August 2023:
A Flood is Coming
It’s no secret that over the past few years, the Masons of California have made a concerted effort to share information about the fraternity more broadly—and people are noticing. Just this past month, the #IAMason campaign proved a massive success, with participating posts reaching nearly three times as many people as did last year’s campaign (see below for more details). With this greater reach comes (hopefully) a greater interest in Freemasonry, and (hopefully) a greater number of inquiries. And that’s something lodges need to prepare for, and fast.

July marked the second annual #ImAMason campaign, our now-yearly social media effort to highlight the fraternity and the incredible meaning our members get from belonging. While we were primarily broadcasting to those in California, the effort garnered significant attention in foreign jurisdictions. This year, lodges from as far away as Kuala Lumpur and England participated. From simple Facebook status updates to videos and selfies, these posts got nearly 20,000 people engaging in discussion around the hashtag online. In total, these reached more than 6 million people worldwide.
How does that stack up to last year’s reach? Well, 2023 saw more than 3x the numbers of people engaging in the campaign, which resulted in 3x the impact compared to last year’s campaign. Great work all who participated!
There comes a point in every man’s life when progress turns into drift.
The job still pays, the calendar is full and life looks stable from the outside.
But somewhere along the way, the meaning quietly leaks out.
You wake up. You go through the motions.
Inside? There`s a dull ache.
Not panic, just a question you can’t quite name.
Is this it?
The career feels more like maintenance than growth.
The marriage is more like logistics than intimacy.
Even your thoughts become predictable, like you’ve heard yourself say the same things too many times.
No crisis. No meltdown.
Just a slow erosion of purpose.
But here’s the thing most men don’t realize...
Being lost is not failure.
It’s a signal.
It’s what happens when your outer world stays busy while your inner world falls silent.
When the structure of your life keeps standing, but the foundation starts to crack.
But the good news is, this is also where a new kind of man begins to take shape.
Not the man who reacts.
Not the man who waits.
But the man who chooses to rebuild, deliberately.
That’s the kind of work Freemasonry is concerned with.
Not power. Not prestige.
Structure. Character. Clarity.
It treats a man’s life like moral architecture.
Something you build on purpose, with care.
It doesn`t hand out quick answers or hollow affirmations.
It doesn’t promise success in the way the world defines it.
Instead, it gives you something rarer; structure for the soul.
It hands you tools, not slogans.
Silence, not noise.
Ritual, not routine.
It’s slow, intentional work.
The kind that requires you to show up as you are - flawed, unfinished, and willing to be shaped.
Living Masonry is about becoming the kind of man who can weather chaos without losing his grip.
The kind who builds himself, not just once, but over and over.
That’s what makes it timeless.
And that’s what makes it hard.
But for the man who’s ready to do the work, it’s there. Waiting.
www.PointLomaMasonicLodge.com
#ImAMason
#Freemasonry
#Masonic
#Masonry
#Freemason
#SquareAndCompass
#Brotherhood
#Lodge
#WorshipfulMaster
#MasterMason
#MasonicBrotherhood
#MasonicTemple
#MasonicCharity
#TravelingMan
#Freemasons
#Initiation
#Freem
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Don`t wait - you may be too late. Book now to get a place at the DEACONS` WORKSHOP on Saturday 11th January 2025. Make it your New Year resolution to attend a workshop. Just click the link forms.gle/dUedxzD6Kb6mXC…
#ImAMason #MasonsofCA #Masonic #Brotherhood #Fraternity #Grandtemple #Historic #History
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Uncertainty has a way of revealing what we truly trust.
When institutions tremble, relationships are strained, or our sense of identity wavers, we begin to see whether our foundation is solid...
or simply convenient. :/
In those moments, Freemasonry becomes more than tradition when practiced with depth and intention.
It becomes orientation.
The world outside may shift and shake, but the work we do within - the inner work - must remain steady.
The Lodge, with its order, symbols, and ritual, reflects something far more lasting than the chaos of the times.
