1. Patrick Tasker Masonic Education Fund 2018
The Scoop

2. The Patrick Tasker Masonic Educational Fund had its beginnings in Saint John’s Lodge No. 579 E.C. in January The credit for creating the fund must go to Brother J. S. Rutherford, who at a regular meeting of the Lodge proposed the following motion:
"That a fund be established for the purpose of educating children of deceased brethren who have been in full communication with the Lodge."
Subsequent to its establishment, the fund was given the name "The Tasker Educational Fund" in honor of our late brother, Patrick Tasker, a well-known and highly respected freemason.
Realizing that the establishment of this fund for the purpose of helping the children of deceased brethren was truly the essence of Freemasonry, other Lodges became contributors to the fund on behalf of their brethren. Today, subscribing Lodges under both the Grand Lodge of Newfoundland and Labrador and District Grand Lodge of Scotland are participating members of the Fund.
In recent years the awarding of Academic Scholarships was added to types of benefits available to the children and or grandchildren of participating members in the Fund.
The Fund comes under the direction of a General Committee made up of representatives of both the Grand Lodge of Newfoundland and Labrador and District Grand Lodge of Scotland, as well as representatives of all other participating Lodges of both jurisdictions throughout the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

3. What are we all about ?
Purpose:
To provide financial assistance in the education of children of deceased, incapacitated or deprived Masons.
Financial Position:
We currently manage approximately $ 400,000 of which
$ 150,000 is in the form of an interest bearing loan to Masonic Park. Interest is being paid on a regular basis.

4. It is as Simple as that Beneficiaries Dependent children of a mason
The mason must be deceased, incapacitated or in a deprived position
Was or is a member in good standing of a subscribing Lodge in the Province of Newfoundland & Labrador under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Newfoundland and Labrador or the Grand Lodge of Scotland, District Grand Lodge of Newfoundland Labrador
It is as Simple as that

5. What is available to assist the Children ?
1. School Related Expenses, Kindergarten to Level III   
The parent or guardian of eligible children shall be reimbursed for expenses directly related to the full participation of those children in all school programs normally required of students to maximum of:
$ 1,500 per child per academic year from Kindergarten to Level III
Such expenses may include the cost of all textbooks, pencils, rulers, erasers, mathematical instruments (where required), or appropriate number of exercise books as required for each grade level and any other books or supplies, which shall, from time to time, be required for full participation on the regular school program.
The cost of gym shoes and appropriate uniforms (where required) are also eligible expenses under the regulation as is also any special fees such as skating fees, swimming fees, etc., which are normally required by all students.
Fees for private music lessons are not considered to be eligible expenses under the regulations.

6. 1. Actual tuition paid per semester; or 2. $1,500.00 per semester.
Expenses for Post-Secondary Education
Tuition and Books: Eligible students who are also eligible under Clause 4 of the General Regulations shall be reimbursed for the cost of tuition fees for any eight academic semesters amounting to the lessor of:
1. Actual tuition paid per semester; or
2. $1, per semester.
Books and educational requirements will be reimbursed at a rate of $600 per semester.
Duly authenticated receipts must be submitted for repayment of all expenses .

7. Everybody’s Favorite Topic….Scholarships.
But not a priority of the Executive of the “Fund”
Six scholarships of seven hundred and fifty dollars ($750) each are available annually to eligible high school graduates entering an approved post-secondary institution. The basis for awarding these scholarships shall be graduation from Level III, within the educational system of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Department of Education will provide the Fund an independent ranking of all applications received.
To be eligible for a scholarship, a student must be a dependent child or grandchild of a member (or a child for whom the member is guardian) who is currently or at the time of his death was in good standing of a Masonic Lodge in Newfoundland and Labrador that subscribes to the Fund.
These scholarships are subject to review by the Executive Committee and may be extended or cancelled if circumstances warrant.

8. Thank you very much for the opportunity to present the facts about the Patrick Tasker Masonic Fund.
If you would like an electronic copy of this presentation it will be available on the Grand Lodge and District Grand Lodge websites.
To contact the “Fund” please call or at