how the internet has affected the craft by: w.bro. mike bayrak 1e-masonry by wbro. m. bayrak

e-Masonry by WBro. M. Bayrak 1

E-MASONRY

How the Internet has affected the Craft

By: W.Bro. Mike Bayrak

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Outline

The Internet Freemasonry on the Internet Ivanhoe on the Internet How has the Internet affected:

Freemasonry?Ivanhoe Lodge?

Personal experience Questions to consider Conclusion

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The Internet

ARPANET created in 1969 originally used for the U.S. MilitaryAl Gore did NOT invent it.

80’s – Mostly universities Became mainstream in mid-90’s

Email, FTPWorld Wide Web (graphic HTML pages)

Late 90’sChat, Databases, E-Commerce boom,

standardizations

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Web 2.0 More user-friendly online editable content

Google dominates searchRSS (Really Simple Subscription) a.k.a. “feeds”

○ data comes to you through a readerWeblogs:

○ Blogger, Wordpress, MS Spaces, Twitter (microblog)

Social networksFacebookMySpaceYouTubeMSNSkypeonline dating

Mobile Web - Internet in the palm of your hand

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Freemasonry on the Internet Early to mid 90’s

BBS: CanmasNewsgroups: alt.freemasonry

Late 90’sMore lodge and grand lodge websites

○ Poorly presentedConspiracy and anti-masonry sitesSecrets easily found

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Freemasonry & Web 2.0 Lodge and Grand Lodge websites much improved

Regularly updated, calendars, lots of infoMen looking for information to join are finding itInternet Lodges of Research created

Masonic discussion groupsBrethren connecting from around the world and

comparing rites, protocol, esoterica Personal Masonic blogs

Brethren sharing their Masonic experiences publically yet carefully

Radio Free Mason, Freemason InformationOnline Masonic radio broadcasts with music,

interviews, editorials

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Ivanhoe Lodge on the Web Went online in 1999, one of few lodges in

Alberta with a websiteSeveral domain names and designs

Now: www.ivanhoe142.orgUsing WordPress online content editing

systemGoogle Calendar notifications to emailPicasa online photo albums (new!)

Facebook group (private) Email list (~70 brethren)

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Lodge Websitewww.ivanhoe142.org

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Updating website using WordPress...

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Online Photo Albums

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Facebook Page

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How has the Internet affected Freemasonry?

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Positives Brethren connecting globally, bringing people

together more easily than ever before Sharing of Masonic experiences and knowledge

on discussion groups Masonic papers, graphics, discussions, education

and research readily available Positive public image Email can save in postage and printing costs for a

lodge Men going to websites for info and asking to join Finding and visiting a lodge is a lot easier

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Negatives Anti-Masonic sites everywhere

New World Order / Illuminati conspiraciesPostings on news and discussion groups by people

disseminating myths and liesFundamental Christian groups blasting Masonry for

being anti-Christian and devil worshippers Secrets and ritual readily available Men joining are doing it out of curiosity Clandestine lodges and grand lodges attracting

members away from regular Has it made Masonic social discourse less

personal?

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How has the Internet affected Ivanhoe Lodge?

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Positively History of lodge can be read at anytime by anyone Gives us a strong presence amongst dozens of lodges

and shows that we are a modern lodge in the 21st century Sharing of lodge event photos Many good men joined because of website Visitors and brethren looking for a lodge to affiliate with

seems to have increased Online calendar with automatic event email notifications

has slightly improved attendance Out of town brethren can feel like they are still in the loop Brethren and officers are organizing and discussing

lodge matters via email, increasing efficiency

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Negatively

People were looking for:booking info on Freemasons’ HallInformation on members

Men interested in joining:Emails seemed insincere and oddReceiving too many

Are brethren receiving more Masonic education online than through the lodge itself?

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Personal Experience Before I considered joining, I discussed Masonry online

with people from around the world I still continue to research and discuss online for

Masonic education and info, although in my opinion, books still prevail

Have sponsored several individuals who found us online Organized lodge events and practices using email When travelling and visiting lodges, I use the Internet to

search and contact Currently an administrator of “The Three Pillars” online

Masonic community and have met many of the members in person in different cities (see, nothing beats face-to-face!)

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Questions to consider

Has Freemasonry’s increased presence on the web increased men joining lodges?Not really, but it hasn’t hurt it eitherSearches for “Freemasons” have mostly

corresponded with the release of movies such as National Treasure and Dan Brown novels/movies

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FreemasonsKnights Templar

National TreasureDa Vinci CodeThe Lost Symbol

Google Search Volume

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Consider this... Lodges generally do not have a recruitment

problem, they have a retention probleminitiations ~= deathsSNPD + demits has decreased but it continues

So, how can lodges utilize the web to retain members? or...

Are lodges that utilize the web too much becoming less personal to their members?

Is there a balance?

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Conclusions While emails, online discussion and education is less

personal, lodges need to balance this with continued calling, face-to-face meetings, and social discourse

Lodges can be more efficient using Internet tools to contact more brethren, collect dues, etc. Some people prefer to be contacted by email, some prefer phone

Website info can publically counteract the existing negativity, myths, and false information about Freemasonry and can attract interested men

Technology should not replace the fundamental aspects of the Craft Sponsoring and mentoring new members COMELY

But it can be an enhancement to an already rewarding experience

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My favourite research sites

www.freemasonry.bcy.ca www.masonicdiscussion.com www.freemasoninformation.com www.freemasons-freemasonry.com www.themasonicsociety.org

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Questions?