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GAZETTE
APRIL 1985
Where Co-operation is
Needed
Solving problems is a common role for solicitors, but
one problem which has concerned members of the
profession for over a hundred years remains unsolved.
The problem of adequately funding the Solicitors'
Benevolent Association. It is more urgent today than at
any time since it was founded in 1863.
What happens to a middle-aged solicitor, incapacitated
through illness, and his six teenage children when his
personal funds are gone?
The wife of a solicitor has been deserted by her husband
leaving her with two school-going children to support.
Where can she go for help?
Investment savings of the widow of a long-dead
solicitor have dwindled below subsistance level. Is there
any aid for her?
Those are three problems, a random selection, from the
list of needy profession-related people in the current
records of the Solicitors' Benevolent Association. They
have been given support, and so have many others, but
the work of support has been constantly hampered by
lack of funds. The Directors do not regard the problems
they receive as "cases"; they approach each applicant's
problem with an appreciation that the Society was
founded longago "For the Relief of Poorand Necessitous
Solicitors in Ireland, and Their Wives, Widows and
Families" and wherever possible that relief must be given
with a generous spirit.
Generosity of spirit, however, needs cash to support it.
Funds are raised by "Life and Annual Subscriptions and
by Voluntary Donations" and while members of the
profession express enthusiastic appreciation of the
Benevolent Association's work too few express that
appreciation in a realistic manner by providing financial
support for the work.
Every month the Directors act on all new applications.
In an emergency the Chairman may authorise the
immediate issue of a cheque to meet the problem. Aid is
usually on a monthly grant system, but in some cases,
such as school and college fees, lump sums are paid.
Annual payments are made for special purposes, each
decision is made after sympathetic consideration of the
application. Sympathetic, but realistic in relation to the
limited funds available. Much more should be done to
fulfil the aims of the Association and relieve distress, but
until there is a substantial and continued increase in funds
it is impossible.
Throughtlessness or forgetfulness are probably
primary reasons why more members of the profession do
not give practical support to the Solicitors' Benevolent
Association, or maybe they do not realise the scope of its
work. With this realisation the Association's Directors
would be appreciative of your co-operation in financing
the work.
By the way, the Association's notepaper carries the
Latin tag "Bis dat qui cito dat" which, in case you've
forgotten, says "He gives twice who gives quickly".
The Solicitors' Benevolent Association has its
office, through the courtesy of a Dublin member of
the profession, at 15 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2.
Contact: Thelma King.
•
Whyis
ourmanager's
dooralways
open?
ANSWER:
We could try to be funny
and say it was to let the bank drafts in.
But the truth is it's just the way we
operate. Personal, attentive service at all times.
Total access to the manager. Longer hours than
most banks. And higher interest on deposits.
They may sound like small things. But when
you add up the little things we do and most
banks don't, you'll understand why our
18-21 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2. Tel. (01) 763502
3 The Crescent, Limerick. Tel. 061-319522
EMPLOYMENT REGISTER
Members are reminded that the Society maintains
an Employment Register for Solicitors. Those
seeking employment and those Offices with posts to
be filled are invited to contact The Education
Officer, Mr. Albert Power, The Law Society,
Blackhall Place. Dublin, 7.
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