|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The 2014 Festival |
|
FAQs The following is a list of Frequently Asked Questions, and answers, which have resulted from feedback from Lodge and Chapter Charity Stewards throughout the Province in relation to the 2014 Festival.
Q1. How do I make a personal donation? A1. Obtain a form from your lodge Charity Steward, download one here or pick up a paper copy at your Masonic Centre. There are two methods - Regular or Single donations. Regular donations are by Direct Debit, single donations are by cheque or cash to your Charity Steward. Fill in the form and send it to the Grand Charity Relief Chest, via your Charity Steward. All cheques must be made payable to “The Freemasons’ Grand Charity”. Make sure you tick the Gift Aid box if you pay tax. Tax can be income tax (including tax on dividends and bank/building interest) or capital gains tax. Some brethren already have funds in the EKPCA which can be transferred to the Relief Chest by means of a simple instruction, see the EKPCA website for a form.
You can make donations to several lodges using a single donation by simply attaching a letter setting out the distribution you wish to occur, The Grand Charity will do the rest.
Q2. My lodge wishes to make a donation to the 2014 Festival when a senior member of the Province attends a meeting. To whom should the cheque be made payable? A2. “The Freemasons’ Grand Charity”. The Province will ensure that the donation is credited to your lodge.
Q3. I have a Standing Order with the EKPCA for the 2014 Festival. Why have I been requested to take out a Direct Debit with the Grand Charity? A3. The Province has taken the decision to transfer the management of funds for the 2014 Festival to the Relief Chest at The Grand Charity. Accordingly, regular donations to the EKPCA must be changed as the instruction cannot be transferred. Funds held by lodges and individuals in the EKPCA, which are allocated to the 2014 Festival, will be transferred to the Relief Chest automatically.
Q4. How does the lodge find out how it is progressing towards its Festival target? A4. The Grand Charity issues monthly statements to the Provincial Grand Charity Steward. At present queries should be directed to him. It is anticipated that a lodge will require a statement no more frequently than once a year.
Q5. How does a lodge Charity Steward obtain general information? A5. The Province’s website http://www.eastkentfreemasons.org/ is the best source of information, and should be visited at least monthly. There is also a regular programme of seminars at different centres around the Province specifically for Charity Stewards.
Particular attention is drawn to the Area Chairmen and the Provincial Charity Committee (PCC), who should be able to assist with queries.
The most effective way of disseminating information to Charity Stewards is by email. Charity Stewards should therefore ensure that their email address is known to the PCC. If a Charity Steward does not have an email address he should provide the address of a reliable brother who will pass on messages.
Q6. Is a talk available on the 2014 Festival? A6. Yes. A member of the PCC will be pleased to attend a lodge or chapter to present a talk, which expands on general charity and 2014 Festival themes, for the information of the brethren. The talk lasts about 30 minutes with a further 15 minutes allowed for questions.
Q7. I see that a Festival jewel is available, how do I obtain a jewel? A7. Speak to your lodge Charity Steward. He will download an Application Form from the Province’s website. He may already have paper copies. The cost of the jewel is £15.00 and the first bar is free. Cheques should be made payable to “The Provincial Events’ Account”. The Honorific levels are in the December 2008 Provincial magazine and are also on this website, here. Fill in the form and send off with a cheque. Ensure you have made the relevant donation. Your Charity Steward will be able to assist. You will only receive the jewel once your donation is confirmed at the Grand Charity.
Q8. Why is the 2014 jewel ribbon gold? A8. Each of the four main Masonic Charities have their own distinctive ribbon colours that are used on all jewels for their festivals. The Freemasons’ Grand Charity ribbon is gold, Pantone Gold 1235C to be precise.
Q9. When and where can I wear the jewel? A9. Once you receive the jewel, and possibly bars, it may be worn with your regalia as a breast jewel in the Province at lodge and chapter meetings. However, the Chapter jewel always takes precedence and must be worn nearest the centre.
Q10. Am I eligible for a jewel based on future donations? A10. Unfortunately not, only donations actually received in the Province’s 2014 Relief Chest will count for honorifics.
Q11. Where are the 2014 Festival funds being held? A11. In the Province’s Relief Chest account – No. E0118. The total funds in the chest in June 2014 will be transferred to the Grand Charity.
Q12. What is the purpose of the Gift Aid Envelope Scheme? A12. In the past normal lodge alms collections did not benefit from Gift Aid. The Grand Charity Envelope Scheme was introduced to enable tax to be recovered on alms collections and thereby boost lodge donations. The envelopes also enable Brethren to use the alms collection to accumulate personal Honorifics.
Q13. How does Gift Aid work? A13. By ticking the Gift Aid box on the donation forms the brother confirms that he pays tax – see Q1. When the basic tax rate was 22% the total Gift Aid benefit was 28.2% (1 divided by 0.78 = 1.282). So if you gave £100 the total value was £128.20, so the Revenue donated £28.20.
When basic rate tax was changed to 20% the figures changed, so only 25% is recovered by Gift Aid. So for every £100 donated the charity receives £125. The government introduced "Transitional Relief" until April 2011, which is an additional 3.2%. Transitional Relief therefore brings the Gift Aid to 28.2%, but only until April 2011. The sooner donations are made the greater the benefit!
|
