S.Courtemanche
Premium Member
Are there any rules that need to be followed in reference to having a Face Book page for our lodge that Grand Lodge wants us to follow? Thanks for any assistance in this matter.
Are there any rules that need to be followed in reference to having a Face Book page for our lodge that Grand Lodge wants us to follow? Thanks for any assistance in this matter.
Hey, Brother... I have been doing the same thing and I have only come up with a couple of things so far. I haven't gone totally through the Laws yet, but here is what I have found so far for this particlar issue:
Art. 405a Publication of Names Prohibited- "The names of Petitioners, Candidates, Entered Apprentice Masons, and Fellowcraft Masons shall not be published in a Lodge newsletter or any news media public or private."
Art. 427 (461) Rejection Must Not Be Published- "The identity of rejected candidates shall not be published to the world."
Since I started up our FB Page, I have been looking for stuff in there to make sure that I (we) aren't posting anything that is in violation and that is all that I have come up with so far. Obviously, no ritual stuff, but I am also going to keep things of lodge business out of it. Pretty much, just using the Page to put a face to the name of our Lodge in town. Letting people know when we have meetings or community events, and it also is serving as a thing for members to check out and see what they missed or what is coming up. There might be more in the Laws, but I haven't come across it yet. Lol, I'm doing the JW this year too and glad that this can by my project. You should have fun with your Page over there in the Killeen area.
In addition, please see the following commentary regarding "Recommended Guidelines for Lodge Websites" per the Grand Lodge of Texas Website; Internet Committee:
Recommended Guidelines For Lodge Websites | The Grand Lodge of Texas A.F. & A.M.
This should clear up any questions that you may have.
Thanks Mike did your lodge put this to a vote to start this?
In addition, please see the following commentary regarding "Recommended Guidelines for Lodge Websites" per the Grand Lodge of Texas Website; Internet Committee
The Grand Lodge of Texas is violating their own guidelines by having a Facebook page:
"The use of a "Free Website" where that provider has the option to insert their commercial advertisements, at will and without approval, into the Lodge's web page is strongly discouraged."
Not that I care. Facebook has been more beneficial than anything for our Fraternity.
Bro_Vick, the incoming WM. SW and myself decided to create the page. However we needed to do some research prior to publishing the FB page, and this is why I reached out to you guys
Once we are installed (the end of this month) we will brief the rules to the lodge and get acceptance from our members. If they feel that they do not want it then we will not create it. If they decide that this is a good idea then we we will. Three of the Lodges in our District have FB pages and its used quite extensively and in my opinion works for what it is. Thanks for everyone's assistance so far.
Bro_Vick, the incoming WM. SW and myself decided to create the page. However we needed to do some research prior to publishing the FB page, and this is why I reached out to you guys
The comments were not necessarily geared towards you, just some of the other members here who were talking. If it is created and become the ownership of a committee rather than a single brother it is far better for everyone. My new adopted lodge has a Facebook page that was started on a whim by a brother who is living and we now have to go in and straighten it out.
I think that you will have nothing but good things on your page from what you have described.
S&F,
-Bro Vick
I don't agree with brothers starting initiatives on their own, being one that did it, and tried to pass it along.
The comments were not necessarily geared towards you, just some of the other members here who were talking. If it is created and become the ownership of a committee rather than a single brother it is far better for everyone.
Just as Brother Courtemanche said, I look here for assistance, so if you have any ideas for that kind of committee (or any other Brother), I'd love to hear it.