The 2024 Charity Stewards Workshop, held on Saturday, 26th October at the Harrow District Masonic Centre, marked a tremendous success and a rejuvenation of charitable engagement in our Province. As the first workshop of its kind in many years, it provided Provincial Charity Stewards with an invaluable opportunity to deepen their knowledge, connect with fellow stewards, and gain hands-on experience in the latest technological advances transforming Masonic giving.
The day began with a warm welcome from our esteemed Provincial Grand Charity Stewards, W. Bro Alfie Buckland (Craft) and E. Comp Peter Lawrence (Royal Arch), who ensured a smooth registration and friendly introduction for all attendees. Participants were greeted with refreshments before the formal program kicked off at 10:00 a.m. with an inspiring welcome from W. Bro Paul Sully PSGD, Assistant Provincial Grand Master.
In the opening session, three representatives from the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) delivered a comprehensive presentation on the benefits of setting up relief chests and managing them remotely. The practical advantages of this technology were clear as they outlined how the digital system significantly streamlines donation processing, compared to the traditional method of handling and entering hundreds of physical donation envelopes each day.
The second part of the workshop focused on enriching the Charity Stewards’ role, with an emphasis on improving the quality and impact of lodge reports. Attendees discussed a pre-shared video clip highlighting the importance of making Charity Stewards’ reports both informative and engaging, inspiring lodges to creatively approach fundraising. W. Bro Ray Blowers led a spirited discussion that underscored the success of less traditional fundraising efforts, demonstrating that effective charity does not require physical challenges but rather innovative, inclusive ideas.
The workshop concluded precisely at noon, with an engaging Q&A and small group sessions where stewards had the chance to try out QR codes on their phones. Even those who arrived feeling uncertain left with a newfound confidence, ready to implement what they had learned.
Feedback from the day has been overwhelmingly positive, with attendees expressing a keen interest in more events like this one. With such enthusiasm, we are thrilled to announce the next workshop is already in the planning stages, tentatively set for February or March 2025 at the Twickenham Centre.
Photo Albumn
