Transcript Slide 1
Scottish Rite Ambassadors
"Individual commitment to a group effort - that is what makes a team work." -- Vincent Lombardi
What’s an Ambassador?
• Ambassadors are the Valley’s representation inside the Masonic Lodges.
• Ambassadors are members of a Masonic Lodge o Report to their home Lodge o o Use the Ambassador Newsletter “Sell” the Valley to symbolic membership The benefits of membership Social Events / Activities Expanded fellowship (larger pool of Brothers) Opportunity to lead
Goals
• Ambassador Committee to be a stand alone committee / subcommittee of the Membership Committee • Establish an annual budget • Identify at least 2 qualified Ambassadors in each Lodge • Change mindset of Ambassadors o From “I guess I will” to “we will appoint you if you qualify” • Establish an e-mail group and e-mail communications
Job Description - Coordinator • Stay in communication with the Ambassadors
o o o Begin an e-mail communication (google) group in order to facilitate this communication. Invite open communication among Ambassadors What is happening in Lodges Point them to the valley website and the calendar within Make sure they are receiving the Ambassador Newsletter (via e-mail)
Dear Ambassador, Please announce some, or all, of these events in your lodge during the month of December. You may read them verbatim, or paraphrase them, whichever is most comfortable for you. The ideal time to do this is when the Master calls for commercials or announcements (usually at the end of the meeting). Depending upon the customs of your lodge, you may want to ask the Master’s permission before you make these announcements.
Remember: take no more than 5 minutes, less if possible.
Each time you make an announcement in your lodge, please send me an email ( [email protected]
) and let me know the date and lodge in which you made the announcement.
Talking Points for December 2006 Membership Events Scottish Rite Awareness Dinner
The Valley of Detroit is hosting a Scottish Rite Awareness Dinner on Friday, March 23, 2007 at the Ford Motor Co. Conference and Event Center in Dearborn. All Master Masons interested in becoming a 32° Mason are encouraged to attend. Dinner will be catered by Opus I, one of Detroit’s premier restaurants. The featured speaker will be Past GM Robert Conley. As many of you probably know, Bob Conley is an entertaining and dynamic speaker. The program is designed to answer all of your questions about the Scottish Rite and how becoming a 32° Mason can change and enrich your life. Prospective members and their significant others can attend this event at no charge as guests of the Valley of Detroit. We will have more details about this event as they develop.
Spring Reunion
Our annual Spring Reunion, at which we initiate new members into the
•
Glean contact information
o The ambassadors • Lodge name / location • How often they attend • How long a member of this Lodge – Speaks to the credibility • How long a member of the Valley How familiar with the Valley •
Recruiting Ambassadors
o Articles in Valley publication o o o Report at Valley Meetings Visit Scottish Rite Clubs Make disciples from Valley members
o Lodge Secretaries • Alternative to Ambassadors to read Newsletter in Lodge • Mail them a letter asking for e-mail information • Follow up with a post card 45 days later • Host semi-annual meetings/recognition dinners with the Ambassadors (perhaps regionally - convenience) the purpose is to excite them and fire them up to sell the Valley.
• Explain what is hoped for and expected from the Ambassadors, instill pride and desire into the title.
• Explain this is
not
a resurrection of the old program; it is a new dynamic take on the concept of Lodge representation.
• Offer Valley speakers for Master Mason dinner o Various Topics o Toastmasters o CLC o How the Valley works How organized, four bodies, BOT, Active Member The functions and powers of the above
Job Description - Ambassadors
• Stay actively in communication with Ambassador Coordinator (via e-mail group or direct e-mail) • Tell the Valley story in a tiled Lodge, at the dinners, etc.
• Enthusiasm!
• Tell the Valley what is happening in the Lodges, i.e. do they need help with a degree?
o Do they have a project we can help with Funding CHIPS Wheel chair ramp
• This must be a two way street with the symbolic Lodges • Regular feedback on the response to the Ambassador's remarks should be gauged so adjustment to the monthly letters can be made to suit.
• Provide Valley material for prospective members, petitions, etc. (stock Lodges) • Offer degree help or help with a memorial service • Recognize outgoing Masters AND long time secretaries, tylers, etc.
o If the Lodge is having an honor dinner, a parchment certificate from the Valley (even if the Lodge doesn’t provide one)
• Monthly activities report from ambassadors to Coordinator (via email group) • Promote Valley activities at every opportunity • Announce Valley Programs (know the difference between activities and programs) o Programs include o Petition fee abatement for ministers o Petition fee abatement for servicemen o Pre-paid life membership o Scholarship Programs o CLC Tutors How to enroll
Tools
• Enthusiasm from Ambassador Committee members when they tell the story • Newsletter generated and distributed monthly - contents to include: o Talking points Valley events Social events Reunions Valley meetings Time, Place, Price o Club news • New DVD • Constant offer to help Masonic Lodges!