Grand Lodge of Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Ireland Provincial Grand Lodge of Tyrone and Fermanagh Almoners & Steward of Charities Support & Networking Seminar

Worshipful Master, I have nothing to report! Almoners & Steward of Charities Support & Networking Seminar

Programme  Welcome & introductions  Aims for this evening  What is the role of the Almoner & what makes an effective Almoner  Rewarding & Frustrating  What is the role of the Stewart of Charities and how can they be effective  Positive working relationships with the Charities  Understanding the Documentation  Refreshments Almoners & Steward of Charities Support & Networking Seminar

Aims of the Seminar At the end of this seminar you will be able to...  Feel more confident and understand your role as Almoner  Understand the Stewart of Charities role in the Lodge  Understand the requirements from each of the Charities  Understand how to establish & maintain positive working relationships with the various Charities Almoners & Steward of Charities Support & Networking Seminar

The Role of the Almoner What do you think are the activities that a Lodge Almoner should involve himself with? Almoners & Steward of Charities Support & Networking Seminar

The Role of the Almoner  Keep regular contact with the Widows  Regular contact with distressed Brethren  Check on Brethren not attending Lodge  Maintain up-to-date details of dependents  Maintain up-to-date details of Widows including their first name  Attend Almoners Seminars  Administration  Liaise with the Provincial Almoner  Liaise with the Charity Funds  Ensure that Policies are implemented and adhered to  Develop a system with other Lodge members to gather information  Keep your Lodge fully briefed Almoners & Steward of Charities Support & Networking Seminar

The Charge to the Almoner Brother (X) I now invest you as Almoner with the Insignia of your Office. Your duty is to attend to the comfort and comforting of the aged and unfortunate among your Brethren and their dependants. You are to seek out the needy, visit the sick, administer to and, if possible, anticipate their requirements, remembering always that, in the particular sphere of your activities, you can bring joy and comfort to those who are in need” Almoners & Steward of Charities Support & Networking Seminar

The Role of the Almoner  Attend to the needs of the aged, sick, unfortunate, widowed & bereaved  Seek out those in need and secure the necessary assistance from various sources, financial or social. Almoners & Steward of Charities Support & Networking Seminar

The Effective Almoner  Active  Energetic  Enthusiastic  Experienced  Good Communicator  Motivator  Organised  Willing A ctive Member L istener M otivator O rganised N otable E nthusiastic R eporter Almoners & Steward of Charities Support & Networking Seminar

Rewarding & Frustrating Almoners & Steward of Charities Support & Networking Seminar

Positive Working Relationships  Relationship with the Charities  Knowledge and understanding  Application process  Provincial Reps  Applicants circumstances  Contact details  Line of communications between the parties Applicant  Almoner  Charities Almoners & Steward of Charities Support & Networking Seminar

The Role of the Steward of Charities What do you think are the responsibilities of the Steward of Charities in a Lodge? Almoners & Steward of Charities Support & Networking Seminar

The Role of the Steward of Charities Raising and collecting money. Administering the Gift Aid scheme Keeping accurate records of donations Administering funds and keeping them safe. Disbursing funds as and when required and authorised. Forwarding all forms to the DCC on time From time to time, organising Brethren to give of their time and efforts to charitable activities inside & outside the Order. Undertaking other duties as directed, for example during a G. M. Festival. Almoners & Steward of Charities Support & Networking Seminar

Charge to the Steward of Charities Brother (X) I now invest you as Steward of Charities with the Insignia of your Office. Your responsibility is to see that the Brethren are at all times aware of the needs of the Charities and the necessity to support them to the utmost of their power. Your regular attendance at meetings will ensure that these ideals are kept to the forefront of our thoughts and actions. Almoners & Steward of Charities Support & Networking Seminar

Grand Lodge Charities  The Victoria Jubilee Masonic Benevolent Fund  Masonic Girls Benefit Fund  Masonic Boys Benefit Fund  The Masonic Welfare Fund  Masonic Medical Research Fund  Masonic Havens Limited Almoners & Steward of Charities Support & Networking Seminar

Masonic Medical Research Fund Set up in 1989 after a Grand Master’s Festival of Charity, its purpose is to facilitate medical research in Ireland. In the past it has supported research into cochlear implants for autistic children and into renal failure and is presently assisting with research into the causes and treatment of MRSA and other related diseases. Almoners & Steward of Charities Support & Networking Seminar

Masonic Havens Limited The Mission of Masonic Havens Limited is the Care of the Elderly by the provision of residences and/or appropriate financial and other assistance, so that their quality of life may be enhanced, their independence fostered, and their dignity preserved. Masonic Havens Limited currently runs three projects Carrick Manor St. Joseph’s Nursing Home St. John's Close Almoners & Steward of Charities Support & Networking Seminar

The Victoria Jubilee Masonic Benevolent Fund The Board may consider a Memorial which has been submitted on behalf:- 1. of any distressed Freemason of the Irish Constitution provided that the Freemason concerned is a subscribing member of a Lodge or Lodges under the Irish Constitution. 2. of any distressed spouse of a deceased Freemason provided that the Freemason concerned had been a subscribing member of a Lodge or Lodges under the Irish Constitution. Almoners & Steward of Charities Support & Networking Seminar

Masonic Girls Benefit Fund Eligibility to apply to the Masonic Girls Benefit Fund for assistance is open to members of the Order of Ancient and Free and Accepted Masons of Ireland for the cost of the maintenance, education, advancement and benefit of: 1. Daughters and legally adopted daughters of deceased Freemasons resident in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland or elsewhere. 2. Daughters and legally adopted Daughters of Freemasons who are financially distressed and who are resident in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland or elsewhere. Almoners & Steward of Charities Support & Networking Seminar

Masonic Boys Benefit Fund Eligibility to apply to the Masonic Boys Benefit Fund for assistance is open to members of the Order of Ancient and Free and Accepted Masons of Ireland for the cost of the maintenance, education, advancement and benefit of: 1. Sons and legally adopted sons of deceased Freemasons resident in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland or elsewhere. 2. Sons and legally adopted sons of Freemasons who are financially distressed and who are resident in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland or elsewhere. Almoners & Steward of Charities Support & Networking Seminar

The Masonic Welfare Fund The fund was established to relieve cases of poverty, hardship, sickness and distress among Freemasons, their wives, widows, children and other dependants who may not be eligible under the criteria of other schemes. Its objectives include furthering the education of such persons by awarding scholarships, maintenance allowances, outfits, clothing, tools etc. to assist entry into a trade, profession or service, or to set up business. Almoners & Steward of Charities Support & Networking Seminar

Local Masonic Charities TYRONE AND FERMANAGH LOCAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT FUND Rule 2: The objects shall be to afford assistance to deserving and necessitous Freemasons or their wives and families and indigent widows and families of deceased brethren Rule 6: No application shall be considered unless accompanied by statement setting out the Applicant’s circumstances, verified by Secretary and Almoner of the Lodge or other Masonic Body From the Constitution and Bye-laws of the Tyrone and Fermanagh Local Masonic Benevolent Fund Almoners & Steward of Charities Support & Networking Seminar

Documentation  Provide accurate information  Complete forms fully  Ensure that forms are legible  Details in the “Yellow Booklet” Almoners & Steward of Charities Support & Networking Seminar

Questions & Answers Almoners & Steward of Charities Support & Networking Seminar Brother Almoner / Steward of Charities. Have you anything to report?