History of Masonic Child ID Programs

Masonic Child Identification Programs spontaneously sprung up in the 1980s on both the East and West coast as Masons in law enforcements asked their local Lodge to provide funds to cover costs of materials to “roll” fingerprint and take Polaroid still pictures for parent at local community events. By 1990 with the advancing technology of the computer and VHS video recording the Masons were eager to implement these upgrades into their free public service.

• 1990 Grand Lodge of California formalized a state-wide “Kids ID” program for their Lodges implementing computers physical description, still photo and fingerprints.
• 1990 Grand Lodge of New York formalized a state-wide “Child ID” program for their Lodges adding a VHS video recorded interview to the physical description card and rolled finger prints.
• By this time many other Masonic Lodges across North America were engaged in Child/Kids Id as a free public service for parents to take home for safe keeping and provide to law enforcement if and when their child became reported missing.
• Masonic Child Identification Programs was born and became a great fit with the Masons as they had the management skills to plan and execute the events, the resources to purchase equipment and supplies and the volunteer manpower to get the job done.
• 2004 Conference of Grand Masters forms a standing Committee on Child Identification Program Support (CHIP).
• 2005 Masonichip Support honds "Worker Bee Workshops" gathering all engaged in Masonic Id for a brainstorming.
• 2006 Masonichip Support collaborates with six Grand Lodges to develop an internet Server System as tools to allow volunteer committee to manage Child ID initiatives online 24/7 and relieve burden from Grand Lodge office staff.
• 2007 Masonichip Support Committee receives "Special Award of Commendation" from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for its commitment, inspiration and dedication to providing a safer America.
• 2008 Masonichip International, Inc is approved to be formed by the Conference of Grand Masters.
• 2009 Masonichip International receives final declaration as a 501(c)(3) public charity from the Internal Revenue Service.
• To date it is estimated, over 1.5 million parents have received completed packs of identifying items of their children at Masonic Child Identification Program public events.
• 2010 Masonichip International partners with the Take 25 Campaign of the National Center to spearhead inclusion of a consistent Safety Education and evolve as "Comprehensive Masonic Safety Education and Identification Programs.