Its ritual doesn’t just comfort, it confronts.
It asks us plainly:
Where is your center?
The point within the circle isn’t just a symbol, it’s a necessity.
In times of crisis, the untrained mind reaches outward, searching for rescue.
But the Mason, grounded in his obligations and familiar with his working tools, turns inward.
He seeks alignment, not escape.
Freemasonry does not offer distraction.
It offers structure.
The measured steps around the altar, the grip of a Brother’s hand, the invocation of sacred principle;
These repeated acts forge something deeper than memory.
They build habit, identity, and resilience.
So when the world seems to fall apart, the Mason does not.
He stands where he has always stood: between the compasses and the square.
Not to retreat, but to reenter the world with clarity, purpose, and composure.
Freemasonry doesn’t shield us from uncertainty.
It prepares us to meet it.
In a world that demands reaction, Freemasonry teaches us how to respond.
www.PointLomaMasonicLodge.com
#ImAMason
#Freemasonry
#Masonic
#Masonry
#Freemason
#SquareAndCompass
#Brotherhood
#Lodge
#WorshipfulMaster
#MasterMason
#MasonicBrotherhood
#MasonicTemple
#MasonicCharity
#TravelingMan
#Freemasons
#Initiation
#Freemasonic
#MasonicHistory
#MasonicRitual
#ScottishRite
#YorkRite
...
We all know George Washington was a #Freemason, but did you know the list of famous #Freemasons is long and varied, from actors and celebrities to artists and politicians. Learn more: freemason.org/famous-freemasons
From now until May 14, we`re asking all Masons to post a message or a short video on social media saying why they`re a Freemason and to include the hashtag #ImAMason.
#MasonsofCA #ImAMason
#Freemasonry #Masonic call+255699626254)
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RWB Randy Seipel and the Grand Secretary of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Indiana at Unity Day! Hear about this and more on Episode 107: Follow Me To Freemasonry!
www.TravelingManPodcast.com
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#masonic #bluelodge #mastermason #square #compass #squareandcompass #UGLE #podcasting #grandlodgeofohio #grandlodge #travelingman #brotherlylove #freemasonsofamerica #ImAMason #brother #yorkrite #princehall #eastpalestine417 #chapter #commandary #shriner #grotto #selfie #mason #scottishrite #freemasons
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Wednesday night (3/26/2025), we had the honor of raising Bro. Mike Valdez to 3rd Degree Master Mason. Congratulations Bro. Valdez!
A special thank you our brothers from Garden Grove Lodge (gardengrovemasons) for their attendance and support!
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#nm604
#imamason
#freemasonry
#masonsofca
#californiamasons
#masonsofcalifornia
...
Freemasonry helps you build a legacy of character and integrity.
#Worshipful
#freemasonry #Freemasons #masonic #Masonry #masoniclodge
#ImAMason
#Freemasonry
#Masonic
#Masonry
#Freemason
#SquareAndCompass
#Brotherhood
#Lodge
#WorshipfulMaster
#MasterMason
#MasonicBrotherhood
#MasonicTemple
#MasonicCharity
#TravelingMan
#Freemasons
#Initiation
#Freemasonic
#MasonicHistory
#MasonicRitual
#Tanzania
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A Lodge does not thrive on ritual alone nor numbers or titles.
It flourishes when its members are engaged, fulfilled, and growing;
When each man is given the opportunity to do what he is passionate about while being shaped by Masonic principles.
Every Brother joins our Craft seeking something...
Some are drawn to philosophy and deeper knowledge, others to ritual and tradition, and some to the bonds of Brotherhood and service.
The strength of a Lodge lies in recognizing these passions and providing a space where each man can contribute in a way that is meaningful to him.
A Brother who finds purpose within the Lodge does not simply attend, he participates, he invests himself, and in doing so, he strengthens the entire fraternity.
But passion alone is not enough...
A Lodge must also be a place of growth and refinement.
