white_rose_newsletter_42-1 - Masonic Province of Yorkshire, West ...

22T H EMEMBERSHIP AND MILESTONESR WProvincial Grand Master John K Clayton reportsIT is hard to believethat I am indeedhalf way throughmy stint asProvincial GrandMaster of thiswonderful Province.My Patent ofAppointment is for10 years and, rightly,Grand Lodge iskeen that ProvincialGrand Masters change in this time, with few if any exceptions.Membership continues to be a difficult problem. When I took over in2005, there were 7,523 Craft Masons. At the end of 2009 themembership had fallen to 7,058, a decrease of 465, albeit some, sadly,through death. Taking these deaths into account, of which there were662, there is a net gain of 197 Masons.When considered in thismanner, it doesn’t appear to bemuch of a reduction. The factremains, however, that there are465 fewer Masons today thanthere were five years ago.Nevertheless, I am heartenedthat the age profile of thosebeing Initiated is dropping and inthe last two years almost 40%were under 40 years of age.There were 3,163 Royal ArchMasons in the year ending 31December 2005, compared with3,053 for the year ending 31December 2,009, a reduction of110 over the five-year period.Again, taking deaths intoaccount, of which there were 289, there is anet gain of 179 Royal Arch Masons.Membership of both the Craft and Royal Arch, therefore, does seemto be holding up reasonably well in what are clearly difficult financialtimes.Recruitment for many Lodges seems to be relatively healthy.Retention, however, is a different matter. I accept that there areparameters about which we can do nothing. Losses through relocationof a Brother or a change in his circumstances are out of our control.Loss of interest and early resignation should, however, be kept to aminimum mainly by increased dialogue.A decision to resignfrom a Lodge is rarelyone that is made on thespur of the moment.The signs are usuallythere for all to see if weare vigilant incontacting the non orpoor attender.The various Officersin the Province and atLodge level areworking hard toengage with thoseF I R S Twho feel they have to resign. Hopefully, by paying more attention to thisgroup of Masons, we will be able to reduce the number of those lost tothe Craft.I am still convinced that there are too many Lodge premises in theProvince. Masonry is bigger andbetter than any of us asindividuals, or indeed thanany Lodge. I think it is likelythat I will again bemisquoted on that score!It is of course a sadoccasion when Lodgepremises close, especiallyfor those Brethren who alltheir lives have practisedtheir Freemasonry in just thatone building. The costs ofcontinuing in a run-downbuilding must be considereda thing of the past and closureof such buildings surelymakes good economic sense.Of course, it is with muchsadness that one Lodge hasreturned the Warrant andclosed its doors. I must,however, congratulate those responsible for the hardwork carried out by the members of that Lodge inascertaining that all the Brethren are happilyaccommodated in other Lodges.Brethren, there is likely to be a second Lodgewhich will hand in its Warrant in the near futurethrough lack of members. There is no shame intaking this route. Sadness and disappointment, yes- but shame, no. What is important is that allBrethren have a new home to go to where they cancontinue their Masonry amongst friends. If there areany Lodges who feel that the time is nearing whenthey should consider handing in their Warrant, then ProvincialGrand Lodge can offer sound help and advice.Meanwhile, I am more than happy to chronicle a number ofinitiatives, achievements and milestones within our Province andmention them, in no particular order.I was proud to be associated with the launch of the“Freemasonry Cares For You” initiative which has given Brethren,their families and dependants a most comprehensive picture ofhow to access information and direct help in a time of need – andwith complete confidentiality assured. The Provincial GrandAlmoner has already been able to help a substantial number ofpeople under this scheme, which helped provide a framework forthe Central Charities as they embarked on a similar projectnationwide.It goes without saying that I am thrilled that the Provincial GrandMaster’s Fund is able to support so many worthwhile non-Masoniccauses in our Province. Approximately £300,000 is distributed annuallyin relatively small amounts and, once a year, some £100,000 is madeavailable to four or five successful applicants who can benefit fromlarger grants.Many scout and guides groups, youth organisations and otherinitiatives receive and appreciate our support.Some years ago friendships and bonds were forged during theFreemasonry in the Community Week and these remain intact,particularly in the south of our Province. Much physical work isundertaken by Brethren, emphasising that Charity is not all aboutfinancial aid.However, when money is an issue, the hospice movement, forWhile Freemasons must care for one another . . .