Would be a lot easier if they would all travel to me and on days when I’m not busy!
That sounds pretty cool - I bet the floorwork is perfect!
absolutely.
the floorwork isn’t quite QCS standard, but the perambulation around the lodge and “Squaring” is a good match for the drill square!
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i think this is the downfall of any suggested Cadet Forces Lodge.
I am already out twice a week at Squadron, and one night a month at my Mother Lodge, to attend regularly (as a member) would be another night out which would only be, and excuse me boiling it down to the basics, a social night with other CFAVs which is a night i could be more productive with the Cadets.
I’d much prefer a “Wing Mess” which put on all inclusive social functions 2-3 times a year (Dinners, summer BBQs, etc) than have another Lodge commitment.
I notice from the link that many of the military lodges meet in London and on a week night which again is another draw on my time away from the Cadets…
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Graham Bowerman in Eastern Region is certainly of this sect. So is RAFAC a recruiting ground for masonry as well as the RAF? Joking aside … I have t from the Grand Master that trouser leg up and best foot forward only goes so far 
Bloody hell chaps… this is the sort of thing that makes a mockery of our hobby.
IF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN AN ORGANISATION THAT INVOLVES THE WELFARE OF OTHER PEOPLES’ CHILDREN, DO NOT ADD A CONNECTION TO A SECRET SOCIETY, REGARDLESS OF YOUR GOOD INTENT…!!!
Somebody tell me i’m not over-reacting… please…!!!
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a) Your over reacting
b) It’s not a secret society, it’s a society with secrets
c) Your over reacting
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You’re over reacting. Get your head out the conspiracy theory hole, talk to some actual masons, calm down.
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If you look into the reality of freemasonry, you will see that it shares a lot of similar values with the military and RAFAC in that it is about being an upstanding member of society who contributes in a positive manner
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Have you actually met a mason before…?
Really? Having external interests and social groups? That’s somewhat healthy if you ask me…
Why the disdain?
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Can’t get in?
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Does anyone know if the Masons issue grants etc to groups like ours?
Donations are available to charities yes.
in terms of approaching a Lodge for donations this would be in the order of £100-200 (based on my experience, our Lodge gives a bit to many, rather than a lot to few)
Given no Lodge will operate on its own, ie the sole unit in the town, there is likely to be at least 3 or more Lodges to each Masonic Centre and so if successful could be £600+
However the best way to be successful is to know a Mason to propose the idea. “Cold calling” with a “begging letter” is unlikely to get the same response, and certainly for our Lodge, donations are only made once a year at the end of the season, when the final total of money raised is known and so timing would have an impact.
Others may disagree with me, but i would not turn to the Masons as a potential source for funding/grants.
Our Lodge donations go one of two ways - local charities known to be limited in funds where an injection of £100-200 is a big deal (such as a donkey sanctuary or Homeless Shelter), or a national, typically medical/health based, Charity and often with a personal link, such as a Cancer, blood or dementia charity and the local Air Ambulance
I am not saying it is impossible for the ATC to get money out of a Lodge, perhaps if you had a military Lodge locally you’d have more luck, but having looked through the donations we’ve made (with two CFAVs and Scout Master as members) the above approach tends to be where our donations go.
Other Lodges may well operate differently, preferring to give large amounts and may even invite requests from the local community, but that would be usual in my experience.
That’s because of their super-secrecy! 
To be fair to those with reservations, this is why they have those reservations…
(some of my best friends are Masons, etc. etc.)
I am not sure I follow…
Are you suggesting people have reservations about Masons/Masonry because its who you know?
my point being, it is easier if someone is known on the inside to propose the idea and can talk with some authority, knowledge and/or understanding on the subject, rather than a “cold calling” begging letter, which is true of any situation.
Far easier to ask a friend for a favour than to approach someone you don’t know who doesn’t know you for the same thing…
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The former; the accusation always levelled at the Masons is that they help each other on the quiet leading to unfair decisions in e.g. promotions at work, etc. I’m not saying that’s true; it’s the perception, though.
I totally agree - someone who knows what to write to get the best response is valuable.
I would say the opposite in my experience. I recently got moved teams at work because my boss found out I was a mason. He is to the left of Karl Marx (his own admission) and a strong believer in the protocols of the elders of Zion so believes masons are part of a worldwide conspiracy with the Jews. To his credit he was open about the reason for the move, that he didn’t feel he would be able to supervise me fairly anymore, seeing as he believes I’m evil.
Should add I’d been planning to ask for a move in the October reshuffle anyway so wasn’t bothered.