1. LODGE COMMUNICATIONS The Masters ultimate responsibility MWB Neil Neddermeyer www.cinosam.net

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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.

6. E-MAIL It’s free 1. Get those email addresses! 1. Get those email addresses! 2. Set up email address list correctly 2. Set up email 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

7. TELEPHONE CHAIN. 1.For use in the event that E-Mail is not quick enough. 1.For use in the event that E-Mail 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 E-mail. 3.Especially include those active members without E-mail.

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

9. EFFECTIVE VERBAL COMMUNICATION InformEducate Entertain EntertainSell

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

11. 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 email address. Webmaster’s email address. Secretary’s email address Secretary’s email address

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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

15. Secured Environment Only: Names, E-mail Addresses, Phone Numbers and Member’s Addresses. Names, E-mail 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.

16. Good Communication means Success MWB Neil Neddermeyer