|
sojourner
|
Posted 19/11/2009 13:45:37
|
|
Group: Forum Member
Last Active: 05/02/2012 20:19:16
Posts: 868,
Visits: 7,133
|
I feel this topic, once again, circles round to the "declining numbers in Freemasonry" topic. Why do we feel the need to "market" Masonry? Because of declining numbers. Why are there declining number in Masonry? Because 1) there are fewer candidates coming forward and 2) because of a declining membership, both by death and by members resigning/ceasing to attend. I am against trying to turn Freemasonry into a "sausage factory" just to try and increase numbers, at the expense of quality.Society itself has changed. If I look around me at the people I know, both socially and at work, and ask myself the question," How many of my friends, family and acquaintances (who are not already in Freemasonry) would I be happy to propose into Masonry and feel confident that they would reflect honour on my choice?" the answer is,"not many." Part of the problem is the dwindling number of people who are suitable candidates to be proposed. I feel that it is a two part problem and the first thing that should be prioritised is to keep the members we already have. UGLE have taken a number of initiatives including the introduction of Lodge mentors. To me, if a member resigns/stops coming, or is put off by the "mutterers and tutterers", that is a reflection on their proposer and seconder, as much as on the Lodge. The need to "market" Freemasonry? I have my reservations. We could always ask Dan Brown to write a couple more books.
Roy L."SELUME PROFERRE"
|
|
|
|
|
chestnut
|
Posted 19/11/2009 13:45:39
|
|
Group: Forum Member
Last Active: Yesterday @ 13:20:40
Posts: 1,022,
Visits: 5,566
|
Stephen unfortunately many appear not to show FM in anything like a good light. The modern trait of getting everyone and anyone to join has not always introduced the right calibre of people.
If we assume that everyone is I can not see how any advert will not make us look desperate or stupid.
Such a thing would never be percieved in a good light. Just as I could not see a national campaign to join a particular religion or political party going down well.
I am afraid that we can not get away from the fact that it is down to us all to attract like minded people to us and to show through our own actions the benefits of FM.
David
|
|
|
|
|
Alan Campbell
|
Posted 19/11/2009 15:15:42
|
|
Group: Forum Member
Last Active: 04/02/2012 12:02:46
Posts: 1,247,
Visits: 2,228
|
The topic was left vague on purpose to get your views but it was not directed at the declining numbers of the craft, it was more through the CV section that i thought freemasonry is still misunderstood by most of those who have no connection.As for the other points raised, if any of the grand lodges entertained an advertising campaign to explain what the craft is and isn't then it would have a knock on effect for the other obediences.
|
|
|
|
|
dp
|
Posted 19/11/2009 15:35:55
|
|
Group: Forum Member
Last Active: 08/01/2012 18:59:22
Posts: 1,082,
Visits: 3,065
|
On this I think that most obediences websites do a great job of selling themselves and the new UGLE website in particular has lots of information for non Masons right off the front page.I think the public comes in 2 varieties. Those who may be interested in Freemasonry and those that aren't. Those that are will seek information and sites like UGLE's, and this, will help them no end. Those that aren't won't respond that well to in your face advertising and why waste the money? The best option for them as has been said is if we all live and act as we have been taught. I heard a lot of anti stuff about Masonry before I joined. I knew this to be rubbish because I knew a lot of Masons and they were all wonderful people...
|
|
|
|
|
lauderdale
|
Posted 19/11/2009 15:52:41
|
|
Group: Forum Member
Last Active: 10/07/2011 06:43:06
Posts: 2,136,
Visits: 4,278
|
As for the other points raised, if any of the grand lodges entertained an advertising campaign to explain what the craft is and isn't then it would have a knock on effect for the other obediences. True and I had thought of that. Even if beneficial I do not think it fair to take a free ride on another organisation's Marketing Campaign, which is why I would rather see a joint approach by the various Masonic GLs, GOs and Obediences , all contributing both financially and in content to promote Freemasonry in its many varieties in a positive light. However, I feel that Bro Chestnut's approach is the more pragmatic one.
|
|
|
|
|
Janus
|
Posted 19/11/2009 16:32:45
|
|
Group: Forum Member
Last Active: 17/06/2011 12:20:27
Posts: 116,
Visits: 928
|
"And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."