This is why we whisper good counsel into the ears of our Brethren, ensuring that their efforts are guided by wisdom, integrity, and the principles of our Craft.
It is not enough to do; we must do so with purpose, guided by the lessons of Freemasonry.
When men are given the freedom to pursue their interests within the framework of Masonic virtue, they do more than fill seats, they build, lead, and inspire.
When mentorship is strong and Masonic teachings are lived, rather than merely spoken, the Lodge becomes a living, breathing force for good.
And when this happens, everything else, retention, harmony, and legacy, will naturally follow.
Are we providing that space for our Brethren?
Are we helping them find purpose within the Lodge while ensuring that every action is guided by the wisdom of our Craft?
If we do, the future of Freemasonry will take care of itself.
www.PointLomaMasonicLodge.com
#ImAMason
#Freemasonry
#Masonic
#Masonry
#Freemason
#SquareAndCompass
#Brotherhood
#Lodge
#WorshipfulMaster
#MasterMason
#MasonicBrotherhood
#MasonicTemple
#MasonicCharity
#TravelingMan
#Freemasons
#Initiation
#Freemasonic
#MasonicHistory
#MasonicRitual
#ScottishRite
#YorkRite
...
RWB Randy Seipel & members of the Grand Lodge of Indiana at the Alamo! Hear his whole story on Episode 107: Follow Me To Freemasonry!
www.TravelingManPodcast.com
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#masonic #bluelodge #mastermason #square #compass #squareandcompass #UGLE #podcasting #grandlodgeofohio #grandlodge #travelingman #brotherlylove #freemasonsofamerica #ImAMason #brother #yorkrite #princehall #eastpalestine417 #chapter #commandary #shriner #grotto #selfie #mason #scottishrite #freemasons
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RWB Randy Seipel along with Grand Lecturer Denny Davis at Acme Lodge 83! Hear all about Randy’s travels on Episode 107: Follow Me To Freemasonry!
www.TravelingManPodcast.com
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#masonic #bluelodge #mastermason #square #compass #squareandcompass #UGLE #podcasting #grandlodgeofohio #grandlodge #travelingman #brotherlylove #freemasonsofamerica #ImAMason #brother #yorkrite #princehall #eastpalestine417 #chapter #commandary #shriner #grotto #selfie #mason #scottishrite #freemasons
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🕯️ The 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 presents:
“The Spirit of Freemasonry"
an examination of the spiritual aspects of Freemasonry.
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Presented by Bro. Mike Samu
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RSVP at link in Bio.
This LODGE OF INSTRUCTION will be a tiled educational experience for Masons only ⏳
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Dress code is coat & tie. BYOB - bring your own BADGE of a mason (apron). Limited loaners available.
⫸ You won’t want to miss this one ‼️
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⨳ 𝘿𝙤𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙏𝙖𝙥 👆if you liked this post ♥️
👉 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙚 ⨳ 𝙁𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬 ⨳ 𝙏𝙖𝙜 ⨳ 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 👈
🗓️ 𝙎𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙙𝙪𝙡𝙚 𝙖𝙣 𝙄𝙣-𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙑𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙩 📧
🔗 [𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐈𝐧] 🅱️ℹ️0️⃣
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#claremontmasons #masoniclodge #education #knowledge #imamason #whenyoubondyoubuild #freemasonry #masonic #lodge #2b1ask1 #freemasons #fellowship #ritual #brotherhood #hope #charity #love #virtues #knock #values #symbols #history #philosophy #degrees #tradition #wisdom #allegory #square #compass
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𝐃𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 & 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
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⨳ As a reminder, our November Stated Meeting is this Thursday at 7:30pm.
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⨳ Dinner will be at 6:30pm and fellowship will follow the meeting at around 8:30pm.
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⨳ Please note that you must RSVP for Dinner via the following link no later than Wednesday.
