LODGE COMMUNICATIONS The Masters ultimate responsibility MWB Neil Neddermeyer

THE TRESTLE BOARD CONTENTS 1. Master's Message- Avoid Negativity 2. Candidates awaiting degrees 3. Petitions for Membership. 4. Calendar. 5. Contact info for Lodge Officers 6. Grand Lodge Communications

7.Committees. 8. Deaths 9. Master’ Notes- explaining upcoming events, kudos etc. 10. Concordant Body contacts. 11. State, Area, and District Event Calendar 12. Masonic Birthdays--If space permits.

IDEAS FOR MASTER'S MESSAGE 1.Your own life experiences. 1.Your own life experiences. 2.Readings/Books/School. 2.Readings/Books/School. 3.Other Trestle Boards. 3.Other Trestle Boards. 4.MSA Short Talk Bulletins 4.MSA Short Talk Bulletins 5. Grand Lodge Web Site 5. Grand Lodge Web Site

Printing of the Trestle Board 1. Consider a printing service 1. Consider a printing service 2 Not too much clutter 2 Not too much clutter 3.Clip art is a good way to break it up. 3.Clip art is a good way to break it up. 4. Use spell and grammar check! 4. Use spell and grammar check! 5. “Every member shall have due and timely notice” 5. “Every member shall have due and timely notice” Grand Lodge and neighboring Lodge notices. Grand Lodge and neighboring Lodge notices.

It’s free 1. Get those addresses! 1. Get those addresses! 2. Set up address list correctly 2. Set up address list correctly 3. Use to promote 3. Use to promote 4. Have mutable lists 4. Have mutable lists 5. Emergency massages 5. Emergency massages

TELEPHONE CHAIN. 1.For use in the event that is not quick enough. 1.For use in the event that is not quick enough. 2.Don't forget sideliners and visitors. 2.Don't forget sideliners and visitors. 3.Especially include those active members without . 3.Especially include those active members without .

COMMUNICATION OF SPECIAL EVENTS. Written invitations Written invitations Newsletters Newsletters Calling committee Calling committee Lodge web site Lodge web site Grand Lodge web site Grand Lodge web site

EFFECTIVE VERBAL COMMUNICATION InformEducate Entertain EntertainSell

Prepare or Fail Consider Consider Volume Volume Length of presentation Length of presentation Getting facts correct Getting facts correct Tempo Tempo

LODGE WEBSITES- DO’S & DON’TS Required. Required. Lodge name, address, and phone Lodge name, address, and phone Meeting nights. Meeting nights. Welcome message. Welcome message. Master’s Message Master’s Message Webmaster’s address. Webmaster’s address. Secretary’s address Secretary’s address

Ability to request more information Ability to request more information Information about Freemasonry. Information about Freemasonry. Calendar of events (lodge and district). Calendar of events (lodge and district). Links Page. Links Page.

Nice to Have. Messages from Senior Warden, Junior Warden, other officers. Messages from Senior Warden, Junior Warden, other officers. Lodge History. Lodge History. Membership petition Membership petition

Areas of concern. Privacy. Privacy. Names (only) of officers, PM’s, committees, others…. Names (only) of officers, PM’s, committees, others…. Need permission to publish Need permission to publish Pictures Pictures Adults – permission Adults – permission Children? Children? No pictures of the underprivileged No pictures of the underprivileged

Secured Environment Only: Names, Addresses, Phone Numbers and Member’s Addresses. Names, Addresses, Phone Numbers and Member’s Addresses. Minutes of meetings. Minutes of meetings. Bylaws. Bylaws. Reports of Committees. Reports of Committees. Candidates in Waiting. Candidates in Waiting.

Good Communication means Success MWB Neil Neddermeyer