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Almoner

New Almoners
When I am notified that a unit has appointed a new almoner, the relevant Almoner Liaison Officer assigned
to that lodge will make contact with the new almoner. They receive a welcome letter, copy of the Lodge
Almoners Role, a ‘Z Card’ containing a whole range of useful contact information and contact details of
the Provincial Almoner Team.
If you have recently changed lodge almoner on a temporary or permanent basis, please contact the
appropriate Almoner Liaison Officer (ALO) so he can update his records and provide the necessary
support.

The Almoners ‘Z Card’
These expandable credit card sized leaflets are invaluable for an almoner, indeed any mason and they
easily fit into a pocket and it explains the core role of the Almoner and gives all the basic contact details
that are needed to give help. We have distributed them to every Almoner and have more stock if you
need a fresh supply. Please contact your ALO if you need more stock, their details are below.

Financial Help Guide
Gary Hostler and I distributed a paper to all masons in December which gave advice about the various avenues to
explore when financial help is needed; we have been told it was very useful and if more copies are needed please
contact garyhostler@ntlworld.com
Lodge Donations – An Appeal to support the Almoners Charity
Last year I made an appeal for each unit to try and contribute £100 to the Essex Provincial Almoners Fund (EPAF), If this
were to happen then this charity fund would become self sufficient and it would enable the almoners to do all they have
to do in caring for those in need. Progress is being made and more lodges and chapters have donated for the first time,
but we still have a long way to go before all units contribute. If your lodge or chapter has yet to make a contribution
please consider doing so and my thanks in advance.

Keeping in touch
One of the most powerful acts that an almoner can undertake is to keep in touch with their widows and members,

including the country members and those who are
unable to visit their lodge regularly. A quick telephone
Band on the Run
call can make somebody’s day. The most popular Band on t he Run
message we receive is:
Ladies Nights
“Thank you for getting in touch with me, it has made
Disco
my day” Disco Ladies Nights
Lodge Almoners Conference 2021 – Update
It was regrettable that we had to cancel the conference
last year due to COVID and we have had for some time
a new date planned for the 6th May 2021 at Saxon
Hall in Southend. The speakers were booked but my
team and I have now decided that with the current
COVID-19 issues, this conference must be cancelled. It Band on the Run
is irresponsible to encourage almoners and speakers to
travel to attend such an event and meet in a crowded is a popular, versatile
room for 5 hours, and I am also aware that not everybody
will have been vaccinated by then. 5 piece band
We are very keen to share news with Lodge Almoners ideal for all
other than by sending written communications and so
as a fall-back position we plan to hold a much shorter types of functions
event on Zoom on the 6th May and a communication
will go out to all Almoners to advise them of the details.

Men’s Health Day News – Update
V
isit our website for mor
e details or contact
The reschedule men’s health day set for the 22nd Visit our website for more details or contact
April 2021 is now cancelled for similar reasons to the
conference and also because many of the NHS staff Ian Rice for a demo CD
will be engaged on vaccination and COVID-19 hospital
work. We will send out information to you all as soon www.bandontherun.co.uk
as we know that a rearranged event is possible for the
Autumn of 2021. Tel: 01621 817 320 or 07802 858843
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