REPORT OF THE DISTRICT BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE TO THE
ANNUAL COMMUNICATION
OF THE DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF GUYANA
19th
March 2011
Rt. Worshipful
Dist. Grand Master; Deputy Dist. Grand Master; Assistant Dist. Grand Master &
Brethren all.
It is a
pleasure for me to present the report of the District Board of Benevolence to
the Annual Communication of the District Grand Lodge of Guyana; before dealing
with the report I would like to make the following comment. The Board wishes to
give special thanks to the Brethren, friends and sponsors who supported the
Board during the reporting year, without whose support we could not have
achieved the majority of the items on our 2010- 2011 work programme.
As President of
the Board, I want to take this opportunity to express sincere thanks to those
Brethren who served on the Board during the last Masonic year for their
cooperation and support. Thanks to W. Bro; Paul R. Reece-Vice President, W. Bro;
R. Nigel Cumberbatch- Secretary, W. Bro; Dr. Roger Viapree, W. Bro; Richard
Hing, W. Bro; Herman G. Rohlehr,
W. Bro; Mark A. Bender, W. Bro; Geoffrey Fraser and W. Bro; Amarnauth
Muneshwar; and special mention must be made of the assistance the Board received
from Deputy District Grand Master; W. Bro; Doodnauth Persaud, W. Bro; Ivor O’
Brien- District Grand Secretary and W. Bro; Donald Saywack- District Grand
Treasurer.
In 2010- 2011,
the Board disbursed approximately $2, 000, 000 (two million dollars) towards
charity and benevolent purposes, which was an increase of approximately
$753,000. 00 (seven
hundred and fifty three thousand dollars) or 60%, over 2009- 2010; which was
$1,264,745. 00 (one million, two hundred and sixty four thousand, seven hundred
and forty five dollars). We certainly hope that in 2011- 2012 we would be in a
position to provide increase relief for those who are less fortunate. We would
therefore again be seeking your support for our programmes; because the funds
raised from our activities provide the core funding for the benevolent and
charitable contributions we make to our members, their dependants and the wider
community.
The work
programme for the year 2010- 2011
FUND RAISING
ACTIVITIES
The Report for
March 2010 to March 2011
The Benevolent
Grant to Support Masons
The Board is
pleased to announce that for the first time in our history we were able to
provide G$1M to support our less fortunate brethren. The Board believes that a
significant increase in the amount disbursed could be made provided the brethren
continue to support our programmmes, and the Almoners continue to provide us
with information pertaining to the welfare of our brethren and their dependants.
The Widow’s
Appreciation Programme
This activity
is now in its fourth year. We disbursed G$870,000.00 during the year. Thirty
widows were the recipients of a
Christmas Basket, presented to bring some cheer during the festive season. Four
of the recipients were widows of Brethren who were members of the Scottish
Constitution. The reaction of the recipients on receiving the gifts, the
thank you cards and letters received, clearly indicated that
benevolent feelings ennobles the most trifling actions. This annual
feature was certainly a worthwhile gesture. We again seek the support of the
Almoners to inform us of the names and addresses of our widows, so that we could
be of better service.
The Children’s
Happy Day, Christmas Event- Georgetown
The Children’s
Happy Day, Christmas Event was held for 150 children on the 12th
December 2010. The children were selected from four orphanages and they received
gifts and an excellent meal. This event was made possible from our own resources
and timely support from a number of individuals and organizations; however
special mention must be made of the support of the Guyana Stockfeeds Inc. whose
generous contribution was used to provide gifts for all of the children, Wor.
Bro; Donald Saywack and Popeye Chicken and Seafood Restaurant who provided the
chicken.
Brethren, the
fare provided was of such a high standard that we would again be approaching the
principals of Popeye Chicken and Seafood Restaurant to provide the chicken to
the children for this year’s event.
The Children’s
Happy Day Christmas Event at Ebini, Berbice River
The Board, in
association with Barrow’s Restaurant & Lounge held this annual event on the 8th
of December, 2010 and we catered for 50 children. This activity took place at
Ebini, Berbice River and was in the form of a Christmas Party.
Masonic Bursary
Award- National Grade Six Assessment
This activity
is meant to recognize the children of Masons who would have preformed
exceptionally well at the National Grade Six Assessment. The Board has mad a
provision of one million dollars ($1, 000, 000. 00) and we plan to make an award
of one hundred thousand dollars ($100, 000. 00) each to the top 10 applicants.
We propose to start this activity this year 2011, and the award will be based
upon this year’s Grade Six National Assessment which will be held some time in
April 2011.
The Provident
Fund
The
sensitization of the Brethren about the Provident Fund started, but it was not
completed because it was realized that it was necessary to develop a Guyanese
document outlining the objectives of The Guyana Masonic Benevolence
Association. The body that would govern the operations and administration of
the fund. A draft of the objectives of The Guyana Masonic Benevolence
Association is now completed and will be circulated for discussion, adjustments
and for possible adoption. In closing on this activity, I would like to mention
that the establishment of a Provident Fund is a very attractive activity, but in
my humble opinion it is one that we should undertake in a very meticulous and
calculated manner.
Fund Raising
Activities
The Guyanese
Lunch & Softball Match
This activity
was held on the 26th of September 2010, at the Georgetown Cricket
Club, Bourda. This event was a huge success; it raised the sum of $2.7M to date.
This amount was approximately $980,000. 00 more or 57% over what was achieved in
2009- 2010 ($1,
727, 000.00) and it was approximately $500, 000 more or 23% greater than what
was budget ($2.2 million). The cooperate sponsorship of the softball overs was a
tremendous success. Of the 42 letters sent seeking sponsorship we received 38
positive responses or a success rate of 90%.
The 15 letters
seeking In-kind donations was well supported, positive response was received
from all letters sent.
Sponsorship
from our lodges and individual masons were very satisfactory and we are
optimistic that this area will grow.
In spite of our
achievement we still have outstanding amounts from 2 lodges and from some
individual masons. In one instance funds are outstanding for 2009 and 2010.
The softball
cricket match which is an annual feature between teams of Masons and their
families representing the Scottish and English constitutions, for the District
Grand Master’s Trophy, was won by the team representing the English Masons. We
however, must remind ourselves that it is the contest that delights us and not
necessarily the victory.
Lapel Pins
The Board of
Benevolence has made available lapel pins as part of the fund raising activities
for 2010-2011. The cost of a pin is just $1000.00 and I urge everyone present
here to purchase a pin or at least one for each suit. They could also serve as
gifts to our brothers when visiting Lodges in other jurisdictions. To date this
project has had sales of $137,000.00
Regalia bags
Another fund
raising activity is the sale of regalia bags. We have available for sale two
sizes of bags the small bags, costs $2000.00 and the large bag costs $3000.00,
these bags are suitable to carry the regalia of both the Craft as well as the
District officers. To date this project has achieved sales of $91, 000. 00
Polo Shirts
The sale of
Polo Shirts as a fund raising venture is an on-going activity, the intensity of
this activity was not as active during this reporting year as previous years. We
have to refocus our energies on this activity.
International
Food Festival
The Board would
explore the possibility of hosting an international food festival; this activity
it is hoped would be an annual event beginning in 2011. All lodges would be
expected participate and host a booth at the event.
The Work
Programme for 2011- 2012
The Board plans
to pursue 12 activities for the year:-
The Board was represented at the meetings of the Board of General Purposes,
District Grand Charity and District Grand Lodge Trust where the work plan of the
Board of Benevolence was discussed, updated,
and suggestions were made
re: The Improvement of the Board’s Work.
Report Submitted by
W. Bro. D. Barrow
President
District Board of Benevolence