Essex Provincial Grand Mark Benevolent Fund
"Bis dat qui cito dat"
& The Essex Provincial Grand Mark Welfare Fund
"Bis dat qui cito dat"
& The Essex Provincial Grand Mark Welfare Fund
“The Essex Provincial Grand Mark Benevolent Fund” was first constituted in 1967 when three Trustees were appointed in order to apply both income and capital not only for the relief of distressed Essex Mark Master Masons and their dependants but also for other charitable institutions that the Trustees, from time to time, thought fit. Both a Bank Current Account and a Bank Deposit Account were opened in the Fund’s name.
In 1987 a Provincial Charity Steward was appointed to co-ordinate fund-raising for the 124th Festival of the Mark Benevolent Fund which was to be hosted by the Mark Province of Essex in 1992.
This proved to be such a successful event that, overwhelmed by the support that had been received from other Provinces, the Provincial Executive decided to revitalize the Fund which had been depleted following the 1992 Festival.
In August, 1992 a Charity Committee was formed, consisting of the (then) Provincial Grand Master; Provincial Grand Secretary and the Provincial Grand Charity Steward with the result that the Fund was renamed “The Essex Mark Benevolent Fund” and a Chairman and four trustees were appointed.
The Trustees then resolved that the amount held in the Current Account should become the ‘Provincial Grand Secretary’s Discretionary Fund’ and that the amount held in the Deposit Account should be used to open a ‘Relief Chest’ with the Grand Charity and that this ‘Relief Chest’ should be administered by the Provincial Grand Charity Steward.
A new Trust Deed was drawn up in line with the previous one, but updating it to the requirements of the ‘Relief Chest’ and current Tax Laws.
In February, 1993 the Trustees decided that contributions from both Lodges and individuals would be much appreciated, gratefully received and faithfully applied and that funds received would qualify for Patronage.
In June, 1993 the first meeting of Lodge Charity Stewards was held at Braintree. Thirty four of the forty three lodges were represented. Details of the “New” Essex Mark Benevolent Fund and its aims were explained, which were:
1. To provide immediate support to distressed Essex Mark Master Masons or their dependents so that a cheque could
arrive after the application had been approved by the Provincial Grand Secretary - in other words “First Aid” until a
major grant could be obtained from one of the Masonic Charities.
2. To support other Provinces who preside at the Annual Festival as they had supported Essex in 1992.
In 2009 the Trust Deed was again updated to cater for the requirements of the 2006 Charities Act and the ‘Provincial Grand Secretary’s Discretionary Fund’ was replaced by the “Essex Provincial Grand Mark Welfare Fund”. This fund has more liberal fund rules and monies can be disbursed to local worthy causes and charities by application to The Fund Trustees via the Provincial Grand Charity Steward or Almoner(preferably) or via any member of the Provincial Executive. It is this fund into which donations are preferred to be received.
Regalia sales proceeds from the site shop will also be donated to the Welfare Fund
Oh, and for the non Latin scholars among us, the motto translates to "He who gives quickly, gives twice"
In 1987 a Provincial Charity Steward was appointed to co-ordinate fund-raising for the 124th Festival of the Mark Benevolent Fund which was to be hosted by the Mark Province of Essex in 1992.
This proved to be such a successful event that, overwhelmed by the support that had been received from other Provinces, the Provincial Executive decided to revitalize the Fund which had been depleted following the 1992 Festival.
In August, 1992 a Charity Committee was formed, consisting of the (then) Provincial Grand Master; Provincial Grand Secretary and the Provincial Grand Charity Steward with the result that the Fund was renamed “The Essex Mark Benevolent Fund” and a Chairman and four trustees were appointed.
The Trustees then resolved that the amount held in the Current Account should become the ‘Provincial Grand Secretary’s Discretionary Fund’ and that the amount held in the Deposit Account should be used to open a ‘Relief Chest’ with the Grand Charity and that this ‘Relief Chest’ should be administered by the Provincial Grand Charity Steward.
A new Trust Deed was drawn up in line with the previous one, but updating it to the requirements of the ‘Relief Chest’ and current Tax Laws.
In February, 1993 the Trustees decided that contributions from both Lodges and individuals would be much appreciated, gratefully received and faithfully applied and that funds received would qualify for Patronage.
In June, 1993 the first meeting of Lodge Charity Stewards was held at Braintree. Thirty four of the forty three lodges were represented. Details of the “New” Essex Mark Benevolent Fund and its aims were explained, which were:
1. To provide immediate support to distressed Essex Mark Master Masons or their dependents so that a cheque could
arrive after the application had been approved by the Provincial Grand Secretary - in other words “First Aid” until a
major grant could be obtained from one of the Masonic Charities.
2. To support other Provinces who preside at the Annual Festival as they had supported Essex in 1992.
In 2009 the Trust Deed was again updated to cater for the requirements of the 2006 Charities Act and the ‘Provincial Grand Secretary’s Discretionary Fund’ was replaced by the “Essex Provincial Grand Mark Welfare Fund”. This fund has more liberal fund rules and monies can be disbursed to local worthy causes and charities by application to The Fund Trustees via the Provincial Grand Charity Steward or Almoner(preferably) or via any member of the Provincial Executive. It is this fund into which donations are preferred to be received.
Regalia sales proceeds from the site shop will also be donated to the Welfare Fund
Oh, and for the non Latin scholars among us, the motto translates to "He who gives quickly, gives twice"
