Mychip Manual 2005

GRAND LODGE
OF MASONS
IN MASSACHUSETTS
MYCHIP
MASONIC YOUTH
CHILD IDENTIFICATION
PROGRAM
www.mychip.org
Operations Manual
Sixth Edition (9/01/05)
CHIP Event Check List
1. Read and follow the MYCHIP protocol.
2. Form your local committee (if not already done).
3. Contact your Area Chairman (if you are not sure

whom your Area Chairman is, please contact
the Grand Lodge MYCHIP Dept. 1-800-882-1020
ext 4214. The Grand Lodge will pass your
message on to your Area Chairman and then he
will contact you.)
4. The Area Chairman will list your MYCHIP event

at least 60 days prior to the event and
at least 90 days in advance for events held in
June, July and August, otherwise approval must
be obtained from the State Chairman.
5. The Area Chairman will submit your equipment

pickup request with the MYCHIP facility so
designated for your area at least 30 days in
advance. (60 days notice if at all possible.)
You must contact the designated supply facility,
at least two (2) weeks prior to your event, to
arrange pickup and return of the equipment.
6. Arrange and/or send out press releases at

appropriate time.
7. Do site check at least one week in advance.
8. Confirm all commitments one week in advance.
9. HAVE A GREAT MYCHIP EVENT!
10. Send “Thank you” NOTES to all participants.

Table of Contents
Introduction ...................................................................... 3
MYCHIP Organization Protocol ........................................ 5

MYCHIP State Organizing Committee (SOC)
MYCHIP Area Organizing Committee (AOC)
MYCHIP Local Organizing Committee (LOC)
Initiation of MYCHIP Events
General Guidelines
School Based Programs
Community Events
MYCHIP Operations Protocol ......................................... 15

Local Committee
General Set up and Flow Patterns
Pre-site Inspection
Ordering of Supplies
Additional Supplies
Event Set up
Station Operation
Registration
Toothprints® and Cheek Swabs
Fingerprinting
Videotaping
Monitors/Check Out
Clean up/Breakdown
Close Out
Appendices
Videotaping Suggestions
Suggestion to Interviewers/Questions
Camera Set Up / Operations
Dental Protocol
Equipment Lists
MYCHIP Operations Manual 2005 1

MYCHIP Publicity Protocol ............................................ 32
Introduction
Opportunities for Publicity
How to Prepare Effective News Releases
How to Prepare a Public Service Announcement (PSA)
Preparing Broadsides and Flyers
Placing Promotional Materials and Editorial Contact
Follow-up
Sample Copy
News Release
Public Service Announcement
Newspaper Calendar Listing
Appendices ...................................................................... 42
MYCHIP Area Chairmen and other MYCHIP Contacts
MYCHIP Areas Listed by Town
2 MYCHIP Operations Manual 2005

Introduction
Masonry has long held a commitment to children and families. A
parent’s worst nightmare is the disappearance of a child. In today’s society
with over one million children being reported missing each year, the
problem cannot be ignored. MYCHIP is designed to give families a measure
of protection against this ever increasing problem.
MYCHIP is the most comprehensive child identification pro-

gram currently available to our communities. Working together, the
Massachusetts Freemasons, The Massachusetts Dental Society, and the
Massachusetts Crime Prevention Officers Association are attempting to
make this program available to every Massachusetts family who wishes to
participate. Through the benevolence of The Grand Lodge of Masons
and other sponsoring organizations this service is brought free of charge
to the participants.
The program consists of four major components: 1) a brief videotaped

interview, 2) fingerprinting, 3) a dental impression and 4) cheek swab.
The videotape is a recovery tool that provides far more individual
characteristics and mannerisms than any still photograph could possibly
accomplish. Fingerprinting is a tried and true method of individual
identification. The dental bite impression (Toothprints®) provides an
impression of the biting surface of teeth that like fingerprints are unique
to each individual. In addition enough saliva is on the bite impression to
provide a DNA sample and a source for scent in canine recovery. The
cheek swab, when properly stored will furnish positive DNA identification
for many years. Together they provide a most powerful identification and
recovery tool.
MYCHIP also provides Masons with the opportunity to bring before

their communities by example the principles of their craft. By increasing
awareness of what Masonry means and what Masons do, we promote the
public image of our Fraternity. In this way we strengthen our ability to
grow and provide even more good to our communities and to those whom
we so dearly love, our families. Through our example it is our aim that
others too will become stronger in their desire to make our communities
better places in which to live.

To be successful, MYCHIP must be made consistently available
throughout this jurisdiction. All Masons are encouraged to support their
lodges and other community groups in this project. There are many
opportunities in the schools, at community functions, and at specific
MYCHIP oriented events to make this service available to the
communities.
This section of the “Blue Book” is designed to bring forth protocols

associated with MYCHIP to assist all Masons in making this program
available. Grand Lodge has worked hard to provide guidance in this
program so that MYCHIP can be brought to our communities in a
consistent and successful manner. All persons involved in organizing a
MYCHIP event should be intimately familiar with the information
contained in these protocols. MYCHIP is an evolving program and is
open to your suggestions. Any suggestions for changes or enhancements
of MYCHIP should be forwarded by email to chip@glmasons-mass.org or
by telephone to the MYCHIP Coordinator at 1-800-882-1020 ext. 4214
(in Massachusetts only) or 617-426-6040, extension 4214.
We thank you for your interest in MYCHIP and your efforts in

promoting this excellent community service program throughout
Massachusetts.

MYCHIP Organizational Protocol
A) State Organizing Committee (SOC) – General supervision
B) Area Organizing Committee (AOC) – Regional oversight and
organization
C) Local Organizing Committee (LOC) – Organization of specific
events
For the purposes of MYCHIP the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

has been divided into thirteen geographic districts following the
Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS) districts. These are referred to
as MYCHIP Districts (see pages 42-43).
A) MYCHIP State Organizing Committee will be made up of the

following:
• The Chairman (a Mason) and will be designated as MYCHIP
Program Director. He will be an ex-officio member of the
MAC executive committee.
• Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS) member.*
• Massachusetts Crime Prevention Officers Association
member. *
• Massachusetts Freemasons (All Masons on the SOC are
appointed by the Grand Master).
* Non-Masonic representatives will be designated by their respective organizations.
The MYCHIP State Organizing Committee (SOC) will perform and

be responsible for the following duties:
• SOC exercises general supervision of funding, resources,
communications, implementation and direction of MYCHIP
in Massachusetts.
• Makes recommendations and sets guidelines for publicity,
promotion and marketing for use by the LOC’s.
• Provides suggestions and resources for use by the LOC’s.
• Provides training materials, sets quality standards and
exercises general control over the coordination of programs
statewide.
• Maintains inventories of all supplies/equipment necessary to
implement MYCHIP events and provides for distribution of
these materials.

• Develops resources where possible on a statewide basis in all
areas helpful to LOC’s programs including communication,
finances, manpower and vision.
• Exercises control over the appointment of members of the
AOC’s and gives them direction, support and assistance in
all areas where it can be helpful.
• SOC will meet when called together by the chairman.
• It will make periodic reports to the Grand Lodge of
Massachusetts Masons as well as to the other organizations
that make up the MYCHIP Team including an annual report.
B) MYCHIP Area Organizing Committee will be made up of the

following:
• Massachusetts Freemason who is expected to act as chairman
• Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS) member.*
• Massachusetts Crime Prevention Officers Association
member. *
• Where appropriate the AOC will have one additional
member from Prince Hall (PHMasons).
* Non-masonic representatives will be designated by their respective organizations.
The MYCHIP Area Organizing Committee (AOC) will perform and

• Report directly to the SOC and/or MYCHIP Program
Director.
• Will maintain general supervision over outside persons and
organizations that are represented on the LOC.
• Develop and maintain manpower resources, developing a
volunteer database including individuals, agencies and
organizations that will help MYCHIP events in their region.
• Provide guidelines for working with volunteers including
recruitment, training and follow-up.
• Develop resources that will be helpful to local committees
including but not limited to communication, promotion,
marketing and finances.
• Develop/maintain a list of local events, which would attract
children and would be fertile events for MYCHIP
participation.

• Make sure all scheduled events are reported to Grand Lodge
(GL) for purposes of communication and posting on the GL
web site.
• Will properly schedule MYCHIP events though Grand
Lodge, informing GL of date, time, estimated number of
children to be processed and anticipated equipment needs
and completing the necessary paperwork.
• Track events and provide statistics/commentary of local
events in an effort to improve MYCHIP.
• Serve as event troubleshooters should problems arise in
communication or distribution of supplies from GL or the
inability of MYCHIP Team members to supply necessary
support.
• Maintain general supervision over all local MYCHIP events.
• The role of the AOC is supervisory in organization,
development of resources and communication including
marketing. The members of the AOC are not expected to
organize or participate in local events unless they choose to
do so.
• It is strongly recommended that the AOC Chairman appoint
a person for the Area to oversee and assist in publicity and
media contact.
C) MYCHIP Local Organizing Committee (LOC) will be made up of

the following:
• Three members which will include a Masonic sponsor
(usually a local lodge and or another affiliated Masonic body
such as Shrine, Rainbow, Demolay, Order of the Eastern Star,
etc.), local Dentist and a Law Enforcement Officer to
represent the member organizations of the MYCHIP Team.
• Other persons the LOC deems appropriate pending general
approval by the AOC Chairman. “Others” may include
individuals, representatives of agencies, civic groups/
organizations and town/city officials who will be helpful to a
given event.
• A PR person to oversee publicity and media contact.
The LOC is “event specific” meaning that it is responsible

for organizing a specific event – it is not responsible for
organizing multiple events in a specific area unless specifically

charged with that responsibility. All requests for events will
be directed to Grand Lodge through the Area Chairman,
Asst. Directors and Directors, ONLY.!
The MYCHIP Local Organizing Committee (LOC) will perform and

• Making all local arrangements for specific MYCHIP events.
This shall include but not be limited to preliminary
arrangements, manpower, promotion, marketing, site
arrangements, training of volunteers, publicity, development
of sponsors, finances and follow up.
• Are expected to work within the guidelines of the SOC/AOC
but are encouraged to be innovative and creative according
to local needs. The objective of the program is to furnish a
high quality public service while promoting a positive image
of MYCHIP Team members as well as any local sponsoring
organizations.
• Will be responsible for procuring the equipment/supplies from
GL and returning the equipment/unused supplies in a timely
fashion and in good working order. Following up with the
necessary paperwork at the completion of the event. They
will also provide the AOC with any suggestions for
improvement of the MYCHIP Program.
• The LOC’s are the backbone of MYCHIP. It is on their
performance that MYCHIP will succeed or fail. They need
to take their responsibility to excellence very seriously. The
LOC must be able to adapt this program to their local needs
without compromising the integrity and purposes of the
program at large.
Initiation of MYCHIP Events:

A) General Guidelines
B) School Events
C) Community Events
D) Stand-Alone Events
A) General Guidelines – Anyone may initiate inquiry into a local

MYCHIP event. This is normally done through contacting the
MYCHIP Coordinator at GL. He will in turn contact the Chairman
of the AOC in the MYCHIP District where that event would be held.
A local Lodge may initiate a MYCHIP Event by contacting their AOC
Chairman directly.

