Royal Army Medical Corps Association

In Arduis Fidelis

CONVERGENCE OF THE RAMC ASSOCIATION

ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS POSED PRIOR TO

AND AT THE SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING

 

Q1.       Why converge?

The Corps, on the advice of the Charity Commission, are looking to amalgamate all the charitable funds held in the various Corps charities into one new Charity to be known as the RAMC Charity.

 

Q2.       Are other regiments and corps going through a similar process?

Yes – a number have completed the exercise or are in the process of undertaking it.

 

Q3.       What is the advantage to the Association?

The Association cannot survive financially without the support of the RAMC Charitable Fund and the resources provided by the Regimental Headquarters. By joining the RAMC Charity from the beginning we will secure the future of the Association as a going concern, able to meet all its charitable Objects. Additionally, it will bring the Association and Charitable Fund closer together which should lead to greater funding opportunities.

 

Q4.       Each Branch is currently a member of the RAMC Association Charity, after convergence will this still be the case?

Branches will still be members of the Association, which in turn will be part of the new RAMC Charity.

             Additionally, each B ranch will be a member of the new RAMC Charity and have a vote at the

               Charity’s AGM

        

Q5.       Will I see much change at Branch level as a result of convergence?

No – apart from the Branch adopting a set of Rules covering the running of your particular Branch and which are based on the Model Branch Rules provided by the RAMC Charity.

 

Q6.       Why do we need Branch Rules – we have managed without them before?

You cannot run a group of branches within an organisation without some rules, bye-laws or guidelines (call them what you like). Most of the problems encountered by branches in the past have resulted because there were no rules to refer to.

 

Q7.       Why do the Rules have to be so legalistic?

They have to have the approval of the Charity Commission as part of the Memorandum and Articles of the new RAMC Charity.

 

Q8.       Can the Model Branch Rules be modified to suit individual branches?

Yes parts of them can – they are called Model Branch Rules because that is what they are – a model on which to base individual branch rules. Recommended alterations would need to be forwarded via the RAMC Association Management Committee to the Board of Trustees of the RAMC Charity for approval.

 

Q9.       Will current Life Members retain that status after convergence?

Yes - they will remain as Life Members of the Association.

 

Q10.     Will there be an individual Annual Subscription to the RAMC Charity from current Members?

No – but new members joining will pay a joining fee.

 

Q11.       Will ex-members of the AMS and Regiments and Corps closely associated with the RAMC be able to join as Associate Members?

       Yes – the final version of the Model Branch Rules will amend this omission

           

Q12.     Will Associate Members pay the same Branch subscriptions as Full Members?

The setting of Branch subscriptions is a matter for the branch membership on the recommendation of the branch committee.           

 

Q13.     Will Associate Members be able to vote at Branch meetings?

        Yes – they have full voting rights within the branch.

 

Q14.     Will Associate Members be eligible for election to the Branch Committee?

Yes - they will be paying the same subscriptions as Full Members.

 

Q15.     Will Branches be expected to pay any affiliation fees in the current year?

No – any fees (even if set) will probably not come into force until 2010

            

Q16.     After convergence do branches keep the money they have in the branch account?

Yes – there is no change in this respect.

 

Q17.     If a branch raises money for its own use via raffles, donations etc does this have to be declared to RHQ at the time or as now on the annual account?

There is no change from the present system of accounting.

 

Q18.     After convergence would donations from branch members have to be forwarded to RHQ?

No – there is no change from the present system of accounting.

 

Q19.     We only meet occasionally and at different locations. What do we put in the boxes on page 3 of the Model Branch Rules?

     Put in the relevant boxes – “As decided by the Branch Committee and notified to members in advance