Grand Lodge of Connecticut

1. Open House Training Seminar 30 July, 2011 Grand Lodge of Connecticut

2. Michael B. Dodge Grand Junior Deacon Past Master of Putnam Lodge #46 Please call me “MIKE” We have been holding an open house every year since 2006 on the same day as MA & RI

3. Who will be visiting? 1. People whoare curious. Want to see what the inside of the building looks like. Have heard about “Freemasons” but have never met one. 2. People – especially women – who have/had family members who were Masons and are curious about that part of their family history. 3. Masons who are members in other Lodges and/or jurisdictions who are looking to affiliate. 4. Men who are interested in Masonry and think they want to join.

4. Who will be visiting? 1. People who are curious. Want to see what the inside of the building looks like. Have heard about “Freemasons” but have never met one. Some of these people may be eligible to join. They need to be sold. Have answers ready for their questions. Why should I join? What will Masonry do for me? How will Masonry make me a better man/husband/father? What do Masons DO? How do you support the community? What kind of fun events do you have going on? Why did YOU join?

5. Who will be visiting? 1. People who are curious. Want to see what the inside of the building looks like. Have heard about “Freemasons” but have never met one. Not all who are curious are eligible to join, and many who may just want to see what the Lodge looks like on the inside may have no interest in joining.

6. Who will be visiting? 2. People – especially women – who have/had family members who were Masons and are curious about that part of their family history. May have the same kinds of questions as the previous group. Like the previous group, some may be eligible to join, some may not be eligible. It doesn’t matter if someone is eligible to join or not, or interested in joining or not. All should receive a positive experience. They have sons, brothers, fathers, nephews, uncles, grandsons, etc. who are all potential members. We need to leave a positive impression on all our visitors so if they are ever asked about what they think of Freemasonry, they will give a positive response.

7. Who will be visiting? 3. Masons who are members in other Lodges and/or jurisdictions who are looking to affiliate. If you were looking to affiliate with a Lodge, what would you want to know? Have trestleboards available as well as Petitions for Affiliation.

8. Who will be visiting? 4. Men who are interested in Masonry and think they want to join. Interested – they WANT to join. You just need to close the deal. They will have different questions: “What do I need to do?” “How long will it take?” “How much does it cost?” “How much time will I have to devote?”

9. Literature If you can anticipate the questions, you can create literature to answer it. The questions people ask can help you determine what kind of visitor they are. Are they asking general questions about Masonry? They are likely from categories 1 & 2. Are they asking specific questions about your Lodge? They could be from categories 3 or 4. Consider creating your own literature specific to YOUR Lodge.

10. Literature Consider creating your own literature specific to YOUR Lodge. • Talk about what YOUR Lodge does in the community. • Talk about what charities YOUR Lodge supports. • Talk about what fun events YOUR Lodge offers. • Talk about what activities YOUR Lodge participates in.

11. Literature Keep it short. Bullets points are fine. For written material, no more than half a page. PICTURES!!! Putnam Lodge #46 Ancient, Free, & Accepted Masons of South Woodstock, Connecticut is a vibrant and active group of men dedicated to service, self improvement, and social enjoyment. Freemasonry is an organization where men of all backgrounds, faiths, and beliefs can gather and meet as equals. The only requirements for membership are to be a man age 18 or older, of good moral character, and who believes in a Supreme Being. Putnam Lodge #46 is active in many charitable pursuits – some of the charities we support are: the Connecticut Child Identification System (CTCHIP), the Shriner’s Hospitals for Crippled / Burned Children, the Eden Institute for Autism, the Hole In The Wall Gang Camp, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the American Cancer Society, Jog With Judy, the Woodstock Recreation Commission, the National Masonic Foundation for Children, the Eastford Recreation Committee, the Woodstock Little League, the Marvin A. Barrett Educational Award, the Putnam Lodge #46 Educational Award, the Pomfret-Eastford Little League, the Scottish Rite Learning Centers for Dyslexia, the Special Olympics, the American Legion Boys & Girls State programs, DeMolay International, and many more. Masons contribute more than $3 million a day to support charitable causes world-wide. We raise the money to support these causes through various fundraisers throughout the year. We hold a Fisherman’s Breakfast on the first day of fishing season, a spring and fall Southern Barbeque dinner, a tag sale, a car cruise, a Mother’s Day brunch, and we park motorcycles at the Lodge during the Woodstock Fair. Masonry is a social organization as much as it is a service organization. Every year the Lodge holds several “fun” events for its members: a Lady’s dinner in February, a field trip to the Masonic-Shriner’s Park in Warwick, RI in the summer, a family picnic in August, a Halloween party in October, and other events as they fit into our schedule. Masonry encourages all its members to engage upon a journey of reflection and self improvement, and assists them by providing a setting where a man can surround himself with other men of similar convictions. This is an environment where a man can feel safe and secure in the knowledge that within Masonry he will not be taken advantage of by those of a less than scrupulous nature, and where he can find constant encouragement in his pursuit of moral improvement. To get more information about Putnam Lodge #46 AF&AM or to apply for membership, visit one of the Lodge websites: www.putnamlodge46.org or www.putnam46.com. The Lodge can also be reached by email at: putnam46@gmail.com. Putnam Lodge #46 AF&AM

