Chairman’s Report
Where has the year gone! Is the thought that has come into my head as I sit to write this years Chairman’s report. And as this is my last report, it is also a time for reflection.
The year has been a steady, yet progressive one. The main events in our calendar have been well attended. By rotation our AGM was held at the Heritage Centre at RAF Honington. It is always great to be back at the centre, every time you go there you see something new and different. A massive shout out to all the volunteers, you do a great job. As ever the key message and operational briefings from Group Captain Jason Sutton and the Corps Warrant Officer, Gaz Elliott, were warmly and greatly received. The Regiment is busier then ever, active and evolving – great news!
Last November’s attendance of 184 marchers at Horse Guards, on Remembrance Sunday, with more and more being members of the Association, was fantastic and a testament to all the hard work Keith O’Sullivan and team put in to help make this the proud moment it is for all of us.
The Annual Tower of London Chapel Service and the Rededication Service at the RAF Regiment Chapel at St Annes Church were both well attended and a successful. The work behind the scenes to make each one of these events happen though should never be underestimated.
So yes it has been a steady year. The progression has come through in a number of ways, some tangible some not so. As you will hear from the National Treasurer, Sean Linard later, there have been a number of progressive changes to the way we do things that has brought us up to date. But I won’t steal his or Gabi O’Sullivan’s thunder. Well done to you both.
Last year I wrote about us not overstretching and allowing ourselves, with limited volunteer resources, to focus on what we do best, representing the Veteran arm of the RAF Regiment. And although we have done that, we still need to advance in improving the attendance at events and ensure we have a sustainable attendance model, so that more members can benefit from the social experience attending events can provide.
The progressive thinking however, is around connectivity with the Corps. And although too early to say at t his time, we have had initial discussions with the Corps Warrant Officer, Gaz Elliott to see how we can progress this. And as an Association, it challenges us to develop our tech, our digital strategy and much more.
So once we have a firmed up plan we will ensure that we present it to you for consideration.
The time though has come for me to leave. Since taking post my main ambition was to see the Association retain its independence as a Regiment charity. To grow and stabilise, in order to get a robust platform for the next developmental stage in its journey to be a sustainable and importantly relevant part of the RAF Regiment family.
I am hugely proud to say that WE have done that. And we are ready for that next step. Though that requires more volunteers, better attendance at events and a sustainable operating model to get us through and beyond the next developmental stage.
On reflection I have had a wonderful time, though truthfully I thought it would be difficult, as most people told me it would be. But it wasn’t and the reason why is all of you. Granted you get the occasional pain in the backside and to be fair that only happened once, though it was quite a big pain. But everyone of you, without question, have been brilliant. The biggest shout out though is to all our volunteers at national and branch level – you do a great job. My final thanks are to the whole of the NMC, Jason Sutton, Sam Wiseman and Gaz Elliott, you have been hugely supportive. Per Ardua
Rob Finlayson
National Secretary’s Report
Impact Overview
Your Association activities made a positive impact, to the Corps and the wider Regiment family. Our reports, within these pages, yet again amplifies our volunteers’ efforts, and the images captured, paint a thousand words by themselves. Outside of our organisation, we continue to forge relationships with our serving personnel. More than one member of the Kings Colour Squadron has mentioned how proud they feel, watching the ex-Rocks, nearly 200 strong, march in front of them, at the Cenotaph. The same can be said of all our activities, be it Annual RAF Regiment Chapel Rededication, Corps Memorial Garden Commemoration or Annual Royal Chapel Service, at the HM Tower of London. The Association is a living embodiment of why our strategic aim is to promote the Comradeship of the RAF Regiment family.
Strategic Planning
The Trustees of the RAF Regiment Association has spent considerable time and effort reviewing the strategic direction and the long-term sustainability of our good cause. Primary focus has been on the general trend of declining membership in common with other veterans’ organisation. However, we have identified some scoping for future actions, particularly aimed at serving members and retaining current members. We are developing an integrated accounting and management system to ease the burden on our volunteers and better communications with members. The Association’s 5-Year Budget plans will end in March 26. The Trustees will be starting work on a sustainable financial model for the following 3-5 Years.
Prudent Governance
As a registered charity, the Association’s Trustees and the National Management Committee, (NMC), not only adhere to, but also demonstrate governance particularly in members’ welfare and wellbeing. The Association’s governing body continue to promote in the Sprite of Comradeship by treating everyone with respect and demanding the same standards of our members and stakeholders. Our Constitution, (Rules of the RAF Regt), and the directives set in the Standard Operating Procedures are readily available on RAF regiment Association website, www.rafregt.org.uk
Engagements
Much of engagement events are over subscribe bed. For example, the Association Cenotaph Parade attracts over 200 ticket applicants and our Annual Chapel Service at HM Tower of London saw a near maximum participation of 50 members and friends. Equally, the
engagement numbers for the Corps Memorial Garden and RAF Regiment Chapel at Catterick increased and continue to promote comradeship amongst our members, supporters and stakeholders.
