Our Success on the Web North Harrow Lodge

Our Success on the Web North Harrow Lodge No. 6557

At the start of 2010 North Harrow Lodge faced a problem of falling membership �Our Last initiation had been in 2007 �We had exhausted all traditional methods of recruitment �Our most common source of new members, Pinner Round Table, had closed �We were experiencing a falling “ACTIVE” membership We recognised that we needed a different strategy if we were to attract new members

We decided to join the rest of the world and go online �I set up a Website for the Lodge (www. North. Harrow. Lodge. org) �I bought a Hosting Package for about £ 30 per year �I used Microsoft Front. Page 2003 to set up the Website because I was already familiar with it for my own business �I registered the site with the various Search Engines �Google ads on the site generate revenue of £ 200 per year I then had to attract potential new members to the site

The challenge was to provide the information that potential new members needed

The website has been extremely successful in recruiting new members �In 2010 our Active Membership was 16 �In 2011 We conducted 4 initiations and had 1 Joining Member �In 2012 We conducted a further 7 initiations �In 2013 We will conduct a further 6 initiations and have 3 Joining Members �In 2014 We have another 2 initiations scheduled so far This is 19 initiations in four years and 4 Joining Members. We have also passed 9 candidates to other Lodges

We have also reduced the number of non-active members 45 40 35 30 25 Membership 20 Active 15 10 5 0 2009 2010 2011 Year 2012 2013 2014

We have a clear procedure for assessing potential candidates �We initially interview any Prospective Candidate for a number of hours and identify his eligibility and commitment �We identify their most convenient Meeting Days �We introduce the Prospective Candidate to a suitable Lodge �We attend the Meetings to monitor his progress through his initial Ceremonies

We didn’t rest on our laurels �I set up a Twitter account which now has 600 followers �Last week I had my first membership enquiry through Twitter, and he will be initiated in May �I produce a Lodge Blog and have had 6000 views to date �The story continues……………… This all goes to show, an on-line presence and Social Media works to generate potential membership

Any questions? Presented By Nigel Harris-Cooksley Secretary@North. Harrow. Lodge. org Website : www. North. Harrow. Lodge. org Blog: Harrow. Freemason. Blogspot. com Twitter : @Harrow. Freemason