Brotherhood Fund (BF)
The Brotherhood Fund began in 1931 when it was known as the "Bishop's Fund." Its initial purpose was to promote our movement outside North America and to enable Y's Men from other areas to attend International Conventions (always held in North America in those days). Later it expanded to help finance inter-continental, inter-Regional and inter-Club visitations and to assist with the overseas travel expenses of International Officers and official representatives. Most income originally came from the sale of used postage stamps but was later augmented by cash contributions from local clubs. In 1968 the name was changed to "Brotherhood Fund" and a certain change took place in the ideas behind the fund. Today As the name suggests, its purpose is to strengthen the brotherhood of Y's Men throughout the world, still partly by enabling Y's Men to attend Area and Regional Conventions but also by enabling them to visit distant Regions. Income has grown steadily from US$ 140 in 1936 to about US$ 200,000 today. Although most now comes from cash contributions, about 15% still comes from stamps. What do we collect all that money for? As in the past, some support is given for International Officers' travels. And some money is given to the Areas for use within the Area in conformity with the general purpose of the Brotherhood Fund (club visitations, leadership training. etc.) as decided by the Area leadership and within a budget approved by the Brotherhood Fund Expenditures Committee (BFEC). Some money is set aside annually for administration of the Fund and to support travel of youth, but the major part is used as grants for the "Brotherhood Fund Delegates." Types of grants Full grants are for delegates travelling to a different Area for club visitations, etc. Such delegates have to travel for a minimum of three weeks and are given a special task, for instance promotion of an International project or programme, in addition to fulfilling the general purpose of all Brotherhood Fund travels: to promote international understanding and to learn and inform others about Y'sdom in different parts of the world — in short to be "Ambassadors for Y'sdom." Partial grants are for those who wish to attend an International or Area Convention only. Such delegates receive part of their expenses but do not have any obligation other than attendance at the Convention. Brotherhood Fund Leadership Due to the complexity of this programme, responsibility for running it is divided into four parts, each under the leadership of an International Service Director (ISD). Brotherhood Fund
Promotion (BF) Philately Travel Coordination
(TC) Brotherhood Fund
Expenditures Committee (BFEC) Brotherhood Fund Income 85% of the BF income are cash contributions which are the simplest way for a club to contribute to the Fund. However, one or two club meetings a year may be used to soak, sort and package used stamps. Many Y's Men consider such meetings most valuable because they provide an opportunity for conversation, thus expanding fellowship among the members. To stimulate the collection of stamps and raising of money for the Fund the following awards are made: A. Alf Reynolds Award:
named after an active and dedicated member of the Sydney, N.S Club in Canada who served
Y's Men International in different positions for many years. The Award is a banner patch
given to clubs reaching a minimum amount of contributions per member as per membership at
last 1 October. Five different patches are presented based on the average
contribution per member. According to BF Policy the home club of a Brotherhood Fund
delegate shall be an Alf Reynolds Award winner the preceding year C. Dick Nichols Award: named after a Y's Man who was very active in the Pacific Southwest Region on behalf of the Fund. A banner donated by that Region is given to the Region with the largest increase in total contributions over the last year. The Region keeps the banner for the following year - and each club in the Region receives a banner patch. D. Top Ten Award: a banner patch given to the ten clubs in Y's Men International with the most in total contributions. E. Director's Award: given to the Region with the largest average total contribution per club, based on the number of clubs as at last 1 October. Each club in the Region receives a banner patch. F. Al Jacques Award: given to clubs with a minimum total contribution of US $ 2,500 per year Brotherhood Fund Delegates Who? Me? Who can be a BF delegate? What are
the criteria? A BF delegate is: Contrary to what is often believed,
although some BF delegates may be RDs Elect or DGs, many grass roots members have been
approved as BF delegates. At the same time, it is true that most BF delegates do become
leaders — partly because of the inspiration gained during their travel. Have you ever been a BF delegate? No? Then why not ask your club for details? Need guidance to prepare your stamps?
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