PGM's Focus (September 2007)
Welcome back to a new season after such awful summer weather conditions in the UK. I do hope that you and your families managed to enjoy a break regardless of the lack of sunshine.
As we move into a new Masonic season many Lodges are preparing for their Installations and this, coupled with our Provincial Grand Lodge Meeting on the 22nd October at Freemasons’ Hall, means a heavy period of activity for the Executive team. Do please come and support colleagues from your own Lodge and Masonic friends that are being appointed or promoted this year. We have a very full agenda which includes the investiture of Mike Stimson as an Assistant Provincial Grand Master and I shall be taking the opportunity to focus on our 2008 objectives as well as commenting on the many great things that have occurred in 2007.
Perhaps it is opportune to remind ourselves of things that are presently taking place and to highlight key tasks.
A major objective is to achieve the 2010 RMTGB Festival aim of providing £2 million toward the continued success of the RMTGB. We have had a very successful first two years and currently the total stands at £1.2 million thanks to the generosity of around 40% of our brethren. I must repeat my view that, while we naturally accept that ‘through unavoidable circumstances’ some can no longer give freely, it is certainly not 60%. I am therefore asking my Executive, Festival Co-ordinators and Visiting Officers to double their efforts in talking to both Charity Stewards and Masters of Lodges that are contributing at low level. We are the only Hallstone Province in the world and we must enthuse our brethren to continue our great tradition of charitable giving. I encourage every Charity Steward, directly and unashamedly, to approach those that can afford to but do not give freely and to test their consciences. Please remember, persistence pays. I just wish I had the ‘bottle’ to take wine with those that are supporting the Festival as I visit Lodges, perhaps that would be unfair but it is very tempting.
In 2007, our objective is to increase the number of initiates by 30% and we are on target to achieve this. During the summer every member has had a letter from me with two new brochures intended to assist then in talking more openly about the Craft in their local communities and also to better recognise how to approach prospective initiates. The information contained within those brochures has been specifically developed in order to attract new members, especially younger people. As one of the ‘old boys’ within the Province some of the contents of our brochure caught me by surprise when I saw the first draft but, having spoken to many younger members, seen the results of those surveyed prior to releasing the documents and knowing the response we get from our Freemasonry in the Community activities I am totally convinced that the brochures carry the right message. So come on Brethren, let’s talk to families and friends and people within our local communities in order to identify additional really good candidates and attract them into our Lodges.
We have also placed much effort into retaining new members and that is paying off handsomely. Our North East Corner Clubs, specifically designed to allow new members to meet like minded people from other Lodges and to develop their Masonic knowledge beyond the ritual are proving a great success. The majority of new members are now attending NECC meetings.
For many years the Manor Class of Instruction at Bletchley has had outstanding success in providing summer tuition, indeed the quality and enthusiasm of members that attend the class is very apparent. Congratulations to all involved. I am delighted to say that a similar Class been set up for the Marlow and Beaconsfield areas. I recently read Peter Bennett’s ‘end of term report’; brilliant is the only word that comes to mind. It’s a delight to hear how many have attended the meetings, the value they have provided and the support generated.
Brethren if you have information on anything occurring within the Province which you believe is novel and exciting please let me know, I love to read about what Lodges are achieving and what is occurring within the Province. Please though do not expect a response, I am sure that you realise that an ‘ageing’ PGM can only do so much.
Between now and Christmas we have a very heavy season, my Executive and I are planning to be out and about at three or four Lodges per week as well as other events. As you see us at Lodges do introduce yourself if we have not met. I look forward to seeing many people in the next three months especially at our Provincial Gala Evening on the 6th October and at the Provincial Grand Lodge meeting on the 22nd October 2007.
In the mean time, my thanks to so many that are assisting us to retain and continuously improve our historic ‘Culture of Excellence’ in this great Province of Buckinghamshire.
Ray Reed