INCORPORATED BY ROYAL CHARTER

THE ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION

MINUTES

of the

73rd ANNUAL CONFERENCE

held in

Stade Kieffer, Ouistreham

on

FRIDAY 4th JUNE 2010

The President Vice Admiral John McAnally CB LVO in the Chair

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Officials

National President: Shipmate Vice Admiral J H S McAnally CB LVO

Deputy National President: Shipmate Commodore A R Nance OBE RN

National Chairman: Shipmate D White MBE MSM

Chairman, Standing Orders Committee: Shipmate Commander J Owens RN

National Honorary Treasurer Shipmate R Barraclough MSM

National Ceremonial Adviser: Shipmate A Robinson

National Communications & PR Adviser: Shipmate S Caulfield

National Charities & Welfare Adviser: Shipmate R Lock

General Secretary: Shipmate Commander J McClurg RN

General Secretary (Designate) Shipmate Captain P A Quinn OBE RN

Assistant General Secretary (Management) Shipmate Lt Cdr N Huxtable RN

Assistant General Secretary (Admin) Shipmate Mrs S Tarabella

Finance Manager Shipmate Mrs M Bainbridge

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INDEX & SUMMARY OF EVENTS OF THE SEVENTY THIRD ANNUAL CONFERENCE 4 JUNE 2010

Presidents welcome to Delegates 5

Presidents welcome to Guests 5

A welcome and address from The Mayor of Ouistreham, M Le Blanc MBE 5

Greetings from HM the Queen and the RAFA 5

Address: The First Sea Lord Sir Mark Stanhope GCB OBE ADC 6

Address National President: Vice Admiral John McAnally CB LVO 8

Address by The National Chairman 9

Presidents Awards: For recruiting 10

Special Awards 10

Report of the Standing Orders Committee 11

Minutes of the 72nd Annual Conference - Approval 12

Honorary Treasurer‟s Report and Annual Accounts 12

Report of the National Council 14

Report of the Administration and Management Committee 14

Report of the Finance & Administration Committee 15

Farewell to the General Secretary 15

Branch Motion No. 8 17

Supplemental Charter Motions

Motion 1 Proposed by Watford, seconded Hemel Hempstead 19 Art 16(2) Changes majority for vote from two thirds to half

Motion 2 Proposed by Watford, seconded Hemel Hempstead 20 Art 19 Changes majority for vote from two thirds to half

Branch Motions

Motion 1 Proposed by Watford, seconded Hemel Hempstead 22 Art 16(a) Changes majority for vote from two thirds to half

Motion 2 Proposed by Chatham, seconded Margate National Council members are to report freely and faithfully on all National Council business, 22 other than limited disclosure items.

Motion 3 Proposed by Chatham, seconded Woking, amended to read: 23 That the National Council amend Association bye-Law 7 to establish a common process for the election of Area National Council members and Area Deputy National Council members.

Motion 4 Proposed by Sheppey, seconded Maidstone 24 Changes the rules for election to the Standing Orders Committee requiring a branch supporting statement and candidates must be members of a branch in UK or RoI.

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Motion 5 Proposed by Helston, seconded Sherborne 25 Requires National Council to set up a conference study group and report back to Conference

Motion 6 Proposed by Watford, seconded Hemel Hempstead 27 Conference venue to be decided by a postal referendum of all branches

Motion 7 Proposed by Helston, seconded Sherborne 27 Conference to be moved to September

Motion 8 Proposed by Plymouth, seconded Frome 17 National Council motion to amend to read: That the National Council positively pursue enhancement to the Memorandum of Understanding with the Royal Navy, to encourage Ships‟ and Establishments‟ RNA Liaison Officers, namely Executive Warrant Officers or designated deputies, attendance at National Conference.

Original motion That the National Council positively pursue enhancement to the Memorandum of Understanding with the Royal Navy, to allow Ships‟ and Establishments‟ RNA Liaison Officers, namely Executive Warrant Officers or designated deputies, attendance and voting rights at National conference.

Motion 9 Proposed by Tyne, seconded Spennymoor and Ferryhill 27 That Tyne host 2012 Conference

Motion 10 Proposed by Watford, seconded Hemel Hempstead) 28 Explicitly allows clarification of items in the Annual report and Accounts to be sought from the General Secretary

Motion 11 Proposed by Frome, seconded Helston 29 To change meetings from 4 to 3 a year

Motion 12 Proposed by Crosby, seconded Llandudno 31 That 2011 be designated Year of Recruitment, with aim of achieving a significant increase in membership by raising profile nationwide with support from all levels in Association and with appropriate resources made available

Motion 13 Proposed by Acquatine, seconded France Nord) 32 To change standard carrying strap to right shoulder

Motion 14 Proposed by Gosport, seconded Waterlooville 33 Increased charge to appellant in Club model rule 12 from 50 pence to £5

Conference Draw 33

Closure of Conference 33

List of Delegates who attended this conference 34

Elections

National Council Members - 1, 3, 4 and 12 Area unopposed - (S/M Foley (1), S/M Reed(3), S/M Knight(4), S/M Hunter(12))

By Election : Area 5 – S/M Richard Ascott and Area 10 – S/M Charles Hutton

Elected to Standing Orders Committee

S/M V Allen S/M A Avery (Unopposed)

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The National Standard and FAMMAC Standard having been marched in. Conference began with prayers said by Archdeacon The Venerable John Green CB QHC Royal Navy, Chaplain of the Fleet and Honorary Chaplain of the Royal Naval Association .

Conference stood in tribute to Shipmates who have Crossed the Bar

Opening of Conference

The President: Well Shipmates, welcome and congratulations to all of you who have made quite long and difficult journeys in order to get here and those aren‟t just members from the United Kingdom mainland but actually members of our host branch the France Nord Branch who have travelled for several hours in order to be here in Ouistreham.

Thank you to them for hosting this Conference and I understand that those who were here last night had a very good evening, I am sure there are more to come!

We are very much honoured to have here to open our Conference formally The Mayor of Ouistreham, M. Le Blanc has been in office for 27 years. In addition to his elegant sash, which I am informed is called an echaffe in French, you will notice that he sports a medal as a member of “The Most Honourable Order of the British Empire.” The Mayor was awarded his MBE for his services in welcoming so many members of the British Armed Forces. Last night he told me that he was born and brought up in a small town on the eastern side of the Cotentin peninsular and he remembers as a boy the tremendous cannonade of the landings here in 1944 and a great sense of relief that help was on its way. I now invite the Mayor of Ouistreham to open our Conference.

Mayor of Ouistreham: Excuse me, I speak French, I speak French very well! (Translation from the French) It is a great honour and pleasure to welcome the Royal Naval Association to Ouistreham. It is a privilege and honour, especially as this is the first time the Royal Naval Association has met outside the United Kingdom. I would like to cite 6 June 1994 when British and French commandos landed on the beach and commenced the liberation of Europe. It is thanks to the Royal Navy, chiefly, but also to the Royal Air Force for the firepower and support that they brought to bear in what was an tremendously long and difficult battle for Normandy. Whilst it was chiefly a land battle it could not have been possible without the support of the Royal Navy and the logistical reach that it offered to the landing forces. It is a debt of honour but it is a debt of honour that we gladly repay to honour those who lost their lives in saving Normandy. Looking to a more peaceful point of view we opened a sea line between Portsmouth and Ouistreham in 1986, this gives us a wonderful opportunity 3 times a day, every day to renew our links with the United Kingdom.

During the recent weeks of volcanic ash crisis that brought all flights to a halt it was to Ouistreham that a considerable number of British came in an effort to get back to the United Kingdom and we welcomed them with open arms.

It was an honour for us to found a monument, unveiled by the Duke of Edinburgh, in honour of the landing craft crews who landed here in Ouistreham in 1944. It is the scene of a commemoration on 6 June each year and you are cordially invited.

History never stands still and that is why school children still undertake the walk of the route taken by the commandos in 1944, and it is considered vital that this generation remains aware of what happened to a previous generation in 1944. In closing, it has been an absolute pleasure for me to open your Conference and welcome you to Normandy. I fully realise that it is not all play but there is work to do. I will now leave you to your deliberations. Have a very successful Conference. It is a delight to have you here in Normandy.

(Applause)

The President presented the Mayor with a gift

The President: I have noticed that I have neglected item 5 in the agenda which is most important and is the reading out of the messages from our Patron and others and I now ask the General Secretary to do that.

General Secretary: Distinguished guests, Shipmates, we sent a message to our Patron as follows: As officials, delegates and observers of the Royal Naval Association of all parts of the United Kingdom, Great Britain and Northern Ireland and across the world assemble for their annual Conference in Stade Kieffer, Ouistreham on 4 June they present their humble duty and loyalty to Her Majesty the Queen as their Patron and express continued pride in Her Majesty‟s Naval Forces. The following response has been received: “Please convey my warm thanks to the officials, delegates and observers of the Royal Naval Association for their kind message of loyal greetings, sent on the occasion of their annual Conference which is being held today at the Stade Kieffer, Ouistreham France. As your Patron, I much appreciated your writing as you did and in return send my best wishes to all those present for a most enjoyable and successful event. Elizabeth R.”

We have also, for some reason, received a message from the Royal Air Forces Association which says; “The President, Chairman, Central Council and Members of the Royal Airforces Association wishes to extend greetings to your Council, Delegates and all members for a most successful Conference and AGM in Ouistreham on 4 June 2010.With our Armed Forces serving in ever more dangerous environments throughout the world we are reminded of the strong bonds that exist between our Associations and we wish you every success in continuing the excellent work that you do in support of our Servicemen and Veterans. In a spirit of friendship we wish you a constructive, successful annual Conference and with every best wish from the Royal Air Forces Association. “

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This is from the Acting Secretary General. At Conference last year I was unwise enough to disclose that the Secretary General, my opposite number, was indeed the husband of the daughter of a distinguished former CPO and a leading light in the Royal Naval Association. This disclosure obviously caused some angst as he promptly resigned his appointment! His successor has yet to be appointed.

The President: Thank you very much indeed for that message from our Patron and also for that interesting update. We will watch this space and hear from your successor next year on continuing developments from our sister association, perhaps!

Shipmates we are very honoured today to have with us as our keynote speaker The First Sea Lord; you can‟t really go higher than the top can you? We are very grateful to The First Sea Lord for journeying to France to join us here, hot foot from the commissioning of HMS Dauntless yesterday, by helicopter on an amazingly circuitous route which, I understand, went from Portsmouth to Dover to Calais. You‟ll never guess that the aircraft was flown by the RAF.

This is an extremely testing time for our nation, for our Armed Forces and our Navy and as you all know there is a defence review in progress. In my view and in the view of others no one could be better fitted to lead the Royal Navy through this contribution to this process than our present First Sea Lord, Sir Mark Stanhope, and I now invite him, with great pleasure, to address Conference.

(Applause)

First Sea Lord: It is always good to get the applause in early. I was told as a young officer that to stand up and be counted and give the opportunity to people to throw things at you if they don‟t like what you are saying, hence I‟ll speak from here (the Podium).

Mr Mayor, Shipmates I will not go down the saints and sinners route.

Mr Mayor, I am sorry I will speak in English. Recognising there is going to be some translation here and to make it really difficult for those translating right at the very beginning to tell a joke which they haven‟t got. I am not sure whether it is worth translating the joke but you can judge for yourselves.

Mr Mayor spoke admirably without any notes whatsoever, I am going to use notes. I will use notes because I want to make sure that I cover the ground and present to you a speech and all considered. I actually feel quite embarrassed that I can‟t remember 10, 15, 20 minutes of speech, all these actors can stand up on stage and do this and why can‟t I at 58? Maybe I might have done at 30 but as we get older, I hope I get some sympathy in this room, we aren‟t quite sure about what it is we are going to say or we forget and I used to feel quite embarrassed about this until I was told the story of two of my predecessors who were out in a car on a Sunday afternoons drive. They were sitting in the front of the car and their wives were sitting in the back. One turned to the other and said “Shipmate, I was out last night and I went to the very best restaurant I have ever been to. The wine cellar was exceptional, the waitresses were particularly attractive, the menu was superb.” So, quite understandably his comrade turned to him and said “What was the name of the restaurant?” “What was the name of that restaurant?” “What‟s the name of those flowers that grow in an English country garden?” His colleague said “Forget me not” He said “No, no, no they have long green stems with barbs on them, they are many, many colours but they are mainly red and white.” His colleague said “Rose,” He said “Of course” He turned to the back of the car and said “Rose, what was the name of that restaurant we went to last night?”

(Laughter)

It is indeed a pleasure and an honour to join you here in Ouistreham and address this gathering of the Royal Naval Association. It is 70 years, as we all know, since Operation Dynamo, the operation to evacuate the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkerque, commemorated only last weekend. I think it is therefore somewhat fitting that here we are, a gathering, a strong naval presence, here in France some 70 years later. I am delighted that you all made the journey over here. I have been asked by John McAnally to say something of the Association‟s links with the Royal Navy. Remember, we are, and will always be, what you are and that link is important. Also he asked if I would give you some sense of how I and my Navy Board colleagues see the Service developing into the future.

Your understanding of where your Navy is going is important to me as it is to the Navy Board, because we seek your support in getting across to others the importance of maintaining globally deployed, operationally capable maritime forces. I think this is something I can best illustrate by giving you an overview of what‟s going on today in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines supported of course by Royal Fleet Auxiliary colleagues and indeed the sister services. There are as I stand here today, 900 sailors and marines fighting in Afghanistan or if you like 10% of the United Kingdom‟s armed forces contributing to that land campaign. That number includes 40 Commando Royal Marines, special forces, naval aviators, engineers, logisticians and medics. Next year, at this time 3 Commando Brigade will once again become the leading Brigade in Helmand Province, supported by Army and Royal Air Force colleagues, by which time 3500 members of the Naval Service, or if you like, 10% of our people will be serving there, constituting almost a third of the commitment of the UK to that NATO campaign.

I and I hope you, pay enormous tribute to our forces on the ground and in the air in Afghanistan. I recognise their sacrifice and commend their professionalism, courage and fortitude to you. 40 Commando, Royal Marines took over their duties some 5 or 6 weeks ago, they have already lost several of their members, which include 5 Corporals and 2 Marines and a large number have already been injured. We should think about them daily. But, as important as Afghanistan undoubtedly is and certainly our success out there is important, our sailors and marines are doing much, much more besides this. Deployed around the globe to protect and promote our national interest. There are over 1500 naval personnel deployed in the Middle East for example, from the northern gulf to Iraq, Oman, the Red Sea the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. Their presence, the maritime security operation they are conducting and the training of allies and partners they are delivering, are contributing to the stability of that rather volatile region. That stability does two things. It firstly protects the United Kingdoms interests in the region, from sea borne trade to energy security, our national interests abroad and the global economy which is so fundamental to our own prosperity. It also reassures allies and deters potential aggressors thereby making a vitally important contribution to our long term security.

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In the Atlantic, as the hurricane season closes in, HMS Manchester is en route to the Caribbean as I speak and is on standby to deliver disaster relief there in a similar way to that provided by RFA Largs Bay in the recent Haiti earthquake. Manchester will also be conducting counter narcotics operations - no doubt trying to emulate the successes of HMS Iron Duke last year. Just as an example of what this success means, last year HMS Iron Duke seized more illegal drugs than the United Kingdom‟s combined police, customs and enforcement agencies, testament to the enormous benefits of having capable, versatile warships deployed to deal with threats at arms length. Turning to the South Atlantic, we of course, continue to maintain the maritime force levels needed to protect British Territories and their resources.

Closer to home we protect the United Kingdom‟s waters conducting fishery protection and providing search and rescue cover around our coasts and of course the mountains of Scotland. Somewhere in the world‟s oceans an SSBN is on patrol, I trust some considerable way from our host‟s equivalent conducting the ultimate guarantor of our sovereignty and carrying of course the nuclear deterrent.

Now as well as the wide ranging operational activities and, importantly, their relevance to today‟s security concerns, we continue to focus on our ability to fight and win wars at sea and from the sea, that after all is what navies primarily exist to do. The deployment last month of the naval task group to the Western Atlantic offers important contributions and opportunities to maintain and develop the combat skills we will always need as a hedge against future aggression and in these we deploy a carrier with fixed wing aircraft. We are just about to deploy ocean and amphibious forces to keep that package of our capability alive and at readiness to be used as required. Task Groups are inherently flexible and very powerful giving to the Government considerable choice in choosing how to respond to any developing crisis. We are taking the opportunity to enhance our ability to operate together as well alongside the maritime forces of our allies and key partners. All of this activity reflects the broad utility of globally deployed capable maritime forces. The Royal Navy is prepared to fight and win and because of the way it is structured and because the quality of our sailors and marines is achieved through sound training we are also able to contribute to defence and security of the United Kingdom in many different ways. War fighting is our benchmark, utility and agility are what I call our hallmarks.

What of the future and indeed, Shipmates, your part in that future? Firstly, regardless of what you read in the papers, I would urge you all to guard against what you might call the tyranny of pessimism about the future of the navy. I think that the importance of the sea to this nation‟s prosperity is becoming better understood, or should I say, re-understood across Whitehall and in society at large. There is a recognition that preserving the free use of the seas for global trade, access to resources within it and beneath it, and the freedom of air navigation above it is central to the way the world works and indeed the way the world progresses. Emerging powers, such as India and China, absolutely understand this and the very important part the sea plays in the steps they are taking to project power in order to project their own interests.

There is also a welcome acceptance of the need to control what happens at sea if we are to benefit from the security and economic prosperity that that control guarantees. Maritime power and economic growth go hand in hand, a point which will not, I trust, be lost on anybody in this room. Nor should we overlook the naval build programme which has been delivering on the new generation of ships and submarines which we will need through the first half of the 21st century. HMS Astute, our new SSN, sailed from Barrow, her home port, and arrived in Faslane last autumn. She has conducted her deep dive and full power trial and represents a quantum change in our ability to project power under the waves. Type 45 destroyers are rolling out, the last one comes down the slip at the end of this year. Yesterday, as already indicated, I was at the commissioning of HMS Dauntless. At the end of this year she will fire her Sea Viper missile system that is the key to another quantum leap change in our ability to project air defence. And of course the Queen Elizabeth class, these aircraft carriers are on track, being built. We have spent over £1.5bn on these carriers so far out of a total cost of some £5bn. They are well on their way, the keels will go down towards the end of this year, They are building them in blocks of course. 10,000 people are employed in building these ships and they are already occupying 67 companies in the UK alone and some abroad are supplying support to this build.

