Lögberg-Heimskringla - 08.05.1987, Page 8

8-ALDARAFMÆLISÁR, FÖSTUDAGUR 8. MAÍ 1987
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Icelandic Canadian Frón News
Scandinavian Centre $50 'Life
Memberships': Many ICF members
purchased $50 shares in the Scan-
dinavian Centre on the understand-
ing that these were "life member-
ships”. There have been many ques-
tions, and a few complaints, about
the new membership structure. The
following excerpt from the annual
report of the president of the Scan-
dinavian Centre explains the situa-
tion, and offers to refund anyone
who still feels cheated.
"Some confusion still persists
about the status of the previous $50
shares in the Scandinavian Centre.
The new constitution indicates that
there is now an annual membership
fee. Indeed, there was a similar pro-
vision in the old constitution, but an
annual membership fee was never
set. Therefore, the practice devel-
oped of regarding these shares as a
"life-time membership" and many of
them were sold on that basis.
"With the new membership struc-
ture, it is no longer necessary to take
out a $25 annual membership in the
Viking Association to participate in
the Viking Room; only a $5 mem-
bership in the Scandinavian Centre
is now required. (This fee is part of
the annual ICF membership dues.)
The $50 share has reverted to its
original constitutional status as an
equity investment in the Centre. In-
deed, it is apparent that $50 would
be used up in only two years of the
former Viking Association member-
ship. The new arrangement means
that even holders of the $50 shares
will be money ahead after the third
year.
"Nevertheless, because these
shares were sold as life-time mem-
berships, it was decided after the last
aniiual meeting that, in all fairness,
anyone who felt cheated by these
Icelandic Content
The recent general elections in
Iceland resulted in a sweet victory for
the Women's Alliance. Icelandic
women have always spoken their
minds regarding politics and been in-
volved, although their number at
Althing never was high. They have
fought for their rights and gained
considerably, but their struggle for
equality had come to a standstill. In
1976 they staged a nationwide strike
for 24 hours which was a great suc-
cess and was newsworthy in all parts
of the world.
Until 1970, women's direct in-
volvement in party politics was
minimal and only two to three were
elected to Althing. But the 1970s saw
a tremendous change. The leading
parties realized that women were
becoming a powerful force and their
struggle for equality caused them to
pay more attention. Now more
women were listed on party slates,
but seldom in a safe position. They
were there as decorations. Although
much was gained in the 1970s, the
feminists realized that total victory
would not come through other
political parties as their demands
were soon forgotten once the elec-
tions were over. The only alternative
was their own party which made
history in 1983, succeeding in win-
ning three seats in the Parliament.
Now the party is in a key position as
negotiations are underway in at-
tempts to form a new government.
Who knows, maybe Iceland will
have her first woman Prime Minister
later this year.
---------------------------------
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changes would have the right to
claim a refund of the $50."
To sum up, the $50 so-called "life
membership” is now what it always
was — a share in the Scandinavian
Centre. With the amalgamation of
the Viking Association and the Scan-
dinavian Centre, annual membership
'fees for the members' lounge have
dropped from $25 to $5 per year.
Anyone still dissatisfied may write to
the Scandinavian Centre executive
and have their $50 refunded.
Membership Drive: Did you know
that in 1986 there were four chapters
of the Icelandic National League that
had more members than Icelandic
Canadian Frón? Other chapters at the
annual convention told us, quite
rightly, that we should be ashamed
of ourselves for not having ten times
as many members as we now have.
Membership is growing this year, but
we still have a ways to go if we hope
to be the second largest chapter next
year. There are more people of
Icelandic descent in Winnipeg than
anywhere else in the world outside
of Iceland itself. But there are pro-
bably close to 30,000 of these Win-
nipeg Icelanders who don't even
know our club exists.
We ask all our members to become
"born-again Viking evangelists". Join
the courageous battle to keep the Vik-
ing spirit alive in the west; let your
family and friends know about
Icelandic Canadian Frón, and en-
courage them to join.
Icelandic Thursdays: The evening
language classes are over, but the
Working To Keep Our Heritage Alive
CANADA ICELAND
FOUNDATION
SECRETARY: 1 - 204 - 772-8989
Mrs. S. Borga Jakobson
1145 Dominion St.
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 2P3
"Icelandic Thursdays" carry on. Join
us for lunch to "tala lesa og borða
íslensku” from 11:00 to 2:00, or in
the evening from 6:00 to 9:00. Kris
Bjornson prepares delicious lunches,
suppers and snacks at prices that
can't be beat. Or just join us for a cof-
fee or a drink from the bar.
Help Wanted: The publicity and
membership committees are eager to
contact the great majority of
Icelandic-Canadians living in Win-
nipeg who are unaware that ICF and
the Scandinavian Centre exist. Could
you help design a brochure to
distribute at Folklorama or by mail?
Do you have one spare evening a
month to address envelopes if we get
a brochure made up? Do you know
of some more effective way we
would contact these "lost"
Icelandic-Canadians?
If you are interested in member-
ship or publicity, join us in the Vik-
ing Room Lounge of the Scandina-
vian Centre any Thursday evening to
discuss strategy. (Remember, this is
always better than next Thursday,
because next Thursday has a funny
habit of always being a week away.)
Tallin & Kristjansson
Barristers and Solicitors
501-55 Donald St.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3C 1L8
942-8171
Join The Club
•H/l !/•/! ///fl
Complete Unisex
Beauty Services
1065 Ellice at Wall Street
Telephone 775-8557
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