As soon as the LOC has determined preliminary information for an
event including dates, times and the number of children anticipated
to participate along with general sponsoring information; the event
should be scheduled with Grand Lodge through their MYCHIP Area
Chairman. The LOC then continues to develop and refine
arrangements for the event under the general supervision of the AOC.
B) School Events – Experience has showed that MYCHIP provided

within the school is the best way of reaching the most children within
a community. It should be remembered, however, that schools should
be approached with proper respect for the sometimes-delicate position
under which they operate within a community.
The best way to approach a school system is by building community

consensus. After forming the LOC, building support of the Chief of
Police, civic leaders and elected officials is extremely important. From
that point of consensus it is then much easier to approach the
Superintendent of Schools and school committees. All local
communities are different and the LOC must approach this challenge
in a way it feels to be most effective.
Organization is particularly important in school based events. It is

suggested that 4-6 months of lead-time is appropriate in this scenario.
It is suggested that the LOC request a “point of contact person” to
work with in planning events. If planned/ approached properly, school/
community officials can be extremely helpful in providing manpower,
financial and public relations. Remember our objective is to provide a
community service as effectively as possible.
It is particularly difficult to provide Masonic manpower for school

events held within the working day. LOC’s involved in school events
are particularly encouraged to develop outside manpower resources
such as parent groups, civic groups, etc. Not only does this ease
manpower burdens but it also gives a community greater ownership in
the MYCHIP Program.
In school based programs the parents will typically give permission

prior to the event. Grand Lodge provides a special school based form
for that purpose. Unlike a Community Event based program where
permission of a non parent accompanying the child may be accepted,
in school based programs only the parent’s permission and signature
on the school based permission form will be accepted.

School based programs will be instrumental in generating the numbers
needed to legitimize the MYCHIP program statewide. They also
provide the best and greatest access to protect the children within an
entire community.
Suggested School MYCHIP Protocol
School events require the LOC (Local Organizing Committee) to pay

more attention to detail concerning MYCHIP programs. The LOC
has been mentioned previously in this handbook. The following will
deal with the LOC’s role in school MYCHIP events.
One of the things that is misunderstood about the MYCHIP program

is that most of the planning comes from within the local organizing
committee (LOC) which is the starting point for every MYCHIP event.
The local committee for school MYCHIP programs consists of a mason,
who is in charge of the entire event, the school PTO rep, the
superintendent or their rep, a local dentist, and a law enforcement
officer. It is strongly recommended that the District Deputy Grand
Master (DDGM) and/or his District Awareness Officer (DAO) be
involved to insure the success of the school program.
After the formal approval of the Masonic MYCHIP Program by the

superintendent and the school committee, the LOC meets and the
dental representative will determine which day/days of the week would
be best for the dental community to properly staff the proposed
MYCHIP event.
Note: Most dentists prefer to help with MYCHIP events on their days
off, rather than interfere with their dental practice and patients.
Once the dates have been established and the MYCHIP Event
Registration Form information has been supplied to the MYCHIP Area
Chairman, event plans may proceed. The MYCHIP Area Chairman
will register the event with Grand Lodge. Dental personnel and law
enforcement officers will confirm dates and staffing for the events.
The masonic coordinator is in charge of staffing all other aspects of
the programs. The masonic coordinator is also responsible for
maintaining contact with the others in his committee and tracking
their progress.

It is recommended that school MYCHIP events be registered at least
six to eight weeks apart. Different circumstances might dictate
otherwise and this is okay as long as there is proper staffing of said
events, including dental, police, and masonic volunteers. The reason
for this is to prevent volunteer burn out, and that it takes this amount
of time to properly sign up the children, complete the daily schedule
and compile the volunteers necessary to staff the event.
An example:
Any Town Schools wants the Masonic MYCHIP Program for their
three schools, the Elementary, Middle and High. The dentist from
the LOC says that Thursday is the day she can help and staff the
events. The scheduled months for the three MYCHIP events are
February, April, and June. The schools will decide the dates for the
events. Usually the LOC determines in which order they would like
to do the schools. For instance, because of early release in June, it
would not be prudent to schedule the high school in June. So therefore,
February or April would be better for the high school.
School permission cards are available by requesting them from the

Masonic sponsor or Masonic coordinator. The cards should be provided
to each school and be mailed home to the parents of each student
along with a letter from either the Principal or the Superintendent,
and the Police Chief, explaining why they support the MYCHIP
program and asking that all parents sign up their child to participate
in the program. The permission cards should be mailed home to insure
their receipt by the parents.
These permission cards should be mailed at least 6-8 weeks prior to

the event. The cards, once returned to the school, should be placed in
the hands of the school representative that is overseeing the event.
After most of the permission cards have been returned, a determination
can be made as to how many volunteers will be needed.
The Masonic coordinator on the LOC can then place the order for
the equipment and supplies from the supply facility in his respective
area. The supply facility must be given thirty (30) days notice of the
supply requirements for an event. This gives our volunteers at the
supply facilities plenty of notice and they can adjust their schedules
so they can fill the order. The Masonic coordinator should notify the

supply facility when a Masonic volunteer will be picking up and
returning the equipment and supplies. No equipment can be checked
out to anyone unless they have a Masonic affiliation.
The supplies needed for every child include the following; MYCHIP
plastic bag, videotape, toothprint bag with label, name date slip, pencil,
finger print card, the cheek swab envelope, and the Masonic yellow
brochure. These packets are made up in advance so that the child can
be checked in promptly to start the Masonic MYCHIP program.
The school volunteers should get these supplies from their Masonic
coordinator well before the event so they can put them together. The
volunteers should put the name of the child and the date of the event
on five items; the videotape, name date slip, finger print card,
toothprint bag label, and the cheek swab envelope. The child’s name
should also go on the MYCHIP plastic bag that holds all of these
supplies for easy identification. Once put together these bags should
be put in the order that the school is going to send the children to the
MYCHIP program, for example, by class, by floor, or by grade, etc.
Students should have nothing to eat or drink, except water, 30

minutes prior to the event. It is important to note that at schools
where there is an established snack time, that this snack time be
rescheduled so as to not interfere with the MYCHIP program. The
reason for this is contaminants in the mouth from the snack will
prevent the dental personnel from taking a clean and distinct
toothprint and/or cheek swab.
If a child’s parent decides at the last minute that he or she wants their
child to participate in the MYCHIP program but has not returned a
permission form, the parent must contact the principal directly and
have him or her sign the child up for the program. Teachers cannot
give permission; only the principal or their designee can do this. Parents
might want to bring younger siblings of a child participating in a school
offered MYCHIP event and this, too, is the decision of the principal,
whether or not he/she will allow this.
Once a child has completed the MYCHIP program, the bag of materials
should be collected by the school coordinator and stored in a safe
place until the end of the day. The school can best determine how to
get theses materials to the child’s parents. It is recommended that the

school have the parents pick up these materials because through
experience children have swapped Toothprints and have put them in
their mouths on the way home.
School events are run during regular school hours. This can lead to a
shortage of manpower because most Masonic volunteers work during
the day. This is where the PTO Moms, Dads, and school volunteers
play a crucial role. These volunteers will be busy doing most of the
preparatory work prior to the event. The PTO Moms, Dads, and school
volunteers can help by manning the cameras, the rewind stations,
asking the questions, and as a monitor, directing the flow of the event.
The Masonic coordinator should plan a class a week before the first
scheduled event to train these volunteers how to properly run a camera,
ask the questions and work the rewind station. With these volunteers,
rest assured that there will be enough help to complete a successful
school MYCHIP program.
The Area Chair should be kept abreast of all progress and or problems
related to the event well prior to the event. There is more to a MYCHIP
event than most people realize. This is part of the Area Chairman’s
job, to assist and guide. The local committee does the actual work and
planning. Proper planning and reading the MYCHIP handbook will
lead you in the proper steps in setting up a successful school MYCHIP
program.
C) Community MYCHIP Events-The varieties of community events

that constitute ideal MYCHIP situations are numerous. Some would
include fairs, festivals, Saturdays at the mall, open houses, etc. The
only requirement is that most successful MYCHIP Events are held
where there is a concentration of children.
Community events also have shown to be fertile areas for promoting

the positive public image of MYCHIP Team members and other
sponsoring organizations. The media “loves a parade” and that is where
one is most likely to find cameras.
After a Community Event has been conceived, the local committee

should strive to build a broad-based committee of general support.
The broader the committee is (within reason), the stronger the event.
MYCHIP is a terrific program and it is well received when properly
placed before the community.

Another very important purpose of Community Events is that they
provide opportunities for family members who might not be of school
age or attend school. They also provide opportunities for updates of
family members who are no longer in the grades covered by the school
MYCHIP programs.
D) Stand Alone Events-Events held with the sole purpose of presenting

the MYCHIP program have been among MYCHIP’s greatest successes
and MYCHIP’s greatest disappointments. The most important element
of a stand-alone event, and crucial to its success is Public Relations.
Months of planning need to take place. Newspapers, local cable TV,
local cable community bulletin boards, flyer drops to DARE officers,
dentists, store fronts, day care centers, churches, synagogues, and
schools should all be considered; as well as presentations to civic groups,
PTO’s, and church groups.

MYCHIP Operations Protocol
This protocol is designed to assist in the set-up and operation of a MYCHIP
Event. Local committees must be flexible and innovative to meet the
individual challenges of a specific event.
Local Committee
• All arrangements for specific events are made by the local
committee (See Organization – Local Committee for
specifics).
• The local committee will include participants of all
organizations represented in a given event.
• Prior to event, the local committee should make sure all
dental personnel have been provided with a copy of the
Dental Protocol (Appendix D on page 27).
• Members of the local committee should take responsibility
for specific functions such as publicity, manpower, finances,
procurement of supplies and equipment, site development,
etc. to satisfy the given needs of a specific event.
• All lists of volunteers should be made in advance if there are
admission requirements to the event. That list should be
furnished to the event organizers.
• The local committee MUST designate supervisors at least
one to be present at all times during operation. These
individuals should have a good overall working knowledge
of MYCHIP.
General setup and flow patterns

• There are generally five stations: Sign Up/Permission,
Toothprints® and Cheek Swabs, Fingerprinting, Videotaping,
and Monitor/checkout usually in that order.
• Sequence as above has generally yielded the best results.
• Allowance should be made for queues should a back up occur
(generally in videotaping area).
• Where possible sufficient space should be left between areas
to keep areas defined and well organized.
• Manpower should include several floaters including the active
event supervisors to help out where problems arise.

