Sisters and Brothers -

We all take pleasure when we hear of a Lodge raising new Master Masons. Well, let's let them know that. We're not going to start pushing petitions - but, the first rule of marketing any product is to build awareness. At Grand Chapter in May, it was announced that there are welcome letters now posted on the Grand Chapter Website (mnoes.com), in the member resources area for you to use. They were developed with the help of the Membership Committee, and other jurisdictions are excited to use them as well.

So, how do you use them?

1. Reach out to 2-3 lodges in your area, including the Lodge that hosts your meetings.
2. Ask them to allow you to send friendly, congratulatory letters to the new Master Mason, and, if the new Brother is married, to their wife. These are NOT recruitment letters.
3. Edit for your purposes, but remember, this is for awareness, NOT recruitment.
4. Feel free to share the letters with the Lodge if they would like to see them. These are not "come join Eastern Star" (follow the links at the end to read them).
5. Work out how it is done - this is meant to be a single time of contact, not getting on a mailing list. Whether your Chapter gets the address, or, you provide the letter in a stamped, return addressed envelope for the new member and his wife, that is up to you and the Lodge.

The letters follow this formula:

- Congratulations on becoming a Master Mason
- It's been shown time and again, that the Masonic Fraternity brings personal growth and friendship benefits for the Mason AND their family.
- There is something in the Masonic Family for everyone
- A couple sentences on what Eastern Star is and what we support
- A final wish for a wonderful journey in Freemasonry and a hope to meet at an event sometime.

Give this a try, we hope you can make use of them to build awareness among the new Masons around you, put OUR story out there, and, perhaps this may be the first contact leading to a member in the future.

The letters can be downloaded from the Grand Chapter Website, in the Member Resources area. Links to that page, and direct links to the letters are below.

Member Resources

New Master Mason Welcome Letter

 New Master Mason WIFE Welcome Letter

Good luck! Let's see you Build Bridges!!!

Kurt Johnson
Associate Grand Patron
On behalf of the Membership Committee