12. Literature Copies of your Lodge trestleboard, including past issues. This showcases what YOUR Lodge is doing, and lets perspective members know what they can expect in the future.

13. Literature Connecticut FREEMASONS newspaper. Showcases what Masons across the state are doing. Additional copies of the newspaper are available from the Grand Lodge office.

14. Literature PETITIONS For membership AND affiliation Attach a business card or other contact info PLEASE don’t pre-sign petitions

15. 10 Reasons to become a Mason Although Freemasonry in Connecticut was established in 1750, the reasons for becoming a Mason today have never been more compelling. 1. Masonry is a place where you can confidently trust every person, and entrust your family with them. 2. Masonry is a place where, within moral and civil guidelines, free thought, free speaking and the spiritual growth of man can grow to its fullest potential. 3. Masonry is a place, which provides the opportunity to meet, know, and call “Brother” outstanding individuals from all walks of life who you would not otherwise have met. 4. Masonry is a place to be part of an organization that has for its principle tenets – Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. 5. Masonry is a place that provides self development opportunities, leadership training and experience, and the chance to improve public speaking skills. 6. Masonry is a place you can give support, as well as seek it. 7. Masonry is place where moral virtues are taught and, through those teachings, a regular reinforcement of the moral virtues is experienced. 8. Masonry is a place to spend time with a group of Brothers, who, by acting as good men, can make you want to become a better man. Not better than others, but better than you would have otherwise been. 9. Masonry is a place to become better prepared to serve your place of worship, your family, and your community. 10. Masonry is a place to meet with involved members of the community and to become part of that community.

16. Friend to Friend & Should I Ask? These are very long. If you’re going to use any pamphlets, make sure you know what is IN those pamphlets. Be prepared to answer questions about what visitors may read in the pamphlets.

17. Literature Make sure every piece of literature you hand out contains: • Contact Name • Contact Phone Number • Contact Email Address Optional Info: • Lodge Website URL (www.mylodge357.org) • Contact Facebook Name • Lodge Facebook Name • Any Other Info Where A Visitor Can Contact A Member Of The Lodge

18. Catch-Phrases / Slogans • Making Good Men Better • Connecticut Freemasons – Making A Difference • Is There Greatness Within You? If you are going to use a catch-phrase to sell Masonry, be able to explain it: what it means & how it applies to Freemasonry

19. Videos These days almost anybody with a fancy cell phone can make a video and put it on the internet SHORT! Better to have two or three short videos than one long video • 30 seconds to 1 minute • Try and keep to just one message per video • For “actors”, use men like those you want to attract (similar age, etc.) • If possible don’t completely ad-lib – we’re Masons! We should be able to memorize a short script! • Allows you to get YOUR message across • For lack on anything else, consider one of these topics: • Why did you join Masonry? • What does Masonry mean to you? • What do you enjoy MOST about your Lodge? • Spotlight ONE of your Lodge’s events

20. Videos These days almost anybody with a fancy cell phone can make a video and put it on the internet

21. Final Thought • Masonry is a life-long commitment • Petitioning is not a decision that should be taken lightly • Answer questions and give enough information so potential candidates can make an informed decision Don’t demean our fraternity or the application process by making it too easy or trivializing it. Make sure you’re your attitude insures visitors understand this is a serious decision.

22. Open House Training Seminar 30 July, 2011 Grand Lodge of Connecticut