So in other words, credit crunch, what credit crunch, keep up your donations boys!

David

Now that's a very cynical response!

First I should highlight that the statement was in order to allay the fears expressed in hundreds of phone calls from Lodge worrying about the possibility that their "Relief Chest" funds may get wiped out by the general economic situation.  It is NOT about keep on giving at all.

Actually I have been looking into ways of raising the awareness of Lodge Almoners and Charity Stewards about how they can utilise their Relief Chests to assist their own members. Many don't realise that it's NOT just for giving to Charities (Masonic or otherwise). Once I've finished I've no doubt that it will get full support.

Mike

Ah the cynic in me!

Being in the finance industry do not be under any Illusions that it is not tough out there. In good or bad times businesses come and go thrive, and suffer, and Freemasonry as with all other leisure activities will be effected by the economic turmoil at this moment in time. But, Freemasonry has stood the test of time and has come through worse times in the past. But it must be mindfull that if people have to make cuts it will be in past times and hobbies first that cuts will be made

In this day and age peoples working weeks are different than say, 40 years ago, and also their priorities.

That is why we now have a recruitment, retention, and re-engagement policy because number have declined.

An interesting peice that I found about this can be read on Surreys Provincial website at, www.surreymason.org.uk  hover over the Provincial Information tab and that will bring up more tabs one of which is a membership challenge, read that.

Regards.

Uk Lodges:cool:

I definitely am making the statement as I now work for the Grand Charity administering Masonic Relief Grants and the provision of mobility equipment. That's the bit that hardly anyone seems to know about!

In common with other Masons, all I knew about, regarding the work of the GC, was the announcements about what we have given to non-Masonic Charities.

In the time I've been working there I have gained a much better understanding of what the Charity (and the other 3) does for current and ex-Masons along with their dependents in the form of advice, Masonic Relief Grants and mobility equipment. You just would not believe how many families would go under without the support of the Craft

For example who bothered to read this (I posted it on the old Forum)

Between June 2008 and August 2008, 528 Masonic Relief Grants were made to support individual Masons and their dependants experiencing financial hardship or requiring mobility equipment.  In total, over £1.1 million (£1,171,554) was approved for payment to assist the beneficiaries.

That's just one quarter! When you look at the figures for non-Masonic grants don't forget to look at the time spans involved, then you'll get an idea of where the majority of the money is actually going.

The problem is that not enough of our members are aware of these things (except maybe in a couple of Provinces).

What with this information I have a better understanding on how my GL's "Michigan Masonic Chaitable Foundation" differ and how they are the same.

Tom Cherup 32°
Olive Branch Lodge #542
Dearborn, Michigan
Scottish Rite - Valley of Detroit
Detroit Masonic Temple - It''s bigger than yours!

I have often heard people in the past state quite categorically that it can only be used to give to charities which is certainly not my understanding which is that so long as it is used for charitable purposes (a very different thing indeed) then it is quite acceptable

Can you clarify for us Mike?

Wayne

PM Hamlet of Van Lodge 8334 UGLE (Caerphilly - South Wales) J Hamlet of Van Chapter 8334
WM, Caerffili MMM 1348 PCN, Caerffili RAM 1348 St Teilo Chapter A&AR 789
Brangwyn SRIA 75 Castell Caerffili OSM 466 Fforest KT 582: Merthyr Tydfil R&SM 120, Penychen - Athelstan 53, RCC 295 KTP 100 OSC 21 TI

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. But why should you through this forum feel a need to? I would hazard a guess that without you doing that UGLE members would not have been aware. There is no communication on an individual basis. A situation in todays modern environment which is unacceptable. At the very least an almoner should be on email and recieve this, and to be cascaded to all members.

You make the point that the statement has occured after a number of concerned phonecalls. It does not allude to that, to me it just says we are ok, but as long as you do your bit we will do ours.

Charity begins at home. Just as individuals may decide to reduce or stop payments to GC for economic reasons, perhaps GC should reduce the number or amount of payments to non masonic causes.

David

It's going to be the subject of a future post as I am scouring the Relief Chest Rules at the moment but suffice it to say that any individual can be helped from a Lodge's Relief Chest.

Mike