Evolution of the Craft

We wanted to give a few tips to Lodges that may not have experience in Facebook, Twitter, and any other forms of Internet based social media. There’s a vast amount of strategies you can utilize to step out of the darkness and into the light of social media. We will share some very simple ways to help get the ball rolling and seen by the vast majority of people that use the internet for convenience and speed.

1.       Setting up a Facebook Page. One thing you’ll need to do is set your Facebook pg. up. There different modes of communication one can use on Facebook so you or your Social media committee will need to know the method they intend to use before doing so. One way to communicate with your brethren is through a Private or even secret Facebook “group”. This ensures that any information shared is only seen by those in the group and to join the group a member already of, must invite you to participate. These methods are good for private communications and have been use in tandem with a Facebook public page. The second method is creating a Facebook business page. You can create events (for degrees, dinners, etc.…) and all the pertinent information that should be communicated to those that are looking for such an organization to participate in. It is important to note that most if not all information that you share on this page should be within the scope of our obligations and formatted to be able to communicate with a potential candidate or even profane. This is because everything posted will be public. Another great thing about a Facebook business page is the ability to verify your page. This is done in your settings and you must have a public telephone number that’s been already published to do so. This option allows others to have confidence in your page and that you’re really a blue lodge.  I will also note that if your lodge takes on the responsibility of creating a Facebook page, ensure you have a designated brother posting relevant information and updating current event happenings within your blue lodge; otherwise what is the point. You don’t want to have your page as abandoned as the old barn in the back. Lastly, you have the option of creating a personal Facebook page. We don’t recommend this, as it doesn’t have the options available to you in the business profile Facebook which has conveniently structured but to each their own.

2.       Twitter.com, This Method requires a lot of attention, as most that use twitter continue to keep their audience updated in current happenings. This is not to say you cannot use it like Facebook but just keep this in mind. Twitter also has a verification page available to those who set their account up as a business. Just like Facebook you can use a personal profile but just like Facebook we believe the first option is better for your needs.

3.       Google, simply google your lodge and see what pops up… do you see you XML sitemap? Do you see the square box on the right hand side that has the street view of your lodge? In that box should be a suggestion and Own this business link. If you haven’t gained control of your lodge google pg. do so ASAP. You’ll be able to control you public information like, address, number and open times.

 Lastly be sure that your lodge is okay with doing these things before you just start a Facebook, twitter of Google page for your lodge. Remember that everything that is posted on said page reflects the entire fraternity and the blue lodge it represents. You’ll also want to be sure that someone organizes and keeps record of all social media Login ID’s and Passwords. This is to be the responsibility of a master mason ONLY. You don’t want to give the keys to an E.A. and then they fall off the map. This also ensures that if someone needs to make a correction they can do so. We also suggest to only have one - three on any one page as admins. This will eliminate confusion on the page and help keep the main picture as to what you want your lodge to portray.

We hope with these simple tips assist you and your lodge so they may feel a little more confident and your decision to start a social media campaign.

Sincerely and Fraternally,

The Freemasonry Squared Team

The plot thickens in the Arkansas Grand Line

Well, it was only a matter of time before word spread like wild fire but it’s now Masonic News. Most Worshipful Billie Joe Holder Jr., Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Arkansas has allegedly suspended their sitting Deputy Grand Master, Right Worshipful Bro. Patrick Carr on Masonic charges that have yet to be specified. From what the Freemasonry Squared Team has gathered, RWB Carr is a very progressive mason in his thinking and actions but as it stands and what is being mentioned in Masonic circles, we’ll probably be hearing more about this story as it moves forward.

The Grand Lodge of Arkansas 

(Know more about this story? Let us know at freemasonrysqaured@gmail.com)

A gem in the Tucson, AZ Scottish Rite Cathedral

Within the confines of Tucson, Arizona's, Historic Scottish Rite Cathedral is a grand project that W.B. Dr. Rex R. Hutchens, 33°, G.C., Author of, "A Bridge to Light" available at The Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction Book Store has been working diligently to bring into fruition.  The Egyptian Lodge room literally left The Freemasonry Squared Team speechless at its attention to detail and beauty. The Cathedral itself has been in renovation of the time spand of the last few years with the help of Arizona's Most Worshipful Grand Master J. Michael Atchley,  his wonderful wife Pam and all of the brethren that have put in the man hours to bring the inside of the Cathedral the face lift it needed to mirror the beauty of its exterior. There's no doubt the Bro. Hutchens, 33°, G.C., will post or publish his own commentary on the Egyptian Lodge room some day.  Until then, we'll marvel at its amazing craftsmanship. 

-The Freemasonry Squared Team (all photographs were taken by and are the ownership of Freemasonry Squared)

To find out more about the Historic Tucson, AZ Scottish Rite Cathedral visit:

Facebook.com/tucsonscottishrite/

With Reverence

Divine Lord,

Great Architect of the Universe

O, Absolute, Sing to me, and

Through me Your Will Be Done

Sustain for me

The Wisdom of the various-minded soul,

Who after given all, and

Not recognizing Your gifts and grace

Have wandered hopelessly

In the wilderness of nothingness

While my heart, have

Ached in agony to redeem The Self

To bring me closer to You.

Make the Light live through me and those around me

In all its many blessings

In me, You live and breath

This I pray

So Mote It Be

By: Bro. Tom Collians
(Inspired by the T.E Lawrence translation of Homer's Odyssey, Invocation of the Muse)
Facebook.com/freemasonrysquared

Give me purpose

There’s been numerous articles about brother masons falling absent and new masons completing there ascent to master mason but then fading off into the distance hardly to been seen again. Why is this reoccurring issue happening? The F.S. Team visited various lodges, some of which having  great retention and others less then optimistic. There were a few things that stood out amongst the lodges that are flourishing and we want to share them with our brother lodges!

