PGM's Focus - March 2008

For once I am not struggling to find the time to write my quarterly update; indeed I am sat on a British Airways 777 aircraft en route to Barbados, very happy to have cleared the perimeter fence and enjoying a glass of champagne with Doreen. Nor am I short of material as a direct result of what I can only describe as an exciting start to 2008.

The vast majority of Lodge Reports are in for 2007 and what a year that turned out to be:

• In 2004 as Assistant Provincial Grand Master, at the behest of Lord Burnham, I had completed a survey which indicated that within four years 32% of our New Initiates were either not attending or were resigning membership of their Lodges. What was abundantly clear was that retention was a major cause of our downward membership trend. We immediately drew the attention of our Lodges to this awful state of affairs, and began to communicate the necessity to recognise the needs of ‘modern man’. The manner in which Lodges responded has been exemplary, indeed by 2006 we had reduced the figure to 24% and while seeking to make further improvement in early 2007 we moved our attention to recruitment. Whilst we still await a few Lodge reports the current loss rate for 2007 stands at 18%, a truly amazing turnaround.
• The 2007 results for recruitment are just as exciting. Some thirty Lodges have invited APGM Cliff Drake to deliver his Recruitment Seminar from which Lodges have responded in a totally positive ‘can do’ manner. This coupled with our Freemasonry in the Community initiative has resulted in us recruiting some 146 new initiates, up 16% on the previous year and easily beating our target.
• We have also raised excess of £1.4 million toward our aim of £2 million for the 2010 RMTGB Festival and the ongoing support and enthusiasm of Lodges toward the Festival encourages me to believe that we shall be proud of the end result.

The beginning of 2008 has been perhaps the busiest time of my tenure as PGM. There have been many highlight in the first forty days since the New Year.

• We have held two receptions for Initiates and their Ladies. Doreen and I find these meetings tremendously fulfilling. The enthusiasm of new members towards their Lodges clearly reflects why retention rates have improved and, in addition, the fact that Lodges are recognising the importance of social events and the inclusion of our Ladies is perceived as very positive by partners.
• I have visited ten Lodges in the first few weeks of the year, three of them among the smallest in the Province. The atmosphere at each was highly commendable and left me in no doubt that our Lodges and their members are really enjoying themselves at meetings. The most motivating element was seeing older members spending time talking to, encouraging and having fun with their newcomers.
• Our Executive Meeting reviewed every aspect of our ‘modernisation’ and ‘Freemasonry in the Community’ programmes, as well as Training and Development. I can report that each of these areas is progressing at a pace thanks to the ‘safe hands’ of the Brethren involved.
• Then of course we had the Boxing Event, a sell out, at the Café Royal in London. Those present reported it as an outstanding success and, while the figures are not yet available, it most certainly produced serious money for our Care in the Community and 2010 Festival Projects. Congratulations to all the organisers.
• My final comment relates to our Visiting Officers. Since we introduced the new scheme some eighteen months ago we have involved some fifty Provincial Officers in addition to our twenty four Grand Officers. The integration of new VOs to the Lodges where they are charged to act as Mentors, Communicators and Friends has been very successful and the benefits of this change are being seen at every level of the Province.

What of the next three months? Well, we shall shortly learn which of our Brethren are to be honoured by the Grand Master at his April Investiture Meeting and, of course, the Province will be particularly busy in identifying those that are to be Appointed and Promoted at our next Provincial Grand Meeting.

Members will be interested to know that the Provincial Grand Superintendent, Excellent Companion Dr Richard Neale is to hold his meeting on the 31st March and I do, on his behalf, encourage all Royal Arch members to give him your support. For those Craft members that have yet to join the Royal Arch, I encourage you to seek out those in your Lodge that wear Royal Arch Jewels and enquire about the benefits of joining. If you are a member of both the Craft and the Holy Royal Arch, why not consider becoming a Mark Mason, a member of the Rose Croix or other excellent Masonic Orders, all detailed in the Bucks Masonic Year Book. Each allows you to extend your Masonic knowledge and to create new friends and interests.

May I remind Lodge Masters and Wardens that you are entitled to attend Grand Lodge which has forthcoming meetings on the 12th March and 11th June 2008. This Province is always well represented and we can now offer you the opportunity of having lunch with the Provincial Executive, Grand Officers and other Masons from across our great Province after the meeting. If you are interested why not call Vic Dorman, Provincial Grand Secretary for further information.

Well that is it for this quarter, it only remains for me to encourage you and, where applicable, your wives/partners, to enjoy the many late winter and spring activities that Freemasonry has to offer.

Ray Reed.