Standing in the Shadow

Fancy a yak curry? No, me neither, but I did fancy a trip to Everest base camp. Located in the Nepalese National Park, the Everest South Base Camp is situated at 17,600 ft (5,360 m). A trip to this height has been an ambition of mine for as long as I can remember and in December 2007 I achieved it, raising over £2,750 for the Great North Air Ambulance along the way. A group of 12 started out and as one of the 8 that made it to the camp, I can tell you it does not disappoint. The 13 days of acclimatization trekking through Nepal and to Mt Kalapatar were definitely something to be experienced, but nothing can match the goal of conquering the base camp. Want to try something different, well why not try this?

Thanks to everyone who supported the Great North Air Ambulance and me.

NORTH YORK LODGE SUPPORTS AIR AMBULANCE SERVICES

Bro Bob Harvey, the newly Installed Master of North York Lodge No 602 handed over a cheque for £1,000 to Bro David Marsh who was representing the Provincial Grand Master at the Lodge's Installation Meeting in December 2007. The money will go to the Provincial Grand Charity which is co-ordinating the Appeal launched by the Provincial Grand Master, Richard Anderson, in support of both the Yorkshire and Great North Air Ambulances

Provincial Grand Charity

2007 Charities Information Day

The Parsonage at Escrick was once again the venue for the 2007 Charities Information Day on the 18th October 2007. The event was again well supported by Almoners and Charity Stewards from across the Province who were welcomed by John Trout, Assistant Provincial Grand Master with special responsibility for charity matters, and the Chairman of the Provincial Grand Charity Philip Stewart.

The first two presentations were from the Provincial Grand Almoner Terry Burt and Provincial Grand Charity Steward Terry Crossley, both dealing with some of the practical issues relevant to Lodge Almoners and Charity Stewards. Terry Burt gave an outline and advice on making applications for assistance to the National Masonic Charities and Terry Crossley outlined what was necessary for a Lodge or Group of Lodges to seek the financial support of the Provincial Grand Charity for a local organisation or good cause that they wished to support.

This was followed by an interesting and detailed presentation from Richard Douglas, Chief Executive of the New Samaritan Fund, on developments and progress within that charity. He had some impressive facts for us – e.g. since establishment in 1990 they have supported almost 8,000 applicants with approaching £40 million and in financial year 2006/07, 626 applicants at a cost of £3.7 million. He stated that the criteria for them to support treatment were Medical need (not met on appropriate time scales by NHS) and Financial need. His advice was that neither the applicant or Almoner should try to decide whether or not these criteria were met in any particular case, but rather they should make a telephone call to NMSF for specific help and guidance.

To date much of their support has been in the orthopaedic area, particularly knees and hips, and cardiac treatment, but he was very interested to hear from the Brethren where they thought future demand might be and cancer, degenerative diseases, dentistry and obesity were outlined as possible such areas.

He concluded by informing us of their move to Freemasons’ Hall with the other National Masonic Charities, where they hope to make significant savings in administrative costs and that they were re-branding, dropping ‘New’ from their title and introducing “Medical Care and Support” into their logo to more clearly indicate their purpose. Richard had brought several colleagues with him who all joined enthusiastically in the discussion groups later in the day.

During the lunch break, representatives from the Charity – Hearing Dogs for Deaf People - made a vivid impact with a demonstration of how they train dogs, similar to the guide dogs that we are all familiar with, but in this case to assist their deaf owners with the things in life that so many of us take for granted, such as door bells, telephones, alarm clocks and emergency alarms etc. The dog alerts its owner to the event with various signals mostly of touch. It was explained that it costs up to £5,000 to train each dog, with a lot of time, effort and patience by the handlers/trainers. A cheque was presented to the local training centre to purchase equipment that they were in need of.

After lunch Professor Norman Maitland, Director of YCR Cancer Research Unit at York University, told us of the incidence and significance of Prostate Cancer and of currently available treatments together with ongoing and likely future developments. This presentation generated much interest, questioning and discussion, particularly on aspects of prevention and treatment.

Time was allocated in the day for group discussions and feedback from the groups to the meeting as a whole on issues and thoughts on moving things forward on each of the areas covered by the presentations.

Generally the day seemed to be well received, enjoyable and of interest to both new and experienced Almoners and Charity Stewards alike. Thanks were expressed to Provincial Grand Charity Steward Terry Crossley who had steered the organisation of the day so effectively.

Chairman’s Annual Report

Chairman’s Address to Provincial Grand Lodge May 19th 2007

Bro Provincial Grand President and Brethren. It falls on me as Chairman of the Provincial Grand Charity to present this, the Annual Report for the year ending December 31st 2006.

I would like to start by thanking those whose endeavours have helped make 2006 a very memorable and successful year. The trustees, the officers present and past of the committee, who were appointed to the various roles of my Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, and the Almoners, Charity Stewards and other members of the Standing Committee

I am here today to speak about the Provincial Charity and I can happily report that due to the efforts of you, the Brethren of this Province, the successful changeover from Fundraising for the Festival to Fundraising for this Charity has quickly and seamlessly taken place. I thank all of you here today for that swift response and hope you will take these thanks back to your Lodges with my request that you keep up the good work.

