A rainy evening couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of 22 companions from the Furness and South Lakeland Group as they gathered at Fairfield Lane for a group steward’s briefing session ahead of the next Provincial Grand Chapter meeting to be held at Blackpool Winter Gardens on Wednesday 27 September.
Furness and South Lakeland Group Chairman Gary Rogerson invited John Topping, the Provincial Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Chapter Events Advisor, to the session and share his wide-ranging presentation that covers all areas of how to successfully undertake the group stewarding of these important Provincial events. During the discussion, the team of group stewards asked many topical questions, certainly those relating to the process of using the modern mobile phone technology application (Eventbrite) to check-in attendees quickly and efficiently.
John Topping said: “It is always helpful to the host groups to gain an insight beforehand into what is required of group stewards on the day of large Provincial meetings. A couple of months ago, John and Furness and South Lakeland members held a Google meeting on-line for the leadership team to introduce themselves and lay the foundations for the future group training session in Barrow. Without this preparation it can all seem quite overwhelming on the big day.
John was very grateful to Gary for building this interest across the Furness and South Lakes Group and for nominating a captain and the vice captains to lead specific teams on the day. John explained: “From previous Provincial meetings we gather important feedback after each event, which we share at the next group stewards briefing session to guide everyone through the upcoming event. Everyone is looking forward to Provincial Grand Chapter 2023 in Blackpool and a healthy attendance of Royal Arch companions.”