Pre-event site inspection
• A site inspection should be made for all events at least one
week in advance, preferably 30 days in advance.
• Determine set up position for various stations and work out
flow pattern.
• Check for electricity, lighting needs etc.
• Make arrangements for tables, chairs, lined barrels, etc.
• Note future positions and anchorage of banners and
height charts.
• Estimate setup difficulty and time.
Ordering of Supplies from Grand Lodge

(See Appendix E, page 31, for a complete list of Equipment and Supplies)
• Supplies are ordered on the basis of number of children
expected.
• Figure 20 children per camera per hour of operation.
• Order camera setups (including camera, height chart,
monitor, banner, and all associated equipment based) on
numbers of children.
• Two fingerprint pads come with the standard order for each
event. Toothprint® “Hot Pots” should be ordered in the ratio
of one pot per two cameras.
• Additional single cameras or setups may be ordered as backup
units.
• Additional banners may also be ordered if available.
• Inventory supplies ordered from Grand Lodge include:
Videotapes, jackets and labels; Toothprint® wafers; cheek
swabs, fingerprint cards, permission slips, and Masonic plastic
bags to carry completed ID items.
Additional inventory supplied by Grand Lodge includes:

• Labels and Poly Bags for Toothprints®.
• Envelope for Cheek Swab.
• Copies of event name/date sheet.
• Diaper wipes for finger clean up.
• Masonic “MYCHIP” caps and tee shirts are available for
purchase (T’s are $10–sized S thru 4XL, and hats are $12)
either by the Local Committee or by individuals. Must be
ordered from Grand Lodge.

Supplies not available from Grand Lodge
• Trash can liners for disposal.
Setup
• Allow plenty of time for set up (two hours minimum).
• Have event set up one hour before start time to insure time
for equipment check and personnel training.
• Make sure all equipment is in good working order as soon as
possible to allow time to improvise if necessary or seek
additional supplies.
• Make sure all personnel know and understand their
assignments and responsibilities and are proficient in their
areas (if a second shift is involved be sure they arrive in time
to review tasks and responsibilities).
• Place all banners so they maximize visibility – secure well
(duct tape only is weak and unreliable; use rope where
possible).
• Make sure all extension cords are taped down to floor in traffic
areas.
• Set up expandable queues in advance so that they can be
easily used where necessary (be ready for back ups on a spot
basis).
• Make sure all electrical cords are safely secured (especially
hot pots which could be pulled off a table).
• Waste disposal should be available in all areas – in the
Toothprint ® area plastic liners should be used in all
containers.
• Make sure enough videotapes are labeled, two different labels,
and sleeved prior to the start of the event and are at the
permission sign-up table.
Station operation:
Permission Station
• Items to be filled out: Permission card, videotape label on
the videotape, fingerprint card, name date sheet, cheek swab
envelope and Toothprint® bag labels.
• Make sure parent or responsible individual signs permission
card. Retain permission card at sign up/permission table.

• Explain program and answer questions while a family is
signing up (If any questions are asked which sign up personnel
cannot answer with confidence immediately call the Masonic
supervisor).
• Refer any questions about legalities, any problems, or any
serious complaints immediately to the event supervisor
present at the time of the problem.
• The sign up/permission area should have a minimum of three,
two sign up people and an assistant.
• Sign up controls the flow of persons into the processing area.
• All materials are given to parents EXCEPT the permission
card, which is retained.
• All permission cards are to be filled out in ink (ball point
pen).
• Keep family groups together.
• Consider bilingual help if appropriate.
Toothprints® and Cheek Swabs

• Licensed Dentists, Hygienists, and Assistants ONLY are to
place Toothprint® wafers and Cheek Swabs in a child’s mouth.
• Registered Nurses (RN’s) may take Toothprint® impressions
and cheek swabs, if trained by a dental health professional.
• They may be assisted in warming the wafers.
• The licensed personnel are responsible for all activities in
the delivery of Toothprints® and Cheek Swabs.
• The licensed personnel will change gloves for each child.
Assisting personnel need not change gloves that frequently
unless they handle Toothprint® impressions after they have
been in the mouth.
• Chairs should be available for children as well as dental
personnel.
• Hot pots should be kept clean and water periodically checked
for adequate levels.
• Toothprint® wafers and Cheek Swabs are supplied at the
Toothprint® area.
• If necessary note Appendix D – Dental Protocol should be
provided to dental personnel in advance of the event. A copy
should be provided when the equipment is picked up.
• Toothprint® bags with label and Cheek Swab envelopes are
filled out at the signup table.

Fingerprinting
• Fingerprint ink pads should be found in the small Inventory
Supply Box
• Make sure at minimum name, date, DOB, and parent’s
signature is completed on the fingerprint card.
• Only trained law enforcement personnel should do finger-
printing.
• When completed, the fingerprinting card should be folded
and returned to the parent.
Videotaping
• Keep family units together at the same camera. Multiple
children in the same family may be taped on the same tape
one at a time NOT as a group. This enables parents to bring
one tape with them on vacations or travel, a time when many
children become lost, missing or abducted. During travel,
most parents are ill prepared to help authorities recover a
lost, missing or abducted child. Parents should always be
encouraged to bring their childrens’ videotapes on vacation
or travel.
• Instruct child before videotaping begins: Smile, talk to
camera, speak into microphone (Note appendix A –
videotaping suggestions).
• Interviewer should sit with BACK TO CAMERA as far out
of range as possible – speak into microphone when asking
questions.
• Cameraperson must be familiar with camera operation (Note
appendix B – Camera operation).
• Clip name/date sheet to height chart board.
• Try to limit interview to one minute.
• Note Appendix B – Interview questions; questions may be
altered slightly to fit a given interview.
• Cameraperson informs interviewer when to begin (after
leader has run out and 5 second hold on name/date sheet).
• Interviewer and cameraperson must review and be familiar
with Appendix A – Videotaping suggestions.
• Do not forget close up, profiles, and 911 as final question.
• When interview is completed, cameraperson hands videotape
cassette to monitor area or to a runner for that purpose –
tapes are not yet given to the family.

• Manpower should include at minimum an interviewer and
cameraperson for each camera as well as a floater to carry
completed tapes to the monitor area.
Monitors/Check out
• The monitor area is both close out and quality control.
• The videotape cassette is rewound and placed in the monitor
and played with child and family watching.
• Family groups should view tapes together after the last child
is processed.
• Make sure voice is clear, and taping includes close up, and
both profiles.
• Once picture and sound quality have been established,
playing the tape can be terminated. It is not necessary to
watch the entire tape in review, especially if there is a back
up in the monitor area.
• If the tape is not satisfactory it must be rewound, returned
to the videotaping area, and the taping redone (Note
appendix A – Videotaping suggestions).
• If videotape is satisfactory, it is placed in the videotape
jacket along with the fingerprint card. Both along with
the Toothprint® are placed in the Masonic Plastic bag.
• The contents of the MYCHIP plastic bag should be
checked to ensure the child has been to all of the 3 stations,
fingerprint card has the minimum information, the video
tape label has the correct name and date, the toothprint
wafer bag and cheek swab have the correct name and date,
and that the permission slip is not in the bag.
• The child is thanked for participating in the program.
• There should be one monitor for every two (2) cameras and
manpower should include one person for each monitor.
• This is the final step in the program and the impression left
upon the family by the people in the monitoring area will be
a lasting one.
Clean up and Breakdown

• Cleanup and breakdown is just as important as any part of
the event because:
• It leaves a lasting impression on the host organizations.
• It repacks the equipment in the proper condition and
location for the next use.

• Make sure the persons in charge of clean up are fresh and
have not worked all day. Getting the equipment back to its
proper location is extremely important and if workers are
tired they may not be meticulous in repacking.
• Return all equipment to its proper location – location of
all equipment is listed on top of the Utility Box or the
Inventory Box.
• Note any missing equipment or equipment that does not work
properly (clearly note problem) on the red tag found in the
Form Packet in the Inventory Box.
• Separate all supplies from pre made packets (i.e. Empty
MyChip plastic bags of pencils, brochures, etc.)
• Return permission slips in Inventory Box.
• Dispose of all trash.
• Offer to put away any tables and chairs that may have
been provided.
• Make sure the host is satisfied with the clean up.
Close out
• Report to MyChip Area Chairman your results, any problems
or suggestions.
• The MYCHIP Area chairman will fill out the “After Event
Form” and send it to the co-directors within 48 hours after
the event.
• Thank all persons involved – a written thank you note is the
best form in which to do this.
Appendix A – Videotaping suggestions:

Interviewer: The interviewer controls the flow of people to a given camera
• Take only one family member at a time.
• Make the child feel at ease – this experience should be fun.
• Instruct the children to smile, speak into the microphone,
and look at the camera (not the interviewer), and speak
clearly (remind if necessary throughout interview).
• Sit with BACK TO CAMERA off to the side as far as
possible facing the child. (This position should be coordinated
with the camera operator to minimize the presence of the
interviewer in the video).
• Guide the child to a standing position in the center of the
height chart; the interviewer may touch the child slightly if
their parent is immediately present. Parents with a baby or

very young child may sit during the interview. All other
children should be standing.
• Ask questions into microphone and then extend the
microphone toward the child for an answer. The children do
not hold the microphone.
• Departure from the printed question list is OK as long as the
interviewer feels it is important. We are not seeking length
in this interview – only useful information.
• Do not ask any questions about other family members.
• Always end with the “911” question and ask for their
biggest smile
• Improvise when necessary for effective presentation.
Situations will vary with age and personality – try to remain
relaxed and informal.
Cameraperson:
• Make sure the label on the tape and the name/date sheet
agree.
• Begin by focusing on the name/date sheet – after leader runs
out hold on name/date for five seconds then move to subject
and signal beginning of interview.
• Be familiar with the camera before beginning operations. Stop
immediately if problems arise.
• Begin with close up of face, pull back to show most of body
at least below waist, and then move to comfortable shoulder
and head (bust) picture. Be sure to get back of the head, as
well as, left and right profiles.
• Focus on any distinctive features and make sure they are
included in the tape.
• End tape by focusing on the Name/Date sheet for five
(5) seconds.
• When zooming in and out go smoothly.
• Periodically view a tape you have done to check for quality
and possible improvements in technique.
Brief Synopsis of MYCHIP Operations
1) Place videotape in camera, tape side down, wheels facing
camera.
2) Using both hands, left hand holding camera, use right to
gently push tape door closed.
3) Start tape recording by pushing red button.

3a) The reason for starting the camera as soon as the tape is
inserted is that by the time the leader is exhausted, each tape
has a leader on it 10-15 seconds long, you have already had
time to focus on the name/date sign. The leader has run out
when the letters TR in the viewfinder have stopped flashing.
4) Record name/date sign for five (5) seconds.
5) Slowly move camera to a close up of the child’s face.
6) Zoom out and get shot of child from the waist up.
7) Zoom out further and film entire child. (Please note that all
during this filming that you are to do everything possible to
avoid filming the person doing the interviewing.)
8) When interviewer reaches this point in the interview, “please
turn and face right, please turn right again to face the height
chart, please turn right again, now face the camera operator,”
the camera should be focused on the head thru the shoulder
area to give a good profile both left and right and the back of
the head. The interviewer should allow ample time 5 or so
seconds for each profile shot.
9) During last question, “ If you are home alone and need to
call for emergency help, what number would you call?” the
camera should be focused on the child from the waist up.
10) When the child smiles and shows their teeth, please focus
on the mouth area and get a close up. Then focus again on
the name/date sign for five seconds.
11) Push the red button to stop recording and then push the
eject button to eject the tape.
This MYCHIP procedure can be accomplished in under two minutes.

