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Alan Campbell
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Posted 19/11/2009 08:25:53
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Taking a another snippet from the "CV" thread. Should Freemasonry be publicised and marketed by the grand lodges. Would it be a good idea to get Saatchi & Saatchi (i don't know any other big ones off the top of my head) to promote the craft.
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seekeroftruth
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Posted 19/11/2009 09:34:36
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Could you please further explain, what you mean by "promote the craft" in your post?
Depending on how I read it, I could interpret the meaning of that as:
1) "promote the craft" = try and help clear away misconceptions that exist about the craft in order to provide a more detailed picture of what is it.
2) "promote the craft" = try and attract new members.
3) a combination of 1 and 2.
For me the craft is (this is relative to the Obedience one is in and the particular emphasis applied) as a "philosophical" environment whereby each member tries in his/her own way to deepen their knowledge of the "human condition" (this is my personal relative definition when trying to explain what masons do in the context of "know thyself" and the "rough stone").
As such, I am in principle against marketing a philosophical concept.
However, you might mean something else or I have misunderstood something, so to be on the level and have the same reference point for further discussion.
"Die Freimäurerei war immer"
G. E. Lessing
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lauderdale
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Posted 19/11/2009 09:54:22
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This is a lot more difficult that it appears at first view. Certainly, it would be most helpful if Freemasonry could have favourable publicty to hopefully dispel some of the misconceptions which have been spread over the years, and which perhaps would also attract some people to apply to become Brethren. Now here is the first snag. Would this be a small tent approach with the Marketing Campaign being run only by UGLE in England, Grand Lodge of Scotland in that Country etc or would some of the other smaller Masonic Bodies such as the Women Only and Co-Masonic Organisations be invited to participate? After all these are also part of "British Freemasonry". In such a campaign which matters would be publicised, only the external or would the more philosophical aspects also be featured? Who would pay for such publicity and marketing, the various Grand Lodges etc out of the funds and investments they hold or would this be another "Asbestos Levy" with the tab being picked up by the ordinary member in the columns? "Marketing Masonry" is a great idea in principle but I can see rocks on its roadmap.
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bod
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Posted 19/11/2009 11:34:12
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Would Virgin Money advertise on behalf of Lloyds? Would Sainsbury's advertise M&S or Tesco? In the same vein it would be the responsibility of each individual order to publicise itself and it's offering.
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lauderdale
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Posted 19/11/2009 12:09:44
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Thus the whole idea is doomed to failure and would founder. A bit like Marketing Christianity in a way. A great idea, publicise the Faith but once the various Churches were to get involved then they would all pull for themselves and not act in concert and push the big picture. An interesting idea but I regret that, apart from some local initiatives such as Open Days at Masonic Temples, stalls at Country Shows etc it is not likely to work on a National Basis. I feel that in the end it is for each Freemason to "market" The Craft if asked on an individual basis.
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wayne cowley
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Posted 19/11/2009 12:09:53
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I believe some of the US GLs have tried something along these lines - but I'm not sure it was always well received by brethrenPerhaps one of our American brethren can give us more info Wayne
PM Hamlet of Van Lodge 8334 UGLE (Caerphilly - South Wales) H Hamlet of Van Chapter 8334
WM, 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 KTP 100 OSC 21 TI
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Vintagemalt
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Posted 19/11/2009 12:48:16
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Lauderdale (19/11/2009)
Thus the whole idea is doomed to failure and would founder. A bit like Marketing Christianity in a way. A great idea, publicise the Faith but once the various Churches were to get involved then they would all pull for themselves and not act in concert and push the big picture. I feel that in the end it is for each Freemason to "market" The Craft if asked on an individual basis. Lauderdale, I cannot see why you believe such an idea is is doomed to failure and would founder . If UGLE decided in their wisdom to run an advertising campaign on TV and other media to promote the virtues and any other aspects of Freemasonry they thought it good to promote, and did not mention Co-Masonry or other fringe organisations specifically, why would that be doomed to failure?There are many campaigns to promote an ideal that do not mention other ideals which are seen to be successful. Anti smoking, drink driving, getting a flu jab, safe sex and many others. I am NOT saying I think it is a good idea or a bad idea. I have not yet thought it through sufficiently. I am saying that it is not necessarily doomed simply because it is not inclusive. Indeed if UGLE were to embark on such a campaign (which I doubt) and if they were financing it why should they not extol the virtues of UGLE style Masonry. The more I think about it the more I do not understand your reasoning. Stephen
Stephen 
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chestnut
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Posted 19/11/2009 12:54:00
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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.
Is the WM not told to forcibly impress upon the Lodge the dignity and high importance of fm, seriously admonish them never to disgrace it, charge them to practice out of the Lodge those excellent precepts they are taught within, and by virtuous, amiable and discreet conduct, prove to the world the happy and beneficial effects of our ancient and honourable institution, so that when a man is said to be a FM the worls will know that he is one to whom the burdened heart may pour forth its sorrow, to wjom the distressed may prefer their suit, whose hand is guided by justice and whose heart is expanded by benevolence.
In the third degree we are taught to afford the best example for the conduct of others and to correct the errors and irregularities of brethren and fellows.
In the first degree charge we must have pursuits which make us respectable in life, useful to mankind and an ornament to the society to which we have become a member.
It is ours actions on a daily basis interacting with fellow masons or those who are not which show us as individuals or the fraternity in a good or bad light. How others see FM is often influenced by their dealings with FM.
Do we need advertising? You already are!
David
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Vintagemalt
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Posted 19/11/2009 13:15:17
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David,Yes! you are undeniably and indisputably correct. However - even if you look at the total membership of Freemasonry in the UK, and further assume we are all doing the 'advertising job' excellently - we do not even nearly reach the number of potentially good candidates that just one short well planned, well executed advertising campaign would reach. I am not saying that this should be done but I am also not saying that it is a totally bad idea. A well put together campaign could well stimulate people who have not come across or considered Freemasonry as an option in their lives to come forward. I am just one person that did not come to masonry sooner in my life because i thought you had to be invited in. If I had known the facts I would have joined 20 years ago. Stephen
Stephen
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lauderdale
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Posted 19/11/2009 13:18:43
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Bro VM, if the object of the exercise is to promote and market a particular branch of Freemasory Universal then what you say would be fine. In that sense it would be like a particular product from a generic group being advertised and we have that continually on the TV and in the other media. If UGLE wants to promote UGLE then that is for them to do and pay for.My feeling however was that the idea was to promote in a favourable light FREEMASONRY as such , the whole of Freemasonry and not merely one Grand Lodge and its version thereof. Just as Roman Catholicism is not the only Church in Christianity then UGLE is not the only Grand Lodge in The Craft, albeit that like the RC Church it is probably the largest. It is for that reason Bro VM that I feel the whole idea, noble as it is, of a joint venture by the several Masonic Bodies in the UK to Market Freemasonry and hopefully undo some of the bad press and misconceptions we have received over the years would founder, or not even get off the slipway. Bro David,(Chestnut) hits the nail on the head by stating that we as Individual Brethren should market Freemasonry in our everyday activities.
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