Preparing for their first general meeting of the year, the executive leadership of the Yorkton Royal Canadian Legion branch listed the repair of their building, finding more revenue and increasing membership as their top priorities.
These challenges are closely intertwined, since a declining membership means less revenue for the Branch, which makes it more difficult to maintain the premises and fund activities.
With our diminishing membership, it is a challenge …. To pay the bills and keep everything floating and going. Legion members have said time and again that, “our facilities are in desperate need of repair and upgrading.”
Replenishing the ranks has become a greater priority in recent years due to the advancing age and attrition of many Legion members. Branch leaders offered a variety of other explanations for the declining membership, ranging from the shrinking of the military since the Second World War to the lack of a nearby base.
The leadership believes that there are many misconceptions in the community about the criteria for Legion membership.
Contrary to popular belief, one need not be a veteran or member of the military to join the Royal Canadian Legion. Anyone can become an affiliate member and gain full voting rights after a year, while anyone with family members who have served can become an associate member.
Aside from veterans and currently serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces, police officers and merchant marines are also eligible to become full members right away.
Membership carries an obligation to help out with the annual poppy campaign, but all other duties are strictly voluntary. Becoming a member allows one to attend the general meetings that fall on the last Wednesday of every month. Help is needed in the areas of the House, Finance, Bingo, Sports, Entertainment, Liaison to Cadets, Seniors and Youth.
The Yorkton Branch has had a long standing tradition of Supper at Gunners (previously known as Beef on a Bun) every Friday evening. This event will be starting up again on Friday, September 11, 2015 from 5:00 pm ‘til 7:00 pm downstairs at Gunners Lounge in the Legion. Pool, darts, cribbage tournaments and other sports are available. Why not get the gang together and drop in fro a great evening of entertainment and comradeship.
We would like you to help us “pass the torch.” We need members young and old to carry on the traditions, memories and ideals that our WW1, WW2, Korean, peace keepers and current vets joined and fought for. If the young don’t join the Legion, then who is going to carry on honouring and remembering? This will all be forgotten if our younger people don’t help.
We encourage all ages to check out the local Legion Branch here in Yorkton. For further information, please contact us at 306-783-9789 or by checking us out on the web at www.yorktonlegion.ca or on Facebook by looking for Yorkton Legion.