Variations have been observed all over the Commonwealth but we are
striving to have a uniform process and procedures so that the product is
basically the same wherever it gets done. What we are trying to accomplish
with the video portion of the MYCHIP is to provide law enforcement
with the best possible product to enable them in their efforts to recover a
missing or abducted child. This is best served by recording the child’s
voice, mannerisms, and by using the camera to record the child from
different views. If a mother has a small infant, the mother should be
seated in front of the height chart and the child should be situated on the
mother’s knee opposite of the interviewer. This will provide easy access
for the interviewer to ask the mother the questions and will not interfere
with the camera person filming; ie if the child is on the same side as the
interviewer, the mike gets in front of the child and we do not want to
obstruct the filming of the child.

The videotape is the best chance we have of retrieving a child while they
are alive and healthy. The quality of this taped interview is IMPORTANT.
Please, do the very best job possible!
Appendix B
Suggestions to interviewer:
1. Sit facing the child with your BACK TO CAMERA.
2. Be sure to move the microphone from yourself to the child
and back as you are speaking.
3. Remind the child to keep looking at the camera and to smile.
4. Remind the child to speak clearly – not mumble.
Questions for Interviewer:

Before interview begins, make sure the child removes coat, hat, and
sunglasses. For very young children who may not be in school, skip
questions 7 through 15.
1. What is your name?
2. How old are you?
3. Where do you live? (street with number and city)
4. What name do your best friends call you?
5. What is your best friends name?
6. What do you like to do with your friends?
7. Where do you go to school?
8. How do you get home from school? Walk, Bus, Parents?
(If walk: Do you walk alone or with friends?) (If friends: Ask
their names.)
9. What grade are you in?
10. What do you like to do best in school?
11. What do you like to do after school? Where?
12. Where do you hang out with your friends?
13. Do you play on any sports teams? What position?
14. What do you want to be when you grow up?
15. Where do you go when you want to be alone?
16. Please turn and face to your right, face the height chart
(to get back of head), face left and face front.
17. If you were home alone and needed to call for help, what
number would you dial? (If the child does not say 911, suggest
that they remember that number.)

18. Face the camera operator and give your biggest smile, showing
your teeth.
Questions for Infant to 2-years:

You should have parent place the child on his/her knee on the
side opposite the interviewer, so that the microphone will not hide
child’s face.
1. What is your child’s name?
2. How old is he/she?
3. Where does your child live? (street with number and city)
4. Where was your child born?
5. Is your child left or right handed?
6. What color is your child’s hair?
7. What color are your child’s eyes?
8. How tall is your child?
9. What does your child weigh?
10. Does your child have any birthmarks? Where?
11. What is your child’s favorite food?
12. What is your child’s favorite toy?
13. Turn your child to the right.
14. Turn your child to the left.
15. Turn your child with back to the camera.
16. Face the child toward the camera operator.
Appendix C
Camera Set-up
• Position height charts in a suitable location.
• Place cameras approximately 8 feet from height charts.
• Extension cords should be duct taped to floor to avoid tripping
over them.
• Adjust the height of the Tripod to the height of the camera
operator by loosening the release knobs on the tripod and
extending the legs.
• Release the tripod camera mounting lever by moving lever
laterally and then place camera on tripod. This lever will
hold the camera in the bracket.
• Place camera on tripod.
• Lock camera in place by moving brass lever from right to left
(located on tri-pod right side) under camera

• When breaking down this lever should be moved from left
to right to unlock the camera from the tripod
• Plug in power supply to extension cords and plug adaptor
into back base of camera.
• Move viewfinder arm (EVF) to left.
• Plug external microphone and extension cord into jack on
right end of EVF.
Camera operation:
• Turn power switch on (on top of camera) and focus EVF by
turning ring at base of rubber eyepiece.
• Look into eyepiece and check time and date (see below).
• Remove lens cap.
• Set Camera/VCR switch to Camera.
• Set Focus switch to auto (Auto HSS will appear in EVF
[eyepiece]; if camera is set on manual, MF will appear in EVF).
These switches are located on left side of camera.
Setting time and date:

• When power is first turned on Clock Set menu will appear -
check immediately, it will turn off in 30 seconds (if not on
push Date/Time Set).
• Buttons used to set are located on left: Display, Date/Time
Set (up) and (down).
• Push down button to select “3. DATE/TIME SETTING”.
• Push display button - The flashing entity is the one being
changed.
• To set push up and down button.
• When set properly push display to move to next entity of
time/date combination until all are properly set.
Recording:
• Press blue eject button on top of camera and insert tape
cassette - tape side down, wheels facing camera.
• Using both hands, left hand holding camera and right to
gently push tape door closed.
• Slide right hand up into hand strap with thumb on red
record switch and index and middle fingers on zoom
buttons (make sure microphone switch is “ON”).
• Start tape recording by pushing red button.
a) The reason for starting the camera as soon as the tape is
inserted is that by the time the leader is exhausted (each

tape has a leader on it 10-15 seconds long) you have already
had time to focus on the name/date sign.
b) The leader has run out when the letters TR in the
viewfinder have stopped flashing.
• Record name/date sign for 5 seconds.
• Slowly move camera to a close up of the child’s face.
• Zoom out and get shot of child from waist up.
• Zoom out further and film entire child. (Please note that all
during this filming that you are to do everythin possible to
avoid filming the person doing the interviewing.)
• When interviewer reaches this point in the interview, “please
turn to the right/left,” the camera should be focused on the
head through the shoulder area to give a good profile both
left and right. The interviewer should allow ample time (5
or so seconds) for each profile shot.
• During last question, “If you are home alone and need to call
for emergency help, what number would you call¿”, the
camera should be focused on the child from the waist up.
• After child gives his/her biggest smile with close-up face view,
focus on the Name/Date sheet for five (5) seconds, then
push red button to stop recording and then push eject to
remove tape.
This MYCHIP procedure can be accomplished in under two minutes.
At end of recording session break down equipment and make sure all is
accounted for and placed in the boxes/canvas bags it was received in.
Appendix D
MYCHIP/Toothprints® Dental Protocol
This protocol is intended to help dental professionals who are participating
in the MYCHIP (Masonic Youth Child Identification Program) Program.
The Massachusetts Dental Society is committed to furnishing professionals
to perform the Toothprint® and Cheek Swab portion of that program.
A dental professional is either a dentist, dental hygienist, or dental
assistant properly licensed, registered or certified in the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts.
Needed materials: All Toothprint® and Cheek Swab materials are supplied
by the Grand Lodge of Masons. Gloves are brought by the dental
personnel. Gloves must be worn and changed after each child. It is also

suggested that 2X2 gauze pads also be brought in case of an unexpected
incident (e.g. exfoliation of a deciduous tooth). A dental water bath may
be brought by professionals (a less sophisticated “hot pot” is provided).
Toothprints® are made using a thermoplastic material. The Toothprint®

wafer is heated in the hot water bath until it is soft (about 140oF) and
then it is inserted in the mouth. The child is instructed to close down
hard and hold. When the wafer hardens (about 50 seconds) the child is
instructed to open, the Toothprint® removed, and placed in the provided
plastic bag. For younger children, the wafer can be adapted by pushing
the pads together. Young children (less than 6 yrs. old) tend to close VERY
quickly. The wafer needs to be placed very quickly so that if the child
closes and then opens, the wafer can be removed and held vertically until
it hardens. If not previously done, it is helpful for an assistant to mark the
child’s first name and date on the plastic bag, as well as soften the wafer in
the water bath prior to the professional’s use. This saves much time. Upon
completion all Toothprint® impressions are to be placed with other
MYCHIP materials and given to the parents. The Toothprint® should be
stored, along with the videotape and fingerprint card, in an easily
accessible, safe, secure location in normal room temperature.
Prudence should be used in the Toothprint® procedure. It is not worth
forcing a bad experience upon an uncooperative child. Children under
age 3 are usually the most apprehensive but it can happen with anyone.
DNA Swabbing
The most powerful and accurate form of human identification is through
the use of Deoxyribonucleic (dee-ox-ee-rye-bow-new-clay-ick) acid or
DNA. Although this substance is the basis of all life on earth, it is very
simple in its structure. The most important part of DNA are four chemicals,
called “bases” each of which is designated by a letter: A, G, C or T. These
four bases comprise what is called the “genetic code”. This code makes a
tree a tree, a flower a flower, a giraffe a giraffe and so on. It also confers on
us our individuality such as: the shape of our nose, the color of eyes, our
height, weight, hair color, complexion and everything else about us. These
differences between people reflect the different order of the DNA bases.
For example, in one person their DNA bases may be arranges as:
AGGTCCCTTTTTAA, but in another person the arrangement may be
AGCTCCCTTATTAA (can you find the differences in these two different
sequence of bases?). Is is these differences in the arrangement of our DNA
bases that make us who we are. It also allows us to use DNA distinguish us
one from another.

The DNA of every child is inherited from both parents. Thus, there are
similarities in the order of DNA bases in the child with both the mother
and the father. If we know the order of DNA bases in either or both parents
we can quickly deduce if or not a child belongs to them. This requires a
simple comparison of the parents DNA with that of the child.
In MYCHIP events we use a special swab to painlessly remove a few living
cells from the inner cheeks of participating children. Like all living cells
they contain the DNA of the individual. These cheek cells will stick to
the swab and eventually disintegrate leaving their DNA on the swab., If
properly stored this DNA will remain intact and can be used to identify
the individual years later.
DNA Collection Instructions

Follow these easy steps to collect DNA:
1. Only gloved professionals should take DNA samples.
2. Donors should not eat or drink for 30 minutes prior to
sampling.
3. Parents must give signed permission for children to
participate.
4. Child’s name and DNA sample date should be clearly marked
on envelope.
5. Remove the swab from the sterile pouch with gloved hands.
6. Expose the cotton tip from the plastic protective covering.
7. Place the cotton tip in the distal buccal cheek area; AWAY
from saliva, twist the tip 4 to 5 times ensuring it continuously
makes contact with the cheek.
8. Replace the cotton tip back into the plastic protective
covering.
9. The cotton stick should be placed into the envelope with
gloved hands.
10. Seal the envelope with tape. DO NOT LICK THE SEAL.
11. AT LEAST 30 MINUTES later, or when the parents get
home from a MYCHIP event, the cheek swab in the envelope,
the entire unit, should be wrapped in foil and placed in the
very rear of the freezer.
12. This DNA sample can be used for identifying a missing person
and for matching DNA prosecution evidence for many years.
13. If a child is uncooperative about the cheek swab, the DNA
necessary may be obtained from the biological parent. A
father may be swabbed for his son. A mother may be swabbed
for either a son or a daughter.

