Charity Steward (December 2007)
At the Provincial Grand Lodge meeting in October the PGM exhorted each of us to strengthen our resolve and remain focused on the 2010 Festival Appeal. As at the end of October, 92 lodges had achieved honorific status of which 10 lodges had achieved Grand Patron status. Many of these are continuing to raise funds towards the appeal over and above their declared aim. Such resolve is highly commendable and demonstrates that a concerted and joint effort among Brethren can achieve such a successful outcome. There is a view that lodges achieving such status mid-way through the appeal are those with a large membership. In some measure this could be true however, a number of lodges have a membership of 20 to 30 Brethren only, some of whom are not active members. The question I ask is that if 92 lodges can demonstrate their willingness to fulfil their Masonic obligations, what is preventing the remaining 32 lodges from demonstrating that same willingness?
I continue to hear reference to the RMTGB as not being a ‘true’ Masonic charity, but an outlet to put ‘rich kids through higher education’. Aside from being inaccurate it demonstrates that such detractors have little insight and knowledge of the Masonic charities as a whole. Now whether this is a failing of myself or lodge Charity Stewards when addressing the work of our charities is unknown but then, if a minority close their ears to the promise made at the north-east part of the lodge, it has lost its relevance.
Lodge Secretaries have been advised that I propose visiting lodges during 2008 and that the relevant Festival Coordinator shall be accompanying me. This will serve two purposes – one, to ensure Brethren know who their Festival Coordinator is, and two, to allow me the opportunity of supporting the lodge Charity Steward while updating Brethren on the progress of the appeal, and to give a résumé on how the Province proposes to celebrate the end of the appeal. In addition, it will give Brethren the opportunity to ask questions, should time permit, on the appeal in general or the RMTGB in particular. These discussions can easily be continued at the festive board after the meeting.
Referring again to those among us who feel indisposed towards the RMTGB, I submit two case studies in the hope you can be persuaded to change your views on the excellent and profoundly important work undertaken by the Trust.
Case Study 1
Recently the trust accepted a Petition on behalf of a four-year old girl who was tragically struck down with meningitis in July last year. Even though her condition was diagnosed early, her body began to shut down. The meningitis prevented blood from circulating to her limbs causing tissue to die.
Within twelve days, she had lost both legs and her left arm, but she is a survivor. Despite her disabilities, she is a happy and lively child, has already been fitted with prosthetic limbs and is looking forward to starting at Primary School.
To care for her daughter, the mother has given up full time employment. The Trust is now ready to support both mother and daughter whenever the need arises.
Case Study 2
She was only a month old when her father was tragically killed in a road traffic accident. Her grandfather had joined the Craft at the age of 40, but died suddenly of cancer shortly after completing his Third Degree, eleven years before she was even born.
When she was one year old this little girl was diagnosed with cerebral palsy; she attended a special needs infant school then transferred to mainstream education at the age of eleven.
The maternal grandmother, the widow of the qualifying Freemason, has given great support to her daughter emotionally and financially. Over the last 20 years she has shared the responsibility of caring for her granddaughter and has also contributed to the deposit required towards the deposit of a mobility car.
The Trust accepted a petition on behalf of this girl (now a young woman) in 2004 when the additional cost of supporting a child at university simply became too much.
Despite her medical condition, she had displayed an incredible determination to live life to the full and has just completed a four-year BA degree at the University of Swansea where she attained a 2:1 and also received an award for being the ‘student who contributed most to the department’.
If there are Brethren still convinced that the RMTGB is not a ‘true’ Masonic charity, and should you belong to a lodge that I propose visiting next year, please confront me to explain your reasoning and convince me that you are right!
….and Finally
I take this opportunity of wishing you all and your families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and I look forward to seeing you all during 2008.
Bob Chevin
Provincial Grand Charity Steward