GL of California Continues Its #ImAMason Hashtag Campaign

by Christopher Hodapp

Last July, the Grand Lodge of California created what became a popular social media campaign centered around the hashtag #ImAMason. The strategy was simple: create a written or video message to post on Facebook or Instagram (or both) briefly telling your friends and online followers and subscribers just why it is that you are a Freemason. The goal was to reach as many people as possible to explain what the fraternity is, what we do, what we teach our members, and why it's still important to society after more than 300 years of fostering friendship and true brotherhood among good men all over the world who might otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance. Most of all, it was a chance to explain to your family and friends just why Freemasonry is important to YOU.

The campaign worked like gangbusters: more than 2.3 million people worldwide were reached by these messages. And Masons all over the world took part in crafting their own #ImAMason messages, not just those brethren in California. 

Photo: Grand Lodge of California

It was so successful that the Grand Lodge of California is asking Masons everywhere to do it once again this year. Between July 10th and the 21st, Masons who are comfortable doing so are asked to record a video, take a selfie, or write a post on Facebook or Instagram that explains what they get out of their Masonic membership, and to include the hashtag #ImAMason. (Adding the hashtag will enable them to compile the posts and easily share them online far and wide.)

From their announcement:

"By showing the people around us that they already know a Freemason—even if they didn’t know it—we can help to demystify Masonry in general, and maybe encourage someone who’s curious about it to reach out. Imagine: That second cousin you’re connected with on Facebook who doesn’t know how much your lodge means to you. Or a coworker who’s always been intrigued by Masonry but never known where to begin with it. Our hope is That those people will see these posts and decide to learn more. 

 

"So please join us in this effort. Tell your story of why #ImAMason. Together, we can help build on the effort to increase positive public awareness and drive the future of the fraternity.

[snip]

"We need to encourage members to talk about Freemasonry and what they get out of it with the people around them. We need to remind them that they’re allowed to talk about Freemasonry without fear of breaking any rules. (This tends to be a misinterpretation of a rule against soliciting membership, which is different than talking about Freemasonry in general, discussing what you get out of it, or describing what happens in a Masonic lodge.) And we need to give them tools that help them talk about Freemasonry and answer people’s questions.

"That’s what the #ImAMason campaign is all about. Don’t know what to say? DOWNLOAD OUR NEW BOOKLET, titled Opening the Door, for some helpful and simple answers to common questions about Freemasonry. Or check out our brand-new webpage, WHAT IS FREEMASONRY, meant to give newcomers a basic sense of things. These are a starting point to help members discuss the fraternity in general and how it works. But the best explanations will come from real members discussing the real things they get out of it."

If you don't happen to be a Freemason but are interested in joining or finding out more, either do an online Google search for "Grand+Lodge+Freemasons+(Your State or Country)," or visit the BeAFreemason.org website for more information and to begin the process of connecting to a Masonic lodge in your area.