It’s amazing how many service clubs you can find around town with their names emblazoned on plaques in recognition of donations or other work. There’s one club out there though that’s a little shier than most, even though its belief in friendship, love and truth is just as universal as the other groups that dedicate themselves to social improvement and charitable causes.
The Rebekah Assembly of Alberta will be celebrating its 100th anniversary with an annual gathering taking place this weekend at the St. Albert Inn. Once a populous organization with more than 100 lodges in the province, membership has slowly dwindled since the war years with only 16 lodges remaining. That is prompting one local woman to speak up about the benefits and the pleasures of being a member. It’s about more than doing good, she says. There’s so much to gain from the sisterhood — and brotherhood.
Pamella Coombes has been a Rebekah for 35 years, starting with the assembly in Ontario. When she moved here, she said it was important to be close to a lodge. It’s always been a part of her life since her mother, aunt and grandmother were members too. Making the pledge just seemed like the natural thing to do.
“It was just automatic. You just become a Rebekah,” she laughed. “My niece joined two years ago. We’re fourth generation Rebekahs.” Belonging to organized groups was a common tradition. “From Brownies to Girl Guides to Rebekahs … that was what we did.”
It isn’t mandatory for blood relatives to join up, she explained further, but having that regular exposure to the activities and the camaraderie shows you just how great it is. The international association began almost 150 years ago as an auxiliary to the generally male-dominated Independent Order of Odd Fellows, so named because at the time it was deemed unusual for people to act selflessly for the betterment of others. Now, both men and women can be a member of either group.
Coombes said it’s very discouraging to see so few of her sisters and brothers around, one more reason she is very excited to have so many in one place for the meeting.
Together, they campaign and fundraise for various charitable causes. The assembly will present cheques for $20,000 each to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the Visual Research Foundation this weekend. They also hold an annual public speaking contest for high school students with one winner joining a group educational pilgrimage to the United Nations.
The public is invited to stop in and check out the annual conference on Saturday, which will include raffle draws for many different prizes. If you are interested in learning more about either the Rebekahs or Odd Fellows, please visit oddfellowsalberta.com.