Link: https://linktr.ee/claremont_masons (in bio)
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⨳ DM or email questions to: claremontlodge436@gmail.com
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⨳ Dress Code: Coat & Tie
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⨳ Visit @ https://linktr.ee/claremont_masons
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⨳ 𝘿𝙤𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙏𝙖𝙥 👆if you liked this post ♥️
👉 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙚 ⨳ 𝙁𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬 ⨳ 𝙏𝙖𝙜 ⨳ 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 👈
🗓️ 𝙎𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙙𝙪𝙡𝙚 𝙖𝙣 𝙄𝙣-𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙑𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙩 📧
🔗 [𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐈𝐧] 🅱️ℹ️0️⃣
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#claremontmasons #whenyoubonduoubuild #masonic #monthly #stated #meeting #dinner #fellowship #lodge #night #freemasons #brotherhood #of #men #imamason #masons #freemasonry #fun #laughs #2b1ask1 #get #tuit
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Jordan Yelinek, the assistant grand secretary and director of member services, is bullish on what efforts like this mean for the membership going forward. “We’re going to see a significant influx in prospects and lodges need to be prepared for it,” Yelinek says. Over the past two years, the Grand Lodge of California has built a team of three “member advisors” whose job is to greet and vet prospects that make inquiries through the Grand Lodge (mostly online). Last year alone, more than 5,000 such prospects reached out through freemason.org. “We get people from all over the world reaching out to us,” Yelinek says. “And for those who live outside our state, we do our part to direct them to their own jurisdiction.” But for the most part, the people who contact Grand Lodge live here in California—and that’s when the real work begins. “Our team screens these prospects to make sure they’re eligible for membership, and out of those 5,000+ inquiries last year, we passed along around 4,200 prospective members to our lodges.”
That’s an average of around 10 prospects per lodge—not an insignificant number and certainly enough to overwhelm a lodge that’s not prepared to handle it. When asked what a lodge can do to handle prospects, Yelinek recommends a version of the “Take 5 Method.”
In this method, one prospect should have two hosts, who should welcome the prospect to three “get-to-know-you” meetings, which should be followed by inviting the prospect to a minimum of four lodge events. The whole process should take five months. Got that?
- One prospect
- Two hosts
- Three meetings
- Four lodge events
- Five months
The purpose of having two hosts is to provide redundancy in case one of the hosts is unable to attend one of the meetings. These hosts should be a part of a larger “welcoming committee” whose job it is to make first contact with a prospect following the Grand Lodge referral (or whenever someone approaches the lodge directly). Members of the welcoming committee should participate in the “get-to-know-you” meetings so that by the time the prospect attends a lodge event, they’ll be able to recognize three or four people and feel more at home.
“Lodges shouldn’t feel that they have to follow this exact model,” Yelinek says. “Feel free to adapt as necessary.” But at the end of the day, lodges need to have some model for handling prospects in place, because, according to Yelinek, our outreach efforts “have only just scratched the surface.”
Meet Justin Ortega, New Member Services Rep
The Grand Lodge Membership Services department is growing—and that’s good news for lodges everywhere. With more capacity to receive and direct online prospects toward the lodges nearest (or most convenient) to them, we’ll make significant strides toward increasing membership statewide. Here, get to know our newest addition to the team, Justin Ortega.
THE LEADER: Welcome, Justin. Can you tell us a little about yourself? What’s your connection to Freemasonry?
JUSTIN ORTEGA: I was raised a Master Mason in 2022 after having my petition on hold since 2020 due to COVID-19, when my mother lodge was not conferring degrees. I’m currently a member of Surfside Lodge No. 112 in Oceanside, near San Diego, under the jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of California, as well as a member of Mt. Moriah No. 4 Holy Royal Arch Chapter. This year, I’ve been appointed assistant secretary of my lodge. I’ve been blessed to learn about the office of the secretary and from a very experienced past master of our lodge with a tremendous amount of knowledge and wisdom. He teaches me something new every day and epitomizes the phrase “making good men better.”
THE LEADER: And how do you describe your job here with the Grand Lodge of California?
