DRAFT. Greater London District (GLD) The Royal British Legion. Saturday 4 th February Haig House, 199 Borough High Street, London SE1 1AA

Transcription

1 The Royal British Legion Greater London District (GLD) Saturday 4 th February 2017 Haig House, 199 Borough High Street, London SE1 1AA DRAFT DRAFT MINUTES Page 1 of 7

2 PRESENT Head Office Speaker: Tom England, Assistant Director Commercial Officers and Members of the GLD Committee Membership Council Rep. Syed Mahmood Delegates, Standard Bearers and Visitors from the Greater London Branches and RBL Women s Section RBL Staff Attendance Voting delegates: 26 Committee and staff: 17 Non voting members/visitors:17 Total 60 DRAFT MINUTES Page 2 of 7

3 The Royal British Legion Greater London District Annual Conference Saturday 4 th February 2017 Start 10:00am Haig House, 199 Borough High Street, London, SE1 1AA DRAFT MINUTES 1. Entry of Standards There were ten Standards present as follows:- The Greater London District Standard and Branch Standards from: Ilford, Isleworth, Eastcote, Barkingside, Chingford, Ashford, Richmond, Becontree, Leytonstone. 2. The Exhortation by the GLD Chairman Reg Pinney GLD Chairman read the Exhortation with a silence observed; following this the Standards were rested. 3. Introduction to proceedings by District Chairman Reg Pinney the GLD Chairman, welcomed everyone present 4. Apologies for absence James Page, Jeff Borsack, Stan Bonner. 5. Appointment of Scrutineers Two Members (who were not delegates nor GLD Committee members), were invited to come forward to undertake the role of scrutineers as follows:- George Drybrurgh Jack Weedon Proposer: A Miller: Seconder: P Bellwright; Carried 6. Minutes of 6 th February 2016 GLD Meeting to be adopted Acceptance as a true record of the recording of the 2016 AGM. Proposer: K Ball Seconder: T McManus: Carried There were no matters arising from the minutes. 7. Adoption of number of Delegates in attendance F Grimes who had manned the door registration confirmed 26 delegates in attendance; Delegates voted to accept the total. Proposer: A Miller : Seconder: M Foster; Carried 8. Chairman s Report and District Reports and progress against plan The reports had been circulated in the delegate pack, two weeks prior to the meeting. The Chairman opened up the floor for delegates to debate the content of the reports. None were forthcoming. Adoption of the GLD AGM reports. Proposer: K Ball : Seconder: M Foster; Carried DRAFT MINUTES Page 3 of 7

4 9. Consideration of the 3 year District Plan The Plan had been circulated in the delegate pack. The Chairman opened up the floor for delegates to debate the content of the plan. None were forthcoming. Proposer: L Reynolds: Seconder: S Newson; Carried 10. Adoption of Treasurer s Report and Management Accounts Joanne Stevens - District Treasurer, presented her report and emphasised the need for Independent Examiners. There were eight branches needing to submit one year or more, set of accounts. The GLD had now received funds from various quarters that would support the welfare almonisation process. The GLD has over 56K of funds and spend was relatively low at 5K for the 2016 GLD administration costs. Adoption of the GLD Accounts. Proposer: A Miller: Seconder: F Grimes; Carried 11. Head Office Speaker Tom England, Assistant Director Commercial The Chairman introduced Tom England and invited him to deliver the RBL Corporate speech. This covered Legion achievements over the past year i.e. Somme Commemoration, Poppy Appeal and TV coverage of Strictly and the Festival of Remembrance and more. The new five year strategy and the Gateway Project was covered and it was clear the Strategy will directly affect the Membership. A new Director of Membership and volunteers would be tasked to establish a clear purpose for the Membership, with a refocus of what Membership is for. A key objective for Membership will be the end of WW1 Commemoration in The Great Pilgrimage will be part of the main RBL commemorative National Activity with more details of this to be will be circulated. The GLD Chairman appreciated Tom s predecessors employment in the ship yards and how the same had been the case with his own relatives trade - their contribution was seen as supporting the war effort. The full keynote speech will be circulated in the follow up pack to branches. 11a Chris Morgan GLD Speaker The GLD Chaplain was invited to address the AGM. Chris told of his background and how his father had experienced severe injuries from a bomb blast in which the family thought he had died. When he arrived back home the shock was so great his mother made him promise never to join the Armed Forces. Chris is married with children and his work is based at Aldershot and he is also an embalmer. He told of his surprise when he first heard it was not necessary to have served to join the Legion and asked why is it people don t know they do not need to be from a Service background? Chris feels that this needs to be conveyed to the wider public. He understands the poignancy of the Standards and commitment made by Standard Bearers and how much this means to people to have this kind of representation at funerals. The recent passing of the Chingford Standard Bearer, Amanda, came as a shock to many and Chris asked that we remember her. The funeral was scheduled for 9 th February. DRAFT MINUTES Page 4 of 7

