The craft tenets of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth are really key to us all, and particularly relevant to the office of Almoner.
Truth
A Pro-active Almoner is the caring heart of a lodge or Chapter and his actions are of course critical to the well-being of its membership and indeed the Lodge or Chapter to which they belong. I would therefore urge all elected to the office of Master as well as other brethren advising on the appointment of Officers to carefully consider the duties they expect their Almoner to undertake, and to give the brother selected for that office every chance to express his willingness and ability to undertake the role before assuming he is fully conversant with it.
I would always recommend, that where possible, a brother attend an Almoner Workshop before accepting the office of Almoner and most certainly once appointed. Well organised succession planning is very important and helps to secure a Lodge’s future. So, with the above in-mind I am pleased to advise the 2019 Almoner workshop dates are listed on Porchway and I encourage all to attend, especially those who are being considered for the office of Almoner or simply wish to be better informed regarding an Almoner’s duties and the charitable support available to Brethren and their dependants in time of need.
Relief
Excluding the support given to the residents of RMBI homes linked to MetGL, Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) Masonic disbursement totalling over one Million Pounds has been provided to more than 500 London freemasons or their dependants during the period April 18 to the end of January this year. Our 14 Met GL Visiting Volunteers’ along with their colleagues in every UGLE Province support those applying for MCF assistance in their designated post code areas. These experienced brethren are the vital conduit between applicants and the MCF grants team. Each eligible applicant is visited by a Visiting Volunteer (VV) to guide them through the application process. This is really helping to get support to those in-need faster and in a more efficient way. Anyone wishing advice or to apply for MCF assistance should contact their Almoner Liaison Officer (ALO) or call the MCF confidential enquiry line on 0800 035 60 90.
The Metropolitan Almoner’s Fund continues to 'Match-Fund' the financial support given by individual Lodges and Chapters to their own members and dependants. In 2018 a total of 24 Lodges/Chapters successfully applied for “Match Funding”. With both the MAF and Lodge donations added together over £48,000 has been defrayed to London brethren or their dependants who were in desperate need of urgent financial assistance. Many who applied, were also eligible for an MCF grant. Once again, I ask all brethren to please remain vigilant and proactive regarding the identification of those-in-need and if you require advice, your ALO is there to help you.
Brotherly Love
Good communication is the key to our success; please help us by checking your Almoner’s contact details are correctly listed in the Porchway Lodge directory and inform your Almoner Liaison Officer if changes are required.
Pre-Loved Regalia continues to be a great success; as of 31 January 2019, we have raised over £25,000 for the MMC and helped hundreds of brethren to obtain the regalia they need. Again, I thank all those who have donated and purchased as well as those involved in the collecting and photographing of items advertised on our website. www.prelovedregalia.com This initiative is really helping to make a difference to all those who continue to benefit from its existence.
Florence Nightingale Lodge No 706 (The Almoners’ Lodge) continues to grow and develop with its membership now being open to all present and past Almoners as well as those with an interest in the office of Almoner. The Lodge is proving to be a great vehicle for regular presentations given by both Masonic and non-Masonic charities and helps to facilitate a social connection with our peers. The lodge is non-progressive and dining is not compulsory. For those interested in finding out more about L706 and its aims or who would simply like to visit, please contact the Lodge Secretary Bob Tuthill. The support we offer is thanks entirely to the work and dedication of our team members. If you would like more information or are interested in joining the team then please email your interest to Darrel Palmer.
Darrel Palmer
Metropolitan Grand Almoner
Truth
A Pro-active Almoner is the caring heart of a lodge or Chapter and his actions are of course critical to the well-being of its membership and indeed the Lodge or Chapter to which they belong. I would therefore urge all elected to the office of Master as well as other brethren advising on the appointment of Officers to carefully consider the duties they expect their Almoner to undertake, and to give the brother selected for that office every chance to express his willingness and ability to undertake the role before assuming he is fully conversant with it.
I would always recommend, that where possible, a brother attend an Almoner Workshop before accepting the office of Almoner and most certainly once appointed. Well organised succession planning is very important and helps to secure a Lodge’s future. So, with the above in-mind I am pleased to advise the 2019 Almoner workshop dates are listed on Porchway and I encourage all to attend, especially those who are being considered for the office of Almoner or simply wish to be better informed regarding an Almoner’s duties and the charitable support available to Brethren and their dependants in time of need.
Relief
Excluding the support given to the residents of RMBI homes linked to MetGL, Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) Masonic disbursement totalling over one Million Pounds has been provided to more than 500 London freemasons or their dependants during the period April 18 to the end of January this year. Our 14 Met GL Visiting Volunteers’ along with their colleagues in every UGLE Province support those applying for MCF assistance in their designated post code areas. These experienced brethren are the vital conduit between applicants and the MCF grants team. Each eligible applicant is visited by a Visiting Volunteer (VV) to guide them through the application process. This is really helping to get support to those in-need faster and in a more efficient way. Anyone wishing advice or to apply for MCF assistance should contact their Almoner Liaison Officer (ALO) or call the MCF confidential enquiry line on 0800 035 60 90.
The Metropolitan Almoner’s Fund continues to 'Match-Fund' the financial support given by individual Lodges and Chapters to their own members and dependants. In 2018 a total of 24 Lodges/Chapters successfully applied for “Match Funding”. With both the MAF and Lodge donations added together over £48,000 has been defrayed to London brethren or their dependants who were in desperate need of urgent financial assistance. Many who applied, were also eligible for an MCF grant. Once again, I ask all brethren to please remain vigilant and proactive regarding the identification of those-in-need and if you require advice, your ALO is there to help you.
Brotherly Love
Good communication is the key to our success; please help us by checking your Almoner’s contact details are correctly listed in the Porchway Lodge directory and inform your Almoner Liaison Officer if changes are required.
Pre-Loved Regalia continues to be a great success; as of 31 January 2019, we have raised over £25,000 for the MMC and helped hundreds of brethren to obtain the regalia they need. Again, I thank all those who have donated and purchased as well as those involved in the collecting and photographing of items advertised on our website. www.prelovedregalia.com This initiative is really helping to make a difference to all those who continue to benefit from its existence.
Florence Nightingale Lodge No 706 (The Almoners’ Lodge) continues to grow and develop with its membership now being open to all present and past Almoners as well as those with an interest in the office of Almoner. The Lodge is proving to be a great vehicle for regular presentations given by both Masonic and non-Masonic charities and helps to facilitate a social connection with our peers. The lodge is non-progressive and dining is not compulsory. For those interested in finding out more about L706 and its aims or who would simply like to visit, please contact the Lodge Secretary Bob Tuthill. The support we offer is thanks entirely to the work and dedication of our team members. If you would like more information or are interested in joining the team then please email your interest to Darrel Palmer.
Darrel Palmer
Metropolitan Grand Almoner
