Welcome From The Provincial Grand Master

Give a little, Gain a lot’ is a wonderful expression that accurately describes what we are being asked to do, and why. A better slogan might have been ‘Give a little, Gain more than you give, literally in economic terms, but also in terms of personal satisfaction, group cohesion and community engagement’ but I can see why our Provincial Charity Steward chose the words he has!

I have complete faith in the generosity, determination and work ethic of every Suffolk Mason. Coupled with the expertise and leadership demonstrated by WBro Jon Neill in his role as Provincial Charity Steward, I am confident that we will reach, and probably exceed our Festival goals. Having said that, I am mindful we each have our own unique, daily challenges that can – and probably will – distract and hinder us from doing all we might to raise £1.5m by 2029. It is during these times that we need to think about what we gain from what we give. After all, it is the hope of reward that sweetens labour.

With our donation to the MCF, it will remain fit and primed to make its regular and ad hoc grants to deserving beneficiaries. Between Festival years we, as members of the Province of Suffolk or the charities we support, receive from the MCF far more than the £1.5m we have pledged to donate. So we do ‘gain a lot’ from our investment in pure economic terms but who among us does not consider the giving of Freemasons as one of the core reasons for our Masonry and does not point with justified pride at the charitable work we do? By taking on, meeting and exceeding this challenge we are literally putting into practice outside the Lodge those duties we were taught in it and by proving the beneficial effects of our craft, we define ourselves and strengthen the fraternal bonds that stretch across the Province and beyond.

Please support this Festival in every way that you can even if it is just by making the small regular pledge that qualifies you to wear our absolutely beautiful festival jewel. Thank you for every effort you will make over the Festival and I look forward to sharing with you the great satisfaction we will enjoy when we look back and say to ourselves that we did all that we could.

If, after having read this questions still remain about what we are setting out to achieve, and why, please speak to your Lodge Charity Steward who will be happy to fill in any gaps. You should also speak to members of your Lodge or friends from other Lodges about your ideas for fundraising and which of the suggested steps your Lodge will take to help the Province meet its charitable goal for the Festival.

 PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER