Why Branches
and Guilds?
Traditionally, lifeboat stations had associated
with them a branch committee which, along with running and
managing the station, undertook a certain amount of fundraising
within the area. Often, the wives of the lifeboat crew members
formed a fundraising guild. So traditionally, the branches
were male and the fundraising guilds female.
Today, inland fundraising committees can
be either. In South Yorkshire there are a mixture of both
types of committee. The fundraising guilds are, for the most
part, still female (though often with guild members' husbands
roped in to help at events). The branches are all mixed membership.
Both groups are organised around a chairman,
secretary and treasurer. Some groups also have committee members
responsible for selling RNLI souvenirs, dealing with publicity,
organising flag days or for looking after the collecting boxes
in pubs and shops.
The committees plan and run events such as
store collections, flag days (high street collections in a
town centre), coffee mornings or special events like quiz
evenings, dinners and a range of sponsored events.
All the South Yorkshire branches and guilds
are different but have a common aim: To raise funds
for the lifeboats. All money raised is paid in to
the RNLI's main bank account by the branch/guild treasurer
who, apart from keeping their own records, receive a quarterly
statement showing how much has been raised.
The branches and guilds first point of contact
is usually with the RNLI's Regional
Office based in Manchester. The office order supplies of
fundraising materials such as collecting boxes and buckets,
banners and bunting. They also arrange for the printing of
posters and tickets for events (at no cost to the branch).
Through the South Yorkshire LCG (Local Coordinating
Group), the branches and guilds are able to discuss and exchange
ideas and information for fundraising to their mutual benefit.
All the South Yorkshire branches and guilds
are looking for new helpers. You do not have to join a committee
or commit yourself for life. However, if you would like to
offer some time for a very good cause and have some fun then,
please, get in touch with your nearest branch. |
