It worries me to think that we have to run appeals for the OUR's fund, not because I don't think it is a worthy cause, quite the opposite. We as a charitable organisation strive to raise money for good and worthy causes. The truth is any organisation will rally to generate funds in a crisis.
It is my intention to reach out to as many Buffs as I can and simply ask them to give more to the OUR's fund than ever before. Why? Because the fund is the corner stone of our Order. It is what sums up the RAOB.
It is a sad sign of the times when we as an Order struggle to give generously to the Widow and the Orphan Child at times of difficulty, misfortune and need. There are Lodges throughout the world who have kept the OUR's fund going, these are true Buffs they are a model of good practice and deserve allot of credit. If more lodges helped out not only would the fund swell, it would also give every one a sense of well being and purpose. This is important to the future of the Order against a backdrop of lodge closures becoming more common than ever before and an apparent drop in registrations.
I sincerely hope all donations are never called upon and we have a fund lying dormant, just waiting for the time when a Brothers good lady will call upon us to help her through hardship, even the opportunity to help a child reach there full potential in life through giving them educational grants. All of these things are what would make their departed loved one feel a PROUD man.
When one of our Brethren passes to the Grand Lodge Above they should rest easy knowing that we will take their dependents and look after them as if they were OURS.
Bro. Colin Stewart KOM PGP North Durham Province 2008