All MYCHIP events operate somewhat differently. Usually the Toothprint®
and Cheek Swab is the first procedure. These arrangements are usually
left to the event coordinator but input from the dental professionals is
always permissible.
Have fun! Enjoy yourself! You are performing a valuable service for
the protection of our children. Thank you.
Appendix E
Equipment lists and Inventory Supplies Available
Through Grand Lodge
The following equipment is contained in each standard VCR set:
Utility Box:
VCR Camcorder Box:
VCR Camcorder (with camera mounting plate)
AC Power Supply (battery furnished on request)
Microphone
Microphone Extension Cord
Camcorder Operation manual
Small Parts Box: 3-prong AC Adapter
Extra Microphone and Cord
Extra Tripod Mounting Plate
Laminated Equipment and Inventory Box Lists;
List of Questions (Appendix B)
Tape Rewinder
25 ft. Extension Cord
50 ft. Extension Cord
Power Strip with Surge Protector
Duct Tape
Clothes Line or Rope
Tripod and Case
Chart Case (includes):
Height Charts
MYCHIP Banners
Backing Boards and Bolts
Height Chart stanchion (separate bag)(if available)
Monitor and Case
The following additional equipment and supplies are standard
for all MYCHIP events:

EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES LIST
This form is for use by the supply facilities to adequately and accurately fill equipment and supplies
orders for MYCHIP events. This form is for internal use only. It is a complete list.
Event Date:______/______/______ Name:_________________________________________________

Sponsor:____________________________________________________________________________________
Location:___________________________________________________________________________________
Complete Address(include zip code):___________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Hours: From:____ AM PM To______AM PM Estimate # of Children:_______________________
*********************************************************************************************************************************
Event Coordinator:_____________________________________ Home Phone #:_______-________-_____
E-Mail_________________________________________________ Work Phone#:______-______-________
Fax Number:______-_______-_______ Area Chairman:__________________________________________
*********************************************************************************************************************************
***********************************************************************************************************************************
Supplies Requested
Amount Item Amount Item
________ Camera Utility Box ________ Tapes
________ Camera (includes) ________ Labels
________ AC Power Supply ________ Sleeves
________ Camcorder Light ________ Office Supply Box
________ Microphone & Cord ________ Pens
________ Rewinder ________ Date Stamp
________ 25' Power Cord ________ Black Markers (wide tips)
________ 50' Power Cord ________ Pencils
________ Power Strip ________ Bumper Stickers
________ Duct Tape ________ Volunteer Name Tags
________ Roll of rope ________ Paper Clips
________ Clip Board ________ Scissors
________ Interview Questions ________ Binder Clips
________ Rubber Bands
Small Parts Box Dental Supplies

________ 3 Prong AC Adapter ________ Toothprint Wafers
________ Microphone & Cord ________ Hot Pots ________ Do Not Open Labels
________ 3 Way Outlet ________ Zip-Lock Bags
________ Tripod Mounting Plate ________ 25' Power Cord & Power Strip
Finger Print Box ________ 2x2 Gauze Pads
________ Finger Print Cards ________ Black Markers ________ Dna Swab
________ Finger Print Pads ________ First Aid Kit ________ Envelopes
________ Handi Wipes ________ MDS Banner
Equipment
________ Monitors ________ Nuts, Bolts, Washers & Clips (4ea/Set)
________ Name Boards ________ Permission Cards
________ Stanchions ________ Name Dates
________ Height Charts ________ CHIP Bags
________ Tripods ________ Brochures
________ Banners ________ CHIP Pencils
**********************************************************************************************************************************
*********************************************************************************************************************************
Equipment request & pick-up: Contact site manager to schedule pickup & return:
________ Ashland ________ Boston ________ Foxboro ________ Indian Orchard
Pick-up Day & Time:________/________/________ Return:ASAP:________/________/________
*********************************************************************************************************************************
**********************************************************************************************************************************
Complete when returning your equipment: Number of Children # ______ x $ 2.50 = $ ______
CHIP DEPT., Grand Lodge of Masons of Massachusetts, 186 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02111
*Special permission forms are available for “School Based” programs or

programs where permission from the parents is needed in advance of the
actual MYCHIP event.

MYCHIP Publicity Protocol
How to promote your Masonic Youth Child Identification
Program (MYCHIP) using publicity.
Promoting your MYCHIP program through publicity can be an economical
and effective way to insure the success of your Masonic Youth Child
Identification Program. It is less costly than advertising but does require a
measure of effort. Advertising, too, can be effective if a sufficient budget
exists to place newspaper ads or buy radio time. This protocol, however, is
focused on generating effective publicity for your MYCHIP event.
Generally, there are three types of MYCHIP events: 1.) Stand alone where
the Child Identification Program is the only program being conducted;
2.) Integrated where the Masonic MYCHIP program is only one portion
of a larger event. 3.) School-based program during school time. The manner
in which you handle publicity is slightly different for each.
In stand alone MYCHIP programs the entire energy of the PR effort can
be directed toward that event. In shared events it is advisable to interface
with the publicity committee or person for the larger event to make sure
what you say or write about the event conforms with the overall message.
In most cases, you should issue a separate news release for the MYCHIP
event because a paragraph or less is often all the MYCHIP portion might
receive in a “shared” news release. In the latter case, it should be incumbent
upon you to provide copy for the shared news release and also for an event
brochure, and ask to be shown any edits prior to release or publication. Be
sure to extend the same courtesy to your colleagues by framing the larger
event within your specific MYCHIP news release using their copy or
phraseology.
With school-based programs, special care should be taken to interface
with the principal and/or superintendent of schools. Some school systems
have special procedures to protect the privacy of the children and/or
individual children from media coverage. Special procedures to have media
teams get clearance in MYCHIP events at schools should always be
arranged in advance through the proper school authorities.

There are abundant publicity opportunities available in almost every region
of Massachusetts. There are very few areas that are not covered by daily
and/or weekly newspapers, radio stations, television stations, cable TV
companies and even supermarket bulletin boards. In your area hundreds
of people visit your local supermarkets and other stores every day. It’s easy
to prepare a “broadside’ that can be easily duplicated and posted in these
locations. Be sure to ask permission before posting.
Finally, the single element that will be critical to the success or failure of
your promotion is simply—effort. If you make the effort to write a news
release, print or duplicate a flyer and then do the legwork and make the
telephone calls to place these materials in the hands of editors and news
directors, you are almost guaranteed a successful event.
There is one very important thing to remember however. Editors and news
directors owe you or our organization nothing. Press contact is, or should
be, very much a mutually beneficial activity. You are providing them with
information that is of interest to their readers, viewers or listeners and
they are providing you with a forum to deliver your message to people
who have the potential of attending your MYCHIP event. Encourage and
respect that relationship.
You want to reach an audience of people who may potentially participate
in your MYCHIP program. You must convince them in your materials
that your MYCHIP program is worth attending and that it will provide a
benefit for them. The art of preparing the most effective promotional
materials will be discussed, with examples, in the next few pages.
Opportunities for publicity

Many opportunities exist in your area to promote your MYCHIP event.
These include:
• Daily & Weekly Newspapers—news releases and photos

• Radio Stations—news releases and Public Service
Announcement (PSA) scripts
• Television Stations—-news releases and Public Service
Announcement scripts
• Cable TV Systems—Public Service Announcement scripts
• Bulletin Boards/Store Windows—Flyers/broadsides

How to prepare effective news releases
The heading of a news or press release should contain the name of the
organization—such as “Massachusetts Freemasons”—the date that you
want the information to be released, (in most cases: FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE), and the name, telephone number or perhaps email address
where the editor can get additional information. This is illustrated in the
examples we’ve attached.
There are five key elements that MUST be in every piece of promotional
material you develop:
Who
What
Where
Why
When
These five elements should also appear in the very first part of your news
release and, in a condensed form, in the headline. Again look at the
examples to see how they have been incorporated into our sample releases.
Who, of course, could be “Massachusetts Freemasons” or your Lodge or a
group of Lodges in a District. Typically, other sponsoring bodies in our
MYCHIP programs are the Massachusetts Dental Society in MYCHIP
programs that include Toothprints®, and the Massachusetts Crime
Prevention Officers Association.
What is where you describe a Child Identification Program (MYCHIP)
that consists of a brief interview with the child that is recorded on a
videotape cassette to show his or her mannerisms and speech patterns.
Fingerprints are taken (or should be taken) by professional law enforcement
personnel. And, the Toothprint® impression and cheek swab is made by
professional dental personnel. It is very important that you make the
statement that ALL materials are given to the parent or guardian once
the child has been processed. NO materials are retained by the Masons,
dental personnel or police. It is also important to state that the program is
free and no appointment is necessary.
Where and When. You would be amazed at how often a news release
goes out WITHOUT the location, date, and time of the event. This is
not only embarrassing but makes more work for the editor. State these
facts clearly, using the full day and date and using AM or PM to note the
times. If the location is not generally well known, write in short directions

using landmarks, street names and route numbers where possible. Make it
easy for your potential customers to find you. It is sometimes also a good
idea to insert a name and telephone number at the end of the release
where people may call for more information. But unless there is someone
to answer this telephone at least during normal business hours who is
prepared to answer many calls and questions from the general public, it
may be best to leave this out of your release. Be careful.
Why. The reason we do Child Identification Programs is to facilitate the
recovery, and if necessary identification of lost, missing or exploited
children, once they are found. Please consider the enormous sensitivity of
this purpose. No one ever wants to think that his or her child may become
a victim and to dwell on this aspect may even have a negative impact
without the proper explanation. It is best to use phrases such as “to promote
child safety”.
The new MYCHIP brochure handles this in one short paragraph which
may be copied into your release: The Massachusetts Freemasons Child
Identification Program (MYCHIP) addresses the alarming fact that over
1,000,000 children are reported missing in the United States each year. While
most are found, many are not. Also, the abduction of children is both under-
reported and rapidly increasing in our society.
Although the next information comes under the “who” element, it belongs
at the end of the release and is called “the motherhood statement”.
MYCHIP programs are a vital part of our Masonic Awareness Program,
the goal of which is to educate the public as to who Freemasons are and
what we do. We do this by associating Freemasonry with things that are
relatively well known. The following is a typical “motherhood statement”
that belongs at the end of the release but before the final “for more
information” paragraph:
American Freemasonry was created in Massachusetts in 1733 and there are
more than 275 active Masonic Lodges in 170 Massachusetts communities. In
North America Freemasons contribute more $2-million each day to charities.
In Massachusetts, Freemasons operate the Shrine Burns Hospital in Boston
where some 3,000 severely burned children are treated annually without charge.
They also operate the Shriners Orthopedic Hospital in Springfield, and collect
more than 20,000 pints of blood annually—80% of that collected by the Red
Cross. Freemasons in Massachusetts also provide more than $400,000 each
year in college scholarship assistance, promote child safety through state-wide
Child Identification Programs, and sponsor DeMolay Chapters for young men
and Rainbow Assemblies for young women.

