July 2022: This Summer, Let’s Tell the World: #ImAMason

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This Summer, Let’s Tell the World: #ImAMason

The overwhelming majority of California Masons first learned about the fraternity from a family member, friend, or trusted coworker. And yet we know that Masons can be hesitant to talk openly about their membership, their lodge, or even about Freemasonry in general. That’s often out of an erroneous belief that they are prohibited from discussing the fraternity, or that they have to wait until someone asks them first. Neither are true: Members are encouraged to discuss Freemasonry with the people closest to them and to answer any questions they may have about it.

That’s why this July, we’re asking California Masons to do something they probably haven’t done before: Tell the world that #ImAMason.

From July 1–14, we’re asking all members who are comfortable doing so to record a video, take a selfie, or write a post on Facebook or Instagram that explains what they get out of their membership, and to include the hashtag #ImAMason. That way, we can compile these posts and help share them even more widely. In addition, we’re asking members to temporarily change their profile photo to an #ImAMason button. By showing the people around us that they already know a Freemason—even if they didn’t know it—we can help to demystify Masonry in general, and maybe encourage someone who’s curious about it to reach out. (For instructions on temporarily changing your profile picture, see here.)

Imagine: That second cousin you’re connected with on Facebook who doesn’t know how much your lodge means to you. Or a coworker who’s always been intrigued by Masonry but never known where to begin with it. Our hope is that those people will see these posts and decide to learn more.

So please join us in this effort. Tell your story of why #ImAMason. Together, we can help build on the effort to increase positive public awareness and drive the future of the fraternity.

Opening Up About Masonry

Let’s talk numbers. These come from a 2020 survey conducted by the Grand Lodge of current and prospective members.

74 percent of current members think it’s important to increase membership. Only four percent think it isn’t important.
91 percent of current members first learned about Masonry through a family member, friend, or coworker. Television, film, and the web trail far behind.
Despite that, about 63 percent of members don’t openly discuss Freemasonry with those around them. Among those who don’t openly talk about Masonry, two-thirds falsely believe they have to wait until someone asks them to talk about Masonry; 30 percent falsely believe they’re not allowed to talk about Freemasonry; and 3 percent simply don’t know what to say.

This is a solvable problem.

We need to encourage members to talk about Freemasonry and what they get out of it with the people around them. We need to remind them that they’re allowed to talk about Freemasonry without fear of breaking any rules. (This tends to be a misinterpretation of a rule against soliciting membership, which is different than talking about Freemasonry in general, discussing what you get out of it, or describing what happens in a Masonic lodge.) And we need to give them tools that help them talk about Freemasonry and answer people’s questions.

That’s what the #ImAMason campaign is all about.

On July 1, all members will receive an email announcing the campaign and describing how it works. (That’s copied below here, as well.) If you are comfortable doing so, we encourage you to participate—and to get your fellow lodge members to, as well. The more Masons who talk openly about the fraternity, the more of an impact we can make on improving our public awareness.

Don’t know what to say? DOWNLOAD OUR NEW BOOKLET, titled Opening the Door, for some helpful and simple answers to common questions about Freemasonry. Or check out our brand-new webpage, WHAT IS FREEMASONRY, meant to give newcomers a basic sense of things. These aren’t a script; they’re a starting point to help members discuss the fraternity in general and how it works. But the best explanations will come from real members discussing the real things they get out of it. If you’d like hard copies to be mailed to you or your lodge, you can request below:

Opening the Door Hard Copy Request Form

Name(Required)

First Last

Lodge Name and Number

Email(Required)

Mailing Address(Required)

City(Required)

State(Required)

Zipcode(Required)

How many "Opening the Door" booklets are you requesting?(Required)

#ImAMason: How It Works

From JULY 1–14, we're asking all members who are comfortable doing so to post a short message on Facebook or Instagram saying why Freemasonry is important to you. By including the hashtag #ImAMason, we'll be able to compile these posts and share them even more widely. This can be a written post or filmed as a video—whatever you prefer.

Here's an example of what that might look like:

In addition, we're asking anyone who's comfortable doing so to temporarily change their profile picture to the "I'm a Mason" button above. (To download it, right-click the button and save. Alternatively, click here to download it.) We’re asking members to change their profile picture for the length of the campaign, from July 1–14. Then you can change it back. Here are some easy instructions for temporarily changing your profile picture.

One More Thing! Restoration Campaign Returns

The Membership Restoration Campaign is back! In 2020, the Grand Lodge first offered this program to members who’d been suspended for non-payment of dues. That year, more than 1,300 of them—that’s about 12 percent of the people approached—signed back up. This year, we have an opportunity to restore even more members who for one reason or another have drifted away from the fraternity.

To participate, lodges must opt into the program by passing the Restoration Campaign Resolution by a two-thirds vote at a stated meeting. (If your lodge already participated, you’re already in.) Once your lodge has agreed, the Grand Lodge will reach out to a list of your suspended members and offer them a simple, flat-fee opportunity to return to good standing.

As Grand Master Wilkins said, “we’re not only doing right by our own brothers, we’re also positioning our fraternity for success. Either way, it’s the right thing to do.”

Questions? Reach out to Member Services at memberservices@freemason.org.

July Officers' Checklist

Stay on track of lodge business and prepare for important deadlines. Here’s your July checklist.

Senior Warden, along with Executive Committee

Identify and approach members for 2023 open elected and appointed officer positions.
Identify and approach members for the 2023 Audit, Membership Retention, and any other committees.
Set calendar for 2023 and identify event leaders.
Continue preparing 2023 budget.
Set installation date and approach installing officer, master of ceremonies, and chaplain.
Review all candidates’ progress towards advancement.
Introduce and vote on the Membership Restoration Campaign at a stated meeting to invite suspended members back into the fold.

Junior Warden

Continue tracking 100 percent officer giving to the Annual Fund, with officers setting an example through gifts that represent their capability as well as their commitment to our charitable programs.
Introduce and vote on the Membership Restoration Campaign at a stated meeting to invite suspended members back into the fold.

Secretary

Begin preparing semi-annual report of membership activity, due in August.
Introduce and vote on the Membership Restoration Campaign at a stated meeting to invite suspended members back into the fold.

Treasurer

If your lodge has employees, file quarterly federal payroll tax form 941 (unless IRS has approved an annual filing of form 944, due in February),
If your lodge has employees, file quarterly state payroll tax form DE9/DE9C and deposit form DE88.
Using the Paychex Payroll system? Paychex will complete and file the above quarterly payroll tax returns for you. Make sure to process your payroll in the Paychex Payroll system on a monthly/regular basis.
Begin preparing semi-annual financial report, due in August. Using Intacct? The report is available and auto-generated from the Intacct system. If you need assistance to update your financial records in Intacct, contact Financial Services at (415) 292-9170 or financialservices@freemason.org.

Hall Association