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It is has come to notice that systematic
and proper procedure is not often being followed lli
various Masonic Meetings of the Craft/Chapter/Mark/RAM
Lodges etc. at the Lodge/Chapter level or the Area/Regional/Grand
Lodge levels in circulating Charity bags & collection
of charities. Therefore, there is often considerable
delay and confusion in '!collection of charities particularly
in large gatherings. M. W. the Grand Master has therefore
desired that appropriate procedure as indicated below
may be followed in future iil all Masonic Meetings.
Lodges and those arranging Area/Regional/Grand
Lodge meetings must ensure that appropriate charity
bags/charity boxes me available in sufficient numbers.
In normal meetings of Lodges/Chapters etc.· where
the attendance is not very high the Junior. Deacon should
start collecting charities commencing in the clockwise
direction from the left of the Senior Warden and proceed
up to the right of the Worshipful Master covering all
brethren pitting in that area. The Senior Deacon should
start his collection in clockwise direction commencing
from the WM. and the brethren sitting to his left and
proceed similarly to the Junior Warden and then up to
and including S.W., covering all the brethren sitting
in that area.
Both the Deacons should then deposit
the charity bags with the Secretary. It will be a good
practice in normal Lodge Meetings to count the collection
and announce the same before the Lodge is closed, so
that the same can be recorded in the minutes and confirmed
at the next meeting. Secretaries of Lodges should ensure
that the collection so made are passed on to the treasurer
who should give a propel' receipt for the same which
should be pasted in the minute book along with minutes
of the meeting.
In larger gatherings such as in Area/Regional/Grand
Lodge Meeting it will be the duty of the Directors of
Ceremonies concerned, ejther of the Lodge or of the
Region or the Grand Director· of Ceremonies to
ensure that apart from Senior and Junior Deacons, sufficient
number of Charity Stewards are appointed and suitable
charity bags are also made available to them, (the practice
of collecting Charity in plastic or improved bags may
be avoided as far as possible). It may also be ensured
that they are placed at strategic locations in different
parls of the gathering so that smooth and fast tollection
of charity can be made, the charity bag should be handed
over to the Secretary of the meeting who will deal with
it approppiately. They should also as far as possible
proceed in clockwise direction dividing the gathering
in 4 parts Viz., between the J.W. & S.W., between
the S.W. & Secy., between the Secy. and the W.M.
and between the W.M. & the J.W.
The brethren are also reminded that they should respect
the Charity bag by standing up while depositing their
charity contribution in the Charity bag.
All concerned are requested to note the above proQedure
so that thee same is followed in all meeting with immediate
effect.
With greetings,
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