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20 August 2008

REPORT OF THE GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE

For the year ended 31 December 2002

To be presented at the Annual Meeting on Saturday, 5th April 2003

Membership

The subscribing membership of the Province on 31st December 2002 was 3636 as shown in the Provincial Grand Registrar’s Report, giving a small reduction for the year of 17 (0.5%) as compared to the previous year of 11 (0.3%). It is encouraging to see that in 2002 initiations (111) slightly exceeded resignations (102), with 13 lodges initiating 3 or more candidates. However it must still be of great concern that 18 lodges had no initiates during 2002, representing nearly 25% of the Province. Of these two have had no initiations for at least four and a half years. Thirteen lodges had a net reduction in numbers of at least 3 members last year and there are 8 lodges with a membership of less than 30. The statistics continue to show that there is not only a problem in finding initiates, but also in keeping them. It is vital that lodges look critically at their current membership situations and attention is drawn to the help and guidance now available from the Membership & Retention Committee.

This small Sub-Committee was set up during 2002 to assist those lodges, which are having difficulty in attracting candidates and or retaining new members. It is chaired by W. Bro. John Collison and two aides. Letters offering assistance have now been sent out to all lodges in the Province. One has already been visited and further visits have been planned to eight more, which have requested assistance.

Provincial Visits

Provincial Officers have again been well occupied during the year to 31st December 2002. The Provincial Grand Master has continued his official visits and attended 20 Lodges with his Officers. Visits have also been made by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master and the Assistant Provincial Grand Masters to cover the rest of the lodges in the Province.

The Province was also represented at all Lodge Installations during the year and the Wardens have made visits to each lodge in the Province.

We thank all the Lodges concerned for the warm way in which the Provincial teams were received and wish to record the grateful thanks of the Provincial Grand Master, his Deputy and Assistants, Wardens, and Grand Lodges Officers for all the hospitality received during their visits.

Provincial Public Relations Officer

The official spokesman of the Province continues to deal with all public relations matters including contacts with the media and local authorities. During the year he has not been involved with the local authorities, but has taken part in two radio interviews with Radio Derby and has kept a watching brief on Law Reports in respect of Human Rights cases affecting freemasonry. Brethren are again reminded that they should not speak to the media on Masonic matters without consulting him. Any Brother, who is experiencing problems concerning his membership and his employment, should also contact him.

Freemasonry in the Community

During the week designated by Grand Lodge, 26 June to 2 July 2002, and later in July, twenty events were organised through out the Province. Among these were eleven open days held at various Masonic Halls, at some of which local charities were invited to publicise their activities. Other exhibitions were held in outside venues, and two Blood Donor sessions were organised, together with the sponsorship of a number of local community events. These included a choral concert, an art competition, a magic display for a local primary school and an Abseil from Derby Cathedral Tower.

In general the week can be regarded as a success, although it was disappointing that the open days did not attract more members of the public and many of the specially invited guests did not attend. Good media coverage was, however, achieved in the local press, weekly and monthly publications and local radio.

Provincial Information Officer

The Provincial Information Officer arranged three meetings during 2002, which were all successful, although attendances varied. A “Towards the Chair” meeting for Lodge Wardens was held on 14 June and, also on that evening, a meeting for Lodge Directors of Ceremonies was held. The following joint buffet successfully ended these events and feedback confirmed how well they were received. The usual “Getting to Know You” meeting for new Masons and their ladies was held on 2 July and was highly successful, with the same enthusiasm displayed by those newcomers and ladies who attended.

Although no seminar for Lodge Secretaries was held during 2002, it is hoped to arrange an event in 2003, with the Assistant Grand Secretary as principal speaker.

Provincial Office

The thanks of the Province are due to our office secretary, for her valuable work during the year. Other continuing support and assistance is also much appreciated as is the ongoing support regarding computer systems.

Our current Provincial Grand Secretary, W. Bro. Peter Hodcroft, and our Assistant Provincial Grand Secretary will both be retiring from their respective offices on 5 April 2003. The thanks of the Province are due to both these two hardworking Brethren, who have cheerfully and diligently carried out their duties during the last four years. Fortunately they have both kindly offered their services to give advice and assistance to their successors. W. Bro Hodcroft is continuing his valuable work on the 2003 Festival and to act as Provincial Scribe Ezra and Assistant Provincial Grand Secretary will also be available to assist in the Provincial office.

Provincial Internet Web Site

Since the last report the Provincial web site at www.derbyshiremason.org has been visited almost 3000 times. There is no doubt that, with the increase in Internet use, prospective candidates are now researching the web for information regarding the craft. A number of enquiries have already been received and have resulted in introducing initiates to Lodges. As previously mentioned, Lodges in the Province can use the link facility to set up their own sites. Disappointingly to date only one Lodge and two Masonic Halls have taken up this facility. Assistance is available at a reasonable cost to lodges, which do not have access to the required expertise to set up their own web sites, the content of which should be cleared through the Provincial Office.

It is important that the web site is kept up to date with news of charitable donations, fund raising events and other items of interest in the province.  Lodges are asked to notify the Provincial Secretary of any news items, which may be of interest. These should be provided in electronic form if possible.

Our thanks must be again being recorded to Gill Riley, who continues to assist us in the management of the site and whom should be consulted prior to any work being commenced on the design in order to achieve compatibility.

Certificates of Membership

During the year a further nine 50 Year Certificates have been issued.

Provincial Library

The Library has continued to add to its collection of books, videos, jewels and other Masonic papers and memorabilia. During the year 97 books have been added to the collection, which now totals. 1583 The number of books lent during 2002 was approximately 120. Further indexing work has been performed on the computer databases of books, magazines and other items including rituals, jewels and certificates. There is a wealth of useful material available to brethren, who are researching subjects to enable them to prepare talks for their lodges, including a list of speakers and their subjects. A QCCC index of reference and books and indices of Masonic Square & Freemasonry Today are also available for viewing on the library computer.

The Liaison continues to be maintained with the Grand Lodge Librarian and with the Librarians of a number of other Provinces. Meetings of the Masonic Library Museum Group have been attended during the year at Sheffield and London. The next regional meeting, to be hosted by our Derbyshire Provincial Library Team will be held in Derby on Saturday 29 March 2003.

Out thanks for all the hard work carried out during the year are due to the Provincial Librarian, W. Bro Bert Marks, the Assistant Provincial Librarian W. Bro. Terry Askew and his wife Ann, and to all the other library assistants.

The library continues to be manned on Wednesday and Thursday mornings and Friday evenings between 5 and 7pm.

Deaths

It is with great regret that the deaths are reported of 24 Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge. All have given valuable service to their lodges and to the Province and will be sadly missed. May they rest in peace.

J. M. Beard
Chairman
14 February 2003