PGM's Focus (June 2007)
There are some amazing things happening in Freemasonry in general and our Province in particular. Perhaps as we approach the summer recess it would be appropriate to consider some of the news worthy aspects of what is occurring.
Recruitment, Retention and Retrieval has been at the top of our agenda for three years now. Having tackled Retention over this period all the signs are that Lodges and members have pulled out all the stops to improve matters, and year on year we have seen a 33% improvement which is a truly brilliant result.
Then of course at our last Provincial meeting we turned attention to recruitment and I can inform you that we are currently on target to meet our objective and increase the number of new initiates by 30%. Doreen and I recently attended a Casino Night at Windsor Racecourse for Lodges that have had difficulty finding new initiates and equally, in most cases, are too small to have their own Social Functions. What a difference a year makes, thirteen of our smallest Lodges have recruited 21 new members and 16 joining members between them, a brilliant result that shows our ‘Crisis Management Scheme’ is working well. Then of course we have introduced ‘Exit Interviews’ another highly successful venture which is now helping our retrieval program. All these factors add up to great news for the future.
The next key objective for 2007 relates to the RMTGB 2010 Festival. Brethren our appeal is progressing far beyond my expectations, we have passed the £1.2 million figure and are well on target. It is also truly staggering that Lodges have so many events taking place this summer and that in itself will not only help the appeal but just as important is creating many more social events as called for, especially by our ladies, in recent surveys. I would also mention Grenville Lodge and in particular Gavin Lannan. Gavin has just completed a sponsored ‘bike ride’ from Lands End to John O’Groats, he must be mad. Outstanding contribution Gavin, quite an amazing achievement. Thank you to all those that are so actively involved, to others that have still to contribute please spare a thought for those not as fortunate as yourselves and donate, by gift aid if possible.
Our third Key task for 2007 related to Freemasonry within the Community. We are seeing some outstanding progress in this area so let me give you a flavour of what is being done by mentioning some of the events so far.
On the 29th June we had the privilege of holding the Masonic Trout and Salmon Fishing event known as ‘the Biggie’. What a wonderful experience for 64 handicapped children to enjoy a days fishing at Mursley. May I thank everyone who helped, the Castors, the Kitchen team, Administrators, Health and Safety and Medical people and others that worked so hard to make this event a great success. Congratulations and thanks to all at the MSTFC for all they have brought to Care in the Community. Their two captions are ‘Fishing in the face of adversity’ and ‘Catch the smile’. Well this time not only did fishing catch the smile, but the Fire Service allowed us to have a Fire Engine present and to see these kids, many in wheelchairs, operating high pressure hoses was an inspiration to all, they certainly caught a smile, I think Freemasons and their Ladies perhaps ‘shed a tear’. The highlight for all Masons present was the fact that Lord and Lady Northampton took time out to join us, to have them actively sharing in such a day was for all the ‘icing on the cake’.
The Town, County and Village show team attended their first show of the season, and what a washout it turned out to be, it rained incessantly. But I am reliably told that while there were few people venturing out we had more than our share of them and better still two of our visitors are moving toward their initiation. Since them the team have been at Marlow Regatta and had a very successful weekend. You can read all about their success in the Masons section.
Our care in the community program is certainly picking up steam, Marlow organised a highly successful evenings entertainment for elderly people from Local care homes, Slough are moving towards being a centre for ‘Blood Transfusion’ and Bletchley are advanced in their planning for Christmas dinners for the elderly and lonely. On top of this we are about to launch a Schools project which could be introduced Province wide. Work on these projects will not cease during the summer vacation period.
Finally I must mention the great events that our Freemasonry in the Community group is organising.
- 6th October – Provincial Gala Evening for which tickets are going quickly
- 17th November Magic Mystery and Illusion for all the Family
- 31st January 2008 Boxing at the Café Royal in London
Please support these events which are raising cash that will enable us to meet our needs for the 2008 Care in the Community programme. Further information is available on 07730111111
Brethren, if summer ever begins do have a relaxing time with friends and family, we look forward to seeing you all again after the summer recess.
Ray Reed