Now, I am not complacent about the fact that we have a defence review coming which will address the future need and requirement of these, neither am I gloomy that that the outcome of this review will be the reversal of the decision to continue with carrier build.

And the people. The people in your navy have the same qualities, the same commitment, the same professionalism, the same grit and the same determination that all of you had when you joined the navy. Yes, society is different, yes, we have to deliver in a slightly different way to these people but ladies and gentlemen, they are quality, absolutely quality and they will deliver the grit and determination to do what this country needs of them should they be called upon to do so. I am hugely proud of being the First Sea Lord, but by golly, am I proud of the people that I command?

Given that context, that backdrop of where the navy is today, how do I see the Royal Navy developing in the coming years? Yes, the public finances are more difficult, and probably as bad as they have ever been since Dunkerque. Defence spending will have to be justified against what it can deliver for the security of the United Kingdom and it is here that I think maritime forces have an enviable track record. Warships and nuclear submarines of course don‟t come cheap but they offer unmatched versatility, agility and capability and once commissioned they are relatively cheap to run and will serve our nation for decades. I strongly believe that maritime forces have a vital role to play in contributing to the delivery of the United Kingdom‟s defence and security today and into the future. Frankly you don‟t need the brains of an archbishop (sorry John) to anticipate that we will see more efforts aimed at preventing conflicts. We are looking to prevent conflicts, rather than getting ourselves embroiled in them as of course we clearly are in Afghanistan. For maritime forces that puts a premium on remaining deployed, out in the world doing what navies do. Engaging with others, improving situation awareness, reassuring friends and deterring potential aggressors. The key characteristic here is our persistent presence in areas of interest to the United Kingdom across the world with the ability to influence outcomes in the national interest without incurring heavy political overheads in areas of the world where we would like only to use influence. In strategic terms it is the importance of the sea and the consequences of our ability to control what happens there that I think is the most important aspect of what I call the maritime case, and the manner in which I deal with the argument to the Ministry of Defence are built around what I have said then and I assure you Ladies and Gentlemen are gaining traction.

The association and you the shipmates in it, who of course are absolutely the source of your influence, I think, have an important part to play here in informing the national debate about armed forces and of course the maritime contribution therein. True the Senior Service never shouts - it whispers, but when hundreds of whispers come together in pubs, clubs, societies and meetings around the world, especially in the United Kingdom, and you pass on the message to your colleagues then they can have a profound effect. 7

I hugely appreciate the support you continue to give to the Service I think you all love and enjoyed when you were part of it and now part if its support. I am sure we can drive home, collectively, a compelling message to those around us for the need of a strong navy to promote the UK‟s interests into the future.

Shipmates, Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you very much indeed for your support.

(Applause)

The National President: Shipmates I would like to thank the First Sea Lord for a superb address to us. We should feel well equipped to do our part in informing the national debate at this crucial stage and I would like to present a gift to the First Sea Lord. Actually there are 2 little gifts. The first one he asked me for last night, He is as you know the senior serving member of our association by virtue of being the First Sea Lord and last night he said that he wished to become a fully paying member of our association and would I please supply him with an application form. (applause).Meanwhile here is a more usual gift to ease the pain. (applause)

Well shipmates, those of you who have been kind enough to entertain me at various dinners over the last 10 years will recall that it has become my practice to wander round the room, declaiming as I see fit without a script. However I have never done that at Conference and I don‟t intend to do so now. Why? It is impossible to run to time if you don‟t know what you are going to say until after you have said it, and we are very pressed for time, shipmates. You may remember last year we only had 3 motions to debate and 2 of those were really discussion topics put forward by National Council. This year you have really got going and we have, I think, 16 motions to debate and I really would like to end at 5pm and I would like to have a decent break over lunch, if only because the First Sea Lord wants to meet as many of you as possible and that‟s the period which is available to do it. He is very kindly, and this is a significant honour for us, staying with us until after lunch to witness our proceedings.

One of the best parts of Conference is meeting up with shipmates who live in other parts of the country and whom we may only see once a year but remember each other. Talking to one in the last 24 hours, and I have found Shipmates in most of the cafes and bars in Ouistreham at least along the front, and I was told about a shipmate who had recently taken up a job as a greeter in B&Q and he was doing fine except he was always adrift, 5,10 15 minutes. The boss sent for him and said “you have made a good beginning, I really like your style with the customers, you set them at ease and they obviously like being greeted by you and you are always quite well turned out and tidy but I can‟t understand why you are always adrift. You were in the armed forces. Surely you didn‟t do that there, what would they have said to you when you turned up 10 minutes late?” He said “I don‟t know really, I suppose it would be something like „Good morning Admiral, are you ready for your coffee now Sir!‟” (Laughter)

The first point I would like to make to you is that just as our Royal Navy is approaching a moment which will define its future for the next decade at least, if not probably beyond so I think that the Royal Naval Association is approaching a defining moment of its own. We face a number of challenges and our response to them will set the course of the association for some years to come. Most obviously is that of keeping membership numbers and our very valuable national footprint up. We have about 22,000 life, full and associates and 38,000 or so serving members and that 22,000 reflects reductions of about 1-2 thousand a year, mainly as the world War II and career generations cross the bar, although thankfully not all of them. Last year a flyer in Navy News did bring in a welcome blip with 1,000 new paying members and of course today we have got another 1! Setting ourselves in context shipmates, the whole ex-Royal Navy, Royal Marine population reduces by about 5% per year whilst since the mid fifties Royal Navy personnel numbers have reduced by a pretty steady average 2% per year.

Today‟s Conference is about setting the challenge of 2011 as a year with particular focus on recruiting to the RNA and I and your National Council members will be most grateful for any thoughts and ideas you have to make this a resounding success, as it must be if the motion is passed. But if we can‟t inspire ex serving and serving members of the joys and benefits of our great association then we will have let our predecessors down and the RNA will fade away.

Our second challenge is that of meeting together in an environment of increasing pressure on pensions particularly with a 0% increment this year and an older profile across the membership which can make fellowship hard to organise and encourage. But it is, I am sure you will agree, absolutely vital that as an „all of one company‟ outfit we look after our shipmates who may, and many do, look to our association, their association as their main friendship group and enjoy great physical and mental benefits to their well-being in knowing that someone cares enough, say to remind submariners to change their knicks!

Thirdly there is a reluctance to take up branch and national responsibilities in the association and I do appreciate that I am preaching to the choir here since you have all made the effort to come to France and be involved in your branch or area and I thank you all for that. It is something which we should be mindful of, you are not the majority.

The fourth challenge is making the very best of the unique honour of our memorandum of understanding with our Royal Navy. I really do think, as the First Sea Lord has suggested, that we have a vital role to play in the coming months. We have been asked to do that in the national debate during the strategic defence review. We do need all of us to be well informed and up to date on the issues and we have been given a powerful steer on that, and of course the First Sea Lord‟s speech since thankfully it was given from notes will be available in the record of this Conference. We need to ensure that our local MPs and the opinion formers that we can reach, are reminded that the utility, flexibility and value of the naval service and of just how busy it is, protecting and promoting the national interest world wide. We don‟t have a party political affiliation but we are totally pro Navy and provided we state the case to all, regardless of party political point of view, we can do nothing but good. Our association, with its national association of branches and its firm local presence can be part of the strong voice of support for our armed services and the sacrifice they make on operations. Politicians do frequently pay attention to those who volunteer and are engaged in local life and that does give us a platform to deploy some of Sir Mark‟s key points.

We are also bound by our Royal Charter actively to support recruitment into the Royal Navy and retention in service and a graceful and easy transition into civilian life. I suggest here that our local branches have an important role to play with their serving members and the recently retired through fellowship, networking, mentoring and more direct encouragement. Most of us have already been through that tough transition out of the service and modern sailors are no less apprehensive about leaving and what might follow it than most of us were. Please 8 give thought to this so that we can make the Memorandum of Understanding a meaningful and vibrant agreement of value to the Service we all love.

At every National Council meeting I read out the names of shipmates whose passing has been notified to HQ. Amongst those whose loss we have mourned since the last Conference has been our oldest shipmate Henry Allingham in his 113th year. The much liked Ron Fielding sometime Standard Bearer and National Council member for 10 area. Paul Broom, our accountant, adviser and friend for 3 decades and our Deputy General Secretary, Frank Ward. May they rest in peace.

It is true to say that the headquarters staff are settling down after the necessary changes following Frank‟s passing and they are also looking forward to working with the new General Secretary, Captain Paul Quinn. Not of course that they want to see the back of Paddy! Paul has been appointed following a very detailed professional recruitment process which included professional advice to and observation of the National Council panel. He, and perhaps I could ask him to stand up and take a bow for those who haven‟t seen him already, joins us after 2 very successful years as Chief Executive Officer of a large maritime charity and a long period as a founding trustee and Director of the innovative Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity and I know he is looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible whilst here in France. I feel we are extremely fortunate to have secured him as the replacement for the irreplaceable Paddy.

The HQ is well settled into Pompey Naval Base and that has been a great success. We are reaping the benefit of closer ties with the serving Navy, and one example is of the very successful National Standard Bearers competition which was held a few weeks ago in HMS Temeraire, with a great post event party in HMS Nelson‟s Warrant Officers and Senior Ratings mess, there was a lovely atmosphere among all the contestants.

Since the last Conference I have enjoyed the hospitality of shipmates in Maidstone, Clacton, Inverness, Liskeard, Dagenham, Taunton, Rayleigh, Seaford and most recently our newest, Orkney. We had a great weekend surrounding dedication of their Standard in the lovely St Magnus Cathedral. Other key events have included the Armed Forces Day in Chatham followed by a dinner onboard Victory as guest of HMAS Sydney‟s Senior Ratings which ended at 5 o‟clock the following morning! That‟s all I‟ll tell you about that now! Our bi-annual parade, the annual IMC Executive Council Meeting in Portsmouth, The Field of Remembrance, Royal British Legion Service of Remembrance, Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph and the moving Generation of World War 1 at Westminster Abbey.

It is about time I stopped but I cannot do so without giving out two richly deserved thank yous. Our National Chairman Shipmate David White, stands down at the end of Conference after a combined nearly 20 years as National Council member for 4 Area, Vice Chairman and National Chairman during which time he has been supported by Monica, who is in the hall. I owe David a great debt personally for all the support, advice and comradeship he has given me. He has made a huge contribution to our association, recognised by the award of the MBE last year, and his calm nature and wise council will be missed. So much of what the National Chairman does is invisible and here, on behalf of us all, I offer my whole hearted thanks for his dedication and loyalty to the Association. (Applause)

Having used and abused David for many years we pass him back to Monica with our grateful thanks for her time and support too. (Applause)

Now, what to say about Paddy, Paddy retires as General Secretary on Sunday afternoon to, as he puts it, to drink himself into insensibility, which I am sure he does not really mean. This will be after a wonderful contribution to our Association and really playing a major part in helping it to get back on its feet. Paddy, I do hope that your retirement ambitions are entirely satisfied to Kate‟s satisfaction. I would ask you to refrain from starting too enthusiastically until after the parade on Sunday though. I put it to you that you are only out on licence and I hope you will keep in touch in those sober hours to come. I am sure the Association will rise to the challenges I have set out and that the new National Chairman who will be elected in September will help shape our course for the future, together with those National Council members, elected and re elected at this Conference and last year.

It is vital that we live by our key principles of unity, loyalty, patriotism and comradeship and I expect we will, especially in this hall. I look forward to a respectful and vigorous debate, plenty of fun in the bar, we have got to finish on time so that we don‟t neglect our comradeship duties, and maybe sometime I look forward to seeing you in the main entrance to B&Q. (Applause)

The President: As I remarked earlier, David is standing down from his position after Conference and it seemed to me entirely appropriate that I should ask him to say a few words. Unlike me I am sure he will be brief.

National Chairman: Thank you Shipmate President. At my last Conference as a National Council member I wish to take this opportunity following a strong and persistent prompt from the President to contribute a few words of reflection. This Conference in Caen might not have been the first to be held outside of the UK. In 1996 the Maltese authorities issued a generous invitation to visit Malta to investigate a proposal to hold Conference there. Whilst it was feasible the logistics of actually getting delegates there was all too difficult. However, three Council members enjoyed a free jolly on the Maltese and returned with a sun tan.

The RNA has seen a quite dramatic change over the last two years since our headquarters moved from London down to Portsmouth. This was achieved, by no small degree, with the amount of expertise that began to arrive at National Council level during the first decade of this millennium. With great vision our President, the new Deputy President and General Secretary combined to form a strong business minded group and with vital financial support from our accountant, the late Paul Broom, assisted the relocation working group to find a suitable location. This kind of group had not been so completely available to the Association before, although the RNA had previously held reviews into its future. As a member of that old publicity and recruiting committee in 1992 I recall that committees chairman, Ken Wright, presenting a 2000 Review to National Council. This was followed four years later by the Way Ahead Review, driven by Fred Chambers which sought contributions from the membership nationwide as to what was needed to halt the decline in members. Later came Deputy President John Bell‟s paper on preparing the RNA for the 21st Century.

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The relocation of the Headquarters out of London had been a big issue with many areas, but in spite of this it proved difficult to achieve a move, so no decision could be taken and we remained in Chelsea. Four years ago a revitalised review started working towards that long awaited relocation. Membership loss remains an issue to this day therefore Areas and Branches need to work hard at our part of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Royal Navy with a view to signalling to the serving Navy that they need to do likewise in order to match our endeavours. As we strive to improve our profile we need to show interest in and learn more about our Navy. It is important to remember while those shipmates with good recollections of conflicts past but over the last twenty years, most of those serving in the Navy today also have experiences of their own. So, while we talk about those challenges of the past in the hope of enlightening others let us be prepared to listen and learn from those serving today.

Over the last ten years the RNA has enjoyed assistance from the very senior officers of the Royal Navy it may be as a result of inviting a succession of First and Second Sea Lords and Commanders in Chief to our National Conferences, Whitehall Parades and Maritime Confederation gatherings. Some have also come back to see us on more than one occasion. During those early reviews a question was asked “what can the Royal Navy do for us?” The answer then seemed to be “very little” due to increased security, access to Naval Bases and establishments had become extremely restricted. How things have changed. With even greater security today it is occasionally possible for shipmates to stay overnight in Nelson and Drake Barracks on a B&B type basis. Previously the idea of serving personnel being members of the Association on a serving role also came to light. It didn‟t happen. But it has now. We should not let the golden opportunity of the MoU pass us by. We need members from amongst the serving members and also those who are about to leave the Service. We need to convince them that they need the services of the RNA with its social and welfare benefits and the banter and comradeship.

Four branches in the West Country work hard mentoring new recruits passing through HMS Raleigh which must be helping us to achieve a positive impact on our relationship with the Royal Navy at both trainee and instructor level. We saw the final Royal Tournament in 1999 when 330 of our Standard bearers gave a most stunning display.We lost the biennial reunion and we gained our slogan “Once Navy always Navy” from our first PRO David Dennis.Due to gradual increases in travel and accommodation costs attendance at major national events fell over the years.One of our last reunions was at the Royal Albert Hall in 1995 when a new National Standard was presented by Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal. At the parade the following morning there were 3,500 shipmates and over 200 Standards mustered on Horse G guards. Council even had a request, in 2001, from a former Russian Naval Captain on how assistance might be given to former Naval personnel. He was the Deputy Mayor of Vladivostock, a city with a huge population of ex-matelots. The then General Secretary, Captain Bob McQueen, responded on how our welfare and organisations worked .

A striking change to me has been watching the average age of the Council falling as more new members, still of working age joined as National Council members in an organisation where younger members can often be aged 45 to 60. This practice must continue and Areas should encourage such members to step forward to hold office initially as Deputy National Council members. By September this year there are likely to be some changes amongst the elected members of the National Council, with some new trustees this has to be good for the governance, an aspect which our Deputy National President takes extremely seriously.

The President : Shipmates, we are indeed fortunate that the First Sea Lord will be staying with us until after the lunch break and in order that he may go with an idea of what particularly concerns you all we hope to discuss Branch Motion 8, which is directly concerned with the MOU and of special interest to him before he leaves - I say that now in order to forewarn the proposers and seconders that they might be invited to come forward rather earlier than they may had anticipated. Applause It is now time for the presentation of awards for recruiting.

Agenda Item 8 - President’s Awards

The General Secretary

For Recruiting: Sword of Honour: No. 4 Area Briggs Dirk: Plymouth (There has been an increase in Warrant Officers and Senior Rates.) Briggs Rose Bowl: Nottingham

For Gift Aid: The Tasker Bowl No. 4 Area

Overseas Certificate > 30 Full Members: Riyadh Overseas Certificate < 30 Full Members: Natal

Presentationsmade.

The General Secretary

Shipmates we now have some special awards :

A Certificate of appreciation goes to M Jacques Jouvre from FAMMAC who has been a leading light in the preparation of this Conference, he has done an enormous amount as well as being the FAMMAC Standard Bearer and has helped in every way to make it work.

Probably the rarest prize that we give out at any Conference is the Golden Certificate which is for 50 years continuous membership of the Royal Naval Association and this goes to Shipmate Rita Lock.

The President: We owe Rita a great debt for all her work as National Welfare Officer.

The General Secretary: Finally but sadly this will be the last Conference that Archdeacon The Venerable John Green will come as our standing Conference Chaplain, and in order to mark his forthcoming retirement we have for him a small gift.