1.       When a candidate is accomplishing the necessary requirements to ensure he has two master masons that he has become closely acquainted with to sign their petition, remember that the anticipation of initiation is literally oozing from his pours.  That being said, what are the brothers of the lodge doing to get to know this brother? We know you’ve heard this before but frankly, shaking a man’s hand and discovering his name only to forget it 3 mins. Later is not getting to know him. Ask questions, if need be, have the lodge discuss and put together a repertoire of questions to ask that probe his intentions, expectations and desires for his masonic life. Have intellectual discussions or focused discussions on the work that will be necessary to be part of and imperative to the lodge. Inform and reaffirm that this is a life long fraternal membership. Give a reason to come to lodge for a purpose.

2.       To our veteran brethren, we know you’ve put the work in, the years in and the time in but new candidates, E.A.-M.M., all look up to you and as such your character and actions are being watching, calculated and mirrored. This means, that when officers feel that they don’t need to assist the stewards wash the dishes or never help clean the lodge or show up for events. Every action that the veteran master masons does is a banner as to who you can act when you’re an officer or been around a while. They’ve taken the step to become a better man but look to leadership and mentorship when needed. The lodge should at all times be an educational institution. This also builds value, reasons and purpose to return to lodge.

3.       Take a good look at your candidate education program… don’t have one? Get one.  The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Mason in Arizona (azmasons.org) has made mandatory and  provided a masonic educational packet for both the mentor and candidate. If the mentor was to blindly follow the directions, it would still provide ammunition to think and reflect on the degrees and their lessons. This does a few things:

a.       Make the candidate think for himself about the degree.

b.      Make the mentor think for himself about the degrees.

c.       Remind both that there are plenty of things that can be studied far after you have been raised to the sublime degree of master mason.

Train your members how to be a mentor and let them see first hand the works of a good mentor, an internship of sorts. It’s our purpose to create good masons and ignite the gentle flame of interest, curiosity and inspiration. This will give them a reason to come back to lodge.

4.       Give them a Job! After the master mason has been found proficient in his master mason catechism, simply ask how he can assist the lodge.  He can begin his ascent into the lodge line of officers, join one of the many lodge committee’s, be in charge of the library audit etc… the point is that we must give our brethren something to do, give them a purpose and job within the lodge. If you don’t then why are they showing up? The minuets only strike awe the first time hearing them. That’s not to say that they’re not an important administrative tool for the fraternity but we must give purpose.

5.       DO NOT approbate bare minimum! Every state is sovereign and have their rules and regulations as to the bare minimum requirements needed to reach par regarding a candidate’s proficiency. Let me be candid… If you proceed to give bare minimum then you will procure bare minimum. Obviously, the Worshipful Master of the lodge has the discretion to make exception when he deems necessary but this should only be done on a case by case basis. Teach, memorize and make it tradition to learn the full catechism. We preach that, “you get what you put into the fraternity”. The same is said to the amount of effort administered to the potential and voted candidates.

Try these techniques and if you do, do them whole heartedly. They will give purpose to your lodge and its members. Experiment to see what works best for the dynamic of your lodge.  There will also be men that will leave once they find out that membership must be earned and is not handed out to just  anyone who knocks on the door of masonry but we’re not looking for potential members that don’t have the ambition to work anyways. We are a fraternity of workmen, doing the work of a mason everyday, day in and day out. If you’ve found something that works, we’d love to hear it. You can comment below or Facebook us at facebook.com/freemasonrysquared you can also find us on Google+, or even on YouTube just search Freemasonry Squared!

The Hermit and a Masonic Interpretation

I ‘am a Freemason, and as such, I do not take it lightly. I study diligently, am heavily involved in my Blue Lodge and extend my cable tow across a variety of organizations that have similar interest.  In my studies, I’ve been introduce to our late beloved bro. Arthur Edward Waite, Author of, “ A New Encyclopedia of Freemasonry” (1921) and his interruption of “The Hermit”. The Hermit is 1 of the 21 Major Arcana of most Tarot Decks you’ll see. For the Esoteric Mason, the Great Work engulfs and is adapted into the very fabric of each individual decision made. Like the Hermit depicted in the Tarot, He is aloof. The Hermit wandering in the vast nothingness of life, while keeping steadfast the Light that he has earned through his time vested in the Craft.  When I would decipher the glyph for myself, I would take the same analogy as mentioned above.

While attending the Sons of Voltaire night at my blue lodge; which acts as an informal educational night for any subject of interest. An elder Mason, a man that I hope to mirror in his ability to brighten a room with jokes and demeanor, decided to give a presentation on the ethical behavior of a master mason. It wasn’t long before it hit me like a ton of bricks. What happens to the Hermit when his light is blown out or faded from time to time? As most have seen in their tenure in the fraternity, even the best and most active masons have bouts of anger, selfishness and masonic short comings. Blue lodge is a place that the Hermit or master mason can come and relight is lantern. Masonic degrees, educational nights and purposeful conversation within your lodge allow those to bring back their focus and mission. Freemasonry boasts of worldwide brotherhood and thus lodge locations.  The responsibility and right of master mason is to travel and travel well but why? So that, no matter high or low, far or wide your proximity to your mother lodges. You can rest easy knowing that there is a blue lodge somewhere yonder. A lodge is a place where you can reignite your Light no matter if on vacation or on a business trip. Without your Light you may find your way off the masonic path.

If you’re a master mason that hasn’t been to lodge lately, I admonish to visit and remember why you became a member to begin with because a current dues card may make you a member but it’s the work (not just your own) that make you a Freemason. Remember, it was the elder brothers character which made me pay such close attention to his words.

-The Freemasonry Squared Team