East Lancashire Masonic Charity
Click these links for News Stories
- 17/06/08 - New Grants made to Comm Fund
- 13/06/08 - ELMC 2008 Annual Holiday
- 13/06/08 - Bridge Street Ladies in 2008 Run
- 12/06/08 - Young Peoples Outings
- 14/04/08 - Comforts Fund Spring Party
- 04/02/08 - Scouts at Sandal Holme Barn
- 12/10/07 - Bridge St. Ladies Present Cheque
- 20/09/07 - Comforts Fund Outing to Malton
- 12/08/07 - £10,000 for Bowley Scouts
- 19/07/07 - The Bridge Street Ladies
- 28/06/07 - Maundy Money
- 27/06/07 - ELMC 2007 Annual Holiday
- 27/06/07 - Spring Party
- 20/06/07 - Bolton Masonic Gift Evening
- 17/06/07 - Website layout changes made
- 25/05/07 - Report of the ELMC AGM for 2007
- 22/05/07 - Thanks from the Ladies
- 05/04/07 - Mark Davis Everest Expedition
- 01/04/07 - A Masonic Triple-Whammy
- 20/02/07 - Photos added
- 13/02/07 - Hewlett Court, the inside story
- 05/02/07 - Starlight Express Trip
- 31/01/07 - Bridge Street Ladies enter Run
- 25/01/07 - The Comforts Fund
- 23/01/07 - Officers of the ELMC
- 22/01/07 - Christmas Outing
- 22/01/07 - Young Peoples Committee
- 25/12/06 - The Springhill Hospice Project
- 09/12/06 - Bolton Lads and Girls Club
- 06/12/06 - The Community Fund Takes-Off
- 10/10/06 - Gala Dinner a Huge Success
- 26/09/06 - Community Fund Form
- 16/05/06 - The Community Fund Committee
Click these links for the Structure of the ELMC
- Board of Directors and Trustees
- Committee Of Benevolence
- Comforts' Fund Committee
- Young People's Committee
- Community Fund Committee
- ELMC Residential Home - Hewlett Court
ELMC Communications Officer
Ronnie Berlyne - ELMC Communications Officer
As Communications Officer for the new ELMC it has to be said that there is plenty for me to go at in the battle to improve the public's perception of Freemasonry, even though our donations are second only to those of the National Lottery.
In the Province of East Lancashire there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Our PGM and his Deputy have firmly grasped this charitable nettle, caused the old East Lancashire Masonic Benevolent Institution to be reorganised and re-branded as the East Lancashire Masonic Charity (ELMC), with the estimable Grahame Elliott as Chairman, and formed a special sub-fund, the Community Fund, under the Chairmanship of Derek Thornhill.
The importance of the Community Fund cannot be overestimated, as it is intended that one third of all donations received by the ELMC will be channelled into this fund, and distributed exclusively to non- Masonic charities and good causes. One doesn't have to be a genius to see that ELMC financial support to our own distressed members and their dependants will do little to excite the general public (indeed, some might think that it could be counterproductive), whereas money given to non-Masonic causes - especially those close to the public's heart - is, in public relations terms, our best chance to raise our profile and improve our standing in the community.
The emphasis is increasingly focused on making clear to our members that the ELMC is their charity. It belongs to them, which is why those Masons pledging a minimum of £60 per annum will become members, not just donors. Furthermore, in a well-directed effort to bridge the gap which has existed between the ELMC (and its predecessor) and private Lodges' donations to their own preferred causes, the Community Fund will, under certain circumstances, add to such Lodge donations. Details of the criteria required for such payments are, at the time of writing, still being finalised, but should be published shortly. At this stage I can confidently forecast that priority will be given to those projects which include the physical involvement of Masons - a major plank in our PGM's plans.
Of course, when these funds have started to flow it becomes not only my job to find ways of informing the public of the help we are providing to their local charities and good causes, but the task of every Freemason in the Province. We need to find the best ways of doing this, and while I have my own ideas I would welcome your help by communicating any innovative thoughts you may have for achieving this goal. Please contact me on RONBERLYNE@aol.com .
To get this project off the ground, however, a substantial and consistent flow of funds will be required, and great efforts are being made to achieve the necessary momentum. It is hoped that, with the burden of the Festival 2004 now behind them, donations will flow from each Lodge.
On an individual basis, many of you will already have been approached by your Lodge Charity Steward, to make regular payment promises. Those that haven't soon will. In view of the glittering prize at stake - a warm place in the hearts and minds of the public, not to mention a setback for our critics - I urge you to commit yourselves as generously as you can. I hope to report to you on the progress of this new project, as it develops.