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The Chaplain of the Fleet – Archdeacon The Venerable John Green CB QHC :

I sat and thought I am going to make my exit, no offence to the Standing Orders Committee, I thought I could leave before they got up there but it struck me that this is going to be the last time I am with you all, at least in this capacity. I thought that I had lost an opportunity to say thank you. Our first Conference when Jan came with me was to Aberystwyth when I did not know what to expect, apart from a hotel room where we could hear screams of delight from young ladies on the beach. I am sure that was nothing to do with the presence of the RNA! We were absolutely bowled over with the hospitality and fellowship and what has been really nice is each year we come back the warmth has increased. This morning and last night the number of people that genuinely walked up and it was a delight and pleasure to see. We have fallen in love with the organisation, I have done a number of things at local level which I have been delighted by. We will both be members of 8 Area, I have also asked for an application form, so you won‟t see me in this capacity again but you might see me at National Conference as a fully paid up delegate member but you will certainly see me, those who are at Area functions because this is such a great organisation. I am sure that if you can get other serving matelots, particularly those sentimental old things among us who are coming to the end of our time, to know what the Association really stand for then your future is assured. Thank you for the hospitality you have shown to us and we will carry on being part of you. I‟ll stop because I am just getting emotional and I will witter on for ever and I will get that feeling, familiar to most clergy, when the eyes start to close and there is the sound of gentle snoring.

Thank you very much. Applause

Agenda item 9

Report of the Standing Orders Committee.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee: Shipmate President, Shipmate First Sea Lord, Shipmates I now deal with some points of procedure.

Firstly can I ensure that all delegates are sat in the two blocks at the front and observers are sat at the back? There are 69 delegates present and 80 observers.

As you can see from your agendas there are far more motions than we had last year. Firstly I would like to refer to one or two points about the agenda. This is the first time for a very long time that we have had put forward amendments to the Royal Charter. That is an insert because anything that is done to the Royal Charter is required to be put on a separate sheet. You will see that those 2 motions are marked 1 and 2 and then we go onto the Branch motions and start at 1 again. To avoid confusion I shall refer to those first two motions as Charter motion 1 and Charter motion 2, and then we start again on Branch motion 1 and so on. Now, there are the two Charter motions, as I have pointed out, and the Branch motions fall into two categories, there are 14 of them altogether, three of them involve proposed changes to the rules. The rules are an annex to the Charter. There are different rules to carry a change to the Charter and for the rules and for ordinary motions. In amongst the Branch motions there are three which propose changes to the rules, just bear in mind that there are those variations on the voting procedure and I shall advise on that more fully at the time.

Any changes to the Royal Charter and the rules, even if carried at this Conference, require approval by the Privy Council and that takes some time after Conference. You will see on the five motions, the two Charter motions and the three changes to the rules, a clause at the end which says in each case “That this amendment shall be subject to such changes as the Privy Council may require and agreed by the President of the Royal Naval Association.” That gives the Privy Council the opportunity to make minor amendments to the wording, just in case they think they can do it better than we can, otherwise if that latitude clause was not there the rewording would have to come back to another Conference to be approved before it could go forward to The Privy Council. So it helps us get it through more swiftly.

Item 13 on the Agenda, Motions of Urgency – I am pleased to tell you there are none.

Moving on to amendments, in your delegates pack you should have a sheet marked National Council amendments, perhaps I could ask you to have a look at it. It is headed National Council amendments and the first of those relates to Branch Motion No 3 which will be proposed by Chatham and seconded by Woking. There are one or two minor amendments to make to the amendment on the sheet so perhaps I could just advise you of that. In the last line it says “In their respective Area National Council members and Area Deputy National Council members” would you merely delete the word Area twice. That then brings it back in line with the original motion.

The second National Council amendment : again one or two typographical errors there. In the first line “Pursue enhancement to the Memorandum” rather than “of the Memorandum” and the in the last but one line “Executive Warrant Officers” add the word Executive, and the last line “Conference” should be “Conferences”. As far as those two amendments are concerned the first one merely wishes to delete the final part of the original motion and the second one substitutes the word “allow” for “encourage” and deletes the words “voting rights.” But we shall come to those more fully in due course. Of course other amendments may arise during the Conference.

Turning now please to your Notes for Delegates. Firstly, speaking on motions, here there is a time rule. Proposers can speak for up to 5 minutes, seconders and others may speak for up to 3 minutes. I think that we are going to have to enforce that pretty strictly and can I commend to you the need for brevity and clarity. I think that the brevity in making your point will aid the clarity so it will do you a favour to do it, especially after lunch. On the end of the last paragraph of the Notes to Delegates there is a procedure for amendments, as and when they arrive I will advise further on that. Can I remind you that what you must do when the amendment comes up you are speaking in favour of making the amendment or not. You are not speaking in favour of the final amended motion we will come to that in due course. On your delegates notes, voting, and this is actually quite important, you will see set out the different types of votes that I have already referred to. An error seems to have crept in on these notes Note c and there it says “Where our motion is concerned with a change to the Royal Charter at least ¾ of those present and entitled to vote must vote in favour of the motion for it to be carried.” That isn‟t correct, the rule is that ¾ of the votes cast must be in favour of the motion. I am not sure where that error crept in however, in the past it did not matter because we were not debating changes to the Royal Charter. Today of course we are.

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Now, another thing about these amendments to the Charter and the Rules, they must be conducted by a card vote. In your packs you should have 5 cards. There should be, I hope, no more than 5 card votes but I can see there will be 5 card votes. When we have a card vote we have to count all the delegates present before conducting the card vote, having counted everyone present please stay in your places until the vote is over.

Now I think it is time to tell you about the election results. National Council members are due to stand down in 1,3,4,5, 10 and 12 Areas, 1, 3 and 12 and 4 are returned unopposed so that means that there was no election because there was only one candidate, Shipmate Maurice Foley remains in 1 Area, Shipmate Peter Reed in 3 Area, Shipmate Ivan Hunter in 12 Area and in 4 Area Shipmate Ken Knight is returned unopposed. In Area 5 and 10 elections were required and in 5 Area Shipmate Richard Ascot obtained 18 votes, Shipmate Jan King 6 votes, there was 1 ballot that was received late, which does not count but does not affect the outcome, so Shipmate Richard Ascot was elected as the National Council member of 5 Area. In 10 Area Shipmate Hutton 21 votes, Shipmate Simmons 12 Votes, again 1 late ballot paper, Shipmate Hutton is elected as the National Council member.

Moving on to the Standing Orders Committee election, Shipmates Avery and McDermott are standing down, Shipmate McDermott is not officially with us, however both are standing for re-election and Shipmate Vic Allen is also standing. A new ballot form will be circulated to you immediately after the lunch adjournment and we will ask you to fill out those ballot forms during the early part of the afternoon and we will give you the result by the end of Conference.

Finally I would really like to record my thanks to the members of the SOC for their service to the RNA over very many years and for their loyal support and comradeship towards me personally, thank you gentlemen. Thank you Shipmate President. (Applause)

The President: Thank you Shipmate Jeremy, just to amplify that, and correct me Shipmate Jeremy if I am wrong, as you usually do, but where he said the ballot paper would be circulated after the lunchtime adjournment he meant immediately after it starts not immediately after it ends. So when we break for lunch Delegates will receive the ballot form.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee: No Shipmate President, I did mean as the afternoon event starts, immediately before.

Shipmate President: Thank you, I am glad I asked the question even if I got the answer wrong. That ballot paper will contain some additional information which it is important that you read.

Agenda item 10

The minutes of the 2009 Annual Conference.

The President :Does any Shipmate wish to suggest an amendment to those minutes? If so would you please come forward to a microphone.

S/M D Wilson, Frome Branch : I just want to clarify one point. On the back is a list of delegates, 98 in the body of the proceedings it said there were only 83, which is correct please?

The President: May I have an answer for the Shipmate? Could the Shipmate give me the point in the transcript where it gives the number (Discussion) Those are the words of Shipmate Keith Ridley of the St Neots Branch. Sorry, what was the number you counted on the back? It looks to me as if Shipmate Ridley said we are down to 83 this year, perhaps he was wrong. There is Shipmate Ridley. (Discussion)

The President: That appears what was said but it transpires there were more than 83 there were 98. Thank you very much, well read anyway. Is there anything else?

May I have a proposer that these minutes be adopted as a record of the conference. Thank you very much Shipmate Wilson, and may I have a seconder, thank you Portland Branch. Would all those in favour please raise their hands, thank you, and those against. I declare the minutes adopted. Would any Shipmate like to raise any matter arising from those minutes?

Agenda item 11

To receive the Honorary Treasurer’s Report and the Annual Accounts for 2009.

Hon Treasurer: Good afternoon, Shipmates, It is so pleasing to be here in Ouistreham for the first time. Several years ago I arranged regular visits to St Vaast in the west of the Normandy region and is twinned with my own branch town of Bridport in Dorset. I have fond memories of this part of France and an thoroughly enjoying my stay here.

Now to the important business in hand. I am now hoping that I have at last come to Naval pensioner age as it is with great pride and pleasure that I stand to deliver my 22nd Hon Treasurers report to conference. I would ask you all to keep your copy of the Council report to hand for reference during the course of my report taking particular note of the financial view at para 16 on page 4 and the annual accounts and financial position in para 17 through to 20 on the same page. As you all know it is customary for me not to run completely through the accounts but to comment on certain points. To fully understand the accounts it is important that the statement of activities and the balance sheet are read in conjunction with the notes which are on pages 15 - 21 inclusive in the report of the National Council. You will find the statement of accounts for the year ended 31 December 2009 published in

12 full on pages 10 – 23 of the National Council report, noting the statement of Trustees responsibilities on page 11. These have been audited by Brooms Professional Services Ltd. and their report can be found on page 12.

I can report that the overall net movement in funds for the year resulted in a surplus of £83470.00 which has effectively increased the associations valuation from circa £1.5m to £1.6m. This surplus consisted of four components, namely, the operational deficit, net movement in other reserves, gains on the value of investments and finally legacies received. This can also be summed up in another way, that is, total net outgoing resources for the year show a reduction in cash funds of £11k and an increase in non cash funds of unrealised gains and investments of £94.4k resulting in a surplus of 83.4k. Although the excess of expenditure over income, the operational deficit, is £117k net movement in other reserves including legacies was nearly £106k and the unrealised gain on investments was £94.4k, hence the overall increase in the Associations funds for the year was £83k.

I would like to start my detailed overview with the income and expenditure account on pages 22 and 23, please note that these pages do not form part of the formal accounts. To begin with may I draw your attention to the incomes sheet on page 22. The main source of income remains subscriptions which have as expected fallen from £201k in 2008 to £192k in 2009 which reflects the increase in age profile of members and the demise of 15 branches. Subscriptions continue to provide a substantial source of income for the Association. There was a disappointing decrease of £2800 over the 2008 period of the level of tax reclaims on the gift aid scheme. In his budget report of March 2008 the former Chancellor announced that any tax reclaimed through gift aid would remain extant at a provisional rate of 22% i.e. 28p in the pound until 2011. Following the change from covenanting to gift aid the Association as a whole has lost some momentum in spite of the new initiative announced by the National Council at last years conference where by any gift aid income beyond a threshold limit of £10000 would be divided and distributed 20% to Association fund and 80% to the areas. The National Council still strongly commends this scheme to all members who pay any tax as it provides a substantial increase to income at no cost to the individual members supporting it. A simple gift aid form has great advantage, if the form is filled in once, it lasts until the declarer notifies otherwise. The amount of information required is always kept to the absolute minimum. I would therefore encourage everyone to pay their subscription under gift aid.

Negotiations have been continuing throughout the year with Her Majesty‟s Revenue and Customs to reclaim the Value Added tax paid on subscription income. The amount that can be reclaimed has not yet been fully agreed but a positive reply has been received which we are hopeful will lead to a successful outcome for the Association.

Whilst there has been a reduction in profitability from the sale of goods, partly due to obsolete stock being written off and increased cost of postage we hope that the members appreciate the value of this service being provided by the HQ. In particular the Year Book continues to be popular with members as is the revitalised diary this year. Your continued support of these worthwhile products is much appreciated. Investment income remained healthy despite a difficult economic climate and when interest rates have been very low. I will address the investments in more detail later. The total income figure at the bottom of the page is £220k, about £35k down on the previous year.

Would you please now turn to the expenditure statement on page 23. I would refer you to Travel and Liaison, extra National Council and Committee meetings were held during the year to address some outstanding matters. Legal and Professional fees were higher than expected however, this was necessary expenditure to address matters arising during the year including the positive movement in the VAT appeal. Subscriptions to other organisations appear on the surface to be in excess of the previous year, a consequence of the delayed payment of the 2008 subscription to the International Maritime Confederation accounted for in the 2009 accounts.

The expenditure of the Association continues to be carefully supervised by the Finance and Administration committee who are appointed by and report back to the National Council. The total expenditure figure at the bottom of page 23 is £337k which is a reduction of £29k on 2008 leaving a deficit for the year of circa £117k.

I would now ask conference to turn to page 13, state of financial activity, known in accounting circles as the sofa, for year ended 31 December 2009. This shows the changes in the various Headquarters funds during the year. I refer you to the top of the page where the various funds are listed. As just outlined the accumulated fund is the major fund, the operating activities of the Association under which you can see £117k, the operating deficit. Continue down this column to Gains and Losses in Investments, there were no additions or disposals to the investments held during the year, the investments continue to be held with Black Rock in their Armed Forces Common investment fund. At 31 December 2009 the investment had grown 14.55% in the year. That is an increase in the value from £650k to £744k which is a gain of £94k. The market in 2009 resembled a roller coaster ride however it turned out to be a rewarding year for our investments. Pleasingly, stock markets have recovered further and whilst the recent economic problems in Europe have worsened the value of investments in recent weeks we are optimistic that medium to long term the stock market will continue to improve and the value of the investments will continue its upward trend.

Returning to the top of the page traverse along to the investment fund, move on down the column and you will see that £94.7k in legacies was most gratefully received during the year. Please note that some property in France was bequeathed to the Association in 2008 had not been recognised within the accounts as the value is still uncertain. As you will see from the heading the new property fund has been created which is a designated, unrestricted fund for the purpose of ring fencing the proceeds of sale of the old headquarters at 82 Chelsea Manor Street in order to have available the funds required for the purchase of any new property for HQ when suitable premises are found. Moving again across the top of the page to the Central Charities fund, if you traverse down you will find a figure for donations of circa £24k which again were most gratefully received. This figure also includes the surplus from the conference raffle of £1623. Shipmates, we all need to remember to encourage generosity of this type and those with an interest in the Royal Navy to think of the RNA when making their wills.

Before I close some words of thanks regarding our first full year since the move of headquarters from London to Portsmouth. I am sure you will join me in expressing our thanks to the small nucleus of staff holding the fort during this very busy but tragic period. I am well aware that it was not all plain sailing and many fences had to be negotiated to ensure the smooth and efficient running of headquarters. I would also like to thank Brooms Professional Services Ltd for all their invaluable help and guidance with data input and hands on training for our new recruits during their steep learning curve. It is worthy of note that much additional assistance has been provided by them at no extra cost to the Association. 13

Shipmates, I now ask conference for its approval of the 2009 accounts. As always I am ready, together with the accountant to endeavour to answer any questions you may wish to raise about them. Thank you very much for your kind attention Shipmates. (Applause)

The President: Thank you Ray for that comprehensive report, does any Shipmate wish to ask any questions or make any observations?

S/M K Ridley, St Neots Branch: two questions, one is and this comes from my branch and my area no 6 area. The First Sea Lord made mention of memory lapses as you get older, as you get much older so your eye sight diminishes, can we have the figures set out in larger print please? Secondly if we go to page 23, publicity, recruitment and advertising, I have been asked by my branch for a breakdown of the £23k to be sent out to our branch please. Thank you.

The President: Thank you Shipmate, any more questions or observations? May I have a proposer that these accounts be adopted. Proposer S/M D Wilson Frome Branch Seconder S/M J Stewart Saltash. Thank you, all those in favour and against, I declare them adopted.

Agenda item 12

To receive the report of the National Council from the National Chairman.

National Chairman: Good afternoon Shipmates, all of us here are aware that the past year has been an extremely busy year for our headquarters staff, which was not helped by the long illness and sad loss of Frank Ward, a key member of the headquarters staff. Therefore I would like to pay an early and important tribute to them for cheerfully sticking to their task throughout a rather turbulent year. In addition to the words of our Honorary Treasurer Nigel and Sheila had their jobs reviewed and while this would have brought about some personal disruption both continued their high standard of service to the Association. We welcome Michelle, our new book keeper who has settled in quickly even after all the enquiries from our branch treasurers. We should not forget the valuable assistance given by Kim Brindley to our General Secretary last year during Frank Wards absence. Many Shipmates may be unaware of the contribution as an independent consultant on a day to day basis as required.

Our General Secretary, Paddy, leaves us this weekend but has never let his head drop or eased on the enormous value of his wise words to assistance to Shipmates. You would not believe the long hours he has put in on our behalf, Shipmates. I mentioned too all those who give their time to attend council and committee meetings, our President, the Deputy President, the Vice Presidents, the Treasurer and Accountant and the elected National Council members who work tirelessly on behalf of your areas and the overseas branches. The welfare, ceremonial, clubs and PR advisers, we thank them all for their time and their energy.

Last year as we have heard was a busy and challenging year but even under difficult prevailing economic circumstances we have managed to consolidate the position of the Association and move forward considerably. In the autumn your Association organised and hosted the Executive Council of the International Maritime Confederation which reflected great credit on all of us. Our bi-annual parade in Whitehall was attended by a number of other Naval associations supporting us and with sixty six standards and four hundred and fifty in the marching platoons. As usual we participated in various Trafalgar Day celebrations and November ceremonies.