I also offer my thanks to the Brethren of this Province who had the foresight and determination to decide to build and create the Provincial Charity in its present form. Its formation as a Charitable Trust laid the foundations that have resulted in its present strength and effectiveness.

The Provincial Charity was formed in 1986 and this year, unfortunately not this exact day, we celebrate 21 years of the many positive and beneficial aspects of this admirable Charity. Yes Brethren, we have come of age, we have matured and we are ready to take the next steps forward in ensuring that the good works of our founders are improved upon.

Before we can move forward it does help if we know where we are, where we have been and what we are doing. In December 2005 a Report was presented to the Standing Committee entitled “The Way Forward”. This report outlined our progress and our activities and it has subsequently formed the basis for the actions taken during the year 2006, in reviewing the role and administration of the Provincial Charity.

One of the first things that came immediately to our notice was that communications between the Charity and its membership needed to be improved. It isn’t good enough for the Charity to simply send a letter of information of something about to happen or something that has already happened. Communications need to be two way and the decisions taken should be based on the interaction between the Officers of the Charity and the Membership at large.

Last October at the Charities Information day at Escrick, we put into process the first two of what I believe will be the forerunners of many more to come, interactive working parties. The topics of discussion that day were “What should we do with your money” and “How best to interact in a positive manner with the public in general and those in our Local Communities.” At the end of those discussions it was evident that all of us fully understood that we, as Masons, are and should always be

 “A Part of the Community that we live in and Not Apart from it.”

 This phrase has been said many times before but is worthy of repetition.

We gained, from the working parties, a valuable insight into your ideas of how and where best to use the funds raised. The general reaction from the Delegates, who were the Lodge and Chapter Almoners and Charity Stewards who attended the event, made it very clear that they had a preference for certain Charities in their local areas and also a preference for Charities that operated on a provincial wide basis.

The Secretary of the Provincial Grand Charity, the ever reliable and industrious Bro Terry Crossley, compiled an analysis of the various preferences put forward by the delegates in their answers to a questionnaire. This analysis was reported back to them for their deliberations and the data compiled also proved of both great interest and usefulness to the members of the Standing Committee.

The Provincial Grand President has, shortly, a few further words to say on the results of the ‘questionnaire’ and based on them he has an additional proposal for further action, action strongly recommended and encouraged by myself and the members of the Standing Committee.

In a follow up to Escrick a decision was taken at a meeting of the Provincial Charity in December 2006 to join in the Teddy Loving Care (TLC) scheme, wherein this Province would supply Teddy Bears to Hospital Accident and Emergency Wards for the relief of distressed children. This decision was prompted by your wish to promote a provincial wide presence that would benefit the Masons and Non-Masons living in our local communities.

The initial TLC launch was held in Middlesbrough quickly followed by further launches in Hull, Northallerton, Scarborough and York. At the same time as relieving distressed children, I believe we are now, through this scheme, reaching a wider section of the public who were unaware of most, if not all, of our charitable activities. I hope Brethren that all of you will take to the TLC initiative in the same positive and appreciative manner as have its beneficiaries and their families.

Brethren I feel strongly that the Provincial Charity has both a sound organisation and a well-run administration, but I believe it can be improved upon. I need to convince you all that this is your personal Charity and that its ownership and success is in the hands of you its members. With this feeling of personal ownership and the element of personal involvement in its workings, I feel sure you will continue to react positively in supporting this your wonderful Charity.

The Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended December 31st 2006 have already been circulated to Lodges and Chapters and I thank the Treasurer, Bro Malcolm Booth, and the Auditors for their sterling work in compiling these Accounts. I do not today intend to repeat any of the information already given. Suffice to say we are benefiting from your valued financial support. However Brethren, I do ask that you please take time out to read the Annual Accounts and Report, a further copy of which will be printed in the Provincial Year Book. In your reading you will be able to see in detail, both what is done with your contributions and how we, on your behalf, are managing your Charity.

Brethren I must say that there are elements of our activities that are not, for very good reasons, publicised in any detail within these accounts and reports. These are the areas of help and assistance given to our own Brethren. This assistance is treated in the highest confidence; hence no details are published in this or any report. The Craft Provincial Almoner, Bro Terry Burt, has the task of looking after you the Brethren of this Province, whenever you may find yourself or others in difficulty or distress, be this for medical, financial, educational or other reasons. Please Brethren, remember he cannot begin to do his job unless and until you inform him of your own need or that of others.

Similarly I ask you all to understand that there is no shame in using this your Provincial Charity to alleviate personal or family distress, as it is your right. Your Provincial Charity is in a position, directly or indirectly, to help any and all Masons and their families, of this Province, who may through misfortune be in a state of distress.

“Brethren, Your and Their Care is our Primary Role!”

We have a dedicated and hard working Charity Team in this Province and it is my honour and pleasure to be their Chairman. I am also gratified and reassured to know that this hard working team can rely on such dedicated and continued support from you its general membership.

Brethren I thank you all for listening so courteously to my report and for your most valued past, present and future support.

Philip Stewart PGstB

Chairman, Provincial Grand Charity