Planning your Successful Open House

Here are some items for your use in publicizing this event:

A flyer (with the picture of Franklin as above) in 8 1/2 x 11" size in Word format. Insert your own lodge's information. HERE

There's a Press Release here for your local newspaper. Be sure to insert the appropriate information for your lodge. HERE

There's also a Media Alert for your local radio/television stations. This will help spread the word even further. HERE

New on 9/27 is an 8 1/2 x 14 inch poster that lodges may use for the open house. The poster uses the same Benjamin Franklin theme as does the newspaper advertisement. It is in Microsoft Word format and may be easily customized for use in a particular lodge venue or district. HERE

And when we're all done, please be sure to fill out the Feedback form so we'll know whether this was valuable for your lodge. (Word document here and PDF format here.)

Some Tips

Get EVERYONE involved

Having a successful Open House involves all of your lodge's members - and more besides! Let the other Masonic bodies meeting in your facility have the opportunity to participate as well: their success depends on YOURS so they should be happy to lend a hand. Read the Grand Master's letter to all appendant Masonic bodies in Maine encouraging them to participate as well.

The date's selected - now pick the time!

The date of the statewide Open House for Maine in 2011 is October 15th. This date coincides with Open House activities for Freemasonry all over New England. Some jurisdictions will be running newspaper, television and radio ads and your lodge can benefit from this publicity.

Set a time that's convenient for all. Perhaps 10am to 3pm. If you're in a large community, you might want to consider being open from 9am to 4:30pm. Whatever hours you select, let the Open House coordinator know so that we'll be able to tell everyone about it.

Plan for the future too....

This is not just a 2011 event. We'll be doing this for at least the next two years as well - and perhaps beyond. What you do for this year's event can be improved and expanded on moving forward.

Let the community know

Send a press release to your local newspaper (template above if you'd like or make your own).Tell them the 5Ws of the event: Who (should visit); What (is going to happen); When (date and time); Where (be very specific so there's no confusion) and Why.

Make your Lodge inviting

Clean up so there's no dust in the corners. Set out some tasty snacks (NOT old, stale cookies and watery punch) and put out signs in front of the building. Get stick-on name tags and have first names printed in large, easily-read letters. Visitors aren't particularly interested in whether or not you are the Past High Grand Caliphate Expartiri Magus. They'll want to address you by name so don't make it difficult for them to do that. Of course, when you're addressing other members, be very sure to use the word "Brother" frequently so that they'll understand we value our brotherhood.

Get the right people involved

You'll want members there who can speak comfortably and accurately about all facets of Freemasonry - and are at ease with strangers. It's not that hard, really, and you can plan ahead by prepping them with questions that visitors might ask. (Be prepared to answer "What is Freemasonry?" without using cliches or fumbling for words!)

Greet everyone with the same pleasant manner

You might have said the same things to fifty people but it's the fifty-first who is liable to become your best member in a few years. Remember that the person coming through the door at 1pm didn't hear what you said to the person who arrived at 11am. Treat everyone as a guest of our family. Remember: YOU are someone's impression of Freemasonry!

Have literature available

Be sure you get flyers and brochures about Freemasonry from the Grand Lodge office. Put labels with contact information on them so folks will know how to get in touch with you afterwards.

Use the videos

If your lodge hasn't gotten the Franklin videos and other information from your DDGM, get them NOW! These can be most helpful as people are looking around.

Contact us for more help if you need it

The Grand Lodge's Membership Committee stands ready to help make this event a great success for your lodge. Contact the Membership Committee chairman, Wor. Bernie Gaines at bgaines@travelwisemaine.com or 286-4192 if there's anything we can do to help!