Our first National Conference to be held abroad necessitated the development of new commercial and personal relationships requiring much head scratching. The Association continues to develop its procedures and processes but at the heart of the organisation is that golden thread which binds us together from what might be called „From a naval cradle to a civilian grave‟ and embodies our motto Once Navy Always Navy. This precept requires bolstering from time to time but I believe much of the work we have in hand will strengthen our association considerably. I cannot think of anything better to describe what we have continued to do in this current year. Thank you. (Applause)

Chairman, Association Management Committee : Shipmates, over the last year the AMC has had to deal with some big issues and over the next year we are continuing a full review of various rules and regulations. Some of those issues we have done well, some could have been done better and we have made some mistakes for which I as Chairman accept full responsibility, but we are all human, we try our best to do what we think is right in the best interests of you, our members. Sometimes this means favouring one side against another, but at all levels of the association there is debate and argument before a decision is made and the end is a democratic vote as to the course to steer. This course will please some and disappoint others but it was always chosen by a majority view. It is then incumbent on all of us to support and encourage those who have to maintain that approved course.

The Royal Navy I served in and loved was renowned for its make do and mend ability, for striving to achieve despite the odds, for helping each other out when „that‟s not my part of ship chief‟. We would moan about it, Jack always enjoyed his gripes but we would get on and get the job done. The AMC are trying to get their job done in support of the National Council and we would welcome any input you feel you would like to put to us. As we steam forward the areas that I want the AMC to address in particular are publicity and recruiting to encourage more younger members to join us. Actively develop the MoU under the direction you have given us today, to provide a more integrated structure between the serving and ex serving community so that our serving colleagues see us as providing a welcome and familiar harbour both now and in their futures. Improved liaison with and support for RNA clubs to help them ride the difficult storms of current legislation and economic downturn and ensure our welfare support is the strong arm of the RNA as our aging membership inevitably makes more demands upon us.

Finally I want the AMC to work hard to take the RNA forward within its area of responsibility, to help build an association we can all be proud of and which will still be here bigger, stronger better and which will still be here at the end of the second decade of this millennium. The AMC will be striving to get this job done and we would welcome any input you feel you would like to contribute to us. We are here to serve your needs as we see best and sincerely hope you will let us know your views on the way ahead whether you are a life, full or associate member, whether you are male or female you are all members of this great club and the views of all of you are equally important. 14

Now as we embark on this next great voyage under new leadership I hope we can all pull together to make the RNA not just the association for ex serving and serving members of the Senior Service but the senior ex service association of all. I and all members of the AMC will be trying our best to achieve that aim and hope that you will all join us and our colleagues at all levels of the Association to make this a happy and enjoyable ship and one we can all look back on with pride and pleasure and say those oft expressed words „That was a good commission‟ Good luck Shipmates and I hope 2010 treats you well on its way out and 2011 welcomes you in with the promise of better and greater things to come. Thank you. (Applause)

Chairman, Finance and Administration Committee : Shipmates, much of what I have to say has been mentioned already in various reports so I will, in the case of the economy reduce quite a bit of that. This is the second report of the FAC which was established in 2008 with the aim of streamlining the management processes so as to make them more reactive to events and circumstance. In 2009 the RNA, in common with most investing organisations suffered from the economic downturn, however, matters have improved for our investment portfolio and as we understand that investing is a long term commitment we expect our investments to return to profitability eventually. We do not, at this stage, plan to vary the mix to try to sell off investments now, when the market is in dire straits – this would be foolish. We can continue to have faith in the existing structures and believe we can return to a more balanced scenario. In the meantime, of course, we are keeping a close eye on how the markets progress and what I can tell you is that we have done relatively well compared to other Associations where losses of up to 25% have been common. The year 2009 has not necessarily the worst year we have ever had since legacy income was healthy at £118,000 however, this cannot be relied upon and will vary, up and down, from year to year. That completes my report on the FAC committee.

National Chairman to Deputy National Chairman

Chris, what do you think we should do about Paddy McClurg? Difficult to say David, its certainly time to let the old bugger go, and in his own words “Drink himself to death” I am afraid so but he hasn‟t been a bad General Secretary really, has he? Yes, you are right and he has obviously set a trend for the future because the new guy, Paul Quinn, is exactly the same size and shape!(Laughter) He‟s not a fiery Irishman is he? No but he has got red hair and ginger tops can be a bit fiery as well. True, so what shall we do to see Paddy on his way? Well, we could give him a one way map from Semaphore Tower to Unicorn Gate. That would make sure he gets the idea, but we ought to give him something to mark the occasion. Well we could give him a gilt edged non return ticket. No, no something to show we appreciate all he has done for the RNA. How about throwing him into a vat of whiskey(Laughter) He would certainly appreciate that but it would cost us a fortune having to refill the vat three or four times! True, maybe red wine then, that would be cheaper. Not a lot because he‟d probably drink much more of that! I think we could probably find and frame a nice letter that he has received during his five years at headquarters. That‟s a good idea David, we could give him both of them. Funny you should say that. Why have you already done it? Well, sort of, How do you mean sort of? He has sent our loyal greetings to our Patron, Her Majesty the Queen prior to the conference each year and read out her reply on each occasion, as he did earlier today. So has Her Majesty sent him a nice letter? Well, sort of. You mean she sent him a not so nice letter? No, not at all, not at all, the National President wrote to Buckingham Palace to inform Her Majesty what a lot of work Paddy has done in trying to take the RNA forward and what a great debt we owe to him. That‟s true, he must have worn out at least three computer keyboards in the time he‟s been here. I rang the office one morning at about 7.15 to leave a message on the answer phone ready for when he got in but he actually answered the phone and he had probably washed up all the coffee cups from the previous night before he even sat down at his desk. Don‟t say that, we don‟t want Paul Quinn to know what he has really let himself in for! Sorry David, so did the President get a letter back from the Palace? Yes, it‟s by you actually, would you like to read it out for conference to hear. „Buckingham Palace 20 May 2010. Dear Adm. McAnally, Thank you for your letter of 8 May to Christopher Geidt regarding the retirement of Cdr. James McClurg as General Secretary, Commander of the Royal Naval Association. I have passed your letter to Her Majesty, who was pleased to be kept informed of this matter. This letter comes to you and Cdr. McClurg with the Queen‟s warm good wishes. Yours sincerely, Edward Young, Deputy Private Secretary to the Queen.‟ (Applause) That was very nice David, shall we give it to him now? Yes, I think so. Shipmates, many of you have enjoyed Paddy‟s company over the past few years but few of you will be truly aware of the immense amount of work he has done in that time. He joined us as an executive assistant on a fixed term consultancy contract to carry out a study of our management processes and procedures. After a lot of work Paddy presented his findings to National Council and the council decided to implement an often used practice in business, ask the consultant to implement his own recommendations. Paddy accepted that challenge, to quote from a small part of the National President‟s letter to the Palace, „It would be no exaggeration to say that while much remains to be achieved to ensure a thriving association, Paddy has made a most decisive contribution in that direction. He has also given unstinting help to help members, devoting a portion of most Sundays to our charitable work and participated in branch events all over the United Kingdom, and usually entirely at his own expense. And Chris, we mustn‟t forget Kate.

15

Absolutely right David, most of us could not do what we do for the RNA without our lovely ladies behind us giving us their help and support, and Kate is certainly no exception. She has been a real stalwart and we shall miss her too. Very true, Paddy, as an Association we are extremely grateful for all your efforts on our behalf and we wish you and Kate every success in your next voyage into the future. Would you please join us at the front Paddy. (Applause) Please accept this memento in the hope that it will remind you of just how much we appreciate the time that you have spent with us as General Secretary of our Association.(Applause)

The General Secretary: Shipmates, I am continually amazed that our Association survives in the face of such a lack of dramatic talent at the top. I had it in mind to do something that I have never done before in my life and to be quiet, but I suppose that‟s asking a bit much really. Ideally I should fold my tent like an Arab and silently steal away and that would be quite appropriate as generally by this time of the day I am speechless.

It has been an interesting third career, I am hoping I will have an even more interesting fourth one! I leave the job, not because I don‟t want to do it any more but because, in the absence of the Chaplain of the Fleet I can say, Ecclesiastes says „You‟ve got to know when to go‟. There is a time frame for everything and knowing when to leave is quite crucial. I think I have taken the Association as far as I can and what it needs now is a young chap, vibrant, keen, ignorant of the facts. (laughter) And we have found one! He is an old and respected colleague, you couldn‟t get a better one. You have actually done well for yourselves. I think he has got the capacity, the wit, the guile and the energy and the knowledge to take the thing forward.

I have, I suppose, had more than a few disappointments in this job. I have done some of the things that I wanted to do, there have been other things that I desperately wanted to do that I have been unable to. Its probably just as well - if I had been able to do them I would probably still be in custody awaiting sentencing!

I am going off to do something I desperately want to do. My wife, bless her, who has been a constant support and one of the worlds optimists, thinks I am coming home to paint the house. As Samuel Johnson was wise enough to remark „It‟s the triumph of optimism over experience‟ I believe in that well known Chesterton adage „ It is the duty of a gentleman to provide work for the artisan‟ and who am I to take the bread out of the mouths of the poor in this time of economic stringency. I am not going to give up with the RNA, it just so happens that my home branch is Netley! And that perhaps is appropriate. (laughter)

I will go on to do some charity work with other veterans associations which I am keen to do and also to be a Pensions Commissioner for the Veterans Agency, so that is going to keep me out of trouble. It has been an immense privilege to be at the helm : it has not been as successful as I had hoped, but then, nothing ever is. It has been the four pillars of unity, loyalty, patriotism and comradeship that we have got to stick to because if we don‟t do it we are lost and I suppose really, if I was to leave you with a message it is the last few words that Captain Robert Falcon Scott wrote in his diary before he died in a tent near the South Pole. He wrote “for God‟s sake look after our people” – please do it because that‟s what we are about.‟ That‟s what we are here for and if we don‟t do it, there are no excuses. Thank you very much. (Applause)

Chairman Standing Orders Committee: A question has been raised by a Delegate in regard to a Pink form has been put out for the election for the two vacancies on the Standing Orders Committee. The question relates to a statement of achievements within the RNA made by one of the candidates and asks for clarification about a claim that he had „been‟ or „acted as‟ the bearer of the national standard in the absence of the National standard bearer. This matter has now been resolved. As has the matter of his suspension and appeal against his suspension and whether this renders him unable to put himself forward for election onto the SOC. Accordingly......

S/M M Withington, Isle of Sheppey Branch: A point of order in relation to the achievements......

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : You are trespassing into the facts here

S/M M Withington, Isle of Sheppey Branch: Well, it is a fact. Its just that he is now denying that he was the National Standard bearer. He has never won the competition..

The President : : Shipmate this is going outside the advice that you have already been given. The voting form is exactly the same, that is the pink voting form, there is an addendum to it.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee At the end of the day Shipmate President I have given my advice, I will remind you, Shipmates, that the Chairman‟s decision on matters like this is final.

The President: Shipmate I think we have answered this really. The position is clear for delegates from the form and they should cast their votes as they see fit.

S/M M Withington, Isle of Sheppey Branch: Thank you Mr President, I just wondered why the voting form had to be changed that was all really, I don‟t think it needed to be.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : The wording on the form is exactly the same as the pink one. It was photocopied from the pink form.

The President: Could I see both the pink form and the white one please. I will take them from the Standing Orders committee thank you. I cannot see any difference between the pink and the white forms except that one is pink and the other is white. Thank you Shipmates. I will hear Shipmate Withington.

S/M M Withington, Isle of Sheppey Branch: With all due respect, sir, that pink form set out to mislead conference and delegates 16

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : Shipmate President, this is once again in breach..

S/M M Withington, Isle of Sheppey Branch: and we have endorsed......

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : Shipmate Withington is out of order Shipmate President.

S/M M Withington, Isle of Sheppey Branch: .. never carried the Standard the way he says he has, nor has he been Parade and Ceremonial Officer

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : Shipmate President, if this continues it will invalidate the whole election, it would have to be considered void and would take place another time.

The President: I have already ruled that we will not be debating the merits or demerits of particular candidates. It was alleged that there was a difference between the two forms, there is no difference between the two forms. This subject is now closed apart from the result of the vote. (Applause)

While the votes are being counted we will proceed to agenda item 14.

Branch Motions

The President: Shipmates lunch approaches and I don‟t think we are going to make 12.30 but I would like a Branch Motion debate for the First Sea Lord to witness so he gets the full gamut of what we do at conference, but he has to leave at 13.45 so may we please go to Branch Motion No. 8. Will the proposer and seconder please come forward and any Shipmates who wish to speak also please come forward and take their places by the relevant microphones.

Proposer : S/M A Gutteridge, Plymouth Branch: Shipmate President, National Council informed us in their report that work continues to enhance the Memorandum of Understanding to extract maximum benefit for both sides. It has taken some time to take root and still needs increased input from both the RN and RNA. Shipmates, very important words stand out in that statement, it is taking time to take root. Recent conversation with Senior Rates on board HMS Cornwall highlighted that few were aware of the Memorandum of Understanding, even though the agreement was formally signed two years ago. This has been further substantiated in conversation with HMS Drake, HMS Raleigh with reliable information also identifying HMS Albion. With over 60 operational ships and submarines, 3 naval bases, 3 air stations, 6 training establishments and 14 RNR it is assumed their knowledge is also limited. No disrespect but it seems that enhancement is urgently needed to ensure that their representatives gain a greater understanding of the importance of the relationship between us and the Royal Navy.

The age profile of most branches is high and the loss of membership has averaged at 5.65% over the last three years. Even on that basis the ex service and associate membership in the next ten years will be approximately 11564. With that statistic no one can doubt that serving personnel are our Association‟s only long term future, providing 75% of what we may term „dark blue‟ membership and 63% of overall membership. What seems most remarkable is the 38450 service element responsible for practically doubling membership have just one voice on the RNA National Council. What are we playing at? Our potential salvation, with the exception of the Command Warrant Officer, we treat them with the no vote status of observers.

Shipmates, progress moves in only one direction, and we must as an association operate with fairness and have vision. Serving personnel, with their new found membership status, are so significant that they should have a more positive role in conference decisions. Involve them, little participation creates little interest. To eliminate their present cosmetic situation it would be morally right to give liaison officers ashore and afloat the opportunity to be independent voting representatives in the ship in which they serve to represent dictates that they would have listened and reflect the views of their ships company.

Saltash branch warned the National Council, at the Torquay conference, not to go down the path of representation without taxation. This no doubt referred to the possibility of members voting without paying subscription, an issue which is on the tongue of every delegate here today. Remember our trustees do the talking, it would be very irresponsible of them to enter discussions regarding voting rights for RN representatives without some form of correctness regarding subscriptions.

At the end of it all, where is the final decision made?, here on the conference floor. Page 8 of the National Council report to conference today informs that the AMC is at present undertaking a complete overhaul of the rules to bring our association into the world of our sailors of today identifying their importance. We all appreciate the operational needs of the Royal Navy dictate the amount of involvement with our association, we realise their representatives may not always be able to attend conference. However this does not preclude the fact that when they do, equity prevails. In Londonderry, our National Chairman said there is a huge task ahead to convince all those serving members in the Royal Navy that this is their Association and that it does not exist purely for former serving veterans.

Shipmates, supporting this motion would give an important stimulus to our Trustees, creating a huge opportunity to open another important dimension in discussions with the Royal Navy, making that link stronger, enabling HM Ships and establishments to play an even more positive role in shaping our Association‟s future. I commend this motion.

S/M D Wilson, Frome Branch : A quote from our chairman‟s dit 2009. We in the Royal Naval Association now have our part to play in this Memorandum of Understanding and the serving Navy will be watching for initiatives from us. May I suggest that this motion is one of those initiatives. I joined the Navy in 1949 and was discharged in 1987, my only knowledge of the Royal Naval Association was an invitation to join in my leaving pack. It is different today, the RNA is hands on with new recruits, mentoring them in their training establishments. They know about us and have a positive feeling towards us. Recently, one of our members who was a mentor crossed over the bar, his coffin was carried by eight newly passed out sailors; they know they belong with us and let us continue to nurture this feeling throughout their naval careers. When they are discharged, however short or long in the future they will naturally want to be members of the Association. We must

17 also try harder to make those already serving more aware of the Royal Naval Association and the Memorandum of Understanding and get them actively involved by having a voice in the Association. After all it is the future of the Association which is at stake. Quoting our chairman again, let us also work hard to build a lasting and fruitful relationship with the serving Navy. This motion sets out to do this. I second the motion.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee: Shipmate President, there is a National Council amendment which has been put forward.

The President: Thank you

S/M T Halder NCM 11 Area: Shipmate President, Shipmates, the Memorandum of Understanding as you have already heard is a leap forward and we have got to encourage this. All our Naval ships and Establishments by now should have a liaison officer in situ, we appreciate there are problems. As you have already heard the Command Warrant Officer , Shipmate Andy Rainey, was appointed as a Vice President in March so that is a definite step forward. The National Council would ask you in the motion before you to delete the words „allow‟ in line 2 of your paper and add the word „encourage‟ and in line 3 delete the words „and voting rights‟ until such time as the serving members either form branches in Ships and Establishments. I would say to you that the membership generally would say if you don‟t pay the subscription you don‟t vote. We understand where you are coming from but we have to get this right obviously. So, we would ask you to delete the word „allow‟ in line 2 and add the word „encourage‟ and in line 3 delete the words „and voting rights‟. Council are in favour of RNA liaison officers being encouraged to attend conference as observers, only this we do with all RNA members wherever conference is held. Conference, on behalf of Council, I move the amendment. Thank you.

The President: Would any Shipmate, any delegate who wishes to speak for or against the amendment please come forward. Can I hear from a seconder please.

S/M J Tubman, Tyne Branch: We second the Council amendment from Shipmate Halder.

The President: Thank you Shipmate. Does the proposer or seconder wish to reply to the National Council amendment?

Chairman Standing Orders Committee: Do we understand that there are no speakers for or against the amendment?

The President: That‟s what it looks like, any delegate who wants to speak please stand up immediately.

S/M A Gutteridge, Plymouth Branch: Shipmates, I feel that what the National Council said is that basically we are waiting for the Navy to come to us. I feel that the motion from Plymouth is a motion where we are involving the Navy, creating an interest, and I know from personal conversation that if they are involved they will participate but if they don‟t get involved they won‟t participate. And I still commend the original motion. Thank you.

