Grand Lodge to reach out to a new generation

Grand Lodge is to hire a young person to reach out to a new generation. With social media it has never been easier to speak directly to those who might be interested.

Here is the article from the Daily Mail...

The notoriously secretive Freemasons are to appoint their first ever 'youth ambassador' to shake off their stuffy image as old men with funny handshakes.

The organisation, one of the oldest in the world, is advertising for an 18-25 year old to appeal to a 'younger generation' admitting few current members are aged under 30.

Although they are open to anyone over 18, male or female, masons fear many see them 'white haired old gentlemen in tweed jackets.'

Esoteric: The square and compasses is the emblem of the secretive Freemasons society

But they want to attract young blood to make the organisation 'relevant in the 21st Century.'

The ambassador will be expected to highlight the good work and other aspects Freemasonry can offer to younger adults and attend public appearances to recruit new members.

The successful applicant for the UK post does not have to already be a Freemason though they will be expected to become one and it is initially a voluntary job.

Whoever applies will be asked for their career and educational achievements but will also have their Facebook and other social media activity vetted, the organisation admitted.

Spokesman Julian Rees said: 'Freemasons do have something of an image problem with most members of the public thinking of us as a load of white haired old men in tweed jackets.

'We want to say, enough of that, it's 2013, let's start reaching out to all the wonderful young people out there and let's start making them aware of how becoming a Freemason can help them in life.

'Freemasonry offers a wonderful spiritual framework for life without being constrained by any single religious dogma.

'What's more it is open to anyone aged 18 or over regardless of their gender, race or religion.'

THE FREEMASONS: A MYSTERIOUS ORGANISATION THAT CONSPIRACY THEORISTS LOVE TO BLAME FOR MAJOR WORLD EVENTS

The first President of the United States George Washington was a Freemason

They plotted the French Revolution, designed the pyramids and faked the Apollo moon landings.
These are just some of the many conspiracy theories associated with the Freemasons.
The first Grand Lodge of England was formed in 1717 and over three hundred years has collected an estimated 250,000 members in England and Wales and six million around the world.
Publicly, the Freemasons insist the fraternity is a non-religious meeting place for people interested in philosophy, self-growth and spiritual development.
But due to the mysterious nature of its rites and rituals it has become associated with secret handshakes and alleged corruption in police and the judiciary.
Prominent public figures who are known to have been Masons include the first President of the United States George Washington and leading revolutionary Benjamin Franklin. The Duke of Kent is known to be a Grand Master and formed a branch with members of the Royal Household in 2008.
Masons are widely believed to further the business and professional interests of brother Masons, although they would deny this and claim it is a harmless social and charitable organisation.
But author and broadcaster Martin Short whose book Inside the Brotherhood sxposed Mason practices in the UK, insists bizarre rituals such as the secret handshake exist.
Masons are widely believed to further the business and professional interests of brother Masons, although they would deny this and claim it is a harmless social and charitable organisation.
Former Home Secretary Jack Straw tried to address the issue of Freemasons working in the criminal justice system. In 1999, new judges were required to publicly disclose whether they were Masons.