This is a lot of information, but it really positions Massachusetts
Freemasonry as a worthwhile organization. This kind of information can
produce a positive image and help change negative perceptions held by
the public and by too many members of the press.
These are the very basics in preparing a news release. There are, of course,
variations and exceptions such when a celebrity or a local political official
has promised to attend the MYCHIP event. This should be written into
the first or second paragraph of the release. As for timing, you should
have your news releases in the hands of the media three to four weeks
prior to the date of your event.
How to prepare a public Service Announcement script

The same news release may be given to both newspaper editors and
broadcast news directors. But, in broadcasting, you have another
opportunity for promotion through public service directors. These are the
people who coordinate announcements or non-paid commercials known
in the trade as PSA’s or public service announcements and are broadcast by
the radio or TV station as a public service. The same script could also be
used for Community Bulletin Board programs and cable TV system bulletin
boards.
PSA’s must contain the same information as in a news release but the
tone can be a little more conversational. For example, you might begin a
PSA script; Parents with children 18 and younger are invited to participate in a
comprehensive Child Identification Program that will be conducted by
Massachusetts Freemasons. The program is free and you’re under no
obligation…etc.
News releases can be as long as two pages as long as they’re tightly written
but PSA’s should not be longer than 30 seconds. That’s about 75 words.
And remember, each number counts for a word.
Preparing broadsides and flyers

With the availability of computer desktop publishing programs it’s
relatively easy to prepare professional-looking broadside or flyer that can
be used effectively in several ways to promote your MYCHIP event. Clip
art with the square & compasses logo is easily accessible from several sites
on the Internet.

They can be inexpensively duplicated at neighborhood copy centers for
distribution to other organizations. Don’t forget to post them on the
bulletin boards of your local supermarkets where they will be seen by moms
and dads of small children who are our prime candidates for participating
in Masonic MYCHIP programs. Remember, though, if you plan to insert
these in your regular Lodge Communication, you must receive permission
from Grand Lodge first.
Many copy centers will also enlarge and duplicate your flyer on index
card stock and many merchants are more than happy to post these in the
windows of their stores. Distributing flyers and getting posters up takes a
lot of legwork but the results make it a very worthwhile activity and an
effective promotional tool.
Placing promotional materials & editorial contact.

All of the news releases, public service announcements and flyers you
worked so hard to produce are only effective if they get used, or placed. A
list of daily and weekly newspapers, radio stations and television stations
is available by contacting the Grand Lodge PR Department. However,
there is a great turnover in the media, so we encourage you to make personal
contact with the editors and news directors in your area. Telephone
numbers are readily accessible in the Yellow Pages as is information on
local cable TV systems.
With the exception of major media outlets such as those in Boston,
Worcester and Springfield, your chances of building a relationship with
local editors and news directors are excellent. Most are anxious to establish
good relations with local civic and service organizations and most will go
out of their way to help you. But you must take the first step.
At the very least, make a telephone call, introduce yourself and your Lodge
and tell the editor a little about the MYCHIP programs and how successful
they have been. Mention that you would like to send them (or better,
deliver in person) a news release about your program and invite them to
attend. You might also mention that kids going through the program make
a wonderful photo opportunity.
If the editor expresses enthusiasm and desires to expand on the information
that you are able to provide, we can provide people for an in-depth
interview. We can also provide experienced people who are available for

broadcast interviews or even to appear on radio and TV talk shows. The
Masonic Youth Child Identification Program provides a wonderful Masonic
awareness vehicle to promote Freemasonry in Massachusetts.
Again, the success of your promotion will directly reflect the effort that
you put into it.
Follow up. You’re not done yet.

If the local media does not cover your event by sending a reporter or
photographer, this gives you another opportunity to prepare and send out
a second news release following your event that contains information
including the number of children processed and how successful it was. If
you’ve taken photos yourself, choose one or two of the best and send them
along with your release.
At very least, if an editor or news director has made the effort to print
your release or broadcast news of your MYCHIP program, send them a
note afterwards thanking them for helping to make the event successful.
No other thing you do will pave the way to making the promotion of your
next event successful, not just for your future MYCHIP programs, but also
for other Lodge activities that you should promote on a regular basis.
Building a positive relationship with your region’s editors will pay dividends
well into the future. The effort is well worth it.
The following is sample copy for a MYCHIP news release:

MYCHIP—The Masonic Youth Child Identification Program—is coming
to Veterans Memorial Stadium Tuesday evening, August 1, 2000 as Quincy
participates in National Night Out for Crime Prevention
Massachusetts Freemasons invite children, age 18 and younger, to
participate in a comprehensive Child Identification Program at the
National Night Out program at the Veterans Memorial Stadium, Hancock
Street & Southern Artery in Quincy on Tuesday evening, August 1, 2000
from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM (Rain date: Tuesday August 8th.) Each child
will have a brief videotape interview, will be fingerprinted by police
personnel, and will have a Toothprint® impression and cheek swab made
by professional dental personnel. All materials are given to the parents
for safekeeping. No copies are kept on file and the program is free to all.

This MYCHIP program is conducted by members of Masonic Lodges in
the Boston 4th and Quincy 26th Masonic Districts in cooperation with
the Massachusetts Dental Society, the Quincy Police Department and
the Quincy Citizens Police Academy. It is estimated that over 200,000
children have already participated in Masonic Youth Child Identification
Programs (MYCHIP) throughout Massachusetts.
The Toothprint® impression is a relatively new means of identification
where the child bites down on a wafer, making a permanent, archivable
record of their teeth. Toothprints® were developed by Dr. David Tesini of
Framingham, a pediatric dentist who developed Toothprints® as another
means of identifying a child that fingerprints alone may not guarantee.
Peter Banks, Director of the National Center for Missing and Exploited
Children, was the first to suggest that the saliva on the Toothprint® wafers
might be a suitable sample for nuclear DNA testing and scent recovery by
bloodhound recovery dogs; both have been clinically documented. It has
been shown that 3 years after a toothprint has been taken, the saliva is
still viable for DNA testing. He also stated that, since the Toothprint®
wafer is sealed in a “zipper”-type plastic bag, enough scent remains for a
trained dog to identify and track it.
Masonic Youth Child Identification programs are held periodically
throughout Massachusetts and may be sponsored by any group but are
generally sponsored by local Masonic Lodges as part of their community
service programs. Many school officials have requested that the program
be brought into the school systems in their municipalities.
When you consider the frightening statistics that over 1-million children
are reported missing in the United States each year, there are over 100,000
attempted abductions by non-family members for the same period, and
over 5,000 Americans remain unidentified, the value of this program is
enormous.
Freemasonry is the oldest and largest fraternal organization in the world.
The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was established in 1733 and is the
third oldest Grand Lodge in the world. Today, there are over 50,000
Freemasons in Massachusetts that meet in more than 275 individual Lodges
in cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth. Grand Master
Jeffrey Black Hodgdon is the latest in a succession of distinguished
Massachusetts Freemasons to hold that office. Previous Grand Masters
include Revolutionary War patriots Paul Revere and General Joseph
Warren.

Freemasons in North America contribute more than $2,000,000 each day
to charity. Freemasons operate the Shriners Burns Hospital in Boston where
more than 750 severely burned children are admitted each year and treated
at no charge. Some 3,700 children are treated each year in the hospital’s
clinic, again at no charge. Freemasons also operate the Shriners Orthopedic
Hospital in Springfield where children are treated at no charge.
Freemasons are responsible for collecting more than 80% of the blood
collected by the Red Cross in Massachusetts—more than 20,000 pints
annually. They also provide more than $400,000 in scholarship assistance
annually. Masonic Lodges promote child safety through statewide Child
Identification Programs. Masonic Lodges also sponsor and support the
Order of DeMolay for young men and the Order of Rainbow for young
women with several active chapters and assemblies here in Massachusetts.
For more information call 1-800-882-1020 or visit the Masonic Youth
Child Identification Program (MYCHIP) web site at: www.mychip.org.
The following is sample copy for radio Public Service

Announcement (PSA):
Massachusetts Freemasons in cooperation with the Massachusetts Dental
Society, the Quincy Police and the Quincy Citizens Police Academy invite
you and your children, age 18 and younger, to participate in a
comprehensive Child Identification Program on Tuesday evening, August
1, 2000 (rain date is August 8th) from 6 PM until 8 PM as Quincy
participates in National Night Out for crime prevention. Your child will
have a brief videotape interview, will be fingerprinted by police personnel,
and will have a Toothprint® impression and cheek swab made by
professional dental personnel. All materials are given to the parents for
safekeeping. No copies are kept on file and the program is free to all. It’s
piece of mind that is well worth your time. No appointment is necessary.
Just walk in, Tuesday, August first from 6 PM until 8 PM at the Veterans
Memorial Stadium, Hancock Street and Southern Artery in Quincy.

The following is sample copy for a newspaper calendar listing:
EVENT: Masonic Youth Child Identification Program—

MYCHIP—featuring Toothprints® sponsored by Masonic
Lodges in the Boston 4th and Quincy 26th Masonic Districts
in cooperation with the Massachusetts Dental Society, the
Quincy Police and the Quincy Citizens Police Academy as
part of Quincy’s participation in National Night Out for
Crime Prevention.
DATE & TIME: Tuesday evening, August 1, 2000 from
6 PM until 8 PM at Veterans Memorial Stadium, Hancock
Street and Southern Artery in Quincy. (Rain Date, Tuesday,
August 8th).
DESCRIPTION: Children 18 and younger will have a brief
videotape interview, will be fingerprinted by police personnel,
and will have a Toothprint® impression and cheek swab made
by professional dental personnel. All materials are given to
the parents for safekeeping. No copies are kept on file and
the program is free to all.

