arena
through basic training; over 600
progressing through a second stage
of development, attaining what
I consider to be a benchmark particularly, as MetGAlm, has been
standard of competence for memorable. I had better qualify
Almoners. that: “fantastic”; made all the more
The Almoners’ Team has enjoyable by my Assistants and
developed systems, programmes ALOs, present and past, with whom
and techniques, some of which are I had the privilege and a pleasure of
being emulated in other working.
departments in MetGL and MetGC, I particularly wish to thank
in some cases they have even been R.W.Bro. Russell Race, Metropolitan
used in the Provinces. The Team Grand Master: firstly for
has grown considerably. London recommending to R.W.Bro. Millett,
now claims over £2 million of that I be appointed to the office of
Masonic Charitable spend for its Almoner. Secondly, for his
members, widows and dependants continued faith in my ability,
in need of support. confirmed by my re-appointment
I requested that R.W.Bro. Russell each year and finally for his Metropolitan Grand Lodge and
Race should stand me down as support, wise council, and Grand Chapter. In conclusion, I
Metropolitan Grand Almoner, in encouragement. would like to offer my most sincere
order that someone else may be I am immensely proud to have congratulations to my successor,
given the privilege of taking the been a member of the Metropolitan W.Bro. Peter Huddleston. I wish him
work forward and building on what Almoners’ Team, in one way, shape and the team well on their
has already been achieved. My time, or form, since the consecration of continued journey. u
Thank you to the Editor for members”. But, it’s not simply just to State benefits, but cannot replace
permitting me to address about access to tangible benefits; it or prop up the State financially.
W.Bro. Fowler’s letter (see page 15): is about continuously and Our four CMCs have custodial
effectively providing and responsibilities over our voluntary
T
here is, or should be, in my upholding our core values: contributions; it is essential they
opinion, a distinction made Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. use our donations responsibly,
between promoting Freemasonry’s The introduction of mentoring which I believe the do.
core values for the purpose of programmes throughout Lodges Providing financial support is a
recruitment and making people and Chapters will, I hope, give rise small part of what we, as
aware of charitable resources to an increased awareness across Freemasons, do to help each other.
available to Freemasons, their our membership in general. It is the compassion (Brotherly
partners, widows and dependants. In 2009 London Freemasons, Love) constituent of Freemasonry
It is a question of general their partners, widows and that illuminates my membership;
awareness. The greater our dependants, received in excess of when expressed effectively,
awareness and understanding of £2 million in Masonic Relief. Our compassion separates, for me,
available resources, the more four Central Masonic Charities Freemasonry from other
likely we are to access and (CMCs) allocate a staggering institutions.
appreciate those resources. amount to the needs of our Combine our core values with
Equally, the greater our awareness members. However, as the providing wider charitable support,
and understanding, the greater the recession bites, it is important that increase awareness, promote
likely-hood of our talking about those in need are made aware of, openness, enhance understanding,
those resources and how, as and encouraged to access, their and I believe, going forward, we
Freemasons, we work together in entitlement to State funded have a very attractive
addressing the “needs of our benefits. Freemasonry adds value proposition.u Bill Divall
JANUARY 2010 19
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