THE ROYAL WELSH REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION THURSDAY 12th APRIL 2012 AT 1100 HRS

I received this today I am not sure if it is of interest but here you go.I must say there is not a great deal in it.

THE ROYAL WELSH REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION

MINUTES OF THE SECRETARIES MEETING

HELD AT

THE MONTY CLUB NEWTOWN

THURSDAY 12th APRIL 2012 AT 1100 HRS



1. PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS.

Prior to the start of the meeting the Royal Welsh Regimental Association President Brigadier Philip Napier addressed the Secretaries meeting explaining his plans for the future, he also mentioned forthcoming events and the planned decrease in the Army by 2020 and then took questions from the Secretaries.


2. THE SECRETARY CHAIRED THE MEETING.

Welcoming everyone to the meeting and explaining that as we had not had a meeting of any kind for some time this Secretaries meeting will be minuted.


3. ATTENDANCE.

After checking the attendance of each Branch it was established that 36 out of 47 Branches were represented.

4. COMMITTEES.

The Secretary explained that the President was still looking into what committees are needed in the future and will make a decision to this once he has a Chairman in place. The Branches will be briefed as soon as decisions are made.


5. ID CARDS.

The Secretary stated that he had many requests to reintroduce an ID Card, after some discussion it was decided to get an ID Card printed similar to the RWFCA ID Card which will include a photo and be laminated.

To cover the cost of printing and producing the ID Card, each card will cost £1.

The Secretary will get the cards printed and then send out application forms to Branch Secretaries.


6. REUNION.

The Secretary stated that this year there would be two Reunions one in Dering Lines, Brecon on the 28th July and the other in Wrexham on the 1st-2nd September. He then went on to explain the procedure for each and asked all Branch Secretaries to take away with them the written instruction for both Reunions.

It was stated that the Secretary would try to run both Reunions again next year, but the date for the Brecon Reunion was dependant on the availability of Dering Lines.


7. VISIT TO THE 2nd BATTALION THE ROYAL WELSH.

It was stated that there would be an invite coming shortly to the open day of the 2nd Bn The Royal Welsh.
Once the date had been decided the Secretary would inform all Branches.


8. FORTHCOMING EVENTS.

The Secretary mentioned the forth coming events as stated below:

30 Apr 12 - Remembrance service for Col John Grundy at Llandaff Cathedral 1430hrs (As many Standards as possible please).
01 Jun 12 - Golf North 01 Jun 12
13 Jul 12 - Golf South 13 July 12
06 Jun 12 - D-Day Landing Parade Newport 27 Sep 12 – Llanelli -2nd Bn
03 Oct 12 – Bridgend – 2nd Bn
19 Nov 12 – Wrexham – 1st Bn Homecoming
04 Dec 12 – Swansea – 1st Bn Homecoming
06 Dec 12 – Chester – 1st Bn Homecoming







9. STANDARDS.

The Secretary stated that we were no further forward with the Standards as the majority of the Branches did not want to buy them. Several Branches did say that they were ready to order their Standard so it was agreed that the Secretary would find out what the costing would be to buy them in smaller quantities.


10. EMAIL ADDRESSES.

The Secretary asked that due to the cost on postage and speed of delivery, every Branch is to have an email address within the next month, this email address could be any person’s email address within your Branch that could pass the information onto the Secretary, should the Secretary not have access to a computer.


11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS.

Regimental Museums: A discussion took place as to whether free entry could be provided into the Museums if members were to produce their ID Card. It was established that this could happen but only on prior arrangements, so personnel or party leaders would need to phone the Museum prior to their visit.


There being no further business the meeting closed at 1245hrs

Colin, Des Williams DCM has Emailed to all branch secretaries, who he has an email address for, all those who are not computer minded, will get an "hard copy" in the post. (trying to save on postage I believe), I for one thank you for posting the minutes on the forum.

Best Regards
BennytheBall

Paragraph 6 looks a bit ominous,I wonder what the instructions for the reunion will entail.....

Marvellous, we get the RWRA minutes on the RWF forum. I was at the meeting, where are the RWFCA Minutes, if any were taken?

Genmts

Am I right in saying that the President of the RWF CA is Maj Gen R M Porter?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gerrycc943

Marvellous, we get the RWRA minutes on the RWF forum. I was at the meeting, where are the RWFCA Minutes, if any were taken?

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Gerry I did not mean to offend anyone or try to stir things up by posting the minutes.If I have offended anyone I apologise.

Colin, No apologies needed.