Area Operating Committee Chairmen
MASONIC MYCHIP PROGRAM
January 5, 2005
1. Berkshire 5. Merrimack Valley

Brian Rochelo J. Charles (Charlie) Rutledge
915 Holmes Rd 437 North Avenue
Pittsfield, MA 01201 Haverhill, MA 01830
H: 413-447-9109 H: 978-372-6653
W: 413-499-2410 Cell & Business:
brochelo1@aol.com 978-337-3636
(Easiest way to reach him)
2. Valley chas1putt@msn.com
Neil Hansen
88 Maxwell Rd 6. North Shore
Monson, MA 01057-9428 Paul Gartland
H: 413) 283-8655 46 Hawthorne Circle
Cell: 413) 335-3213 Peabody, MA† 01960
FAX: 413) 284-0190 978-531-0523
nchpddgm33@hotmail.com pgivcv@comcast.net
3. Wachusett 7. Middlesex
Charlie Montalbano Michael Davis
205 Royalston Rd 91 Summer Street
Phillipston, MA 01331 Stoneham, MA 02180
H: 978-249-2337 H: 781-438-1622
W: 978-249-6786 mike.davis@rcn.com
Fax: 978-249-2848
Charlie@montalbano.net 8. East Middlesex
E. Donald Weiner
4. Worcester 140 Mill St
Robbie Burnett Malden, MA 02148-7915
43 Pine Tree Drive H: 781-324-0108
Worcester, MA 01609 edon02148@yahoo.com
508-755-3351
robbieburnett64@att.net 9. North Metropolitan
See East Middlesex or
North Shore

10. Metropolitan Primary MYCHIP Contacts:
Art Hapenney
Chandos L. Bailey, III
PO Box 708
State Co-Director
Norwood, MA 02062-3405
24 Pearl St.
Home/Office Phone:
East Bridgewater, MA
781-762-6903
02333-1742
Pager: 781-649-0940
H: 508-378-2222
a.hapenney@verizon.net
Fax: 508-580-1141
11. South Shore clb3rd@comcast.net
TBA James W. Spurrell
Call Peter Hall State Co-Director
12. Southeastern 135 Littlefield Lane
TBA Marlborough, MA 01752-1796
Call Peter Hall H: 508-481-0523
W: 781-899-0263
13. Cape Cod Fax: 781-647-9854
Edwin Theis DDGMC2@aol.com
223 Hooppull Rd
Mashpee, MA 02649 Kenneth E. Atkins
H: 508-477-7935 (Phone) Assistant Director
H: 508-477-7179 (Fax) (MYCHIP Areas 3,4,5,7)
ethies33@msn.com 19 Adams Street
Littleton, MA 01460-1930
Boston Project: H: 978-486-3355
Steven M. Coan atkins_k@msn.com
99 Theodore Parker Road
West Roxbury, MA 02132 Peter J. Hall
617-271-5008 Assistant Director
wrweather2000@aol.com (MYCHIP Areas 10,11,12,13)
64 Randolph Street
PO Box 123
Canton, MA 02021-0123
H: 781-821-1965
W: 781-551-0066
W Fax: 781-828-9611
Cell: 781-844-3888
worldwasher@comcast.com

Irving Shapiro Grand Lodge Public
Assistant Director Relations Director:
(MYCHIP Areas 5,6,8) Robert H. Huke, Jr.
2 Milk St Extension 1-617-426-6040
Peabody, MA 01960-6145 1-800-882-1020 (in MA only)
H: 978-531-4399 rhuke@glmasons-mass.org
ishap99328@aol.com
Leslie P. Lohnes MYCHIP Equipment Facilities
Assistant Director
Pickup & Return:
(MYCHIP Areas 1,2)
553 Springfield St ASHLAND
Wilbraham, MA 01095 North Star Lodge
H: 413-596-4882 54 Front Street
W: 413-594-3348 Ashland, MA 01721
llohnes@dielectrics.com Phone/Fax: (508) 881-4013
Burgess E. Nichols Primary Contact:
MYCHIP Coordinator, Bob Winterhalter
the Grand Lodge H: 508-881-3075
Grand Lodge ccwinterhalter@aol.com
186 Tremont St Assistants:
(Masonic Building) Scott C. Ramgoolam
Boston, MA 02111 H: 508-620-3907
617-426-6040 x4214 scott@ramgoolam.org
800-882-1020 x4214 Jeff Powers
Fax: 617-426-6115 H: 508-308-3138
CHIP@glmasons-mass.org Jeffpow@aol.com
Webmaster: FOXBOROUGH
Paul Ciccotelli St. Albans Lodge
bropaulciccotelli@yahoo.com 12 Rockhill Street
508-291-7953 Foxboro, MA 02035
Phone: 508-543-5325

Primary Contact: Information regarding
Bill Roberts Clown Participation at a
H: 508-543-9821 MYCHIP Event:
billroberts40@comcast.net From: Barry Patterson
Email: barrywpatterson@aol.com
INDIAN ORCHARD
If you wish to have a Shrine clown
Indian Orchard Lodge
at your MYCHIP event, you must
149 Berkshire Street
write a letter requesting clowns at
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
least 60 days before the event. Your
Primary Contact: letter should be addressed to:
Neil Hansen
Potentate
H: 413-283-8655
Shriners Auditorium
Cell: 413-335-3213
PO Box 1008
Fax: 413-284-0190
Wilmington, MA 01887-0578
nchpddgm33@hotmail.com
This will filter down to Barry
GRAND LODGE Patterson who will try to fill your
186 Tremont Street request.
Boston, MA 02111
Voice: 617-426-6040
Voice: 800-882-1020 (in MA)
Fax: 617-426-6115

MYCHIP Areas – Listed by Town
Abington ........................... South Shore Boston ............................. Metropolitan
Acton ................................... Middlesex Bourne .................................. Cape Cod
Acushnet ........................ Southeastern Boxborough ..................... Metropolitan
Adams .................................. Berkshire Boxford ............................. North Shore
Agawam ..................................... Valley Bolyston .............................. Worcester
Alford ................................... Berkshire Bradford ................... Merrimack Valley
Allston ............................. Metropolitan Braintree ........................... South Shore
Amesbury ........................ North. Shore Brewster ............................... Cape Cod
Amherst ...................................... Valley Bridgewater ...................... South Shore
Andover .............................. Merrimack Brighton .......................... Metropolitan
Arlington ............................. Middlesex Brimfield ..................................... Valley
Ashburnham ........................ Wachusett Brockton ........................... South Shore
Ashby .................................. Wachusett Brookfield ............................ Worcester
Ashfield ...................................... Valley Brookline ......................... Metropolitan
Ashland ........................... Metropolitan Bryantville ........................ South Shore
Assonet .......................... Southeastern Buckland ..................................... Valley
Athol .................................... Wachusett Burlington ........................... Middlesex
Attleboro ........................ Southeastern
Auburn ................................ Worcester Cambridge ........................... Middlesex
Auburndale ...................... Metropolitan Canton .............................. South Shore
Avon ................................. South Shore Carlisle ............................ Metropolitan
Ayer ..................................... Wachusett Carver ............................... South Shore
Centerville ............................ Cape Cod
Baldwinville ......................... Wachusett Charlemont ................................. Valley
Barnstable ............................ Cape Cod Charlestown .................... Metropolitan
Barre .................................... Worcester Charlton ............................... Worcester
Beachmont ............ North Metropolitan Chartley .......................... Southeastern
Beckett ................................. Berkshire Chatham ............................... Cape Cod
Bedford ................................ Middlesex Chelmsford ............... Merrimack Valley
Belchertown ............................... Valley Chelsea .................. North Metropolitan
Bellingham ...................... Metropolitan Cheshire ............................... Berkshire
Belmont ............................... Middlesex Chester ....................................... Valley
Berkley ........................... Southeastern Chesterfield ................................ Valley
Berlin ................................... Worcester Chestnut Hill .................... Metropolitan
Bernardston ................................ Valley Chicopee ..................................... Valley
Beverly ............................. North Shore Chicopee Falls ............................ Valley
Billerica .................... Merrimack Valley Chilmark ............................... Cape Cod
Blackstone ........................... Worcester Clarksburg ............................ Berkshire
Blandford .................................... Valley Clinton ................................. Worcester
Bolton .................................. Wachusett Cohasset ........................... South Shore

MYCHIP Areas – Listed by Town (continued)
Colrain ........................................ Valley Fairhaven ........................ Southeastern

Concord ............................... Middlesex Fall River ........................ Southeastern
Conway ....................................... Valley Falmouth .............................. Cape Cod
Cotuit .................................... Cape Cod Farnumsville ........................ Worcester
Cummington .............................. Valley Fitchburg ........................... Wachusetts
Dalton ................................... Berkshire Florence ...................................... Valley
Danvers ............................ North Shore Florida ................................. Berkshires
Dartmouth ...................... Southeastern Foxborough ..................... Metropolitan
Dedham ........................... Metropolitan Framingham .................... Metropolitan
Deerfield ..................................... Valley Franklin ............................ Metropolitan
Dennis .................................. Cape Cod Freetown ......................... Southeastern
Dighton ........................... Southeastern
Dorchester ....................... Metropolitan Gardner ............................... Wachusett
Douglas ............................... Worcester Gay Head .............................. Cape Cod
Dover ............................... Metropolitan Georgetown ...................... North Shore
Dracut ....................... Merrimack Valley Gill .............................................. Valley
Dudley ................................. Worcester Gloucester ........................ North Shore
Dunstable ........................ Metropolitan Goshen ....................................... Valley
Duxbury ............................ South Shore Grafton ................................ Worcester
Granby ........................................ Valley
East Boston .......... North Metropolitan Granville ..................................... Valley
East Bridgewater .............. South Shore Great Barrington ................... Berkshire
East Brookfield .................. Worchester Greenfield ................................... Valley
East Dennis .......................... Cape Cod Groton ................................. Wachusett
East Douglas ........................ Cape Cod Groveland ................. Merrimack Valley
East Falmouth ....................... Cape Cod
East Longmeadow ...................... Valley Hadley ........................................ Valley
East Orleans ......................... Cape Cod Halifax .............................. South Shore
East Weymouth ................ South Shore Hamilton ........................... North Shore
Eastham ............................... Cape Cod Hampden .................................... Valley
Easthampton .............................. Valley Hancock .............................. Berskshire
Easton .............................. South Shore Hanover ............................ South Shore
Edgartown ............................ Cape Cod Hanson ............................. South Shore
Egremont .............................. Berkshire Hardwick ............................. Worcester
Erving ......................................... Valley Harvard ............................... Wachusett
Essex ................................ North Shore Harwich ................................ Cape Cod
Everett .......................... East Middlesex Harwich Center ..................... Cape Cod
Harwish Port ........................ Cape Cod
Hatfield ....................................... Valley
Haverhill ................... Merrimack Valley

Hawley ........................................ Valley Lowell ....................... Merrimack Valley

Heath .......................................... Valley Ludlow ....................................... Valley
Hingham ........................... South Shore Lunenburg ........................... Wachusett
Hinsdale ............................... Berkshire Lynn ................................. North Shore
Holbrook ........................... South Shore Lynnfield ........................... North Shore
Holden ................................. Worcester
Holland ....................................... Valley Magnolia ........................... North Shore
Holliston .......................... Metropolitan Malden ......................... East Middlesex
Holyoke ...................................... Valley Manchester ...................... North Shore
Hopedale ............................. Worcester Manomet .......................... South Shore
Hopkinton ........................ Metropolitan Mansfield ........................ Southeastern
Hubbardston ....................... Wachusett Marblehead ...................... North Shore
Hudson ................................ Worcester Marion ............................ Southeastern
Hull ................................... South Shore Marlborough ....................... Worcester
Huntington ................................. Valley Marshfield ........................ South Shore
Hyannis ................................ Cape Cod Marshfield Hills ................ South Shore
Hyde Park ........................ Metropolitan Mashpee ............................... Cape Cod
Matapoisett .................... Southeastern
Indian Orchard ........................... Valley Mattapan ......................... Metropolitan
Ipswich ............................. North Shore Maynard .......................... Metropolitan
Medfield .......................... Metropolitan
Jamaica Plain .................. Metropolitan Medford ........................ East Middlesex
Medway ........................... Metropolitan
Kingston ........................... South Shore Melrose ........................ East Middlesex
Mendon ............................... Worcester
Lakeville ......................... Southeastern Merrimack ................ Merrimack Valley
Lancaster ............................. Wachusett Methuen ................... Merrimack Valley
Lanesborough ...................... Berkshire Middleboro ..................... Southeastern
Lawrence .................. Merrimack Valley Middlefield .................................. Valley
Lee ....................................... Berkshire Middleton ......................... North Shore
Leicester .............................. Worcester Milford ................................. Worcester
Lenox ................................... Berkshire Mill River .............................. Berkshire
Leominster .......................... Wachusett Millbury ............................... Worcester
Leverett ...................................... Valley Millis ................................ Metropolitan
Lexington ............................ Middlesex Millville ................................ Worcester
Leydon ....................................... Valley Milton ............................... South Shore
Lincoln ................................ Middlesex Monroe ....................................... Valley
Littleton ........................... Metropolitan Monson ...................................... Valley
Longmeadow .............................. Valley Montague ................................... Valley

