Freemasonry in Dorset: 2014 Festival

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution Festival 2014

very Province hosts a Festival once every eleven years for one of the four main Masonic Charities. Dorset's turn comes in 2014 when we aim to present a cheque for at least one million pounds to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution (RMBI). Progress of the fund to date is shown on the Target Pyramid where green illustrates 'money in the bank' and amber shows the level of contributions pledged via Regular Payment Promises and Gift Aid to be recovered. To meet our target every Brother needs to be contributing so if you haven't yet decided how, see below for ways in which you can push the green and amber sections higher.

RMBI
The RMBI provides care and support for elderly Freemasons and their dependants. Last year it granted in excess of £4 million to those who could not afford the services they needed. That's where our help is essential. In Dorset, Zetland Court provides residential care, nursing care and sheltered accommodation to those in need.

2014 Festival progress chart (amounts represented by area)

Progress to 1st January 2010
We need your help to meet our
one million pound target.

How to make your contribution
The most popular method is to use a Regular Payment Gift Aided Direct Debit Form. A contribution each month (typically ranging from £5 to £10), each quarter or each year, will secure a very valuable addition to the fund. If your contribution qualifies you, then as soon as you sign the Direct Debit form you will be eligible to wear the Festival Jewel to visibly demonstrate your support of the RMBI and to help promote the Festival throughout the Province. (£4 per month for 5 years, Gift Aided, will qualify for Steward and £8 per month for 5 years, Gift Aided, will qualify for Patron.)

If a Direct Debit payment is not convenient then contributions can be made as a single payment, again using a Gift Aid form to claim the extra 28%. Some may prefer to make their contributions in several smaller amounts using this system over the five year period. Although interest payments are not great, every little helps, so the earlier you make your contribution the more interest it will accrue.

Gift Aid Envelopes are available from EVERY Lodge Charity Steward at every meeting - ask yours for one and get involved now. Use them as Donation envelopes at the Festive Board.

Gift Aid
The Gift Aid Scheme currently adds 28% to the contribution made if the individual is a UK Tax Payer who pays an amount of Tax at least as much as that being claimed. This Tax can be Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Tax paid on interest earned on investments in the UK or Tax on UK dividends. Lodges, use Gift Aid Envelopes for all Lodge collections in aid of the Festival Fund and claim the extra 28% wherever possible.

Thanks
Lodges and individuals have already organised events to raise money and to all concerned the Province as a whole says, “thank you”. Blackmore Vale Lodge No. 3625 raised £760, the proceeds of their Ladies Night. W. Bro.John Donoghue, of St. Aldhelms Lodge No. 2559, and three non-Masonic friends, cycled over 1,200 miles across France and Spain to raise nearly £2,000 in sponsorship and other members of the Lodge held a Strawberry-Tea Party to raise over £250. The Brownsea Island Lodge held a BBQ at the County Scout Camp Site and the Provincial Charity Steward and his wife Tricia, held a Summer Garden Party and raised over £1,250. The South Dorset Summer Ball in July, organised this year by W. Bro. Mike Molyneux of All souls Lodge No. 170 and his wife Sue, was attended by 110 guests and raised over £1,000 for the Festival Fund. If your Lodge is not mentioned here then start planning your events and send pictures for future inclusion

Thanks in return
The following letter is a typical example of ‘thank-you’ letters received by the RMBI about help given at Zetland Court.

“Dear RMBI,
Thank you for your condolences on the death of my mother who has lived in Zetland Court for the last four years. I would like to pass on my thanks for the SUPERB care my mother received there. Everyone from Tina to Nick the gardener has been so kind and professional. Their care extended to us as a family as well which, especially recently, was truly valued. Please pass on this praise.”

Events
September 5th - First of five annual Cycle Rides to visit all 18 Dorset Masonic centres over the period of the Festival (visiting Portland, Weymouth, Dorchester, Bridport and Lyme Regis on this first outing.) All Lodges, please encourage your cyclists to enter and obtain sponsorship.

Festival Jewel
The Festival Jewel is planned to be available in October. The jewel shows the Province of Dorset (not the County) with a clear indication that we are supporting the RMBI in 2014. The colour of the ribbon is determined by the Charity being supported. This temporary jewel can be worn now and until the end of our period of Festival; that is until another Province hosts the Festival for the RMBI that follows ours. To qualify for one of the Festival Jewels you must contribute to one of the following levels:


	Steward	£300
	Vice Patron	£450
	Patron	£600

Volunteers needed
Help is needed by Lodges taking on fundraising activities which will receive support from the whole Province but count towards their Lodge total. You may have your own ideas but those listed below could work well.

Boat trip around Poole Harbour with supper on board and fireworks;
Proms in the Park at Upton House with the BSO;
Home made Greetings and Christmas card sales;
Open-Air Theatre on Brownsea Island;
South Dorset hosts a Summer Ball – what about other areas of the Province – perhaps at a different time of year;
Anybody want to run the Marathon next year?

For more information contact
W. Bro. David Dunford, PGStB
Provincial Grand Charity Steward
Tel: 01305 833718

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