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THE TRESTLEBOARD

Trestleboards are the essential communication tool of the Master. It reaches
100% of the Lodge membership, whether they are active members who
participate in all of the lodge activities or are housebound non‑driving members
who cannot attend any of the lodge functions. For many members it is the
ONLY contact that they have with their lodge and gives them a feeling of
knowing the active members of the lodge by reading their names in the
trestleboard.

TRESTLEBOARD APPEARANCE

The trestleboard projects the lodge's image to its members and perhaps more
importantly to non‑members. You never know who will pick up a copy of your
latest trestleboard and after reading it come away with an impression of
Masonry and your lodge. That impression can be favorable or unfavorable
depending upon how well the trestleboard is written and its overall appearance.

How does your trestleboard look? How can it be improved? Take a critical look

at your present trestleboard. Is it too big or too small? Having a large

trestleboard means that you can put more in it. But sometimes the content of the

articles suffer when you have to fill those large spaces. On the other hand, a

larger size gives you the opportunity to increase the print size ‑ this may make it

easier for your older members to read. Should you use photographs in the

trestleboard? It costs more money, but as the old saying goes " a picture is worth a

thousand words." Whatever you decide to do, make your trestleboard eye

appealing and don't forget that it projects your lodge's image. Keep it neat and

well written.

 

IDEAS FOR TRESTLEBOARD ARTICLES

 

There are many sources available to you ‑ almost everywhere you look!

Previous Trestleboards ‑ from your lodge and from other lodge's; your own

periodicals or your wife's; California Freemason, Reader's Digest, etc.

WHEN TO START COLLECTING IDEAS

 

When should you start collecting articles/ ideas for your Trestleboard?
AS SOON AS YOU CAN.

Start when you are the junior Warden, or even earlier, if possible. Why? Some
articles that you would like to use are time related; they appear about a year
ahead of the time that you need them. For example, articles on George
Washington's Birthday usually only appear once a year, in February. If you wait
until you need this article, you can't get it into your February Trestleboard as it
needs to be written and submitted to your trestleboard editor in January.

MASTER'S MESSAGE

The Master's Message in the Trestleboard is your opportunity to communicate
with members, inform them and inspire them.

Some ideas that you might use­

•     For the fast Trestleboard use your annual plan. Lay out your plans for
the coming year. Let everyone see what you have planned and the date it
is planted for. Then use your annual plan to provide you with a theme
for the month as suggested above.
 

•    You might write about upcoming major lodge events such as a Masonic
Information Program or Hiram Award or perhaps a Past Master's Dinner
Dance. But, leave the monthly description of your other lodge events to
others.
 

•     Recognize members who have given community service, Le, a man who
has been a Scoutmaster for many years, the president of the local Rotary,
or adult leaders of your local Masonic Affiliated Youth Groups (Rainbow
for Girls, Jobs Daughters, and DeMolay).


Recognize the youth leaders of the Masonic Affiliated Youth Groups. Give a
shorts biography of the leaders and a history of the youth group itself. Enlighten
the members with some Masonic education.

OTHER TRESTLEBOARD TOPICS

 

Unless you, as Master, want to write the entire trestleboard yourself, you had
better enlist some help. Two naturals are the Junior and Senior Wardens. It's
good experience for them and will give them some preparation for their year as
Master. Make sure their assignments are clear; it would be unfortunate if both
wrote on programs or visitors, etc.

.           •     The Senior Warden might write on the degrees that are to be exemplified
                   in the coming month or give a biography of the newest Master Mason. If
                   he has been assigned the responsibility of Chairman of the Public Schools
                   program, he might provide information relative to it, or any information
                   about the public schools as it becomes available.

•     The Junior Warden might review last month's program giving a brief
overview of the program and mention how nice it was to welcome back
any brethren (by name) who might be infrequent attendees to the lodge.
He might preview next month's program, its entertainment, cuisine, and
any special requirements for the member, ie., time, dress, etc. If he is
writing about the program or subject, similar to the Senior Warden's
assignment regarding Public Schools.

 

•     The Secretary could also write some articles regarding Homes
Endowment, dues notices and address change reminders. He might also
write a "Secretary's Corner" giving information about metnbers who
have moved or are traveling and what their families are doing (a
daughter might be Honored Queen or a son has just joined a DeMolay
Chapter).

 

•     Miscellaneous articles could also be written such as Sunshine Report
(sickness and distress), memorials (obituaries), monthly calendar of
events (include your local Youth Group activities), background of your
officers (one at a time please), list of your lodge committee appointments
(do this semi‑annually).


GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR TRESTELBOARDS