Providing moral, financial help

Press, 8 March 1989, Page 45

Providing moral, financial help

The Manchester Unity Friendly. Society is a worldwide fraternity which exists to promote the moral and material welfare of its members and their families.

The Order, which was founded in 1810, had its head office in Manchester, England. Its purpose then was to provide a decent burial for members and to give travelling relief for members travelling in search of employment. This was calculated on the cost of providing bed and board on a daily basis.

The first lodge in New Zealand was established at Nelson in 1842 and today there are branches throughout the country. In total there are 13 districts comprising over 130 lodges with a total membership of about 23,000 and assets of more than $4O million. There are 2500 members in the North Canterbury district. Membership is open to all persons aged from 15 to 65 years. Membership is achieved by completing a membership application form and becoming either a registered member for

benefit purposes only or being introduced into a lodge.

Members can gain all the financial benefits of the Society without becoming an attending lodge member, but the Society believes that only by attending the meetings and the associated fraternal activities can a member get the full benefit of the Society’s motto of “Friendship, Love and Truth.”

At a lodge meeting the business of the Lodge is discussed including any

requests to help members in need. This is frequently followed by a short social get-together. The Society is neither a religious nor political organisation and no discussion on these two topics is allowed. Lodge members are welcome to visit other Lodge meetings and may obtain a letter of introduction if travelling anywhere in the world to enable them to meet new people wherever they choose to go. Lodge members who take part in the meetings

receive training in correct meeting procedure and are able to hold various lodge offices. They become accustomed to addressing the meeting and therefore gain confidence and the ability to speak in public. Depending on the date of entry and the benefits taken, the minimum payment for a 15-year-old registered member is 40 cents a week and a 65-year-old, $1 per week. An additional 40 cents per week is added for lodge membership.