The Almoner - in detail
Whether you are an experienced Lodge or Chapter Almoner or you are considering offering yourself to be considered for this challenging but rewarding position, this section of the website should provide some useful information.
Information from the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF)
Many guides to assist the Almoner are available on the MCF website in the Almoner’s Resources Section.
In this section, you will find a PDF Copy of the Almoner’s Guide.
Another useful document is the Little Yellow Book given to all new Entered Apprentices with the Book of Constitutions at their Initiation. This book Information for Freemasons and their families provides a guide to the services provided by the MCF.
Hard copies of both the above can be ordered from the MCF or are available from the Provincial Office.
Information from the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF)
Many guides to assist the Almoner are available on the MCF website in the Almoner’s Resources Section.
In this section, you will find a PDF Copy of the Almoner’s Guide.
Another useful document is the Little Yellow Book given to all new Entered Apprentices with the Book of Constitutions at their Initiation. This book Information for Freemasons and their families provides a guide to the services provided by the MCF.
Hard copies of both the above can be ordered from the MCF or are available from the Provincial Office.
One of the documents on the Website which you may find useful when considering how to carry out contact with your Brethren, Widows and Dependents, is the Keeping In Touch paper.
Two crucial aspects of your work when contacting your Brethren, Widows and Dependents are Data Protection and Safeguarding, there are three Safeguarding papers in the Almoner’s Resources section.
When you are dealing with enquiries from your Brethren, Widows and Dependents, there is useful information in some documents, in the Almoner’s Resources section about the details of Government and NHS services and Alternative Sources of Support.
This section of the MCF website is being regularly updated with more fact sheets.
Two crucial aspects of your work when contacting your Brethren, Widows and Dependents are Data Protection and Safeguarding, there are three Safeguarding papers in the Almoner’s Resources section.
When you are dealing with enquiries from your Brethren, Widows and Dependents, there is useful information in some documents, in the Almoner’s Resources section about the details of Government and NHS services and Alternative Sources of Support.
This section of the MCF website is being regularly updated with more fact sheets.
The current topics covered are:
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Support and Services available in our Province
The Provincial Almoner, Ron Crabtree and his team of Area Assistant Provincial Almoners are available to help Lodge Almoners to provide support to their Brethren, Widows and Dependents.
The Provincial Almoner, Ron Crabtree and his team of Area Assistant Provincial Almoners are available to help Lodge Almoners to provide support to their Brethren, Widows and Dependents.
CHOICES is the local fund to support for West Riding Masons, Widows and Dependents.
Some Area Assistant Provincial Almoners are designated to prepare requests from CHOICES for support for Masons, Widows and Dependents in need and contact with them should be made through your Lodge or Chapter Almoner or by calling the help line on 03449 02 02 20.
To maintain confidentiality we do not publish the contact list so the latest version is sent direct to Lodge and Chapter Almoners
Care and Support Team
WRMCL have a team of Officers who are available to visit West Riding Brethren, Widows and Dependents to provide support and advice when needed. This includes home visits and agreed to telephone calls to someone to help in relieving loneliness.
If you identify a need requiring support from our C & S team, please contact your Lodge Almoner who will be able to contact one of my Assistant Provincial Almoners to arrange for the support required.
Confidentiality
A critical aspect of the Almoner’s work is to ensure that they maintain strict Confidentiality by not revealing or discussing the details of any case without the express consent of the person concerned. This includes only giving a brief report to Lodge meetings of who is not well without any details of treatment etc
The Almoner should have his own fund, preferably in a separate account under his control, to enable him to provide confidential support and relief to his Brethren, Widows and Dependents. He should control this account and only report to the Auditor that relief had been given but not who received this relief. The Almoner’s fund should not be part of other Lodge accounts.
A critical aspect of the Almoner’s work is to ensure that they maintain strict Confidentiality by not revealing or discussing the details of any case without the express consent of the person concerned. This includes only giving a brief report to Lodge meetings of who is not well without any details of treatment etc
The Almoner should have his own fund, preferably in a separate account under his control, to enable him to provide confidential support and relief to his Brethren, Widows and Dependents. He should control this account and only report to the Auditor that relief had been given but not who received this relief. The Almoner’s fund should not be part of other Lodge accounts.
Safeguarding and Data Protection
We all have a responsibility to be aware of how to handle visits to households with young people and vulnerable adults.
Guidance on this subject is available on the MCF website
As an Almoner you have to look after a lot of information about your Brethren, Widows and Dependents. You should treat all the information as if it was your own by ensuring that paper records are stored securely, and any files on a computer or memory stick should require a secure password to gain access.
Ron Crabtree
Provincial Grand Almoner
We all have a responsibility to be aware of how to handle visits to households with young people and vulnerable adults.
Guidance on this subject is available on the MCF website
As an Almoner you have to look after a lot of information about your Brethren, Widows and Dependents. You should treat all the information as if it was your own by ensuring that paper records are stored securely, and any files on a computer or memory stick should require a secure password to gain access.
Ron Crabtree
Provincial Grand Almoner