Luke 11:9
Janus
GLSA N°31
|
|
|
|
|
qsaimik
|
Posted 19/11/2009 16:37:08
|
|
Group: Forum Member
Last Active: 21/05/2010 17:41:29
Posts: 6,
Visits: 85
|
chestnut (19/11/2009)
Lauderdale (19/11/2009)
I feel that in the end it is for each Freemason to "market" The Craft if asked on an individual basis.
This is exactly the point. On a daily basis FM is publicised and marketed. Not on media but by individuals, us.
My own experience agrees with these two gentlemen.
It was the integrity and good works of local Masons that led me to my local lodge's doorstep last June. I knew a few of them from serving together at our volunteer firehouse. And as I write this I can't help but contemplate how this applies to one of the working tools I was given last week.
If these men had not been serving their "8 hours a day" for God and brother... I would not have had the opportunity to meet them, learn about the Craft, and subsequently apply for membership. Something I recently read in an online EA education document also agrees when the author states, “Ideally, the candidate should find his way to the door of Freemasonry on his own. If a man senses the stirrings in his heart for a deeper understanding of life than that he has heretofore found, he will seek until he finds the Fraternity.” (http://www.hawthornefortitude200.com/EnteredApprentice.pdf)
If it hadn’t been for these local Masons service to our community, I would still be on my own in my search.
Sean
|
|
|
|
|
Nosameerf
|
Posted 19/11/2009 18:16:58
|
|
Group: Forum Member
Last Active: 08/10/2011 14:42:49
Posts: 432,
Visits: 9,411
|
Obviously hiring Saatchi & Saatchi would be quite expensive but luckily I have been thinking quite hard about this.
We could have a big poster campaign featuring the following slogan:
Become a Freemason today. It's Great!
Next, I would be quite willing to feature in some television adverts, much like Howard Brown from the Halifax adverts.
I would be willing to do some singing and dancing etc (my fee can go to the Grand Charity, minus 85% of course). Let me know what you think.
Strength of manhood and beauty of spirit need combination. Masonry thus needs strength with gracefulness, stability with courtesy, and firmness with gentleness.
Sapere aude; incipe!
|
|
|
|
|
Alan Campbell
|
Posted 19/11/2009 18:21:54
|
|
Group: Forum Member
Last Active: 04/02/2012 12:02:46
Posts: 1,247,
Visits: 2,228
|
Even although there hasn't been a lot of replies the general impression that i get is that freemasonry is doing okay as it is. That we don't need to educate anyone as to what we are about or what we do. IF they want to find out then they can get in touch Or worse still, put it into a search engine and come up with a load of old bunkum. Yes the Grand lodges' sites are good and so are some of the daughter lodges sites but what about all the other rubbish.We are being persecuted by politicians, press, hollywood and anybody else that cares to think that we are still planning a new world order, even although we haven't put into to practice in the last 300 years. Maybe it's time that we started promoting ourselves instead of just fire-fighting when something bad comes out. Lets face it, if a local football team gives £50 to charity its in the local news. When grand lodge gives £1,000,000 to charity, its only us that here about it. And even though it wasn't my intention to think about dwindling numbers, it could also send some gentleman down the correct path and find us.
|
|
|
|
|
Carlos
|
Posted 19/11/2009 18:52:30
|
|
Group: Forum Member
Last Active: 30/01/2012 23:25:56
Posts: 99,
Visits: 275
|
It probably won't shock many to find that I couldn't agree with Alan more on this one.
Firefight is the right word but why should it be. We talk about letting us be the advertisements for Freemasonry but don't we do that already?
How many warrants have been returned this year alone due to lack of numbers? How many have us have sat and listened to some ignorant half wit spewing some rubbish they've read on a website somewhere about what an evil bunch we all are. We shrug our shoulders and laugh to ourselves but I don't see why we should. I don't why we shouldn't make the effort to redress the balance. I actually feel the Craft is at probably the ideal time to do this.
I'm 31 and new to the Craft. I want to see that it's still here and strong in another 30 years in my town. If that means some kind of 'promotional' campaign to shake up new members, redress the misinformation and do probably a lot for the Crafts image and future, what is there to fear but fear itself?
Real joy comes not from ease or riches or from the praise of men, but from doing something worth wile. -Wilfred T. Grenfell
|
|
|
|