The President: I think we are ready for a vote now. The crucial question really is are they required to pay before they can vote, which comes first, the chicken or the egg? Those in favour of making the amendment please raise your hands. Could I please have a count. Thank you. All those against the amendment please raise your hands.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee: 30 votes for the amendment 32 votes against, it is not carried Shipmate President.

The President: Thank you Shipmates, we now return to the motion originally drafted. Would all those in favour of the motion please raise their hands. All those against the motion please raise their hands now.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee: 42 in favour 17 votes against two thirds of the votes cast are required to carry that motion so it is carried.

The President: Thank you Shipmates

Chairman Standing Orders Committee: Could I just add a rider for information, what that actually means now that it is carried. It means that the National Council positively pursue the enhancement and the enhancement includes considering voting rights. To achieve that it might be necessary to amend the Royal Charter or the rules. If that is the case, and I would suggest that it almost certainly is, then that amendment to the Royal Charter or the rules would have to come back to conference for formal approval. So to that extent that part of it would be subject to a further vote.

The President: It can‟t be had before the next conference I assume, so it could take up to two years to implement this. We shall bend such brains as we have to seeing how we can execute the will of conference more quickly, if possible.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee: Meanwhile, as I say Shipmate President, positively pursue the enhancement, there may be many other enhancements that can be positively pursued in addition to those affecting voting rights.

The President: Thank you for that. The First Sea Lord has asked me how you are going to implement them, when will it happen so I am getting encouragement from that end too. Shipmates, we will now break for lunch and I would like to start again at 1345.

Lunch Break

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The President : Shipmates : The good news is that the bar opens at 1700 the bad news is that we have got all these motions to get through. The other good news is that you do not have to fumble around on the microphone for a switch, there is an expert somewhere in the hall who is switching them on and off for us. Thank you expert! Thank you Shipmate Lyndon.. Another thing I neglected earlier was when the results of elections to National Council were announced, I neglected to thank those Shipmates who are leaving the National Council after conference, Shipmate Jan King from 5 Area and Shipmate Stirling Simmons from 10 Area, I thank them for their contributions to National Council and to the Association as a whole as I do, and already have, Shipmate David White who is standing down as NCM for 4 Area as well as National Chairman and I congratulate their successors on being elected to National Council and look forward to working with them. (Applause)

Chairman Standing Orders Committee: I would like to tell delegates where we are on the SOC election, before we then go into the motions. Shipmates, you should all have a new SOC voting form which actually is exactly the same as the pink one that you had earlier except it is white. With it you should have an additional sheet. (interruption from the floor)

In about one hour we will collect those voting forms from you.

The President: Thank you Jeremy. Shipmates..

S/M D Curd, Maidstone Branch and Chairman of No 2 Area: Before you go into the election I would like to make a statement to the delegates please if that is permissible.

The President: We will review that before the vote is taken, which will be in about 1 hours time as you have just heard.

S/M D Curd, Maidstone Branch and Chairman of No 2 Area: Excuse me Mr President, the members here will be reading what they have got to say and then voting now and then you will collect the votes but it is before they put their ticks that I wish to make a statement.

The President: I would ask the delegates not to put their ticks on their forms yet.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee: Shipmate President, It is our practice to conduct this election on the basis of a voting form, there is no provision for it to be debated at conference. The delegates have one vote each, they are presented with a voting form, we have amplified it for a particular reason that you all know but there is no provision for the candidates merits or demerits to be actually debated in conference. This is for a very good reason. If you start debating one then you may be fair to him or unfair to him. It may be unfair to the others that they haven‟t got a chance to be debated, so that the whole process could become endless. Therefore, Shipmate President, my advice to you is that the merits or demerits of these candidates should not be a matter of debate at conference.

The President: Shipmate Curd, I accept that advice, therefore I will not call for a statement from you. Thank you. I would like to...... yes Shipmate, please wait for the microphone.

S/M J Pickering, Runcorn Branch: Just a point of order Mr President, if this chap has been suspended by the area......

Chairman Standing Orders Committee: Shipmate I refer you to my previous advice to the President. This is not a matter for debate at conference

S/M J Pickering, Runcorn Branch: I beg your pardon, I am sorry.

Agenda item 14

Proposed amendments to the supplemental Charter

The President: I refer you to your accompanying sheets on which the first Charter amendment is summarised and I call upon Watford and Hemel Hempstead branches to come forward for this motion.

S/M M Barron, Watford Branch Shipmates, I will go straight into the motion. It is proposed amendments to supplemental charter motion that article 16.2 of the supplemental charter be amended as follows. „The rules or any of them, may from time to time be revoked, altered or added to by the Association in conference provided that the prescribed notice shall have been given to the branches of the Association of the proposed revocation, alteration or addition and that at least two thirds majority‟ be omitted and in its place „more than ½ of the votes cast by those present and entitled to vote at the conference shall vote in favour of such revocation, alteration or addition. No such revocation, alteration or addition as aforesaid shall come into operation until the same has been approved by the Lords of our most honourable Privy Council of which approval a certificate under the hand of the clerk of our said Council shall be conclusive evidence, and that this amendment shall be subject to the change of the Privy Council may require and agreed by the President of the Royal Naval Association‟. I so commend the motion.

S/M K Ridley from St Neots speaking on behalf of Hemel Hempstead Branch.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee: This is in order although it says seconded by Hemel Hempstead I understand that Hemel Hempstead are not represented so it is entirely in order for it to be seconded by any other delegate.

S/M K Ridley from St Neots speaking on behalf of Hemel Hempstead Branch: Shipmates, I have attended several conferences and have wasted a great deal of time when it comes to casting votes, especially round the lunch period where the numbers that are attending afterwards are not the same as attended in the morning. We spend a great time counting the votes, wasting time in my opinion, whereby at the end of the day people have travelled a long way and then the motion is lost on one or two votes because it does not add up to the two thirds majority, so,

19 to save time we feel that the simple majority i.e. more than ½ the votes cast should simplify the matter and save a great deal of time for those people and be more productive for the branches that put forward the motions. St Neots seconds the motion.

S/M G Pilgram, Chester Branch: We are against this motion..

Chairman Standing Orders Committee: Shipmate, I don‟t think we have reached that moment yet. Shipmate President has not invited speakers for and against to come forward yet.

The President: That‟s true, I haven‟t. I am most grateful for you eagerness, shipmate, helping us to speed this along. The reason that I am hesitating somewhat is that I believe the National Council view on this motion is to be put to conference at this stage by the National Chairman although I am not sure he agrees with me. While he thinks about that perhaps we might have speakers for and against the motion.

S/M G Pilgram, Chester Branch: We are against this motion. Primarily the fact that the representation we have here is a small proportion of the members clubs within the Association so for us to reduce the number of people voting for any motion actually reduces it even more. As far as Chester branch is concerned that we still maintain the two thirds majority.

S/M C Lewarne, Spennymoor Branch: I apologise to you gentlemen but it was my motion to conference that after dinner the delegates were counted and therefore the two thirds majority rule carries. If you vote for this motion then you are negating my motion to conference of years ago so personally I do not think that there is anything to vote on. Thank you.

S/M D Wilson, Frome Branch: Shipmates, there are 360 UK branches in this Association, at last year‟s conference there were 98 delegates. I don‟t care who turned up in the afternoon, if you come as a delegate you are supposed to represent your Branch and should be here in the afternoon. This is the Navy, not anybody else. Under the proposed resolution fifty votes would have carried the day last year, that‟s 13.6% of the vote of the whole of the RNA, under the present rules sixty six votes would have been required which is 18% which although still small is more democratic. We are supposed to be a democratic association, lets leave it the way it is because we deny a lot of people who have the right to be here the right to vote anyway, as we have discussed in previous conferences and I oppose the motion.

The President: Are there any other shipmates who wish to speak on the motion? The National Chairman will now put the National Council view.

National Chairman: The National Council is against this motion. The significance of this motion is that based on the lower attendance at conference in recent years there needs to be more than 50% of votes in favour of major amendments to the rules. A question for delegates is, Is it considered appropriate for 50% of the 69 delegates here today should sanction such major changes? National Council is concerned that we should not attempt to change rules at the drop of a hat but maintain the status quo. National Council recognise that there are complexities in this voting, importantly, conference should be assured that National Council, through the AMC, is already working on a comprehensive rule review and has already put in a huge amount of effort to this cause. We suggest you wait for the outcome before reaching any premature decision when National Council may want to bring a motion to a future conference. Surely shipmates, it must be wise not to jump to early conclusions before all the facts are known and proper advice given to you. Remember you must decide what will be put to the Privy Council, it is right that you must do this, once all the issues have been carefully considered and the AMC has completed its work.

The President: Thank you Shipmate Chairman. Does any other delegate wish to speak or are we ready for the vote?

Chairman Standing Orders Committee: I need to remind you that following a conference decision a few years ago, any changes to the Charter or rules have to be taken by card vote and that the number of delegates actually present during this time must be counted. Use the first card in your packs, which I think is beige.

The President: I think we are ready for the vote so could I please have a count and a card vote.

The President: Watford and Hemel Hempstead please come and propose and second the second Charter motion.

S/M K Ridley from St Neots speaking on behalf of Hemel Hempstead Branch: On a point of order. We have heard the motion and the seconder and we have heard those speak against it and a vote has been taken. Normally the proposer has the opportunity to respond to those against and that has not happened.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee: Well Shipmate, the proposer did have that opportunity, it is there in the rules, he did not take it.

The President: Can I ask the proposer if he feels he has been denied the right of reply?

Chairman Standing Orders Committee: Presumably he said no?

The President: Thank you for your point of order Shipmate. Can we proceed to Motion No 2 please?

S/M M Barron, Watford Branch : A Charter motion that article 19 of the Supplemental Charter be amended as follows. 19 Any proposal for amending revoking or adding to any of the provisions of this our Supplemental Charter shall be submitted to the annual conference or to a special conference duly convened for the purpose provided that no such proposal shall be submitted unless 42 days notice thereof shall have been given to the General Secretary and proper printed copies thereof which printed copies shall be clearly distinguished from other matter to be submitted to the conference and marked „proposed amendment of Supplemental Charter‟ issued to the Area Committee and branches in accordance with the rules relating to propositions to be discussed at the annual conference.

20

If such proposal is so submitted and approved by deleted the votes of ¾ added more than ½ the votes cast by delegates present at such annual or special conference and entitled to vote, the revocation, addition or amendment, shall, when allowed by us, our heirs or successors in council become effectual, so that this, our supplemental charter, shall thenceforth continue and operate as if it had been originally granted, delete the add and made accordingly. This provision shall apply to this our supplemental charter as amended from time to time and this amendment shall be subject to such charge as the Privy Council shall require and agreed by The President of the Royal Naval Association. I would also add that there is a difference between items 1 and 2 in that one is 2/3rds and one is ¾.

S/M K Ridley from St Neots speaking on behalf of Hemel Hempstead Branch: Shipmates, we have heard what was said at the first motion against and I would just pick up a point that Chester made, clubs do not have a vote at this conference as far as I know so we can disregard that remark, and as far as the majority of branches being able to vote apart from various last minute illnesses every branch in this Association within the UK has the same right to come here today, I have travelled to Dundee, I have travelled to Derry and I‟m here today. They had the same opportunity to come here, where are they, I stand by the fact of what I said at the first motion and St Neots second this.

The President: Could I have speakers for and against the motion. It would save time if everyone who wants to speak came straight out and wait their turn.

S/M G Pilgram, Chester Branch: I apologise to this meeting for classifying my branch as a club rather than a branch, I do represent Chester and we do feel that if the number of delegates that are voting either for or against the motion waters down even more so the votes here ¾ of our members voting for or against then at least we have a realistic number as opposed to just over 50%. And once again, my apologies.

The President: If there are no more speakers the National Chairman will put the National Council view.

National Chairman: Shipmates, National Council is opposed to this motion. This motion raises a huge question mark and needs to be considered very carefully. What I have already said in relation to changes to the rules also applies but to a far, far greater extent when dealing with amending the Charter.

The President: There being no more speakers......

Chairman Standing Orders Committee: Chairman SOC: You may wish to check that the proposer doesn‟t wish to make a reply.

The President: Thank you, does the proposer wish to reply to the two speakers? That‟s no is it? Thank you. Do we need another delegate count?

Chairman Standing Orders Committee: Well I would like it so that we can just check the number.

The President: Delegate count please. Which colour form is it this time

Chairman Standing Orders Committee: The grey card this time please.

The President: Please proceed now to Branch motion No. 1.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee: Shipmate President, I think there is a difficulty there because until we know the results of those two the precise wording of Branch Motion 1 is not necessarily clear.

The President: Yes I understand that point Jeremy thank you, we will need to do that. Shipmates, may I direct your attention to the agenda you will see that certain words are deleted. Whether they are deleted or not actually depends on the results of Charter motions 1 and 2.

S/M P Shoesmith, Portland Branch: Directed to the Chairman of the Standing Orders Committee. Can I verify the number of delegates here, 69?

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : There are 66 delegates present. Presumably some did not hand in a card.

S/M P Shoesmith, Portland Branch: Thank you.

The President: Shipmates on a point of order, all questions should be directed at me please. Thank you for your apology.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : Meanwhile Shipmate President I can give the result of Charter Motion 1, 59 votes against and 4 votes in favour therefore the motion is not carried. It would have required a majority of ¾ of the votes cast.

I can also give the results of the Standing Orders Committee election, Shipmate Allen 48 votes, Shipmate Avery 53 votes and Shipmate McDermott 11 votes. So Shipmates Allen and Avery are elected for the Standing Orders Committee.

The President: Thank you, I congratulate those elected. With regard to Shipmate McDermott, I think, it is only fair to say that there is an appeal as you have seen. That appeal will run its course and naturally as National President I take no position on that case at all. That will be for National Council to take advice and for National Council to make a decision in due course. I should recognise here that Shipmate McDermott has been a member and served the Association for good or ill, the appeal may decide, for 41 years and that should be acknowledged.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : The result for Charter Motion 2 - 58 votes against 4 votes in favour and 1 abstention have been recorded so again the motion is not carried. 21

The President: Thank you. Could I ask you to guide us through Branch Motion No. 1?

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : This will require a technical amendment. Because conference has decided in Charter Motions 1 and 2 that article 16.2 and article 19 should not be amended then it is not possible for Branch Motion 1 to propose that those articles be deleted. Therefore in Branch Motion 1 in the first line, when it is proposed, the words in parentheses the supplemental charter articles 16.2 and 19 and must be reinserted. That is a technical amendment and does not need to be moved from the floor. However, the remainder of the motion as drafted can stand.

The President: Does any delegate require any further explanation of that technical amendment? How bright you all are, and its after lunch too! Congratulations Shipmates. Please could the proposers and seconders of this motion come forward. It would also be helpful as there are 14 branch motions.

S/M J Tubman, Tyne Branch Considering that the two previous votes have been not carried can this one go ahead subject to this?

S/M M Barron, Watford Branch : We are withdrawing the Motion

Chairman Standing Orders Committee . That is in order Shipmate President, Motion withdrawn.

The President: Thank you Shipmates. I think we are onto Branch Motion No. 2 Proposer please, seconder.

S/M D Allen, Ashford Branch: Motion No. 2 - I have been asked to present on behalf of my branch and I will read out the National Council Amendment. That the National Council Amendment......

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : Sorry, no, no. Shipmate you are not dealing with the National Council amendment, the National Council will deal with that. You propose your motion please.

S/M D Allen, Ashford Branch: OK in that case I will read from the original script. That it be acknowledged and implemented as appropriate that National Council members are elected to act inter alia as representatives of their areas on the National Council with a duty to report freely and faithfully to their respective areas on all National Council business other than that which is made subject to limitations on its disclosure by a National Council resolution. The reason behind this particular motion is that there has been some misunderstanding in Council as to the role of the elected national councillor. Both the National Council member and Deputy National Council member have been describing Council as not being representative of their area. Association rule 6(d) is poorly written, it clearly describes the area National Councillors as representatives of his area but does not offer the description to the role of the Area National Councillor. Therefore the rule requires clarification and the amendment. Thank you.

S/M M Cox, Margate Branch and Deputy National Council Member for 2 Area. I second this motion and I speak from experience. I attended a National Council meeting as a deputy in September 2006. My opening to the Council was to introduce myself as the Deputy National Council member presenting area 2. It was then that I was informed by the Shipmate President that I was not a representative and I was there that day as a member of the National Council. Under rule 6(d) it states that I was elected by the Area to represent my Area at meetings of the Council. I attended as a deputy, this means that I can report back to Area delegates the happenings of the meetings, unlike the National Council member for whom there is no such description in the rule book. Shipmates, I suggest that the National Council member and the Deputy National Council member are both duty bound as your Areas representatives to be able to report back freely the happenings of the National Council. Thank you.

The President: The National Council view will now be put by Shipmate Murray, National Council Member 2 Area.

S/M W Murray, National Council Member for 2 Area : Shipmates, the National Council debated this subject and they could not secure agreement on the definitions of these particular items representative delegate or trustee. What they would like to do would be to defer this so that it can be discussed by the Association Management Committee, the branch was invited to withdraw this Motion but they chose to decline. Thank you.

The President: Are there any other speakers for or against the motion?

S/M K Ridley, St Neots Branch: I address you as the Deputy National Council Member for No. 6 Area. My understanding, since I was elected by the members in that Area is that I represent them in the deputy role in the absence of the National Council member. I have attended a National Council meeting as an observer but I would like to think that any time I am called to attend those meetings I am there in the full capacity as a National Council member. There is an ambiguity there because we heard the word trustee. Now, I am a trustee of my branch, if I am called to attend a National Council meeting then if there is any subject there which touches upon trusteeship there should be a separate meeting and obviously I could not partake in that discussion. So, I second this motion that the Deputy National Council members should act in their full capacity.