The whole day was a fiasco culminating in another free for all at the RWFCA Secs meeting. My only observation was where are the RWFCA Secs meeting minutes?

I did meet up, albeit briefly with one or two ex RRW lads who were PSIs, instructors with 2 MERCIAN during my Chief Clerk days back mid 1986.

We're still chums mate!

Firstly Gerry you know only full too well that the minutes for the RWFCA Extraordinary Branch Secretaries meeting were attached on the same email as the RWRA email so what are you implying? Was it your intention not to post these as well to create more unrest?

Keith the RWFCA reunion is the same as normal there's no change unless RWFCA members ask for it so any rumour mongering that goes on this forum is misleading. If you have any questions whatever they are ask me or Des and you'll get it from the horse’s mouth...so to speak!

Finally on this thread, at the present moment there is no President of the Association.....there is no requirement to have one under the terms of the Trust document so it’s not an issue for the moment.

Finally, Gerry's contention that the whole day was a fiasco is his interpretation of the meetings that took place as perhaps they did not arrive at the conclusions he and a small minority of others would have wished.

Paul Hinge

All RWFCA Secretaries

23 April 2012

EXTRAORDINARY SECRETARIES MEETING HELD AT NEWTOWN ON 12^th APRIL 2012.

At an extraordinary Secretaries Meeting held at the Monty Club Newtown on the 12^th April 2012, this took place after the Royal Welsh Regimental Association Secretaries Meeting.

At the start of the meeting the Chairman Mr Paul Hinge stated that he wished to take the RWFCA Association forward and assured all present that the RWFCA would stay as it is for as long as its members wished. However we are also part of the Royal Welsh Regimental Association where we must make a home for the Royal Welsh Soldier leaving the Army. All agreed.

A question reference the Chairman’s election was brought up by Maj Monty Robinson (not a Branch Secretary).

The Chairman answered the questions and after a long discussion asked for the backing of the Branch Secretaries, with the following proposal:

That the Chairman is able to work on a fully worked out Trust Document to be brought to an EGM in April next year with its relevant objectives and where all non-relevant objectives would be taken out. This Document would be sent out to all Branch Secretaries at least 28 days before the proposed meeting.

Proposed by Mr Paul Hinge and Seconded by Mr Keith May. "Carried ten votes to four"


Executive Committee.
The Chairman then went on to announce the results of the election to the Executive Committee and stated that the following had been elected.

Mr Brian Dando Welshpool Branch

Mr Pat Provis Bargoed and Blackwood District Branch

Mr John Williams Caernarfon Branch


Royal Welsh Regimental Association Medal.

The subject of the new Comrades Medal was mentioned, the Secretary had the Medal with him and once everyone had seen
the Royal Welsh Regimental Association Medal, it was widely accepted.


The Chairman finished by saying that he and the Secretary would visit all branches in the coming months.




E D Williams DCM
Regimental Association
Secretary

Hi Paul,

Whereas you are quite correct in saying there is no requirement stated in the RWFCA Trust Deed, the practice over a long period is that the Colonel of the Regiment is Ex Officio the President of RWF CA.

Just so that you are aware of what happened in the final days of the Regiment you should be aware of the following: At the final meeting of the RWF Regimental Committee they formed a new Regimental Council for the antecedent Regiment in order to carry out the functions previously the responsibility of the Regimental Committee, the members of the Council elected one of it members as 'President'. The first President was Sir Geoffrey Inkin and currently it is Colonel Robert Coate. The appointment was made so that where Colonel of the Regiment was mentioned in the various Regimental Trusts the President would fulfil that role within the antecedent Regiment to maintain continuity.

I hope this information is of use to you in your new role.

As stated in your summary Bob, which is much appreciated....The person was appointed as President of the Regimental Committee....."The Regimental Committee of the Royal Welsh." The last sentence bears no relevance to the Trust document and that is the legal basis on which the RWFCA exists.
What everyone seems to fail to understand that "norms" created over the years that are not registered alongside the initial trust document and have no legal status and are therefore null and void as a position in law. The document and the RWFCA is a civilian entity it does not fall under pseudo military law....its purpose is solely to help those who require help when either injured on active service (because they were then (1924 to sometime after that date) immediately discharged) or to help out post forces service. It was set up prior to any of the governmental help that's available now and indeed is still needed desperately to assist those in distress even today and we need to be mindful of its purpose and relevance in today’s society

Cofion/Regards

Paul

Are you then saying Paul, that the Regimental Committee of the Royal Welch Fusiliers does not have any hold over the RWF CA and the President of the RWA is the President of the Regimental Committee.

