The Icelandic Canadian - 01.09.1977, Page 30

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THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
1. The name of the club is Solskin.
2. The objects of Solskin are to be an
active and charitable club, as well as to
foster Icelandic social life.
3. The Executive shall consist of 5
women ... a President, Vice-President,
Secretary, Vice-Secretary, and
Treasurer.
4. The Executive has authority to
hold special sessions on matters relating
to Solskin.
5. The Executive shall be elected by
voting.
6. The Executive are elected for one
year, with the Annual Meeting to be held
in November.
7. Meetings shall be held the last
Thursday in each month, at 8 p.m.
8. Membership fee shall be 50c, to be
paid when joining Solskin, then annually
at the Annual Meeting.
9. It shall be the duty of each member
to attend meetings regularly and to
participate in all club activities.
10. The laws of this Charter shall not
be changed, except by formal vote, with
a 2/3 majority.
At a meeting in 1919 a motion was
passed that the Charter laws be read to
every new member, when joining
Solskin. In that year the Sunshine
Committee was formed, and this group
of women was bery busy, as they visited
the sick and reported to Solskin about
needy families in the Icelandic
Community. The Sunshine Committee
has been an integral part of Solskin, and
substantial amounts of money have been
given by Solskin to the sick and the
needy.
Through the early years, concerts were
held as often as once a month during the
winter. New Years concerts and dances
were held annually. It is interesting to
note that at one concert, held April 2nd,
1918, Fortune Telling netted $2.65;
draws $38.80; coffee $7.25; raffle $4.30;
and gifts of money $11.65. The hall
rental was $2.50.
During the 1920s the Solskin group
became involved in starting a Building
Fund towards financing a Meeting Hall.
In 1924 the fund amounted to $600.40,
and a motion was made at a meeting
that henceforth two-thirds of the
proceeds of any concert held, should go
towards the Building Fund. In 1927
Solskin purchased a lot on Clark Drive
at 8th Avenue, for the sum of $286.00.
However, they were unable to get this lot
zoned for a Hall, and the lot was later
sold for $200.00
Solskin’s activities were very
diversified. One member, Mrs. B.
Benson, wrote a play entitled “The
Daughter-In-Law”, and this was
presented at a concert and enjoyed by a
large audience. It was written in
Icelandic and Icelandic costumes were
worn.
At one time Solskin looked after the
burial arrangements for a single woman
who had no relatives in the area.
Solskin also loaned money on
occasion — once to a young acting
group, and another time they loaned
$25.00 to an individual. This money was
repaid in six months, with $1.00 extra
enclosed for interest. However, Solskin
members returned the $1.00, as they
said the loan was to be interest-free.
The 1930s were lean years financially
for Solskin as so many people were in
dire financial straits. Instead of paying
out rent for Halls, members held Whist
Drives and Silver Teas in their homes.
When concerts and dances were held
during those lean years, admission was
15c, with coffee included. The proceeds
from social events became less and less
— once in 1930 the profit was 60c;
another time in 1934 25c. At one