Lodge and Chapter Festival Representatives

THE LODGE FESTIVAL REPRESENTATIVE (LFR) AND THE CHAPTER FESTIVAL REPRESENTATIVE (CFR)

Many Lodges and Chapters have appointed their Charity Steward as Festival Representative, although this isn't so in every case. It is appropriate though, as he is already knowledgeable about fundraising and knows his brethren or companions. These appointed brethren or Companions are the mainstay of the whole Festival Structure. It is they who are working at the 'face', in a manner of speaking, and they who are charged with making the Festival work.

Nearly all Lodge and Chapter Festival Representatives had received training prior to the launch of the Festival. Members of the Appeal Committee have toured the Province over a 6 week period delivering this training in a number of venues. The LFRs / CFRs have access to an integrated support package including:

A Festival Representatives' Manual and the Festival Website.

All the paperwork they need to record and handle donations.

The capacity for two way communication with the District Festival Representatives for feedback and support.

Periodic support meetings, Road Shows and Lodge / Chapter visits. During visits to the latter, the District Festival Representative or Area Festival Manager will see out the Lodge or Chapter Festival Representative, to spend time with them, discuss progress and offer any support that is needed.

Duties of the LFR / CFR

Undoubtedly they will be promoting the RMBI 2015 Festival and encouraging support for it in your Lodge or Chapter. It may be helpful if they have a specific slot in the Business Agenda on each Summons. Their approach will always be sympathetic and none will be forceful. As always, the key to their success will be through communication and their approach to their work.

They may well encourage you to enlist the support of your ladies and get them involved (socially and financially if willing - they too can take out Regular Payment Promises. They will try to encourage the running of fundraising events – even considering joint events with other Lodges / Chapters in the District. They may also bring other events elsewhere to your attention. Please listen and try to support them. They may also ask for the occasional Lodge night to be kept quiet so that the Area Festival Manager or District Festival Representive can be invited to discuss the RMBI and the Festival.

They will also have meetings to attend - to receive feedback on progress with the Festival and, perhaps more importantly, to give their own input and contribution on what your Lodge or Chapter is doing to support the Festival and to convey your thoughts and feelings to the District and Area Festival Teams.