Lawyer heads Friendly Society body

ATTORNEY and registrar of friendly societies Farai Hove Masaisai will chair the Advisory Friendly Societies Council. The council falls under the newly-established Ministry of Youth Development and National Service.

Masaisai was unable to attend Monday's ceremony hosted by minister Fitzgerald Hinds at the ministry's Tragarete Road building. Hinds delivered the instruments of appointment to vice chairman Chandra Mohammed, friendly society officer II, and six members: Zalica Teelucksingh (Gasparillo East Indian Friendly Society); Imtiaz Ali (Takaaful Friendly Society); Mervyn Franklyn (Doric Lodge); Tova Lin-Sandy (The Quays Foundation); John Bosco Romany (St George Benevolent Fund Friendly Society); George James (Star of Bethlehem Lodge); along with secretary Gail Tim Kee.

The seventh member, Urban Huggins of Woodbrook Fellowship Friendly Society, was also absent.

The ministry said the advisory council will promote the general welfare of TT citizens by encouraging the growth, development, improvement and expansion of societies throughout the country.

Hinds said local friendly societies, with assets over $100 million, may now see a revival with efforts from the council's members.

Mohammed addressed the board and media in Masaisai's absence. She said, "We have our work cut out. We have done a lot of work with respect to the board and with the movement and we would like to take it from there on the way forward.

"We understand the movement is relevant and we want to focus on (its relevance)."

The Office of the Registrar of the Friendly Societies and Building Societies (Friendly Societies Division) is responsible for the supervision and regulation of societies under the Friendly Societies Act and Building Societies Act, respectively.

Friendly Societies are voluntary organisations whose members pay into a common fund for the mutual benefit of contributors, and sometimes others, in time of need, caused by sickness or death in the family.

They were particularly popular from the late 19th century but declined in popularity by the late 20th century because of an inability to attract new membership. There have reportedly been a resurgence with the movement. Last year, the St Matthew Friendly Society became the first friendly society registered in 20 years. Hinds said some five others were recently formalised, with another application pending.