Page 10 - A4 Journal 2020

The Company

to raise the requisite funds? How can we reach out to our members and gain the much-needed support?
Well, we need to look perhaps for more smaller, dinners and several outdoor events, whilst staying alert for the big biennial
event already on the calendar for next year, and we need to remind our membership that the Charitable Trust is there and is
doing great work on your behalf.
Over the next few weeks, we will try and draw up a menu of options with separate protocols for each. So, that we are ready to
respond as circumstances permit, to sudden changes in the lockdown regime.
These options could include Garden Parties (large and/or small); BBQ’s with Plant Sales (again large and/or small); Charity
Golf Days (with or without Dinner); and perhaps a large set-piece Dinner (like Lords) or maybe a series of smaller events at for
example, the Fusiliers Mess at the Tower of London or the RAC at Woodcote.
Additionally, of course, we must explore ways in which all these events and their associated fund-raising functions can
translate into the virtual world, but more of that later!
One thing is certain, if we are to raise the funds necessary to meet our charitable objectives, then we will have to do
somethings differently in 2021; and flexibility will be essential if we are to effectively respond to the inevitable changes in
lockdown regimes, town by town and even, country by country.
Finally, of course we can appeal to members directly, whilst a charity event is great there is no substitute to long term
assured income, so now is the time to check that your direct debit to the Charitable Trust is up to date

MEDIA AND IT COMMITTEE
Junior Warden Tim Fitch, the Chair of the Media and IT Committee writes:

The Media and IT Committee have had a busy few months since switching over to digital working mid-March.
Fortunately all of the committee members at the start of lockdown had the necessary kit and WiFi bandwidth,
although there were a few teething problems at first. So we have been able to hold full committee meetings as
well as less formal discussions without ever meeting. Overall, we have managed to maintain forward motion.
Indeed along with the work detailed below we have recruited two new members, Peter Geraghty and Philippe
Gayton.

During lockdown we have thought a great deal about, and Invennt Ltd have developed, a proposal for a company CRM system
as an add-on to the website. If approved this will enable company members to let others know of their interests both
professional and social. The concept is to further increase the value of the internal network to members.
We have worked with other committee chairmen – notably events and membership. We have redesigned the flyers used to
promote the new VINE events and helped with editing the video of the Women in the City event held last year.
Website mastering continues under the diligent auspices of Roger Lilley. We are currently formulating a marketing budget to
bring to the GP Committee to fund further outreach to enhance membership development and charitable giving.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
Court Assistant Michael Rigden, the Chair of the Membership Committee writes:
The Livery movement can trace its history back over 1,000 years and some outside of the City of London have
questioned the relevance of the Livery in a modern world. What I think Covid has done is demonstrate that
more than ever people need and want organisations like the Livery because while much has changed over the
last 1,000 years the guiding principles have not.
One of those guiding principles is charitable giving and another is to support its members and so the members
are here to support each other. Having spoken to many of our members in 2020 I know just how important the
Constructors has been to people on many levels. From simply being able to “Zoom” in to connect with the outside world
during lockdown to networking online in VINE where people have made connections to help solve problems or find new
projects to work on, to supporting people in real difficulty the Constructors has made a real difference to those that have got
involved and to those that have needed support.
2020 has demonstrated that the Worshipful Company of Constructors and its members are adaptable, resilient and have a
rock solid commitment to living up to the values of the Livery. Perhaps most encouraging of all is that more and more people
want to be a part of it despite Covid-19, or indeed perhaps because of Covid-19 and also how the Constructors has
responded to it. We now have more members than we did in 2019.
While I am sure the next 12 months will be challenging, the committee is here to support our membership. We will continue
to support the Master’s message of encouraging people to reach out for assistance if they need it and we will continue to
reach out to the membership to offer support. The Constructors’ is a diverse, very talented and very well connected group of
people so if you need help or know somebody who needs support, then please get in touch with the Almoner.

Page 10 | The Journal of the Worshipful Company of Constructors | Autumn 2020