The Royal Green Jackets Regimental Association Management Board

 

MINUTES OF THE RGJRA MANAGEMENT BOARD
Held at Davis Street London on 20 July 2007

 

 

The following were present:

Apologies: Maj Gen Vyvyan, Brig David Homer, Bill Shipton, Kevin Stevens

1.  Introduction. Maj Gen Balfour explained that the Regimental structure was in a transition period as the current organisations come together over the next year and elements are transferred to The Rifles. This was outlined in his letter to the Regiment sent out earlier this year and available on the web site. The current Association management structure would become integrated with the main Management Board by next summer and a new constitution was being drafted.

2.  Management Board. Maj Gen Balfour explained the organisational changes in more detail; the aim was to produce a more integrated and better informed regimental structure, without interfering with branch activities. Indeed part of the aim was for branches to become more directly involved in key decision making and passage of information, and they would be represented at the main 2 board meetings each year (July and Nov). It was accepted after discussion, that on those occasions a pre meeting for branches might be useful. Sub committees to the main board would continue, eg Ladies Guild, Offrs Dining Club etc, and association branches would have one as well. It was also explained that representatives of RGJ former regiments would be included “in attendance” at key RGJ Management Board meetings to keep them informed of events and to ensure that their residual interests were represented.

3.  RHQ Rifles Update. Lt Col Jan-Dirk von Merveldt Asst Regtl Sec London, and Steve Kinrade at Winchester, remained the main points of contact for RGJ matters. There was a need to establish a RGJ cascade information network to pass on news about deaths etc, which needed to include branches, and this was now in hand.

4.  Membership Fees. It was confirmed that Association membership fees would increase from 1 Apr 2008 to £10, with officers paying £50. This would be reduced to £42.50 if a Rifles Chronicle was not produced.  Life membership of the Association would be £200. Lt Gen Wallace stressed the importance of a Rifles Chronicle to maintain Regimental heritage. Maj Gen Balfour would write to all officers, including members of the GJ Club and former Regiments, inviting them to join the RGJRA if not already a RGJ Officers Club member paying £50 annually by Direct Debit.

5.  Website Update. An update from Kevin Stevens was circulated and is shown on the website.  New IT equipment had been purchased with Regimental funding, and the development of the Internet Branch website to be the main focal point for regimental communication continues. Bill Shipton and Kevin Stevens are to meet to sort out the way ahead. There was a need for RHQ Rifles to have access to provide regimental information, eg events, sports, deaths etc. The In Memoriam section was widely praised.

6.  TA and Cadet Eligibility. The Board agreed that RGJ cap badged TA and Cadet Adults were fully entitled to be members of the RGJRA, and were to pay the appropriate full membership fees, £10 or £50 for officers.

7.  RGJ Update. Key updates were as follows:

 

8.  Future RGJ Events.

 

9.  Date Next Meeting. 1400hrs Friday Nov 16th 2007 in the RGJ Museum Conference Room Winchester. Branch Chairman or representatives welcome.

Kevin Stevens

Webmaster
The Royal Green Jackets Regimental Association