From the Lodge Charity Steward W Bro Tadeusz W Krawczyk PPJGD 2022 - 2023

Relief is one of the three core principles of Freemasonry and the Charity Steward has a vital role to play in helping members of the wider community. The principle role of the Charity Steward is to initiate or lead fundraising but being a Charity Steward requires enthusiasm, flair, tact and sensitivity, and the ability to build positive relationships with all members of the Lodge in a caring and sensitive way so that we can encourage all forms of fundraising and charitable giving to support both Masonic and non-Masonic charitable purposes.

Freemasonry is one of the largest charitable givers in the country, second only to the National Lottery, typically contributing £51.1m to deserving causes in 2020 alone and United Grand Lodge donated in February 2023 the sum of £60,000 to the Turkish/Syrian earthquake appeal. Freemasons do not only donate money – more than 18.5 million hours of volunteer work is undertaken by our members in their communities every year.

Charity has always been a core principle of Freemasonry and we’re proud of our 300-year history of helping those in need. Our members make an important contribution, especially at a local level every year, by giving both their time and money to make a real difference to organisations and communities. Minerva Lodge members engage in many activities including raffles, community fundraising and volunteering, as well as a varied programme of fund-raising events where spouses, partners, friends and families are always welcome. We’ve made substantial donations across the country to local charities and being a ‘Maritime Lodge’ we have recently supported Humber Rescue with a significant donation.

Thursday 26th October 2023

Provincial Charity AGM

by David Green, Lodge Charity Steward 2023-24

As Charity Steward for Minerva Lodge I attended the annual Almoners and Charities information Day on the 26th of October. The day also included the AGM of the Provincial Charity. It was, as usual, well attended by Charity Stewards, Almoners and many Brethren from throughout the Province. After a welcome from the Provincial Grand Master the Chairman of the CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) WB Paul Hillary spoke about the organisation, what had been happening and plans for the future. Minutes of the last meeting, the annual accounts, amendments to the constitution, election of Trustees and Auditors were all accepted by the meeting.

Our biggest charity fundraising will commence next May with the start of Festival 29. The Chairman, Martin Eggermont and Head of Fundraising both gave presentations on what Lodges could expect and how they could be involved; more information would be available in the new year. After the usual excellent lunch the information part of the day commenced with the first of three presentations.

The CEO of Dementia Forward Jill Quinn MBE told us of their work with Dementia patients and families in the York and the North Yorkshire area.

We then had a presentation from the director of St. Catherine’s Hospice in Scarborough.

Finally, an interesting talk was given by a worker from Andy’s Man Club who told us of his personal battle with mental health and how the club was formed. There were some shocking statistics of how many men committed suicide every year.

All three of the organisations are worthy of support from Freemasons and it was brought home to me how much our giving can help many organisations.

Another very interesting day was brought to a close by the PGM who highlighted the need for our continued support for so many worthy causes.

The day at Escrick is always worthwhile and one from which I always come away feeling very proud to be a Freemason and with a desire to do more.

David Green, Charity Steward