JUSTIN ORTEGA: I’m now a membership advisor for the Masons of California, which I started just this past month. Prior to this job, I was on active-duty in the Marine Corps, where I deployed over 10 times to Iraq, Afghanistan, Malaysia, North Africa, Georgia, Japan, and Korea. After 22 years, I retired from the military and got my degree in human resource management and worked as an HR manager at a private security company before getting this fantastic opportunity working for the Masons of California.
THE LEADER: What has been the most surprising (or interesting or exciting) thing you’ve discovered in your time working for GL?

If your lodge's Hall Association is considering or preparing to undergo repairs or improvements, it's important to dot all your I's and cross your Ts. Here, the Grand Lodge Real Estate team has compiled some helpful reminders to help you avoid common mistakes.
- Obtain at least two or three similar and competitive bids on the same written scope of work.
- Scope of work must be comprehensive and indicate the specifications on materials, equipment, etc.
- For complex renovation projects, explore engaging professionals to produce design drawings, structural engineering reports, termite reports, and other pertinent building inspections as part of your due diligence.
- Make sure all bid/contract documents reference the hall association and not the lodge as "customer" or "client."
- Bid/contract documents must clearly define a project completion timeline and warranty information
- Bid/contract document must contain progressive payment terms with the down payment not exceeding 10% of total project cost or $1,000, whichever is the lesser of the two.
- Select a contractor using several criteria, including cost, competency, professionalism, and reputation, and ensure that contractor is licensed and adequately insured.
- Obtain, or have the contractor obtain the required city and/or county permits for the project at hand.
- Formalize contractor selection at a Hall Association board meeting, which should be reflected in the board meeting minutes.
- Solicit input and buy-in from various disciplines from within the lodge and the Hall Association, and obtain approval for funding from the owner lodge at a lodge stated meeting, with the lodge’s investment account and building designated fund being the most common funding sources for improvements projects.
- Obtain proper written approval from the Grand Lodge Masonic Properties Committee for improvements/repairs projects greater than the $25,000 threshold, as required by the California Masonic Code (CMC).
- Before any work commences, obtain a certificate of liability insurance (COI) from each contractor, naming the Hall Association as additional insured and certificate holder for the general liability insurance coverage; the COI must also include worker’s comp and auto liability insurance coverage for contractors utilizing employees and vehicles on hall premises.
If your hall association has any questions on these due diligence tips and requirements for a complete improvements application packet, please email realestate@freemason.org

For Your Trestleboard
Use this content to spread the word about resources provided by the California Masonic Foundation, the Masonic Homes of California, and more.
Masonic Health Services:
Services at MCYAF Across the Lifespan
The Pavilion at the Masonic Homes
Masonic Homes of California Resources
Masonic Philanthropy:

Stay on track of lodge business and prepare for important deadlines. Here’s your August checklist.
Executive Committee
- Make plans for your lodge master, wardens, or other representatives to attend the Annual Communication this October.
Senior Warden, along with Executive Committee
- Identify and approach members for 2024 open elected and appointed officer positions.
- Urge presumptive master, wardens, and senior deacon to perform their Master Mason’s proficiency soon, if not already completed.
- Urge respective officers to answer the master, senior warden, and junior warden questions early.
- Identify and approach members for the 2024 Audit, Membership Retention, and any other committees.
- Set calendar for 2024 and identify event leaders.
- Continue preparing 2024 budget.
- Set installation date and approach installing officer, master of ceremonies, and chaplain.
- Review all candidates’ progress toward 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
- Pay lodge per capita.
- Prepare 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
- Pay lodge per capita.
- Prepare semi-annual report of membership activity, due in August.
- 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. please contact financial services, Tel: 415-292-9170, financialservices@freemason.org.
Hall Association
- Present semi-annual report, due in August.
Questions? Contact Member Services at memberservices@freemason.org or (415) 776-7000.

Last month, we asked has your lodge seen an increase in prospects over the past year?
- 69% - Yes
- 31% - No