S/M P Shoesmith, Portland Branch: Just a quick one, I think we must be spoiled in No. 4 Area because our National Council Member and Deputy give us a full report on the articles that they are allowed to tell us. Thank you.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : I think that there is some confusion creeping in here. Shipmate Ridley was talking about Deputy National Council Members. They are not actually mentioned at all in the motion. I also think Shipmate President, it might be helpful if you gave a view for clarification of the National Council position with regard to that motion because I am not sure that the National Council Member who spoke gave a clear view as to what it was.

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The President: Thank you Chairman of the Standing Orders Committee. I don‟t feel if I can speak completely for National Council although if what I say is disagreed by any of them, you will probably tell from the body language. I think it might be helpful to say what I believe, as the National President, to be the position. There is a distinction which Shipmate Ridley has remarked on. A National Council member has two main duties in my view. One is, he is a representative of his Area and the other is that he is a Trustee of the Royal Naval Association. In 99.9% there is no particular conflict between these duties. However, as a Trustee I don‟t believe a National Council Member is only representing his area. He is part of a corporate body seeking the good of the Association as a whole, with a nominated and personal responsibility. That‟s what trusteeship means and is reported to the Charities Commission as such as a named individual just as I am. It had not occurred to me, until Shipmate Ridley made the point here that when a Deputy National Council Member is acting in place of the National Council Member they can‟t really be considered as Trustees because they have not been named as Trustees before. It has not been the practice of National Council, as long as I have been chairman to say „We are now discussing a topic which is solely the preserve of Trustees and anyone who is not a Trustee should now withdraw‟. We haven‟t done that, we have carried on debating as before. The distinction has not really come up in National Council that I can remember.

As far as reporting fully and faithfully I can speak authoritatively on that since it is the declared policy of your National Council, and nothing that is said or discussed in National Council is confidential to National Council unless National Council agrees at the time that it should be. There have been certain legal matters discussed where the RNA could be severely prejudiced and in for lots of money if what we said was made publicly available and available to those who are opposing us legally. There we have agreed that those items should be confidential to those present at the meeting. Everything is open, should be reported fully and faithfully unless National Council has agreed at the time that that portion should not be. That is the procedure we are operating and have been operating for at least eighteen months if not longer. That portion of the motion (I think I can speak with confidence) National Council fully supports because that is what we are doing. Thank you.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : That Shipmates, looking at the precise wording of the Motion you are putting in front of conference, that that is the current policy of the National Council.

S/M D Wilson, Frome Branch : That is the national policy, we have a very good chairman of our area, but it is not written in the rule book. It is alright to operate in your highest echelons but this is a democratic organisation, Deputy Council members duties are specified in the rule book but not the National Council members. What we are asking is can you put what you are already doing as policy into the rule book so we can all understand what National Council Members are there for. Thank you.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : Once again, the Shipmate is not really speaking to the motion which merely asks for it to be acknowledged and implemented. However, no doubt those who are currently conducting the rules review will take note of what has been said.

The President: Thank you Shipmate Chairman of the Standing Orders Committee, I think, unless any delegate wishes to speak it would be appropriate to have a vote on this and if this motion is passed then the AMC will take due note in revising the rules.

S/M V Allen, Chatham Branch : I must say, the preceding dialogue has been a bit confusing to me because I am a simple sort of person and I like to see things black and white not grey. As I see things the spirit of this motion is that National Councillors represent their areas, they report to their areas, deputy National Councillors, by association and use represent their areas when the National Councillor cannot do so. Regarding trusteeship, I have personal experience of that on something completely different and I will say that trusteeship is an awful, in the true sense of the word, responsibility but I also believe that anyone who volunteers to be a Deputy National Councillor must assume the responsibility of trusteeship. I know all about this, my friend, but as I say, I had to do that on behalf of my wife who was a trustee for a bit of land, try getting Gypsies off a bit of land, its pretty heavy. I hope and recommend this motion will be accepted by conference with all due respect to what may be debated by the Management Committee in the National Council. Thank you.

The President: Thank you. Are you ready to cast your votes? All those in favour of the motion please raise your hands. Those against please raise your hands. I think it is clear that those for are in the majority, the Motion is therefore passed. Can we now proceed to Branch Motion No. 3?.

S/M V Allen, Chatham Branch : That the National Council amend Association Bye-law No. 7 to establish a common process to elect National Council Members and Deputy National Council Members giving Area Committees the responsibility of carrying out elections of their National Council and Deputy National Council Members. Reasons, the Area Committees are effectively detached from the National Council Member election process which is currently a direct Branch / Headquarters arrangement. It is felt that the Area Committee should have a greater role in the recruitment of its Area National Councillor to improve and promote interest in the process at a more local level. The names of successful candidates for both National Council Member and Deputy National Council Member would be forwarded to the Headquarters by the Area Secretary to arrive by the required date. The removal of this responsibility from the Royal Naval Association Headquarters would assist in reducing what is considered to be an unnecessary routine workload. Bye-law 7 requires rewriting and this Motion should provide that opportunity. Thank you.

S/M M Cox, Margate Branch and Deputy National Council Member for 2 Area : I am not a member of Woking Branch but as they have not turned up I will second the Motion. I think that a democratic Association the Area should be responsible for electing the National Council Member as it is the Deputy. Why can we not have the same election role for the same process. Thank you.

The President: Any speakers for and against please?

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : I think there is a National Council amendment, Shipmate President.

The President: There is a National Council amendment, please could I have that now?.

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S/M P Harries, National Council Member for No. 7 Area : National Council has looked at this and proposes the following amendment. That the National Council amend Association by-law 7 to establish a common process for the election of membership of National Council members and deputy National Council members. The reason behind this thinking is that National Council do recognise and support the establishment of a common process for the election of deputies and National Council members. However, it has reservations with regard to areas having the responsibility of running the elections, primarily when it comes to the counting of votes. I don‟t want to get anybodies back up but as with all elections, I would suggest, transparency is important we are talking about a common way of doing things for both. The process must first of all be seen to be above reproach and open to scrutiny. The current rule 7f addresses this by the SOC scrutinising as an individual, independent body to ensure that all ballot papers from all areas are treated in equal measure. We have heard this morning of two late ballot papers being sent in from two separate areas. The responsibility of the Standing Orders Committee is to deal with these things. When temptation is put in people‟s way we have to look at it in the whole and think hang on, how will each individual area have treated those ballot papers would they have allowed them, said oh well its only a day late and that is the case. The other case is that of spoilt ballot papers. At the moment the SOC deal with all spoilt ballot papers in equal measure. They decide what is a spoilt ballot paper and deal with it accordingly, what this is leading to, or could lead to is that you could have thirteen different views of how and what constitutes a spoilt ballot paper and that surely is not an equal process. So on those grounds mainly the National Council have put forward this amendment and I ask you to support it.

The President: The Amendment needs a seconder I believe. Is anyone prepared to second the amendment?

S/M D Griffiths, Carmathen Branch: I second the motion which is put by the National Council

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : You second the amendment.

The President: May I have speakers please for or against the amendment. Shall we have a vote on the amendment. All those against the amendment please raise your hands,

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : So here you are voting that the motion remain as it is.

The President: All those in favour of the amendment, for the amendment please raise your hands. Thank you, the amendment is carried. We now proceed to a vote on the motion.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : No, Shipmate President, you can continue to have speakers for and against the amended motion.

The President: We now have an amended motion, would anyone who wishes to speak for or against the amended motion please come forward. All those in favour of the amended motion please raise your hands.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : Now Shipmates, you are voting in favour of the original motion with the words “Giving Area Committees responsibility to carry out elections for their respective National Council Members and Deputy National Council Members. Those words are deleted now. Shipmate can I read out what the amended motion is. The amended motion is now “That the National Council amend Association Bye-law 7 to establish a common process for the election of Area National Council Members and Area Deputy National Council Members”.

The President: Would all those in favour of that motion please raise your hands, all those against please raise your hands. Could I have the result please?

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : 39 votes in favour, 17 votes against. So to be carried a majority of 2/3 of the votes cast was required, that would require 38 votes to be carried and there are 39 so it is carried, Shipmates.

The President: Thank you. Now we will move on to Branch Motion No. 4, Isle of Sheppey and Maidstone please?.

S/M M Withington, Isle of Sheppey Branch : Good afternoon Shipmates, We move that rule 14c be amended to read as follows. The four elected members shall hold office for two years with two retiring each year and shall be eligible to be a candidate for re election. Nominations of candidates who must be full or life members of any branch may be forwarded by any branch to reach the General Secretary at least eight weeks before the date of the next annual conference. Each candidate‟s nomination shall be endorsed by his or her parent branch and shall include a statement of the candidates willingness to serve and details of the candidate‟s service and his or her experience in the Association. A voting form with these details shall be enclosed with the agenda for the conference. Votes shall be cast by delegates present at the conference. Changes in membership of the committee shall take effect at the end of the conference. Shipmates I shall be brief as the changes I wish to make only affect the few who wish to govern conference. Shipmates, this motion to improve the image of the Standing Orders Committee, the very title of which suggests it should be the epiphany of all that is accurate, a title that suggests that all it utters and all its rulings should be more factually correct than politically correct. Yet, the wording in the existing rule 14c states that “The four elected members who hold office for two years with two retiring each year but shall be eligible for re election”. It goes on to say “Nominations of other candidates may be forwarded by any branch”. There are two things standing out as being badly wrong with the rule. According to rule 14c it is only candidates who are re electable in these events who have to be nominated. There is no requirement for those retiring incumbents, who, even though it may be many years since some of those members were originally nominated. They may even have moved to a different branch since that event, why do the incumbents have this privilege, one that is not enjoyed by anybody else. Yes, not even candidates for the National Council. Any branch in the British Isles can make a nomination for this august body, nothing much wrong with that except that maybe it should not be any branch. But my main argument is that all candidates should be nominated and those candidates nominated by branches other than their own should be required to carry an endorsement from their own branch. Conference delegates, who might not know the candidates should have the assurance that those before them are there with the support of those who know them best. In summary, I would like to say to improve democracy by giving every branch in the Association the opportunity to nominate a candidate to inform conference that each candidate has the confidence of at least his own branch to create equality and opportunity between candidates by placing all of them on a level playing field. The surprising thing, Shipmates is that this committee 24 which feels confident on the motions that you and I put forward has not previously identified these flaws in its own appointment system. Shipmates, I ask you to correct these anomalies. Shipmate President I so move.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : Shipmate President, can I confirm something? On the, I am not convinced that the words that Shipmate Withington read out as proposing are exactly the same as those on the agenda and in particular I noted, please correct me if I am wrong, he did not add the latitude clause at the end and that this amendment shall be subject to such change as the Privy Council may require. So, can I ask the Shipmate to confirm that his proposal is precisely in the terms of those on the agenda. Yes, he has so confirmed.

The President: Thank you very much Shipmates. Could I have the seconder to the motion.

S/M D Curd, Maidstone Branch and Chairman of No. 2 Area : Well I haven‟t got anything to say on the matter, it has all been said before me. I do second this motion and I do feel that the branches should have a responsibility to bring forward names who they think are responsible for the SOC. Thank you very much.

The President: The National Council view will now be put by the National Council member for 2 Area.

S/M W Murray, National Council Member for No. 2 Area : Thank you Shipmate. The National Council‟s feeling on this is that they recognise the desirability for retiring members of the Standing Orders Committee to be endorsed by their branch so they do agree with the motion. Thank you.

The President: Any speakers for or against the motion please? Shall we have a vote then, all in favour raise their hands, please.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : It is a change to the rules, so a card vote is required.

The President: Thank you very much Shipmate Jeremy. Vote by pink voting card. This is a change to the Association rules, that‟s why we must have a card vote and be sure we know the numbers of delegates too.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : Shipmate President I have got the result of that. For the Motion 56 votes, Against 6 votes, 2 abstentions were recorded. The Motion is carried.

The President: Thank you very much. The next three motions are all to do with conference. Could we go to motion #5, Helston and Sherborne.

S/M J Morton, Helston Branch : Motion No. 5 is proposed by Helston. That the National Council appoint an annual conference study group to examine options for the location and funding of future annual conferences and to submit to the National Council for consideration. This committee is to report its findings to the National Council so that delegates can vote to accept or decline the committees report. Shipmates, the conference has to be held somewhere and maybe the time has come to consider permanent locations in the United Kingdom with good transport links that would also benefit delegates like myself who return to work on the Monday morning after conference finishes. I know Shipmates have told me on many occasions that they use the conference as a sort of mini break, so I may well lose that argument. Another reason is travel arrangements and costs. Year on year we are spending more on the travel side of things, which, although heavily subsidised through pooled fares etc from branches still costs. I know for my part I will always have to travel due to my branch being Helston. Londonderry was no exception and it took me the best part of two days to reach that particular conference but with better air, rail and road links to more suitable locations, such as, Birmingham, Manchester or even Belfast it would make travelling a little easier and faster. These places have central airline hubs serviced by all the budget airlines.

Finally, a really tricky subject and one I know I will make no friends on is the age factor. The vote continues to go against associate members representing their respective RNA branches at conference. Do we really want the hassle of travelling on crowded roads, even in some cases having to get someone to drive shipmates to conference. Personal experience of booking Ryanair, for example, from Londonderry to Birmingham was hassle all the way, and the Shipmate from Redruth can also quote me on that. France is an awkward location. I understand why you are here, but not only is the conference being held on a Friday when I work, travel costs are fairly steep. I appreciate that the weekend is taken up by various other events taking place in the area but the bottom line is my branch send me to conference to vote on RNA matters. I have a right to be at conference. Perhaps another benefit could be that the easier it is to reach a more central conference location, the more branches will be more inclined to send a delegate and that in turn makes for fairer voting on how the RNA is run, I think it is called democracy. We were told this motion was raised some years ago when it was defeated. At the time there probably were plenty of branches able and willing to host a conference but time has marched on, maybe we should reconsider this type of motion in our present day situation. One example, could be venues north vs venues south. The possibilities are endless, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Manchester, Bristol, Exeter or Plymouth, where you are going next year, perhaps when they are decided on you alternate north and south. These are only examples of how to do it. Why an area and not a branch to host a conference? Sad though it is, we are losing branches year after year, year on year the hurdle of one branch hosting a conference becoming more difficult as the years march on and it might be easier for several branches to get together and host at a more suitable venue. I urge you to support this motion.

S./M T Crowther, Sherborne Branch : Good afternoon Shipmates I am sure you all have a view as to why our annual conference has over recent years seen a steady decline in attendance. Your views will be many and varied and we could spend a long time debating them and come to no firm conclusion today. This subject is complex and it requires a dispassionate, calm and properly thought out examination. I am not going to point out a list that the study group should look at, they have already been set out by Shipmate Joe and will no doubt be added to by individual areas and branches as the study group progresses its investigations. One thing is for sure, future conferences must be affordable, not only for the area but for the delegates as well and they must be conveniently located. We must do something to find out why attendance is poor, less than 20% of branches at the 2009 conference, and put measures in place to reverse this trend if that is at all possible. This motion commits us to nothing at this point, it merely asks for the opportunity to look at this important event in our calendar and see if attendance can be improved. It may be that the system we have at present, with all its flaws, is the best that can be achieved although

25 somehow I doubt that. A review of this kind, as far as I am aware, has not been carried out for many years. I think that from time to time it pays to take an in depth look at how we conduct our business, I think that time has come. Sherborne branch seconds this motion.

The President: Speakers for and against the motion please.

S/M M Withington, Isle of Sheppey Branch : Shipmates, this motion echoes a motion I put before conference, I think it was last year and it got howled down. However, I have felt very strongly for a long, long time that having conference the way we have it deprives a lot of smaller branches, a lot of older members and the more infirm members of the rights they have to attend a conference, thus they would take more part and more interest in the RNA. I fully support and endorse this motion.

S/M J Arnold, St Helens Branch: Shipmate President, shipmates, St Helens branch fully supports this motion although we would ask that there would be a restriction placed on any study group that they would feed back to the conference with their findings maybe on an annual basis for the next conference going on. That would stop the study group going on and on and having no findings. Thank you.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : Shipmate President, I think that looks as if it is an amendment, I think the shipmate is saying something along these lines that he would want that motion to read “and to submit a report thereon to conference”.

The President: That is what it sounds like to me too. That I believe is an amendment. Is any delegate prepared to second that amendment. Can I have the name please.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : Perhaps I could help with the amendment, perhaps A report should be submitted to the National Council and for the National Council to report to conference. So the amendment, subject to what the shipmate wants to do the amendment should be “and to submit a report thereon to conference through the National Council”.

The President: Is the proposer content with that draft of his amendment?

S/M J Arnold, St Helens Branch : Yes sir.

The President: Is anyone prepared to second that amendment.

S/M D Tollerton, Crosby Branch : Good afternoon Shipmates, good afternoon Shipmate President. Yes, we support St Helens in that amendment. We understand from previous Shipmates last year that they were knocked back about conferences being held in a regular place and I think we need to do that, but I think the most important thing is that as Shipmate Arnold said it wouldn‟t drag on from one year to the next to the next so I think we need to put an end date on it to be reported back and we do move away from this Dundee one year, Londonderry, France you cannot go on doing that. We need a proper base to have our conferences in. Thank you.

The President: Speakers for and against the amendment please? Right of reply?

S/M J Morton, Helston Branch : Please Shipmate President. We are all in agreement on our side but, what date are you going to set?

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : There is no date in the amendment.

The President: So would that be a further amendment. To set a deadline.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : We have got to deal with this amendment first, unless someone wants to amend the amendment but I would suggest, Shipmate President that we deal with this and deal with any date as an administrative matter later.

The President: What is the procedure for an amendment to an amendment?. Remind me please.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee: Someone needs to propose an amendment to that amendment. If we are talking about a date I think it could be put forward as a second amendment. So in other words, the amendment is to say And to submit a report to conference through the National Council for consideration. I think it is best to deal with that, and if Shipmates wish to put a date on it then deal with that as a further amendment.

The President: Whatever we can get through most quickly then.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : I suggest you vote on that amendment Shipmates President.