Why is it that the term 'legal' has once again been brought into this, normally once I see that sort of 'language' I back off. And again we are back biting.

The RWFCA is a registered civilian charity registerd with the Charity Commission therefore subject to the terms and conditions laid down in Trust law....a bit of a mouthful sorry!
It does not have to answer to or indeed take direction from any Regimental Committee.

And Yes!

I agree back-biting seems to be a prevalent sport for some.......

Best wishes

Paul

Paul,
think you have got this all wrong, The wording Regimental Committee does not mean within the Regiment and where you get the idea that this is some pseudo military union
seems to be all wrong. your ambush on the Executive Committee meeting was wrong in law and I wish you would afford "the Officers" the courtesy they deserve has members of the Association. I was first to congratulate you on being elected chairman simply as my brain had forgotten the rules under which the Association was set up. However sincce certain things have come to my attention I am having second thoughts with regard to my earlier actions

Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Having ready many of the threads and also asking some questions regarding the RWFCA, I am finding that the current situation is rather confusing. What is needed is a full statement from the RWF CA on what is happening. In addition, give answers to:

1. Why is the Trust Deed Document being re-written?
2. How do members/secretaries know what finances both the RWFCA and RWA have?
3. Why legal terms are being used.

I be,lieve that all that is happening with the RWF CA is being orchastrated from either Cardiff or Wrexham, and if you are wondering how I can about this statement, well all you have to do is read what is being said with regard to legalality.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Paul Hinge

The RWFCA is a registered civilian charity registerd with the Charity Commission therefore subject to the terms and conditions laid down in Trust law....a bit of a mouthful sorry!
It does not have to answer to or indeed take direction from any Regimental Committee.

And Yes!

I agree back-biting seems to be a prevalent sport for some.......

Best wishes

Paul

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Hi Paul or any one...
Could you give us a link to the RWFCA site on the charities commission site please.
i am unable to find any reference to the RWFCA..even with the charity number..well not on the above site..
cheers for now...

May I state a few facts on the Charitable Status of RWFCA as the last Regimental Secretary of the Royal Welch Fusiliers.

The RWFCA is not a registered charity as such but is treated as a Charity for tax purposes, it has a Charity Number but does not report annually to the Charity Commission, which is a requirement for other charities. The Charity Commission recognises the special role of Military Associations and gives them this dispensation because they are considered to be a Military Charity which have exemption from the normal reporting rules. My opinion is that this dispensation carries with it an expectation to behave within the rules of Military Administration.

The funds of the RWFCA originated from public subscription to build a memorial hospital in Wrexham after the Great War. This aim failed and the funds raised were split between the RWFCA and the RWF Officers Benevolent Fund in 1924. The funds have been added to by bequests and donations since, and in the case of the RWF Officers' Benevolent officers have made regular contributions from the days Pay Scheme. The benevolent aims of these funds have in the main been met by the days pay scheme and significant contributions from other service charities eg, Army Benevolent Fund, SSAFA and RBL, this role is now transacted by The Royal Welsh and is one of Des Williams principle functions for the Regiment.

When the new Regiment was set up each RWF Association paid a sum of £25,000 into the new regiment as set up funds. It is a fact that RRW Benevolent Funds are significantly greater by a factor circa 4:1 than RWF funds and they had a tradition of contributing income from these funds for Benevolence, which is carried on to the benefit of all antecedent Regiments today for which we should be very grateful. There is an expectation however that when grants are made be Service Charities that Regiments make a proportional contribution.

The Governance of the RWFCA is laid down in its Trust deeds and under Rule 23, to quote, 'the Executive Committee may by entering a resolution in their minute book revoke any declaration or rule governing the conduct of their business'. but the clause goes on to say ' it shall not be competent for them to alter the purposes for which the Association was founded without the consent of the Annual General Meeting. To summarise, the Exectutive Committee can change the rule book without the members consent but not the purposes of the Association.

It is for Trustees only to administer the Associations Funds with the duties of Trustees which are laid down by the Charity Commission.

As regards my opinion of the current debate I am as concerned as many of you, by the changes that are going on. What is important for us all to realise is that time is required for these matters to settle and we should all allow due process to proceed. The key players in this process is the Executive Committee, who along with the guidance of the Chairman and Trustees are expected to act correctly on your behalf. Their actions will be reported at the AGM at the reunion. I would appeal to the Chairman and his Executive Committee to consider the importance of good communications to members and to be guided by the good practices that have been established over many years and have served the RWFCA well.

RL