Perseverance and mastering new technology was the order of the day at the well-attended MCF Charity seminar on 31st May 2023 at Halsey Hall, Cheshunt.
Lodge Charity Stewards, or their representatives, persevered through rail strike traffic to learn how new technology had been adapted by the MCF to enhance and improve the Relief Chest Scheme for the future.
The meeting was opened by the Provincial Grand Master Neil Connolly, accompanied by Provincial Grand Charity Steward, Martin Francis, before handing over to Charles Angus, MCF Group Finance director and his colleagues to present the latest developments on the Relief Chest Scheme.
During the seminar, attendees were informed of the impressive numbers associated with the MCF relief Chest Scheme. In the financial year ending 31st March 2023, some £13.824m had been received into the scheme, with £15.359m being paid out to worthy causes.
Attendees were then shown the significant benefits of encouraging lodge members to make full use of the new digital donations process using dedicated QR codes – it takes about the same time to complete as that of the envelope scheme and allows Charity Stewards to be able to view the status of all relief chest donations in real time through the online portal.
The new digital processes have the added value of reducing the huge workload that MCF have in processing the 1500 envelopes they receive each day. The envelope scheme will continue alongside the digital processes to support those brethren who are unable to utilise the digital process.
As well as being able to donate digitally, the MCF outlined the merits of making digital payments from the Relief Chest Scheme via the online e-voucher system, which allows the transfer of charitable donations electronically to registered charities, and even pre-populates the charity details and registered charity number automatically. Not only is the process easier but it means that the selected charity receives the funds quickly.
With the next Hertfordshire Festival on the horizon, the MCF also set out the benefits of the Continuous Giving Scheme, allowing lodge members to donate as little as £5 per month, with all donations made going towards their individual festival honorifics. This is a great method of spreading out donations and means that when not in festival, the continuous donation payments are already accruing for the next one.
Hertfordshire Province have already set-up a Continuous Giving Relief Chest Scheme: HERTSGIVE1.
A question and answer session followed the presentation, with some invaluable suggestions being shared by those in attendance, including one relating to cost benefit analysis to further highlight the longer term benefits of the digital processes.
The key takeaway from the seminar is that Lodge Charity Stewards have a vital role to fulfil working with the MCF to embrace and adopt the new digital processes available. This may require a degree of perseverance and adaptability to enable and assist our brethren to transition to the new technology, knowing that this will benefit them, our lodges, and perhaps most importantly of all, those in need of Charity.