The President: We will have a vote on the amendment without deadline, this is not to inhibit a proposal to add a deadline as a further amendment. The amendment is Have a conference study group, submit a report to National Council who is to present it to conference.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : No, Shipmate President, the wording is “and to submit a report to conference through the National Council”.

The President: All in favour please. Hands down please I may call for them to go up. All those against. No need for another show. The amendment is carried. Does anyone wish to propose an amendment to this motion as it now stands i.e. putting in a deadline. OK happy? The amended motion is carried.

S/M D Tollerton, Crosby Branch I am in support of this motion. There is nothing wrong with setting up any committee or any group to study and look at something. That is what it is all about, this is the way in which you will get a final answer and I would suggest, and this is 26 not an amendment just a suggestion, that a member from each area be appointed to that group so that you know where you are going. If each member of that study group, led by a National Councillor, I think we might get somewhere. Thank you Mr President.

The President: Thank you Shipmate. Any more speakers for or against the motion please?.

S/M J Stewart, Saltash Branch: Very briefly, yes, we are in favour of this motion. A brief point, there is a deadline as such because National Council have to report on follow on action on this conference next year. Thank you.

The President: Any more speakers?. Vote all in favour of the motion, all those against. The motion is carried.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee: The motion as amended is carried.

The President: The motion, as amended, is carried. It has been put to me that no National Council position was put to you but the National Council were going to support the motion so I do not think they will quarrel with the result. Which motion am I on now? Branch Motion No. 6 - Watford and Hemel Hempstead please.

S/M M Barron, Watford Branch : Following on from No. 5 – No. 6 is of exactly the same ilk and I think we will withdraw the motion. (cheers!)

The President: Clearly a popular move Shipmate. On to Branch Motion no.7 please..

S/M J Morton, Helston Branch : Once again, Shipmates, Motion No. 7 “That the Royal Naval Association Annual Conferences be programmed for a date in September”. June, the present date for the Royal Naval Association Annual Conference has become a very busy period for Naval events such as the veterans parade, D Day celebrations, I think there is something to do with the Queen this month but I can‟t remember what it is! To add to this it is the summer holiday season is starting earlier with travel prices going up to match, again back to costs. September would be an ideal month for the conference as the summer season is more or less over, this in turn would make travel and accommodation cheaper, less people on the roads, the kids are back at school making it easier to move around on our crowded roads. With the clocks not going back until October the evenings are still light enough in September, the weather also remains fairly reasonable through September. We rarely get a bad September so are able to hold the conference sometime in that month. Looking further ahead to future conferences it would make good sense to change the date of conference and perhaps in turn this would encourage better representation from the branches in the Royal Naval Association.

S/M T Crowther, Sherborne Branch : Good afternoon again. Shipmates I have been attending conference now for five years. The first I attended there were one hundred and sixty one delegates, last year in Londonderry there were ninety eight, this year, sixty nine. There is no one reason why attendance has gradually diminished, indeed as I think you all know, there are several but one reason could be holding it in June. Shipmate Joe has articulated very well the problems associated with this busy, cluttered and sometimes expensive month and to add to it the Queen‟s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in 2012 are going to be held, you guessed it, in June. Change is sometimes unwelcome but sometimes we have to grasp the nettle and make a change for the good it can bring. This is one of those times, should, after a few years we find that there has been little or no benefit from a September conference we can very easily change to another month as the rule only requires us to have an AGM once every fifteen months, it does not specify a particular month. I urge you to support this motion, we must do something to improve the attendance at conference and this change may bring great benefit to our Association. If we don‟t try, we will never know. Sherborne branch seconds this motion.

The President: The National Council view - the Deputy National President has been deputed to put it.

The Deputy National President: Shipmates, Good Afternoon. The National Council is against this motion only on the basis of the fact that there is, as a result of the previous vote a Conference Study Group established and that as a consequence it would be important to include this as a freedom for the Conference Study Group to consider in studying the problem. If a conference resolution is passed it will be mandated to hold the conference in September without study and then if we do have to change it, as the Shipmate has said we will then require another conference resolution to change it because the governing decision will be that a conference resolution was passed. National Council is very happy to consider the timings of the conference as part of the Conference Study Group because that is probably the will of conference but to mandate it is what National Council is against. National Council is against the Motion.

The President: No, Shipmates that is not an amendment, the National Council is against the Motion. Speakers for or against the motion please. I beg your pardon, right of reply.

S/M J Morton, Helston Branch : We have had a quick discussion and have decided that we will withdraw that motion if you are going to include it in the Conference Study Group.

The President: Thank you very much Shipmates. Branch Motion No. 8 we have already decided on, let us now move to Branch Motion No. 9. Could I have Tyne and Spennymoor and Ferryhill please.

S/M J Tubman, Tyne Branch : Shipmate President, Shipmates, Tyne Branch propose that we are the hosts for the 2012 RNA National Conference. The relationship between Tyneside and the Royal Navy stretches back many centuries. Some of the RN‟s most notable ships were built by the hardworking Geordies, there were some. Sadly our shipbuilding is not what it once was but the memories of a big river on which were launched big ships are still with us Tynesiders. For conference we have many venues available to us courtesy of major hotels at Newcastle Gateshead Skyline and we even have an in principle decision from the Commanding Officer of HMS Calliope, Tyne Division RNR to host conference itself within the walls of his base. If successful today Tyne branch will look at this offer very seriously as it is always a good thing to reinforce a relationship that we the RNA have with the RN and in particular the RNR. What else do we have to offer. Well, like other major cities we have our fair share of museums and shopping outlets for those who like to open their wallets, in fact the world famous Metro Centre is only ten minutes from Newcastle by bus. For those who like to get sand between your toes and sea air in your 27 lungs our beaches are only twenty five minutes away and have been nationally recognised as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is also our aim to organise a visit to a place of interest for those visitors not indulging in the conference itself, we have yet to decide what this will be but we know it will be enjoyable and a point of discussion for many weeks after the event. So Shipmates, this is the proposal from Tyne branch to host the conference 2012 and we will endeavour to make this important event in the RNA calendar as enjoyable and entertaining as we can humanly make it. Thank you Shipmates.

S/M C Lewarne, Spennymoor and Ferrybridge Branch : Gentlemen, Sunderland first seconded this motion and if they can go to Newcastle, and be happy I think we all can. (Laughter) Thank you.

The President: The National Council view will be put by NCM 11 Area.

S/M T Halder, National Council Member 11 Area : Shipmates, those of you who have travelled, dare I say it, north of the Watford Gap, and yes, I dare. And those of you who have travelled over the Pennines into God‟s Own County, will remember the two conferences that were held in Bridlington. Some of you may remember the conference we held in Scarborough in approx. 1985. I can say, having heard my friend and Deputy Jimmy, that we will give you the best conference that you will ever have. I would like you all to support this motion, come up to Tyneside, you‟ll enjoy yourselves immensely. Thank you.

The President: Speakers for and against the motion. Ready to vote. All in favour, thank you, those against, the motion is carried unanimously.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : Shipmate President, I regret I need to take you back, briefly, I hope, to motion 7. The proposer sought to withdraw it on the undertaking that the National Council would include that proposition in the study group looking into annual conferences. Unfortunately, a Motion, once proposed and seconded can only be withdrawn by the proposer with the consent of conference. So at the moment it remains extant so could you take a view from conference that it wishes that motion to be withdrawn.

The President: Everyone understand that? All those in favour of withdrawing it please raise their hands, thank you, and those against withdrawing it. Are we in the clear now?

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : The books are now straight.

The President: Thank you. Watford and Hemel Hempstead. Branch Motion No. 10.

S/M M Barron, Watford Branch : I‟ve been up and down more times that lilo Lil, Pompey Lil today. That the National Council amend Association Bye-law 4 as follows, additions being shown in bold type. The annual report of the National Council together with the annual accounts of the Association shall be circulated to all branches and a copy shall be supplied to any member on written request. Branches may seek clarification of matters contained in the annual report and annual accounts through the General Secretary. I so commend this motion.

S/M K Ridley from St Neots speaking on behalf of Hemel Hempstead Branch : I should explain why you keep reading Hemel Hempstead. Unfortunately they were unable to attend, it was passed to Peterborough branch but their delegate was taken seriously ill in hospital so St Neots stepped into the breach hence why I am here. What this all about is basically the right of a branch to challenge and study in depth our national accounts. A situation arose in number 6 area recently and the National Chairman had to come along to a meeting to try to resolve matters because of the way a request for an explanation just went round and round, the question was sent to conference but not read out by the National Council member at that time. So, what we merely seek to clarify is the right to look at the accounts in slightly more detail. Having spent thirty three years in local government certainly our accounts were open for public scrutiny, in our case it would be the membership, for them to look at in detail if required and not just pushed around as in this particular case. I am grateful for the fact that the National Council chairman travelled some distance to come to our area meeting to explain things and hopefully did resolve them. So we second this motion.

The President: National Council reply and now I do look to my friend NCM for 9 area.

S/M K Crawford, National Council Member for 9 Area : Good Afternoon Shipmates, National Council welcome this proposal but we also wish to advise you that you must remember that once these accounts and reports are accepted and approved by conference then they cannot be altered in any way. Questions can be asked and explanations can be given but they cannot be altered once they are approved, also any questions or matters arising outside of conference with regards to the finances and to the reports are directed through the General Secretary. What I do ask you Shipmate, if you do direct questions through the General Secretary accept that you may not get a spontaneous answer because these questions will need to be forwarded to those people who are best qualified to answer them. Thank you.

The President: As an additional item of clarification Shipmates, the Deputy National President has reminded me that the accounts of the Association are published for anybody, not just members of the Association to read on the Charity Commission website although not everybody has access to the internet. But it is already the rule that the accounts will be supplied, we are only debating about questions. Speakers for and against the motion please. No speakers, one speaker. Right of reply is this?

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : The right of reply lies with the proposer not the seconder.

The President: Does the proposer of the motion wish to reply to the National Council member or are you content for your seconder to speak instead of you. Go ahead Shipmate.

S/M K Ridley from St Neots speaking on behalf of Hemel Hempstead Branch: Just for clarification, Watford did go through the route of requesting the information. They did write to Headquarters, apart from the Area Secretary and the National Council Member. We were informed that the request was passed to the National Treasurer, the bottom line was that nobody knew where it had gone, who had it so

28 nobody was answering it, so all we do here is to seek permanent clarification so that if a question is raised it goes through a route and we get an answer back. Thank you Shipmates.

The President: Anyone else wishing to speak, shall we have a vote? All those in favour of the motion please raise your hands, thank you. And those against the motion. The motion is carried. Branch Motion 11 please.

S/M D Wilson, Frome Branch: Shipmate President, Shipmates. Each area should hold a meeting at least three times a year, not four as is presently constituted. It is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain a high level of attendance at area meetings due to the size of area, costs involved and an ever aging membership. I have travelled less distance to be here today than I did for each meeting in 2009. There was an article about good governance about changing this, it says under good governance from the Charity Commissioners managing and supporting staff and volunteers, and we are all volunteers. I posed this question to the Charity Commissioners Which is better governance, three branch meetings with thirty attendees, which is ninety people a year, or four branch meetings with twenty attendees, which is only eighty. They seemed to favour that having ninety was better governance. We just need your help to continue to function effectively. It does not have to affect other areas, if you want to have five, six even ten that‟s your privilege but I ask you for your support on this motion so that we can continue to operate area 4 in a very effective and cost effective manner. Thank you.

S/M J Morton, Helston Branch : Its me again Shipmates! Helston branch seconds this motion to reduce from four to three mandatory meetings a year. Is there any reason why areas have to hold four meetings a year, I think not when the AGM can be combined with an area meeting. Careful planning and perhaps a slightly earlier start to the area meeting all area business can be covered in the one day. Next, finding locations or branches to hold the area meeting is proving to be more difficult as the years go by, costs are going up again year on year so why not allow those area who are struggling to hold a minimum of three meetings a year. Think clearly, think ahead Shipmates and support this motion.

The President: The National Council view will be put by The National Council Member for No. 1 Area..

S/M M Foley, National Council Member No. 1 Area : Council are against this motion because when does four become three become two and two become one.

The President: Now Shipmates Speakers for and against the motion. Shall I do right of reply yet?

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : No we haven‟t had an amendment. He gets his right of reply at the end.

The President: OK Speakers for and against please

S/M T Crowther, Sherborne Branch : Good governance in any organisation is never achieved by having unnecessary meetings. It is achieved by having good quality meetings. We have proved in #4 area, in error yes, that we can have good governance and effective governance with three meetings a year. It doesn‟t have to affect the rest of you if you don‟t wish to have three meetings a year you can continue having four or five or whatever, but each area meeting that we organise in #4 area costs us about £800 to £1000. We can well do without that cost. That money could be donated to charitable purposes if we did not waste it on an unnecessary meeting. I urge you to support this very sensible motion.

S/M J Tubman, Tyne Branch : It has been mentioned that we could actually combine the AGM as one of the meetings. What happens if you cannot get an AGM, you are missing valuable time to actually get information out to the area delegates who will go round the branches and keep the branches informed. If you cut down the number of times you meet each year you are basically making your branches wait for information and that is not good management.

S/M J Stewart, Saltash Branch and Chairman No. 4 Area : I support this motion, I would much rather chair three meetings with a very large attendance than four with increasingly dwindling attendances. I support this motion.

S/M A Foley, Greenford Branch :: Shipmates I urge you not to go down the road of going from four to three to two to one, soon you will be asking for postal votes, postal meetings, what are you doing. How are you going to know how your branches in your areas are doing, the contact, the welfare of your branches, the mere survival of your branches, you are going to lose it all if you go down this road of going below four meetings a year. What are you doing, what are you playing at, you are going to lose the whole contact of your branches you are going to lose it all. Sorry Shipmates I urge you to vote against this proposal. You are going to lose it totally.

S/M J Morton, Helston Branch :

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : You have already spoken on this motion.

S/M M Arnold, Ferndown Branch and Area Secretary No. 4 Area : Shipmate delegates. I am the one who has to organise area 4 meetings, I am the area secretary. The last speaker was talking about you are going to lose it. A load of rubbish, absolute rubbish. There is no problem at all if you have the committee meeting in the morning, which is what area 4 do, we then start the AGM earlier than we would on the other meetings and then we follow it on with the area meeting. It has worked very, very well, I admit now we were in the wrong we should have been having four. Having four meetings when do you have your AGM, do you have four plus the AGM, that makes five. Four meetings plus an AGM to me counts as five. (Dissent from the floor on the number of meetings) So we do actually have four meetings a year. (More dissent)

The President: Shipmates, please.

S/M M Arnold, Ferndown Branch and Area Secretary No. 4 Area : I ask you to support this motion.

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S/M G Pilgram, Chester Branch : In my branch I am one of the youngest members, I am just over seventy, that‟s quite good, my members enjoy going to our area meetings, they are important to them. If I went back to my members and said I voted to have three meetings instead of four then I think they would string me up. We are very lucky in area 10 of having quality meetings and our members at Chester it is important to attend it. So I effectively vote against the motion.

S/M D Tollerton, Crosby Branch : Shipmates, I am the chairman of area 10. Area 10 is ostensibly the largest area in the RNA. We cover from Whitehaven down to Pwllheli. We cover right across North Wales, we cover Cheshire, East and West Lancashire up as far as Carlisle, sadly Carlisle disbanded last year. It is a big area, we have got fifty branches and we have four meetings a year. I would not want to go to three meetings a year. We have four robust meetings every year one of which is the AGM. We travel considerably, we meet in Blackpool, we meet in Chester, we meet in Liverpool, we meet in Manchester, we travel round the area for our meetings and four meetings a year is a necessity as far as I am concerned.

S/M P Shoesmith, Portland Branch : The last speaker, can you just reiterate, you have four meetings a year of which one of them is the AGM You have five altogether then.

S/M D Tollerton, Crosby Branch : I will just qualify that then the AGM is an inclusive area meeting, it all happens on the same time. One goes into the other.

S/M P Shoesmith, Portland Branch : So you meet four times a year.

S/M D Tollerton, Crosby Branch : Yes.

S/M P Shoesmith, Portland Branch : This is what No. 4 Area have been doing and we were advised by our National Council Member that it is incorrect and that is why this Motion has gone forward. My second point is that two of our counties, would you believe, are counties with no motorways in them, and we have infrastructure problems. We are doing that and we have been advised that that is a wrong system and we have been advised by a National Council member so there is a bit of confusion here I think.

The President: I will count that exchange as a point of order and a useful one as well. Can the Chairman of the Standing Orders Committee enlighten me as to whether the rules state that holding a combined area meeting and annual general meeting or consecutive meetings on the same day is, in fact, against the rules.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : Yes Shipmate President I have actually advised on this in the past, some years ago, I think and I think in respect of area 4 the by-law actually says Each area shall hold a meeting at least four times a year, that‟s A8. A9 says each area shall hold an annual general meeting not later than the 31 March. My advice in the past, and I see no reason to change it, is that there must be four meetings and those four meetings can include an annual general meeting.

The President: It may be that having been reassured that what they have just stated as their practice does not conflict with the by-laws and the proposer wishes to withdraw this motion.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : That is the advice I gave in the past, none of this is saying that any branch, sorry, any area can‟t have four meeting, five meetings, six meetings, as many as they like. It is merely saying that an area shall hold a meeting four times a year and in my view the annual general meeting can count as one of those meetings. And if there is even the remotest difficulty about that it would be a very simple matter to have two meetings on the same day.

The President: No.4 and No. 10 Areas area your practice is not in contravention of the by-laws, I have asked the NCM for 4 area whether he wishes to speak and he doesn‟t wish to speak so the motion still stands as nobody has withdrawn it. Does anybody wish to speak for or against the motion. Does the proposer wish to reply to what has been said earlier.

