Once Navy Always Navy

The Chairmans Dit

Shipmates,
Over the past few years it seems that there is always talk of a busy year ahead for our Association. Milestones appear from over the horizon, and although they may not be as frequent as those in sea area Bailey, they nevertheless take some handling and focus our attention, and rightly so. Perhaps the most significant involvement of all during 2007 will be the commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the Falklands Conflict Operation Corporate.

A great many reunions are planned which I am sure will be extremely well supported throughout the nation and abroad. Even over our Conference weekend, Falkland 25 events will be held in London and elsewhere. It is commendable that amongst our number some stalwart shipmates will be endeavouring to be in more than one place over that weekend.

Last year I urged the membership to support the National Council and the elected members for each area, in decisions that need to be made in order to safeguard our fine Association. This year, more so than in recent years, will see change and progression being discussed at both branch and area levels as well as at National Council. Once again shipmates I seek your support through your National Council Members - speak to them about your difficulties, your doubts, and also of your innovative ideas.
It has been said many times that "it is your Association", so contribute whatever you can, and in whatever form you can. You need your Association to be strong. Your Association needs you to be strong also.

The Strategic Review is looking into what we may want to look like in the future and how we ought to project our image. There have been many pleasing comments  heard from members, purely from being able to become personally involved in the early stage by simply completing
a questionnaire.  The constructive feedback and the personal views were warmly received by the Deputy National President, who continues with this Review
For some time now Conference has heard motions put forward about relocating HO away from London, for a whole raft of reasons. A Relocation Working Group of five National Council Members was formed at the December 2006 Council Meeting, with the Deputy National President to be at its helm. This
Group met early in the New Year and will meet further to discuss the possibilities together with the wide ranging implications, not least the cost of any move out of the Capital. It is planned that branch delegates to Conference will have the opportunity to debate this issue in Torquay At this point I would like to express my appreciation. And that of the Association as a whole to Commodore Adrian Nance for his enthusiastic efforts on behalf of the Association with the very necessary work of the Strategic Review and the Relocation Working Group

The Club Seminar this year is due to be held at Gosport in April and will focus on our clubs being able to cope effectively amid what seem to be continual changes in many areas of legislation. Such changes place great strain on those elected club officials tasked with operating our clubs, not only profitably, but also within the law. Much of the strain is often a burden for the club secretaries alone. The Club Seminar is an important management tool for the RNA to assist and support the officers of our clubs, and therefore it is hoped that as many clubs as possible will be represented. It is clear that in some areas observance of our Royal Charter, Rules and Byelaws is considered optional or at the very least some Branches are in ignorance of them. To remedy this, and in common with the majority of membership organisations, the Constitution and Rules of the Association are this year included within the Year Book and will be in every year where there is a significant amendment to them I hope that Branches will find this a useful addition to the information in the publication.
I wish all Branches at home and abroad a successful 2007, and a healthy year for all their members.