All Lincolnshire Freemasons have been invited to nominate someone for a new Care Excellence Award to be presented for the first time at next May’s Provincial Grand Lodge meeting.
Seeking nominations before the end of December this year, PGM Dave Wheeler says: “I am very keen to recognise the work of those brethren who care for other brethren and their families or make a significant commitment to the community.
“The Province of Lincolnshire Care Excellence Award is a new and prestigious award that shines a light on the heartfelt and challenging work undertaken by a brother during the previous 12 months, which has not only made a significant difference, but has also been inspirational to others.
“To nominate a member of your Lodge or Masonic Centre please send an email to Assistant Provincial Almoner Mike Allen (michaelallen965@btinternet.com) with the name and contact details for the individual, and a brief outline of what you think makes them a suitable recipient. Below you’ll find a guide to the qualities of the kind of Freemason we are keen to recognise.”
Criteria for an award winner
Relatable: They are honest and make a true emotional connection through their stories. They don’t try and paper over the cracks or pretend to be superhuman. They face challenges head-on and talk about them openly. They laugh at their mistakes and tell you the truth about how they feel. They rise in the face of adversity and learn from their setbacks. They don’t dish out blame, they are accountable, proud, and willing to share every part of their journey.
People-focused: They actually care. No really, they do! They put themselves in other people’s shoes to truly understand the experience they are creating. They are objective, realistic, and inclusive. They are able to look at behaviours from multiple perspectives. If they don’t like what they see and hear, they will try to make change. And if they do, they still try to make it better.
Inspirational: They are able to use their knowledge and insights to deliver something special. They have a clear purpose and the passion to motivate, move, and inspire others to think deeper, try harder, and achieve more.
Innovative: Innovators are doing something that is truly ‘new and unique’. It may be enabling a small but important change, or it might be creating a major shift which pioneers a new way. They might not even consider themselves innovators, but they are working smarter and they don’t stop until they find different ways of doing things that improve and get results!
Reflective: Being able to reflect back on their actions with the ability to measure, understand, and clearly communicate their achievements. It also gives them the power to change and improve. They never stop reflecting, tweaking, adapting, and re-measuring, which means they know what works and what doesn’t, and it helps them to get better and better.
Energetic: They use their own energy to carry you through their journey effortlessly. Their enthusiasm creates a natural buzz, and their presence empowers and energises the people around them. They light up the room and exude natural warmth. They carry their colleagues when they need support, and they know when to stop and refuel so they don’t become a drain. They are productive and driven, but never to the detriment of others.
Altruistic: They naturally care about someone or something that doesn’t simply benefit themselves. There are no egos to manage here. They are selfless in small or big ways, but those ways have meaning, and come from the right place. They are not faking it to make it. They have a real interest on the impact they are having on people and causes close to their hearts, and they do what they can to make a difference.