5 A refreshment break took place. Jackie Pinney had organised a raffle. 155 was raised for the Poppy Appeal; a show of appreciation was expressed for the Conference Committee providing the raffle prizes and the amount raised. 12. Election of Greater London District Committee Members Four Branch nominations had been received. Three year terms were vacant for all four candidates. John Bowers - Barkingside BR0865 Russell Howe - Romford BR0896 Jim Page Romford BR0896 Brenda Smith Romford BR0896 The Chairman asked Conference to accept the outcome of the ballot. Proposer: M Foster: Seconder: P Bellwright; Carried Delegates willing to undertake a one year co-option, were requested to make themselves known, George Dryburgh from Chingford was co-opted for a 1 year term. Proposer: S Newson: Seconder: T McManus; Carried 13. Election of Greater London District Committee Delegate to Annual Conference (Nominations accepted from the floor)j Pinney proposed Reg Pinney to represent the GLD at National Conference. Proposer: C Caress: Seconder: K Radley ; Carried 14. Nomination of Greater London District Conference Committee Three (3) from the Floor There were no volunteers from the floor. MSO to check with Membership Council procedure. 15. Confirmation of venue for Southgate 2019 Haig House Venues to be proposed from the floor for 2020 Put to the vote Chingford - 7 Hounslow 7 Haig House-10 Haig House venue for Motions of Urgency No debate arose as there had been no submissions. 17. Seek permission to destroy ballot papers There had been no ballots used for voting purposes. Carried 18. Presentation of awards The Chairman felt the awards were an essential part of recognising contributions and the DRAFT MINUTES Page 5 of 7

6 value members add. The Standard Bearers cup was awarded to Michael Foster. The Chairman invited Reg Burton to present a new award, which was a silver plated cup named the Burton award. Reg Burton presented this to Andrew Miller. A new award was introduced for the Branch of the year, this was reintroduction, after some absence. Andre McGill Chairman of the Hounslow Branch accepted on behalf of the Branch. The home of the branch had experienced an extensive fire but kept going through all adversity and rose again from the ashes, they were functioning better than ever and working well with Hounslow Barracks, Borough Council and reaching out to the local community ethnic minority groups. GLD Certificates of Appreciation were presented to:- John Watson of the Elm Park Branch Michael Foster of the Richmond Branch Andrew Miller of the Chingford Branch 19. Vote of thanks The Chairman thanked all those that had helped with the running of the Conference. On behalf of the Chairman S Stephenson thanked J Pinney for all her contributions to support the GLD Committee to deliver on the AGM and for providing the food within tight budgetary constraints. 20. Handover to incoming Vice Chairman In the Vice Chairman elections 2016 Fred Grimes was nominated from the Borehamwood Branch and was unopposed. Therefore F Grimes took up the 3 year term of office. The Vice Chairman Bryan Binning stood down and handed over.. F Grimes said how much he was looking forward to taking the role forward and would like to see everyone working together more. 21. Charging of the GLD Standard Bearer Michael Foster was called to the take the Affirmation of District Standard Bearer Responsibilities. The Chairman asked if he accepted the Charge, which Michael did willingly. 22. National Anthem (1 verse) All were upstanding to sing the first verse. 23. The Kohima Epitaph The Chairman read the Verse to end proceedings and handed over to M Foster to take charge. 24. Retirement of Standards M Foster gave the order for the Standards to retire. Close of Conference 12.15pm Chairman s Signature: Date: DRAFT MINUTES Page 6 of 7

7 DRAFT MINUTES Page 7 of 7