Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows Northern Rivers Incorporated
Grand Master’s Address 2020
Deputy Grand Master, Officers, Fraternal Council, members and visitors, it is my pleasure to give the Grand Master’s address to the 2020 Annual General Meeting of MUIOOF NR Inc.
2020 has proven to be a difficult year, there is a joke on the internet that the most optimistic thing a person could have done in 2019 was buy a 2020 planner & isn’t that accurate.
Remembrance
In such a difficult year it is important that we take a moment to pause and remember those members we have lost in the last 12 months. Will everyone please stand for a moment of silence.
Functions
During this last twelve months our usual social whirl has slowed. From the week I was installed last year we have faced many obstacles, from being evacuated during the worst bushfire season in recent memory, to members in another part of the country flooding at the same time. To Covid-19 bringing everything to a halt and our new normal we live with now.
As we moved in to December we were attending Christmas functions. Loyal High Crows District Lodge and Loyal Bonalbo Lodge combined for a Saturday afternoon lunch at Raceview tavern. Everyone who attended enjoyed the food and the Secret Santa.
A couple of members also got together for Loyal David Mills Lodge Christmas afternoon tea. Other Lodges also held Christmas parties, including barbecues and a dinner.
A few members attended a barbecue at Evans Head in January and a lovely afternoon was had by all; except Sis Ross, who chose that morning to fall down and break her shoulder and was in a significant amount of pain by the evening.
We were planning a ANZAC service and Lodge of Remembrance for April, however early in March, everything went in to lock down and all of our best laid plans were suspended, as it has remained until today’s function.
Fraternal Council
The Fraternal Council has met in February, April, July and October. We were fortunate to be able to meet face to face in February, July and September; with the borders opening conveniently for the July and October meeting. Our April meeting was help online, via a Facebook group. This proved very successful and will prove a useful tool in the future.
Lodges
At the April Fraternal Council it was decided that we would suspend Lodge meetings and function until the threat of Covid had passed. As the threat has lingered we have gone the majority of this year without official functions, no summoned meetings, no District meetings and no ritual meetings. Some lodges were able to have friendly get togethers, where 2 members were allowed to visit another member’s home. I have also been reliably informed that Loyal Summerland Lodge and Loyal Mount Lindesay lodge are back meeting now and sharing social dinners.
Even though there have been no official meetings of lodges this year, it is important that secretaries remember to record what their lodge has been doing during the pandemic as a record that is available to people who may wish to know how our members coped in such a difficult time in the future.
Secretaries are reminded that if their Lodge or District holds any monetary funds, it is important that they keep an accurate record of money that is received and spent. This record will also need to be audited to ensure that all financial dealings of our organisation are above board and accurate.
Members
The members of our organisation never cease to amaze me. The way we find solutions to our struggles and how we have managed to keep in touch even during a global pandemic. I especially want to acknowledge our remote members, members who continue to be active in our lodges and districts, even though they can’t be present in person. I urge all members, to stay in touch with these members and keep them up to date with what is happening.
Acknowledgments
As I come to the end of my address I want to thank all the members for the faith they have shown in placing me in this position.
I want to thank my extended family who has supported me in all my craziness especially Mum who has travelled with me when I have needed to and Robert who has also supported me.
I could not be more proud of the resilience that the members have shown in tackling that ever challenging year that has been 2020 and I look forward to continuing to lead our organisation in to 2021 with optimism and determination.
In Friendship, love & Truth
Sis. Margaret Connell, Grand Master