"If Freemasonry is good, let us talk about it" Theodore Meriam - Part 1

This is an address made before the Research Seminar of Grand Lodge at its 1961 Annual communication by Theodore Meriam, then a member of the Masonic Information Committee.  It is commended to you for your reading and application.  MASONIC INFORMATION COMMITTEE

The opportunity to speak to you on public relations for Masonic Lodges is most welcome, because I feel that discussion of this topic is long overdue.  In order that we may be on common ground, let's consider for a minute what we mean by public relations.

Some definitions: Webster - "Public relations are the activities of a corporation, union, government or other organization in building and maintaining sound and productive relations with special publics such as customers, employees or stockholders, and with the public at large, so as to adapt itself to its environment and interpret itself to society."

This last phrase - "interpret itself to society" - is perhaps the most important.  Keep it in mind.

Another - "Public relations are the words and deeds which over a period of time establish and maintain a business' (Masonic Lodge's) reputation for good or evil."  (Notice how appropriate this definition is when we substitute the word "business" with Masonic Lodge.)

And another - "Public relations are designed to give a business a good reputation with the public, establish it in the public mind as an institution of character and an institution which functions in the public interest."

Abraham Lincoln once said: "Public sentiment is everything.  With public sentiment nothing can fail.  Without it, nothing can succeed."

This is appropriate to our topic also.

Perhaps we can say - for our purposes - our public relations are the things we do to build an IMAGE, in the public mind, or our Lodge.

For hundreds of years Masonry has rightfully enjoyed a position of great respect in the general public eye.  This has been because of favorable activities on the part of individual members, individual Lodges, and Masonry as a whole.

While there is some mystery surrounding the function of a Masonic Lodge in a community - there is very little misunderstanding as to what Masonry represents - OR IS THERE?

Two years ago it was my privilege to speak formally in this room during the 110th Annual Communication of this Grand Lodge.  At that time I asked this question: "Are we relatively as influential as we have been or should be?"  This question can be disturbing - and it's very hard, if not impossible, to answer.

What really is our relative position?

ARE we as important and influential in each of our communities as we should be?

IS Masonry the same in Alturas, in Sacramento, in Oceanside, in Fresno, in Pasadena, in Marysville?  Is the Masonic Fraternity regarded, by the community, as the finest fraternal organization in each of these communities?  And if it is, what what has it done to justify this position - or is the public riding along in the vapor trail of a great tradition?

Let me illustrate with an assumption.

Let's assume that in Alturas, Oceanside and Marysville the Masonic Lodge is of relatively greater stature and community importance than in the larger cities - simply because a greater proportion of the population is aware of the existence of Masonry and what it stands for.  THIS CAN BE A REASONABLY VALID ASSUMPTION.

If the assumption is correct - if it is unfortunately true - then perhaps we are declining in importance in the larger communities.  (Remember - I am using this assumption only for the purpose of illustration - and I don't want to invite calls from delegations of representatives from Sacramento, Fresno and Pasadena).

I am reasonably certain that our membership enrollment figures do not show a growth in direct proportion to California's population growth.  And I am quite certain that we have not gained in membership in proportion to our economic prosperity.  WHY?

Perhaps too few people know what we stand for and what we do.

Shouldn't we tell them?