdale Posted 10/03/2010 01:25 Excellent Master Group: Forum Members Last Login: 04/07/2010 12:56 Posts: 2,238, Visits: 4,269 With you all the way their Cheshire. Some Lodges of course DO have a website. Ashley Hill Lodge in Berkshire being a case in point, and a good one it is too, have a look via Google. 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That is a great point, succinctly made. The whole reason for raising the profile of Freemasonry is to show that Masons are good men, honest and true. Somewhere between cup and lip that message has been lost. No parade can change that.
So how about getting back to the basics. Remaining true to the ideal of building something that does not change with every wind blow, and not changing the message for evey person an individual encounters just to win favour would be a good start. A lapel badge means nothing if the person wearing it remains as mendacious and unpleasant as those on the outside.
An unsypathetic editor can spike any publicity sent to them by a Lodge, Province or even a Grand Lodge but a Public Parade is something that will be seen by the man and woman in the street and talked about thereafter. It would certainly highten the profile of The Craft and favourably.
Some Brethren try their best to "spread the word" and Masonic Fora such as this and others certainly help and GLs such as UGLE and some of its Provinces are on the right track with Open days, Stalls at Country Shows and other public activities. As for the Indivdual Brother , it is up to them and some have good reasons to keep their affiliation to themselves. However, if wearing a lapel pin or an S&Q ring illicits an enquiry from a non-Mason it affords the wearer the opportuntity to explain The Craft as far as is permitted and can even lead to new members in due time. I have found recruits that way over the years.
The Big Cheese? Wasn't that you in 2006? Mind you, that's nothing compared to your latest title, eh Grandad.
I have from time to time seen pictures in the local papers of the Master and Charity Steward of XXXX Lodge presenting a cheque to some good cause and they are only wearing their Collars. To me those Brethren look half dressed, almost as if they were wearing their shirt and tie but no trousers. I can't see the objection to wearing the Apron as well as the Collar but perhaps you could elucidate.
For myself I would have no problem wearing my full Regalia in public at a Parade etc, whether that of Craft, Rose Croix, (in LDH we still have the Apron) or KTs. Also if only the Collar could be worn and not the Apron the Ordinary Brother would be left with nothing if not an Office Bearer in that Lodge. I also feel that those who would mock Freemasons in a Parade would do so anyway whether we were wearing Aprons or not.
I was always quite happy for non-Masons to see me in my Regalai if they wished. My missus was always interested and I was only too happy to show the varous Aprons etc I had to a family friend who visited. I can also remember that Toye-Kenning in GQS used to have a tailor's dummy in their window wearing not only the dark jacket and pinstriped trousers etc but the Full Dress Regalia, Collar and Apron, of a PSGD of Grand Lodge. Very smart it looked too and I never saw any passers-by laughing at it.
In the end I suppose it all depends on what one feel comfortable wearing in public.
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