NI Presbyterian mutual society, Short of funds for withdrawal?

expat68

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/Donaldson-Hopes-of-savers-slightly.5866331.jp

HOPE

It is not my intention to offend anyone this forum. I am just as frustrated as Jon groovy and I am very angry with the Directors, the Accountants, who remain under investigation, the Banks, DETI and the British Government - they all caused this mess!! It should never have happened and we need to get to the bottom of it.

I agree Jon groovy has made valid points.

Yes we need and deserve answers and hopefully in time we will get them but really until this terrible debacle is over PCI, Directors etc cannot apologise not whilst there is potential for litigation. That is why as I have said before we must remain focused on getting our savings back, keep calm and deal with the here and now.

pensiongone

Flinflon thank you for your insightful and thought provoking post.
I agree with you that jon_groovy has valid points, I also acknowledge that this is the ONLY forum, apart from letters to the press, which allows the savers some outlet for their frustration, anger and disappointment, so please, those who are acting as apologists for the PCI, don’t knock it when others get annoyed at the perceived inaction of Church House. I get the distinct impression that like the accusations made towards the Catholic Church last week, the PCI is maintaining a code of secrecy, trying to avoid scandal, attempting to protect the reputation of the church and doing their best to preserve their assets. Even the most ardent supporter of PCI cannot deny these facts.
It ill behoves PCI to act in this way, as the worst perception of the recent crimes against the innocent victims of abuse by clergy in the Dublin diocese, was the attempt to COVER UP AND DISTANCE themselves from the problem.
I know by talking about the heinous crimes in the Dublin diocese and the loss of our savings we are talking on completely different levels of evil and distress. But it is the ATTEMPTED COVER UP which is the common denominator, and the one thing which will in time ruin PCI unless they face up to the harm they have done by their initial response to the PMS debacle, and take radical damage limitation action.

On that note, and mindful of the fact that Church House are very reluctant to spend their £43 M general investment fund, indeed they claim to have very little free money. I have a few cheap and cheerful suggestions for them in the run up to our second Christmas with no savings.

• Prayer

As PCI quite rightly say prayer is THE most important key to a solution.
So why not a concerted effort by the whole PCI family? A 24 hour day of prayer and fasting. We savers are used to the concept of sleepless nights and loss of appetite. It would be good if the PCI hierarchy and every congregation joined us in a concerted day of intercession for the outcome of this situation.

An office in Church House
I am sure in Church House there must be a spare room with a desk, computer and internet access, which could be handed over for the dedicated use of PMS savers. If there is no human resource in the form of a part time administrator, I’m sure a rota of savers could be put together to “man” this office and provide a meeting place, a friendly face, and an opportunity for savers to meet in the absence of a creditors meeting. Also a central source of information, advice, and a place to sit down with a cup of tea! This is an idea which PCI could have put in place 12 months ago, but it is not too late to redeem the situation in the run up to Christmas.

Many savers will be visiting Belfast for Christmas shopping.

• A dedicated collection

In the next couple of weeks, the whole collection/freewill offering for one or two Sundays could be handed over to a special fund for the PMS savers, to alleviate some of the hardship at this time of year. This money could be applied for and accessed at the dedicated office described above, or by a phone call to the office. And please, lets cut down on the paperwork, timescales and intrusive questioning normally associated with such grants. If someone says they need £100 to pay a utility bill, lets in the name of mercy give them £100!
This is another idea which really should have been put in place a year ago.


The PMS mess is a heaven sent opportunity for the Presbyterian Church to "witness" to the watching world, their compassion, love and tangible care for their (many elderly) vulnerable 9500 members (plus extended families) caught up in this mess.
The letter writing, petition, trips to Westminster, and meetings with politicians, are no more than what the ordinary savers have been doing themselves at their own expense. As the stories of hardship in the recent press reveal, the efforts of PCI so far have done nothing to show them up in a good light.
A fact which they will come to bitterly regret in years to come.




These are just 3 suggestions, which would cost next to nothing but would do much to alleviate the suffering, and make savers feel that they are a valued part of a family which cares about them.

I am sure that there are people in Church House who read this forum?

I await their response with interest!

BETRAYED

Sammy Wilson meets PCI Moderator

http://www.sammywilson.org/2009/11/23/wilson-meets-with-presbyterian-church-moderator/

Only thing I don't like in this is the photograph of the Moderator's beaming smile. Don't know what he has to smile about.

D.A.

I'd be that happy if my teeth were as white as my shirt...

joylikes2shop

Friday 27 November 2009

Written Answers to Questions

OFFICE OF THE FIRST MINISTER AND DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER

Presbyterian Mutual Society

Mr A Easton (..Councillor Alex Easton..) asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on resolving the Presbyterian Mutual Society financial situation.

(AQW 2473/10)

First Minister and deputy First Minister:
We are taking a very active and close interest in the work which is ongoing to find a solution to the difficulties of the Presbyterian Mutual Society (PMS). We know that this is a matter which is of great concern to the members of PMS and the wider community.
We met with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on the 14th of October to discuss progress on PMS matters. We are now awaiting the full report on final considerations and options from officials.
The financial and commercial sensitivities surrounding this matter are such that we need to preserve a certain level of confidentiality around the details of options until a viable resolution has been identified and agreed. However, we can assure you that we are working to secure the best outcome we can for PMS savers.

Taken from the following ...
http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/qanda/2007mandate/writtenans/2009/091127.htm

BETRAYED

I posted the following e-mail to The Moderator this morning.
Underneath is his reply.

Dear Moderator
Would it be possible for you to give me a contact in the PCI Working Committee whom I could speak to regarding PMS ASAP. I do have what I consider to be important information that I would share.

If you want to forward my request here are my contact details.


Reply
I would be happy to bring whatever info you have to the relevant people.

Rev Dr Stafford Carson

Sad that I can not speak personally or confidentially to one of these nameless individuals.
Presbyterian.......Democratic Church. More like a secret society to me.
I shall not share my information with third parties whom I do not know the identity off.

joylikes2shop

I havent seen this web site before, but the following link is a post -which was put on today-which gives it's readers a brief 'history' leading up to ( and detailing the the current position about) the PMS crisis

Northern Ireland’s Neglected Savers

http://www.mackrill.com/?p=97

BETRAYED

If this matter was not so serious we could think of having a Christmas Pantomime.

Dickens' Christmas Carol

Ebenezer Scrooge - Gordon Brown ,Arthur Boyd, Arlene Foster

Mr and Mrs Fezziwig -Any two of the PMS Directors


Bob Cratchit - PMS Saver

Tim Cratchit - PMS Saver.

totallyletdown

I happen to think its very serious.
What is the actual state of affairs right now?
Has the administrator put the PMS on hold pending help for the govt? Is there a timeline as to how long he is waiting on this? Its that long since I had any correspondence regarding the PMS I've forgotten what is happening.

I have lost all faith in PCI and the directors right now. I'm surprised at some of the directors as I know of some of them and their actions or inactions have amazed me.
And as for PCI who are content to stand back, write the odd letter, have a little trip to the mainland while people are hurting.
As suggested earlier, I'm not going to trust them with any more of my money.

If someone could answer the first questions, that would be great, the second half was just a rant.