Fraternal Organization Uses Vontoo Voice Messaging to Increase Membership
Masons Connect Personally with Members Through Monthly Calling Service

At a time when many fraternal organizations are facing sagging memberships, a creative group of Masons are using the latest innovation in voice broadcasting to counter this trend. Through a partnership with phone messaging company Vontoo ( www.vontoo.com), lodge leaders are seeing resurgences in meeting attendance by combining instant communications with the emotional connection of the human voice.

Known for a long history of community involvement and service, the Freemasons is the oldest fraternal organization for men in the world. Basic organizational units are called lodges, which are then grouped into Grand Lodges that operate autonomously. In the Scottsville, Va. area, leaders in seven of these lodges were looking for a way to better encourage long-standing and new members to attend monthly functions. After exploring several ideas and doing research via the Internet, District Deputy Grand Master of District 17 Brian LaFontaine explains they found the answer in Vontoo' s unique on-demand automated voice messaging technology.

"My primary goal was to enhance communication and it has been fabulous in that respect," says LaFontaine. "There are members we have seen little of in the past that are coming to events much more often. People have just loved it."

By accessing Vontoo's phone messaging technology via the Internet, LaFontaine and others record and schedule for delivery monthly voice messages reminding members of upcoming meetings and special events. Then, 48-72 hours before each event, Vontoo uses VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology to distribute the recorded messages to the home, business or cell phone numbers previously provided by each lodge 's membership rolls. The calling service is free to the Mason recipients and can include vital information such as the meeting time, location and purpose.

Not only has the concept's personal approach enhanced involvement, but LaFontaine explains the voice broadcasts and tracking capabilities provided by Vontoo have dramatically reduced communication expenses and enhanced reliability while also providing an opportunity to update membership registries. "The personal calls made by Vontoo have cut our costs by 50 percent over more traditional methods such as direct mail," he says. " Better yet, the reports Vontoo sends after each round of mass calls make it possible for us to tell who is actually listening to the phone messages and is therefore staying involved with the lodge. Postcard reminders aren 't returned if the addresses are inaccurate, but with Vontoo, I can be certain we're reaching the right people."

Taking advantage of Vontoo's ability to rapidly distribute voice messages in mass is also allowing the Masons to better respond to emergency situations involving members. "Vontoo was a great help to us recently as a brother lost his home and belongings to fire," explains LaFontaine. "Fortunately the family was not home, but Vontoo permitted us to get the word out very quickly and the lodges and Masons in our district immediately responded with assistance. I' ve been pleasantly surprised by how quickly the Vontoo messages go out —within 15 seconds in most cases."

According to Vontoo President and Co-Founder Dustin Sapp, the Masons are just one of many non-profits that have found Vontoo uniquely suited to their purpose. " Organizations like the Masons are founded on deeply held ideals and principles that translate best through personal connections," says Sapp. "Whether their goal is emergency response, fund-raising, increasing grassroots political support or improving long-term involvement, they want their members to truly hear how much they are valued and needed. Nothing does this more effectively than Vontoo 's automated calling service because it allows for timely voice messages targeted to each particular group or individual."

LaFontaine seems to agree with Sapp. After using Vontoo for six months with the Masons, he has now introduced the phone broadcast service at his church for communications with members of the congregation. "I would definitely recommend Vontoo," emphasizes La Fontaine. "It's a wonderful way to keep everyone connected and get the word out."

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