Volunteers and supporters
None of our impact-outputs are possible without the volunteers’ and supporters’ efforts. It is truly amazing how the volunteers and supporters continue to support us. However, we do need additional volunteers with skills to take on “bite-size” functional tasks. If you wish to help, please approach one of our NMC members and have an informal chat, in confidence of course.
Finally, I wish to record my sincere thanks to many members and supporters, serving-Rocks and retired-Rocks, who have supported the National Secretary, thank you!
Frank Xavier, National Secretary
Treasurer Report 2023-24
This financial reporting year has seen some important developments that have improved our performance. We have made a surplus in our transactions during the report period. This has taken us from a deficit in 2022-23 of -£419 to a surplus of £412 in 2023-24 representing a nearly 200% turn around.
Banking and investment
Due to issues with Barclays Bank (a common problem with most charity accounts) the Association now banks with Virgin Money. This has resulted in now receiving interest payments from the bank on our current account (not paid by Barclays) and reduced transaction fees for payments received. The Associations’ investment with Rathbones has shown improvement the dividends increased by £51, and the capital value has increased by £3,167 due to improved market conditions.
Revenue Operations
Gift Aid performance has improved as more members are providing the information required to process payment. £111 more revenue has been paid by HMRC to the association account during the reporting period and continues to rise into the new year. Information regarding Gift Aid is readily available. Basically, we can have the tax refunded to our account at no cost to the donor. We have also improved how we collect payment for merchandise at events, collection for raffles and donations using a contactless payment system “SumUp”. We can still collect cash payments if that is preferred. However, the banking cost and safety concerns of carrying and depositing money has been greatly reduced by this system of payment.
Membership income have improved slightly but we still need to recruit more members especially with the 90[th] anniversary on the horizon. The NMC are currently working on membership fees and types of membership. We have seen a decline in donations received, this was due to fewer events being held where collections were made in the reporting period. This is showing signs of improving this year, the expected improved income this year will come from the likes of the St Andrews reunion event and ongoing sponsored events such as the Curly Bladen charity event.
The Social Fund is a new way of better tracking income from raffles, collections etc from social events like Tattershall Castle and any other social events run by the Association or Association Branches. We have seen a rise in travel costs associated with standard bearers due to a better representation at local and national events, therefore raising the profile of the RAF Regiment. The committee is looking at ways of reducing these costs where appropriate and fair.
Recording and Reporting
Historically the accounts for the Association have been recorded in Excel workbooks, although perfectly functional it has potential for duplication and errors. To overcome this the NMC has invested in SAGE a cloud based online accounting system the cost of which is covered by the interest we are receiving from the Associations’ bank account
Overall, we have improved our income and reducing our outgoing revenue where possible. However, postage and other expenses will continue to rise and impact our balance sheet. We are reducing this risk by using digital communication when and where appropriate. NMC meetings now are held as Teams calls, invoices are sent electronically from SAGE and other methods of cost-efficient ways of conducting business are being used.
Sean Linard Association Treasurer
| Accounts 2023/24 | FY | FY | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 2022-23 | ||
| INCOME RECEIVED | |||
| Donations: | £642 | £974 | |
| Interest | £140 | £0 | |
| Rathbone Investments | £2,832 | £2,781 | |
| St Annes Service | £361 | £72 | |
| AGM | £0 | £0 | |
| Sales | £620 | £175 | |
| MembershipSubscriptions | £7,598 | £7,523 | |