S/M D Wilson, Frome Branch : I do wish to reply Shipmates because please will you listen to what I said at the beginning. Whether you hold four, five, six or ten area meetings in your area does not affect me and if you are able to do that I congratulate you. All I am asking is, in an area like ours which has not a good infrastructure, which is over 250 miles in length and this is why I travel more distance to go to any of my area meetings than I do to any conference, including Dundee and here and all I am saying is can we amend the rules. Why was it at least four meetings, probably because when this Association was formed quarterly was the way to do things. Universities work on three terms, the RN works on three terms in its training establishments nearly every organisation works on three terms, why can‟t we in our area, not you, just my area please work in three and to say that the fact that we will lose everything is incorrect. We will get more people if we have three meetings, what happens between the meetings, we have a very good infrastructure, after our branch meetings we ring our area secretary if we have got a problem, he then gets onto our area council member if it affects him. Communication is the name of the game, not actually sitting down in a room, it is the will to do it. And when you actually look at the awards that were made this year I think that you can prove that 4 area is a very effective area. It has won three of the awards that you people should be striving for. So please, please, it doesn‟t affect your area, please let us have the amendment to have At least three meetings a year. A lot of organisations only have one meeting a year, I would not go down that route, I would not go down to two, and if you want to go any further it would have to go back to conference. But I think three, bearing in mind as I have stated universities, the Navy, schools work on three terms a year. Without it affecting any of you please amend it so that we can continue to run a very strong area 4. Thank you very much.

The President: Thank you Shipmate, there being no more speakers, Shipmate Jeremy, is a simple majority enough to carry this motion?

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : No Shipmate 2…

S/M D Tollerton, Crosby Branch : Shipmate President, is it possible to make a local by-law which allows them to hold three because of the difficulties that they are in without the by-laws the rule book.

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The President: I don‟t think that would be necessary Shipmate, if the motion were to be passed it requires every area to hold at least three meetings a year. If an area wishes to hold more there is nothing to stop it doing so, it‟s a minimum of three not a maximum of three.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : Perhaps I could add, you can‟t make local by-laws that are in conflict with the area by-laws. You can develop them in accordance with the by-laws but you can‟t do something that is contradictory.

The President: May I have advice on whether a simple majority is sufficient.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : 2/3rds of the votes cast.

The President: 2/3rds of the votes cast, are you ready to vote Shipmates. All in favour please raise your hands, please keep your hands up until they are counted, and those against please.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : 30 votes for the motion, 33 votes against the motion so it is not carried.

The President: Thank you. Motion No. 12.

S/M D Tollerton, Crosby Branch : Good afternoon Shipmates, Shipmate President, National Council members the proposal from Crosby branch is That we designate 2011 as the RNA year of recruitment with the aim of achieving a significant increase in membership by raising the Associations profile nationwide with support from all levels within the Association and with appropriate resources being made available. We have a problem, Shipmates, we are losing more members that we gain year on year. If the rate of decline continues there is a strong possibility that there will not be a Royal Naval Association in twenty years time. The fall in members from 2008 to 2009 was 1185, down 5%. We have only about 11000 full members, this is frightening. Only four areas saw an increase in membership, with only area 8 showing any significant increase at 3.5%. Now shipmates, I am not here to bury the Memorandum of Understanding, though I have been a fierce critic of it, I have to say it has not succeeded, perhaps it never will but it is aimed at the wrong age group. As an idea it is good though its implementation is not so good. I am here to say it needs improving, it could become a valuable resource but it needs a fresh approach. Now, we have already spoke about some of these things earlier on today, there is something missing from it, something tangible like a membership card to go with its well meant intentions. Thirty thousand serving sailors do not make the RNA any better off or give any long term sustainability it is the percentage that we can attract and keep as members that we need to put our efforts into. I speak with many serving sailors when ships visit Liverpool and less than 5% know or say they know about the memorandum of understanding. Indeed just a couple of months ago I had the great pleasure of spending an evening with over two hundred officers and ratings from HMS Albion. I asked many of them what they knew about the Memorandum of Understanding, I can tell you shipmates I can count on my hands those who claimed to have heard of it. I applaud the mentoring set up at Raleigh, it will take time but it could become a real good resource in future for the Association. This is good, original thinking however, I feel we are looking at too young an age group, we need to target the forty somethings, a group that have been out of the Navy for a while, settled down, bought the house, had the kids and are maybe fed up with golf at the weekends and have time to reminisce about the good times they had in the Navy. I think we have a very tired and outdated section in the Navy News, we need to modernise both what we say and how we look. Indeed the Sea Cadets get more words than we do. Our national PRO has much work to do Shipmates, I have to say that enthusiasm in this field has been absent. I come to resources Shipmates and this does not mean throwing money at it. I would like to enter a caveat that we do not spend more than £15000 what we need is ingenuity and enthusiasm, novel ideas, passion we do not need glossy brochures, we do not need to pay PR companies lots of cash for them to tell us what we already know. I think we need a committee of National Council members, area chairmen perhaps one or two others, secretaries to deliver throughout 2011 a new dynamic way forward. Shipmates I want to be part of that and I want to see this great Association blossom again, I want to have some input. Some of the best years of my life have been as a member of the RNA and I want to continue enjoying those times for many more years to come. If you approve this motion shipmates we might just be around for another fifty years. I commend it to you, thank you.

S/M M Shields, Llandudno Branch : I have been asked to speak on behalf of Llandudno branch. We fully support and second this motion by Crosby branch, we also think that the wording of the motion is important but just as important is the date because you cannot hang around for much longer. 2011 is as good a year as any and lets get on with it. Of course it makes sense to target the older members leaving the Navy but any age on leaving the Navy, when they hit the cold harsh reality of civvy street, with or without the pension, the RNA should be there to support them with comradeship. The RNA at present need them as much as they may need the RNA. It makes sense to minimise the spending so the work has to come from more quarters of the RNA at branch level particularly to target potential Shipmates within your area. Nationally, could you target publications like Warship etc, maybe get the Editor in „Jane‟s‟ to do an in-depth article about the RNA with its aims, achievements and problems being truthful and transparent. Like Dave said, some of his best years have been as a member of the RNA, I am sure many other people here could echo that. I knew nothing about the RNA, luckily I was shanghaied. I thought it was for the older, post war generation who we all looked up to but I will stand up and say its not been worth while to be Associated with the older members in our branch. It has been a privilege and other people should have that privilege as well. We second the motion.

The President: Shipmate Simmons has been deputed by National Council to put the National Council view.

S/M S Simmons, National Council Member 10 Area : Shipmates, I can‟t add much to that, it was fantastic. The Chairman and the President have all spoken about this today. The National Council support this Motion.

The President: Could I have speakers for and against the motion please.

S/M K Ridley, St Neots Branch :: I second the Motion, as chairman of my branch I lead my branch actively in getting out..

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : It has already been seconded.

S/M K Ridley, St Neots Branch : Ok fine, speaking in favour of the motion, as chairman of this branch I lead the branch outside the town. We don‟t sit there and wait for people to come to us, we go to the public. It is up to you, the rank and file of the Association to get out there to do the recruiting not to expect the people up here to be doing it for you. We are pushing the name of the Royal Naval Association 31 foremost, the branch secondly. We did a street collection at the doors to Morrisons, seven serving members came up, three of them said they knew of the RNA. One was a Lieutenant Commander, one was a Lieutenant, a Fleet Air Arm guy, a Leading Seaman they have all got their membership forms and I hope that by the time I get back from conference those forms are back with my secretary. So its up to us to get out there and get on with it.

S/M C Hore, Delabole Branch : Thank you, I don‟t think I need an interpreter do I ? Carrying membership forms with you is what its all about. I happened to have two in my pocket this morning when the First Sea Lord was signed up and the Bishop used the other one, both signed up. Carry the membership form in your pocket you can stick them out to whoever comes along. Thank you.

S/M D Wilson, Frome Branch :: I am glad to see you want to limit the expense, it makes sense but it is at branch level it should be done. Now, all I am going to do is share with you an idea which has increased my branch by 18% since January. It is every branch‟s responsibility and this is the idea. We have a public relations officer, we have our local press called the Frome Times, we have the Somerset Standard and the Wiltshire Standard. We have an article in there every week or every month of their publication on what we have been doing, how we support the Sea Cadets, how we give money to charity and everything else. That‟s that side of it and the other thing is, I rang up Navy News and said what‟s your circulation, they said 50,000, I said but a lot of those you send abroad, you send to people when they subscribe, what is your circulation amongst the general public. They said 23,425, so my PRO goes round to all the local news agents and said How many Navy News do you send out then, 30 he said, would you mind if we put a flyer in. Some will say yes as long as you do it, some will say we will be delighted to do it. 43,425, if they read the Navy News they must have some interest in the Navy and if they are not in it they should be in our Association. The possible target is 43,425, if we only get a 1% return we have got 234 new members, if we get 10% we have got 2,342 and if we get 20%, which is quite achievable we have got another 4,684 new members. There is the flyer, anyone wants one I have got some with me, if I haven‟t got enough if you give me your email address I will email it to you or if you haven‟t got email we will send it by snail mail. But I can recommend this because I lost three members of my branch at the beginning of the year because they moved away so we had twenty three then we had twenty, we have now got twenty eight and that‟s only in the first five months of this year using this method. I recommend it to you and if anybody wants to share it or do it please see me. Thank you.

The President: Thank you Shipmate, any more speakers. Vote, all in favour of the motion, thank you. And those against, none against, the motion is carried.

Chairman Standing Orders Committee : I had not noticed that he had used the word allow but I think if that is now what he is proposing I think it could be allowed.

The President: Branch Motion 13 please.

S/M K Napier, Acquitaine Branch : Proposed by Aquitaine. To require that the standard be carried over the right shoulder. (amended by the proposer and read as „allow‟ rather than require)

The President: It seems eminently permissible to me, so this motion is to make it optional to wear it over the right shoulder if the Standard bearer requires. That is how the motion now reads. There is no need to barrack Shipmates, you will get your opportunity to vote in due course. Could I have the seconder of the motion please.

S/M J Riches, France Nord Branch : Shipmate President, Shipmates, we strongly support this motion. It is time for a change, people talk about time for a change and there should be no reason at all why we can‟t, in my opinion, have the strop over the right shoulder. We in the France Nord branch, which covers an area twice the size of Wales, as we attend many commemorations, WWII and WWI commemorations with the French. The commemorations we attend are the D Day beaches which you will join in with us on 6 June, the Caen memorial with the Army on 5 June, the St Nazaire Lancastria sinking, the Campbelltown sinking and the attack on St Nazaire. We also attend the 11 November Armistice commemorations with the French. We do this not only in Aquitaine branch, France Nord branch but in little villages all over France. We are also parading the Standard when bodies are recovered from the second world war which happens every year and we go down with the French to the burial or funeral of these bodies which are recovered. So we are parading our Standard many times and not only that, as we have heard during this conference, we are all getting older, more funerals, more Standard parading. Therefore our Standard bearers, who are also getting old I might add, wearing their medals, the medals are getting very scuffed and very worn and I can see no reason at all why we cannot change the strop to be on the right shoulder. If the RBL do it, if the Royal Marines do it, if some of the Navy already do it why can‟t we, therefore I strongly second the motion.

The President: Speakers for and against the motion please.

S/M M Withington, Isle of Sheppey Branch : When I showed my parade and ceremonial officer, area who happens to be the deputy national parade and ceremonial officer, I showed him this motion and to put it quite bluntly he nearly blew a gasket. He said read the drill and ceremonial book, the strap comes down underneath the lapel clipped in with the clip for your medals. Simple, of course we are different, we are the Royal Navy. We are proud to be different. We don‟t want to follow what the Army do or the RAF do we do it our way and are you going to write the drill book, rewrite the drill book I should say. I strongly oppose this motion.

S/M J Dale, Crawley Branch : Gentlemen, as a Standard bearer for about thirty years, when our branch saw it , or I saw it I could not believe it and the Shipmate before me just reiterated, we are the Navy. This came up at a conference many years ago in the days of Ernal Pope if anybody can go back that far and Ernal Pope and he said what are we moaning about we are the Navy. That says it all, my strap goes down underneath there and the medals go on top its absolutely no problem whatsoever. When I go on parade with my Standard I have had it said to me “Why is your Standard on the wrong side?” and I say “because we are the Navy and we do it our way”. And that is what we should carry on doing.

The President: Are there any more speakers for the motion. Carry on please, speakers against.

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S/M M Kieran, Coventry Branch : Shipmates, I won‟t dwell on history we wear the strap over the left shoulder because the Queens Regulations say you wear the strap over the left shoulder when you are carrying Regimental Colours and the Royal Standard. Simple as that. Another good reason to wear it over the left shoulder is strap over the left shoulder, Standard in the right hand, weight on that shoulder and that shoulder, don‟t hurt your back, especially in cold weather. Gentlemen and ladies of the RBL and other Associations who hold their strap over the right shoulder and the Standard in the right hand end up with bad backs because all the weight is on one side, stupid, these days you don‟t want a bad back do yer and yer going to get one if all the weights on one side. When you are carrying the shopping what do you do a bit in each hand, not all in one hand. Shipmates, the other implication is if one changes we all change, we‟ve got a uniform you can‟t have on wearing one and one wearing the other and if we all change because one branch changes it, it is going to cost you all a fortune changing your straps. Shipmates I oppose this motion.

The President: If there are no more speakers I will ask the National Ceremonial Adviser to give us the benefit of his view. There will be right of reply.

S/M A Robinson, National Ceremonial Adviser : Shipmates, this came in the form of a letter some three years ago and I said then and I say again We have always carried it over the left shoulder, why should we alter, why don‟t they alter. If the British Legion want to copy us because we do it right I am all for it but as far as I am concerned Shipmates this should not have come to conference.

The President: Would the proposer wish to reply to what has been said, thank you. Would all those in favour of the motion please raise their hands, thank you And those against the motion The motion fails, Thank you. Motion 14 please.

S/M R Jones, Gosport Branch : Good afternoon, I know I am the last person, I know we are all itching to get away so this is going to be one single sentence. Model club rule 12 be amended to increase the amount payable by an applicant towards the appeals procedure be raised from fifty pence to £5.

S/M J Dale, Crawley Branch : Different from the annual programme Shipmates as I think I am the third reserve. I am happy to second this motion, the only proviso I had was why is it going up to a fiver, and that ain‟t an amendment, why is it only going up to a fiver. If somebody wants to complain then let them .. and also when was that 50p started, 1952? I‟d like to know what the equivalent is now.

The President: Does anyone wish to speak for or against the motion. It sounds as though that was directed at me. All in favour please raise your hands, thank you. And those against. The motion is carried.

Now we will draw the conference raffle, I just have one suggestion to make to you which may be a little illegal but I am sure I can get it past Jeremy. It has been suggested that conference would wish to send their good wishes and congratulations to Shipmate Billie Fletcher, a Wren of Helston branch and a former member of St Neots who is celebrating her 100th birthday on 22 June. (Applause) Thank you Shipmates, your good wishes will be forwarded.

The draw for the Raffle then took place

The first ticket is 24566 Haven branch.

The second one is Mr R A Jones of Bourne, Lincolnshire 43383.

The Third ticket is Mr Les Airey of Sudbury, Suffolk 36210.

And last but not least Mr and Mrs Sedgwick from Uttoxeter, Staffordshire 39130.

Closure of Conference

The President: Well Shipmates, the Deputy National President, Adrian kept whispering to me that we were in severe danger of finishing conference at 5 o‟clock, I kept saying something will happen something will go wrong! I make it about one minute to 5. I congratulate you all and thank you very much indeed for a good conference today, getting through fourteen motions and all done in a comradely way. And now it is parades, festivities and comradeship time shortly. Would you please be upstanding.

The National Anthem.

The French National Anthem.

Conference ended by playing of ‘Heart Of Oak’ as the National and FAMMAC Standards were marched off.

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LIST OF DELEGATES WHO ATTENDED THE CONFERENCE

1 D Allen Ashford 37 M Shields Llandudno 2 K Napier Aquitaine 38 R Buchanan Londonderry 3 H Binney Barnsley 39 D Curd Maidstone 4 A Ferguson Belfast 40 M Cox Margate 5 K Taylor Caerphilly 41 B Keane Netley 6 R Roberts Camberley 42 T Edwards Mexborough 7 D Griffiths Carmarthen 43 E Thompson Mid Antrim 8 V Allen ` Chatham 44 J Gromoff - Mitcham/Morden/Wimb’don 9 G Pilgram Chester 45 J Clark Monmouth 10 F Worrall Clacton on Sea 46 E Cooper Pendleton 11 T Wright Colchester 47 A Gutteridge Plymouth 12 M Kieran Coventry 48 P Shoesmith Portland 13 J Dale Crawley 49 Rev S D Butler Portsmouth 14 D Tollerton Crosby 50 E Thompson Pwllhelli 15 C Hore Delabloe 51 J Watkins Redruth 16 K Chandler Dorking 52 R Atack Rosyth 17 Dermot Stone Dublin 53 A Fletcher Royal Leamington Spa 18 W Duff Dundee 54 J Pickering Runcorn 19 G Corry East Antrim 55 W Kibble Salford 20 R Burdekin Falmouth 56 J Stewart Saltash 21 M Arnold Ferndown 57 T Crowther Sherborne 22 J Riches France Nord 58 S Haigh Skipton 23 D Wilson Frome 59 D Salmon Southend on Sea 24 R Jones Gosport 60 T Day Spalding 25 A Foley Greenford 61 C Lewarne Spennymoor 26 D Pointon Harrogate 62 J Bennetts St Austell 27 J Rooney Hartlepool 63 J Arnold St Helens 28 J Morton Helston 64 K Ridley St Neots 29 P Ashwell Henlow 65 K Holloway Tenbury Wells 30 A Pecket Horsham 66 A Brocking Trafford 31 G Horner Huddersfield 67 J Tubman Tyne 32 R Coburn Inverness 68 D Butler Warwick 33 M Withington Isle of Sheppey 69 M Barron Watford 34 F Martin Leyland 70 I Batt Wigston 35 D Jones Lichfield 71 A Ney Wythenshawe 36 G Strudwick Liskeard 72 Marie Taylor York

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