Monterey .............................. Berkshire North Truro ........................... Cape Cod

Montgomery ............................... Valley North Weymouth ...... South Weymouth
Mount Washington ............... Berkshire Northampton .............................. Valley
Northborough ...................... Worcester
Nahant .............................. North Shore Northfield ................................... Valley
Nantucket ............................. Cape Cod Norton ............................ Southeastern
Natick .............................. Metropolitan Norwell ............................. South Shore
Needham ......................... Metropolitan Norwood ......................... Metropolitan
Needham Heights ............ Metropolitan
New Ashford ......................... Berkshire Oak Bluffs ............................. Cape Cod
New Bedford ................... Southeastern Oakham ............................... Worcester
New Braintree ...................... Worcester Onset .............................. Southeastern
New Marlborough ................ Berkshire Orange ........................................ Valley
New Salem ................................. Valley Orleans ................................. Cape Cod
Newbury ........................... North Shore Osterville .............................. Cape Cod
Newburyport .................... North Shore Otis ....................................... Berkshire
Newton ............................ Metropolitan Oxford ................................. Worcester
Newton Center ................. Metropolitan
Newton Highlands ........... Metropolitan Palmer ........................................ Valley
Newton Upper Falls ......... Metropolitan Paxton ................................. Worcester
Newtonville ...................... Metropolitan Peabody ........................... North Shore
Norfolk ............................ Metropolitan Pelham ....................................... Valley
North Abington ................. South Shore Pembroke ......................... South Shore
North Adams ........................ Berkshire Pepperell ............................. Wachusett
North Andover .......... Merrimack Valley Peru ...................................... Berkshire
North Attleboro .............. Southeastern Petersham ........................... Wachusett
North Billerica .......... Merrimack Valley Phillipston ........................... Wachusett
North Brookfield .................. Worcester Pittsfield ............................... Berkshire
North Chatham ..................... Cape Cod Plainfield .................................... Valley
North Chelmsford ..... Merrimack Valley Plainville .......................... Metropolitan
North Dartmouth ............ Southeastern Plymouth .......................... South Shore
North Eastham ..................... Cape Cod Plympton ........................ Southeastern
North Easton .................... South Shore Pocasset ............................... Cape Cod
North Falmouth .................... Cape Cod Princeton ............................. Wachusett
North Grafton ...................... Worcester Provincetown ....................... Cape Cod
North Quincy .................... South Shore
North Reading .............. East Middlesex Quincy .............................. South Shore
North Scituate .................. South Shore

Randolph .......................... South Shore South Dennis ........................ Cape Cod

Raynham ........................ Southeastern South Easton .................... South Shore
Reading ........................ East Middlesex South Grafton ...................... Worcester
Rehoboth ........................ Southeastern South Hadley .............................. Valley
Revere ................... North Metropolitan South Hamilton ................ North Shore
Richmond ............................. Berkshire South Lancaster .................. Wachusett
Rochester ....................... Southeastern South Lawrence ....... Merrimack Valley
Rockland .......................... South Shore South Natick .................... Metropolitan
Rockport ........................... North Shore South Orleans ....................... Cape Cod
Roslindale ....................... Metropolitan South Wellfleet ..................... Cape Cod
Rowe .......................................... Valley South Weymouth ............. South Shore
Rowley ............................. North Shore South Yarmouth ................... Cape Cod
Roxbury ........................... Metropolitan Southampton .............................. Valley
Royalston ............................ Wachusett Southborough ..................... Worcester
Russell ....................................... Valley Southbridge ......................... Worcester
Rutland ................................ Worcester Southwick .................................. Valley
Spencer ............................... Worcester
Sagamore Beach .................. Cape Cod Springfield .................................. Valley
Salem ............................... North Shore Sterling ................................ Wachusett
Salisbury ......................... North Shore Stockbridge .......................... Berkshire
Sandisfield ............................ Berkshire Stoneham ..................... East Middlesex
Sandwich .............................. Cape Cod Stoughton ........................ South Shore
Saugus ............................. North Shore Stow ................................ Metropolitan
Savoy ................................... Berkshire Sturbridge ........................... Worcester
Scituate ............................ South Shore Sudbury ........................... Metropolitan
Seekonk .......................... Southeastern Sunderland ................................. Valley
Sharon ............................. Metropolitan Sutton .................................. Worcester
Sheffield ............................... Berkshire Swampscott ..................... North Shore
Shelburne ................................... Valley Swansea ......................... Southeastern
Shelburne Falls ........................... Valley
Sherborn ......................... Metropolitan Taunton .......................... Southeastern
Shirley ................................. Wachusett Templeton ............................ Wachusett
Shrewsbury ......................... Worcester Tewksbury ................ Merrimack Valley
Shutesbury ................................. Valley Three Rivers ............................... Valley
Somerset ........................ Southeastern Tisbury ................................. Cape Cod
Somerville ....................... Metropolitan Tolland ........................................ Valley
South Attleboro .............. Southeastern Topsfield ........................... North Shore
South Boston .................. Metropolitan Townsend ............................ Wachusett
South Dartmouth ............ Southeastern Truro ..................................... Cape Cod
South Deerfield .......................... Valley Turners Falls ............................... Valley

Tyngsborough .......... Merrimack Valley Westfield .................................... Valley

Tyringham ............................ Berkshire Westford ................... Merrimack Valley
Westhampton ............................. Valley
Upton .................................. Worcester Westminster ........................ Wachusett
Uxbridge .............................. Worcester Weston ............................ Metropolitan
Westport ......................... Southeastern
Vineyard Haven .................... Cape Cod Westwood ....................... Metropolitan
Weymouth ........................ South Shore
Waban ............................. Metropolitan Whatley ...................................... Valley
Wakefield ...................... East Middlesex Whitinsville .......................... Worcester
Wales .......................................... Valley Whitman ........................... South Shore
Walpole ........................... Metropolitan Wilbraham .................................. Valley
Waltham .............................. Middlesex Williamsburg .............................. Valley
Ware ........................................... Valley Williamstown ........................ Berkshire
Wareham ........................ Southeastern Wilmington .......................... Middlesex
Warren ................................. Worcester Winchendon ........................ Wachusett
Warwick ..................................... Valley Winchester .......................... Middlesex
Washington .......................... Berkshire Windsor ................................ Berkshire
Watertown ........................... Middlesex Winthrop ............... North Metropolitan
Wayland .......................... Metropolitan Woburn ........................ East Middlesex
Webster ............................... Worcester Woods Hole .......................... Cape Cod
Wellesley ......................... Metropolitan Worcester ............................ Worcester
Wellesley Hills ................. Metropolitan Worthington ............................... Valley
Wellfleet ............................... Cape Cod Wrentham ........................ Metropolitan
Wendell ...................................... Valley
Wenham ........................... North Shore Yarmouth .............................. Cape Cod
West Bridgewater ............. South Shore Yarmouthport ....................... Cape Cod
West Boylston ..................... Worcester
West Hanover ................... South Shore
West Harwich ....................... Cape Cod
West Medford ............... East Middlesex
West Newbury .................. North Shore
West Newton ................... Metropolitan
West Roxbury .................. Metropolitan
West Somerville .................. Middlesex
West Springfield ......................... Valley
West Stockbridge ............... Berkshire
West Tisbury ........................ Cape Cod
West Yarmouth ..................... Cape Cod
Westborough ....................... Worcester


Mychip Manual 2005

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GRAND LODGE

1. Read and follow the MYCHIP protocol.

2. Form your local committee (if not already done).

3. Contact your Area Chairman (if you are not sure

4. The Area Chairman will list your MYCHIP event

5. The Area Chairman will submit your equipment

6. Arrange and/or send out press releases at

7. Do site check at least one week in advance.

8. Confirm all commitments one week in advance.

9. HAVE A GREAT MYCHIP EVENT!

10. Send “Thank you” NOTES to all participants.

MYCHIP Organization Protocol ........................................ 5

MYCHIP Operations Protocol ......................................... 15

MYCHIP Operations Manual 2005 1

2 MYCHIP Operations Manual 2005

MYCHIP is the most comprehensive child identification pro-

The program consists of four major components: 1) a brief videotaped

MYCHIP also provides Masons with the opportunity to bring before

MYCHIP Operations Manual 2005 3

This section of the “Blue Book” is designed to bring forth protocols

We thank you for your interest in MYCHIP and your efforts in

4 MYCHIP Operations Manual 2005

For the purposes of MYCHIP the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

A) MYCHIP State Organizing Committee will be made up of the

The MYCHIP State Organizing Committee (SOC) will perform and

MYCHIP Operations Manual 2005 5

B) MYCHIP Area Organizing Committee will be made up of the

The MYCHIP Area Organizing Committee (AOC) will perform and

6 MYCHIP Operations Manual 2005

C) MYCHIP Local Organizing Committee (LOC) will be made up of

The LOC is “event specific” meaning that it is responsible

MYCHIP Operations Manual 2005 7

The MYCHIP Local Organizing Committee (LOC) will perform and

Initiation of MYCHIP Events:

A) General Guidelines – Anyone may initiate inquiry into a local

8 MYCHIP Operations Manual 2005

B) School Events – Experience has showed that MYCHIP provided

The best way to approach a school system is by building community

Organization is particularly important in school based events. It is

It is particularly difficult to provide Masonic manpower for school

In school based programs the parents will typically give permission

MYCHIP Operations Manual 2005 9

Suggested School MYCHIP Protocol

School events require the LOC (Local Organizing Committee) to pay

One of the things that is misunderstood about the MYCHIP program

After the formal approval of the Masonic MYCHIP Program by the

10 MYCHIP Operations Manual 2005

School permission cards are available by requesting them from the

These permission cards should be mailed at least 6-8 weeks prior to

MYCHIP Operations Manual 2005 11

Students should have nothing to eat or drink, except water, 30

12 MYCHIP Operations Manual 2005

C) Community MYCHIP Events-The varieties of community events

Community events also have shown to be fertile areas for promoting

After a Community Event has been conceived, the local committee

MYCHIP Operations Manual 2005 13

D) Stand Alone Events-Events held with the sole purpose of presenting

14 MYCHIP Operations Manual 2005

General setup and flow patterns

MYCHIP Operations Manual 2005 15

Ordering of Supplies from Grand Lodge

Additional inventory supplied by Grand Lodge includes:

16 MYCHIP Operations Manual 2005

MYCHIP Operations Manual 2005 17

Event Date:// Name:___________________________________________