| Gift Aid | £578 | £468 | |
| Social Fund | £595 | £0 | |
| Other | £20 | £0 | |
| Total Income Received | £13,386 | £11,993 | |
| EXPENDITURE | |||
| Charitable Objectives | |||
| Event - AGM Costs | £307 | £560 | |
| Event - NMA | £193 | £265 | |
| Event - Remembrance Weekend | £236 | £116 | |
| Event - St Annes Service | £1,379 | £738 | |
| Event - Tower Chapel Service | £0 | £0 | |
| Donations | £500 | £150 | |
| Communications - Flash Magz | £5,783 | £5,670 | |
| Charitable Giving | £0 | ||
| Welfare | £108 | £100 | |
| Sub-total Charitable Objectives | £8,506 | £7,599 | |
| Operations | |||
| NMC - Travel | £947 | £614 | |
| National Standard Bearer Cost | £794 | £337 | |
| Branch Standards Bearer Cost | £550 | £500 | |
| Website | £422 | £366 | |
| Stationeryand Equipment | £386 | £361 | |
| AccountancyCharges | £17 | £0 | |
| Postage | £657 | £318 | |
| Recruitment | £0 | £1,222 | |
| IOC Fee | £40 | £40 | |
| Insurance | £96 | £96 | |
| Stock | £559 | £0 | |
| Other(incl NMC Mtgs venues) | £0 | £960 | |
| Sub-total Operations | £4,468 | £4,813 | |
| Total Expenditure | £12,974 | £12,412 | |
| Operatingsurplus/deficit | £412 | -£419 | |
| Asset Balance | 2023-24 | 2022-23 | |
| Virgin Money Current Account | £11,752 | ||
| Barclays Bank Current Account | £10,758 | ||
| Rathbone Shares | £87,450 | £84,283 | |
| Stock Held Value | £1,173 | £1,178 |
£100.375 £96.219
| FY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | |||
| INCOME RECEIVED | INCOME RECEIVED | ||
| Donations: | £974 | Donations: | |
| Interest | £0 | Interest | |
| Rathbone Investments | £2,781 | Rathbone Investments | |
| St Annes Service | £72 | St Annes Service | |
| AGM | £0 | AGM | |
| Sales | £175 | Sales | |
| MembershipSubscriptions | £7,523 | MembershipSubscriptions | |
| Gift Aid | £468 | Gift Aid | |
| Social Fund | £0 | Social Fund | |
| Other | £0 | Other | |
| Total Income Received | £11,993 | Total Income Received | |
| EXPENDITURE | EXPENDITURE | ||
| Charitable Objectives | Charitable Objectives | ||
| Event - AGM Costs | £560 | Event - AGM Costs | |
| Event - NMA | £265 | Event - NMA | |
| Event - Remembrance Weekend | £116 | Event - Remembrance Weekend | |
| Event - St Annes Service | £738 | Event - St Annes Service | |
| Event - Tower Chapel Service | £0 | Event - Tower Chapel Service | |
| Donations | £150 | Donations | |
| Communications - Flash Magz | £5,670 | Communications - Flash Magz | |
| Charitable Giving | Charitable Giving | ||
| Welfare | £100 | Welfare | |
| Sub-total Charitable Objectives | £7,599 | Sub-total Charitable Objectives | |
| Operations | Operations | ||
| NMC - Travel | £614 | NMC - Travel | |
| National Standard Bearer Cost | £337 | National Standard Bearer Cost | |
| Branch Standards Bearer Cost | £500 | Branch Standards Bearer Cost | |
| Website | £366 | Website | |
| Stationeryand Equipment | £361 | Stationeryand Equipment | |
| AccountancyCharges | £0 | AccountancyCharges | |
| Postage | £318 | Postage | |
| Recruitment | £1,222 | Recruitment / Marketing | |
| IOC Fee | £40 | IOC Fee | |
| Insurance | £96 | Insurance | |
| Stock | £0 | Stock | |
| Other(incl NMC Mtgs venues) | £960 | Other(incl NMC Mtgs venues) | |
| Sub-total Operations | £4,813 | Sub-total Operations | |
| Total Expenditure | £12,412 | Total Expenditure | |
| Operatingsurplus/deficit | -£419 | Operatingsurplus/deficit |
| FY | adjmt |
|---|---|
| 2023-24 | |
| £641.54 | -£332 |
| £139.74 | £140 |
| £2,832.02 | £51 |
| £361.36 | £289 |
| £0.00 | £0 |
| £619.71 | £445 |
| £7,597.95 | £75 |
| £578.48 | £111 |
| £595.04 | £595 |
| £20.06 | £20 |
| £13,385.90 | £1,393 |
| £307.00 | -£253 |
| £193.15 | -£72 |
| £235.60 | £120 |
| £1,379.20 | £641 |
| £0.00 | £0 |
| £500.00 | £350 |
| £5,783.32 | £113 |
| £0.00 | £0 |
| £107.71 | £8 |
| £8,505.98 | £907 |
| £947.28 | £333 |
| £794.40 | £457 |
| £550.00 | £50 |
| £421.53 | £56 |
| £385.67 | £25 |
| £16.80 | £17 |
| £657.18 | £339 |
| £0.00 | -£1,222 |
| £40.00 | £0 |
| £96.00 | £0 |
| £558.68 | £559 |
| £0.00 | -£960 |
| £4,467.54 | -£346 |
| £12,973.52 | £562 |
| £412 |
| Asset Balance | 2022-23 | 2023-24 |
|---|---|---|
| Barclays Bank Current Accoun | t ### |
|
| Virgin Money Current Account | £11,752.00 | |
| Rathbone Shares | ### | £87,450.00 |
| Stock Held Value | £1,178.00 | £1,173.00 |
| ### | ### |