Page 16 - EM-Issue-93

Provincial Almoner
P r o v i n c ia l A l m on e r

Welcome Back

t’s so good to see so many brethren back attending meetings after the
long closures due to Covid. It is important that we recognise that Covid
Iis still with us and despite the almost blanket relaxation of restrictions
recently we still have some members who are rightly cautious about
returning and we must all respect that; I’m sure that all Lodges and WBro Gary Hostler
almoners are looking out for the well being of their members. Provincial Grand Almoner
PGStB

The first CHAPS event of the year took place at Saxon Hall in March and
we had 114 individuals took advantage of the PCa blood test and all
received the appropriate follow up. Of those 114 tests 24 required further
investigation and were referred to their GP whilst the remainder were either
discharged or given low level follow up advice in respect of future testing.

The second event, at St Giles in Colchester, was successfully held on 19th July, the final event this is year is at The Square
(Upminster Masonic Hall) on 26th September and if you haven’t yet booked your appointment, please go to https://
www.chaps.uk.com/events where you can book an appointment. There are flyers in all the centres and keep an eye out
for further updates via social media and email.
I must thank the Trustees of the Essex Provincial Charity Fund who have provided support for our
3 CHAPS health check days this year.

All almoners will have received an invite to the Provincial Almoners Workshops which we are running in October at Saxon
Hall, Kirby Cross, and Chingford. Please do make every effort to attend on of these as there will a mixture of presentations
and the opportunity to work and share experiences with your fellow almoners. All of us should learn something from
attending if you are a newly appointed /Almoner or an experienced Almoner and lunch will be provided. Registration
for each event will be from 09:30 and the start time 10am with a view to finishing around 3pm. If
you haven’t yet booked in and need the details, please contact Ray Heathfield, Deputy PGA at ray.
heathfield@essexfreemasons.org.uk

Membership Pathway

The roll out of the new Membership Pathway is ongoing and I hope you
will take the opportunity to attend one of the sessions being given by the
Provincial Membership Team.
As part of the new approach there is a definite change to the role of the Lodge
Almoner within the process and more information will be shared as part of our
Workshops later in the year. As much of the presentation is around retention and
retrieving, succession planning also plays a key part of the ‘plan’ and, as we have
previously mentioned, the use of a Deputy or Assistant Almoner within a Lodge
can reap huge benefits as a younger member may be able to assist with positive
PR or social media. The feedback from the units who already have a ‘deputy’ is very
positive so please make use of this informal role within your Lodge or Chapter.

Provincial Grand Almoner

W.Bro Gary Hostler Gary.Hostler@EssexPGL.org.uk

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