The Antient Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of England
THE PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE and
ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER OF DURHAM 8 The Esplanade, Sunderland, SR2 7BH, Tel. 0191 567 5365 Email: enquiries@durhamfreemasons.org Website: www.durhamfreemasons.org
Data Protection Information Sheet On becoming a Freemason your consent is requested by the Secretary in order to share your contact details with other members of the Lodge so Members can keep in touch with each other and, if necessary, provide support when needed. Within each Lodge there is an officer called “The Almoner”. The Almoner’s role is a pastoral one and it plays a vital part in the life of every Lodge and Province and has been recognised and acknowledged by Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Lodges to be of great importance. The Almoner will keep in touch and maintain regular contact with sick or distressed Lodge members, widowed partners and families of recently deceased brethren, as well as those who are not in regular attendance for whatever reason. He will also be familiar with and able to keep them informed of the Masonic help and support available to them. That support goes beyond the member and can extend to his partner and children and can continue even after a Member passes to the Grand Lodge above. To enable this to happen, consent must be given for that personal information to be so used under the Data Protection Act 2018. Consent needs to be given not just from the member but also where applicable, his partner and that consent must be in writing. Hence the need for the Almoner’s and Secretary’s Record Sheet but solely for their use in respect of the work they do as Secretary and Almoner. Will you, and if applicable your partner, please provide the information requested on the attached sheet and confirm your consent by both signing the Record Sheet and returning it to the Lodge Secretary and Almoner. Your details can be deleted or changed at any time by writing to the Lodge Secretary and Almoner as long as you understand that the same Masonic support will not necessarily be available to you, your partner or family. Consent to your personal information being held by the Lodge Almoner and Lodge Secretary will also allow information about your and your partner’s welfare, if your partner has consented, but excluding your children or grandchildren, being reported to Lodge members as and when the occasion is appropriate. The request for additional information such as birth dates, marriage or civil partnership dates etc can be helpful. However, you do not have to provide the information and can leave any part or parts blank if you wish.