As we are well into the membership challenge, one of the more important aspects that has been talked about is the lack of engagement, leading to members feeling that they do not belong. To address this issue, we have launched the Berkshire Engagement and Enjoyment Club (BEE Club) for short.
The principles of this club have been broken down into 4 areas.
- Family fun and enjoyment events
- Membership events such as curry nights, (which could include partners and non -masons)
- Lodge visiting
- Team visiting from centre to centre.
To achieve this, we have selected 5 team leaders, who will build their own teams to facilitate the events.
The 5 team leaders and their given areas are.
- Windsor and Maidenhead (Berries) – Glenn Karpel – 07976753008 – glenn0k@gmail.com
- Wallingford, Didcot and Abingdon – James Gilding-Brant – 07740054026 – jrplumbingoxon@gmail.com
- Wantage and Faringdon – Ricky Mattioni 07794872006 – enjoyingfreemasonryinthewest@outlook.com
- Newbury, Pangbourne and Aldermaston – Phil Damant – 07411240585 – Phillip_damant@hotmail.com
- Sindlesham and Wokingham – Steve Graesser – 07960030353 – graessersteve@gmail.com
The task off the team leaders is to arrange at least one good family and friends fun day a year, one trip out for the members, organise inter lodge visiting in their given area and arrange a fraternal visit from centre to centre.
If you already hold events in your lodges or areas, we do not want to interfere with those arrangements, but we could help publicise on the events calendar.
We are mindful of the cost of living, so we are attempting to keep all costs to a minimum.
All of the events will be uploaded onto the Provincial website www.berkspgl.org.uk. If you have not been on the website before you will need to obtain a login. Once you have this, just go to the “Social Events” tab and the events calendar will appear.
We all have a shared philosophy in making Freemasonry in Berkshire engaging, enjoyable and most of all fun for all.
If you would like to be involved, or have an idea you would like to bring to the table please contact your area team leader.
Ideas from our new members will be especially welcome.
We are looking for a volunteer from each lodge to help advertise and inform the members of all the events being organised.
Just to clarify the Light Blues Club will be running their own events autonomous to the BEE Club. Their events will also show on the calendar.
During the recent Festival we had some amazing fun events such as the Barn Dance, Christmas parties and a trip to North Wales to the longest and fasted Zip line in Europe.
W.Bro Colin Payne has kindly agreed to oversee the BEE Club as chairman.
He has appointed the following to assist him.
- Secretary – Graham Thornton – 07926279547 graham78@hotmail.co.uk
- Treasurer – Kevan Neville – 07816948345 kevan.neville_epc@hotmail.co.uk
- Communications – Sukh Phugada – 07900681202 sukh_phugada@hotmail.com
Yours sincerely and fraternally,
Gerry Preston, PAGDC
Assistant Provincial Grand Master
