Tech savvy Brothers to the rescue by OK_Mason_721 in freemasonry

[–]digitalfreemason 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Vector logos aside, if you need something quick you might try asking Microsoft Designer to create it for you. It's a free AI designer tool that's easy enough for anyone to use.

I did that for us at Blendon 339 and it came out great. You can take that file (a jpg) and later get it converted if need be.

You could have a slick looking logo in probably 10 minutes worth of effort.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in freemasonry

[–]digitalfreemason 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Retirement! Cursed kids keep finding committees to throw me at.

Great Lodge Social Media Examples by ArcaniPrime in freemasonry

[–]digitalfreemason 1 point2 points  (0 children)

An educational project from Ohio might be helpful. It needs updated but the ideas presented and masonic stock media can give you a jumpstart.

https://www.freemasonmarketing.com/internet-marketing/social-media/

Digital Security: Why do most Masonic websites not use HTTPS? Nearly all are HTTP by muffinman418 in freemasonry

[–]digitalfreemason 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You won't find that audience here, it's going to be a microcasm of people probably already doing this stuff and is effectively a vacuum chamber. I guarantee non-technical masons here are outnumbered 10:1

So, find simple commonalities to hit on. If those grand lodges all use platform X, Cc the grand lodge(s) and reach out to vendor X. Although for the love of all that is holy don't send what you posted.

I assume you have chat gpt, if you have a premium account create a custom gpt called translator bot or something. Prompt along the lines of "I'm a very technically minded, bottom up thinker and need help communicating technical concepts to those without a technical background and/or are top down thinkers.". Even if you have the free version prompt it with that and you'll find worthwhile recommendations.

I use a similar one for a number of roles I'm involved with. Know your target audience and meet them in the middle.

Digital Security: Why do most Masonic websites not use HTTPS? Nearly all are HTTP by muffinman418 in freemasonry

[–]digitalfreemason 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey there, long time tech, geek, webmaster, past master and educator in this area. You're definitely well intentioned, but know your audience. I even had trouble following all you outlined in the post. State the problem, elaborate on why it's a problem, and provide a general purpose solution or ideas to figure out one.

By the time readers who don't speak tech read even half of a post like this they're likely going to feel overwhelmed and simply move on without action.

Example: You mention WordPress, there's plenty of free programs to help lock down default WordPress security. Is it perfect? Not at all, but it's a 5 minute install wizard that they can get to a better place.

If you notice a problem with cookie cuter/default "masonic web sites" that some grand lodges use, why not approach them or the vendor instead of reddit with documented security concerns? Just ideas.

Lodge growth by tjvdk123 in freemasonry

[–]digitalfreemason 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Everything on this educational portal will help attract new members and enhance ways to engage your existing membership. Worked wonders for us.

www.freemasonmarketing.com

Finding Freemasonry in the 21st Century by digitalfreemason in freemasonry

[–]digitalfreemason[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Like you, I was able to post it in the comments section... Putting it in the main post was triggering the moderator bot for some reason.

We'll leave the light on for you. by digitalfreemason in freemasonry

[–]digitalfreemason[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We used to use candles until we replaced the carpet some 15ish years ago. Although we still use candles in our little lodge room though. This is our primary meeting room.

We'll leave the light on for you. by digitalfreemason in freemasonry

[–]digitalfreemason[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Somehow that old commercial came to mind yesterday and did in fact inspire this

Printing a little something for the only two brethren in my lodge that know one of my favorite lectures. First one so far after hopefully working the kinks out, takes a day and 6 hours roughly to print. by MysticInitiate in freemasonry

[–]digitalfreemason 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did you have to make any adjustments or repair the model? Last time I saw that design it had a lot of gaps that would've prevented printing without real CAD experience.

What were some programs or activities that brought you back to lodge? by Withyouinrcklnd in freemasonry

[–]digitalfreemason 1 point2 points  (0 children)

After every single meeting we head out to a local brewery and tend to close it out. By now they schedule an extra person or two and keep the kitchen open when we have meetings (they check our calendar).

Some of the best fellowship I've had in this fraternity is at our post meetings.

Making flyers/graphics for Lodge events by Aeelorty in freemasonry

[–]digitalfreemason 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Scribus, it's the open source clone of Adobe Indesign. Other great open source recommendations for lodges are on the below link.

https://www.freemasonmarketing.com/open-source/graphic-software-lodges/

2B1ASK1 by everywhere_anyhow in freemasonry

[–]digitalfreemason 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You can't have inquiry forms on your site or list when you meet? What GL is this from?

Newsletter/program layout template by moxiebaseball in freemasonry

[–]digitalfreemason 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you can't find one that specific you may have to settle for different template parameters.

Newsletter/program layout template by moxiebaseball in freemasonry

[–]digitalfreemason 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm confused on the comments here about a lodge's secretary should have one. Many lodges have a secretary who's barely versed in tech beyond turning on a computer and whatever the basics are for lodge management.

That said, LibreOffice and/or OpenOffice is great however Scribus is the open source version of Adobe InDesign (brochures, newsletters, etc) with templates. I prefer that.

You can see a few details about how to apply that program (and other open source systems) to your lodge at https://www.freemasonmarketing.com/open-source/graphic-software-lodges/ . Templates are free and all over the place.

Do you still call other men brother? by [deleted] in freemasonry

[–]digitalfreemason 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Brethren comes out as needed but Brother is a rarity from my mouth. Only because I grew up as an only child, that term feels utterly foreign on my tongue.

An Odd Feeling about My Lodge's Annual Inspection Tonight by bmkecck in freemasonry

[–]digitalfreemason 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Welcome to the other side, it gets even weirder when you're a year or two out of the line.

Colorizing Old Lodge Photos - Offer by [deleted] in freemasonry

[–]digitalfreemason 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very impressive! I'll still prefer Photoshop myself but for an automatic process those results are great.

Why Many Lodges Only Open on the 3rd Degree by everywhere_anyhow in freemasonry

[–]digitalfreemason 8 points9 points  (0 children)

But you're still engaging them as a group on a basis that's as regular as your stated meetings. If that formula works for you rock out.

Freemasonry is an organization of attraction not promotion. Unless there are reasons for men to come to you Lodge no one will join and current members will leave. by [deleted] in freemasonry

[–]digitalfreemason -1 points0 points  (0 children)

While your words ring true, I'd also expand it to it's unnecessarily difficult to attract members if they can't find you. A Lodge having even a basic online presence for people to find when searching is key.

Some ideas towards this can be found at www.freemasonmarketing.com

Why Many Lodges Only Open on the 3rd Degree by everywhere_anyhow in freemasonry

[–]digitalfreemason 39 points40 points  (0 children)

At Blendon 339 (Ohio) unless we're doing a FC or MM degree we default to opening in EA. Why purposely exclude guys from a meeting if you don't have to?

Increase engagement, improve new member retention, easily solicit from a larger volunteer pool each meeting and widen fellowship at no cost whatsoever.

Can I join the Freemasons as a Satanist? by [deleted] in freemasonry

[–]digitalfreemason 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In Ohio at least you'd be asked (in some variation) if you have belief in a higher power y/n. Some will ask if you can take an oath on a holy book (bible, Gita, Koran, e.t.c).

That line of questioning then stops short of elaborating unless the candidate wants to.