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Delegates: John Clark (Chairman), Cathie Clark
(Committee Member)
INTRODUCTION (and extracts from presentations)
At the opening of Conference, 135 Standards were paraded.
Elections
The following had been elected to National Council by their regions:
| E. Dixon |
North Western Region |
| E.W. Hefferman MBE |
Overseas Districts |
| M.T. McCaw |
Metropolitan Region |
| D.A. Walker |
South Western Region |
NOMINATIONS FOR THE CONFERENCE
COMMITTEE FOR THE YEAR 2005 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
| C.W. Carson |
Northern Ireland District |
209 votes |
Elected |
| A.R.P. Goodwin BEM |
East Midland Region |
175 votes |
|
| Miss S.E. Kelly |
Northern Region |
292 votes |
Elected |
| J McDonald |
West Midland Region |
201 votes |
|
| E.J. Seymour |
Eastern Region |
115 votes |
|
| B.C.N. Soffe |
South Eastern Region |
131 votes |
|
| Miss H.B. Trant MBE |
South Western Region |
254 votes |
Elected |
| J.M. Webb |
Metropolitan region |
111 votes |
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PLACE OF YEAR 2008 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
| Douglas |
Isle of Man |
250 votes |
|
| Southport |
National Council |
272 votes |
Elected |
Note: the venues for the
following years are:
2005 Torquay
2006 Blackpool
2007 Bournemouth
Summary of Addresses to Conference
National President, Lt Gen Sir Roderick Cordy-Simpson KBE, CB
The President gave details of the message which he had
sent to H.M. The Queen on behalf of the Legion, and also the reply from
Buckingham Palace.
Sir Roderick spoke about his disappointment in the decline
in membership numbers and stated that we must stop this decline. He did
praise the work of the Associate members.. He also spoke of Gift Aid and
the advantages to the legion.
He leaves us with two challenges:
| 1. Find new members |
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| 2. Convince the public of the
need for support after the 60th Anniversary of D-Day |
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The President received a Standing Ovation.
National Chairman, Mr Ian Cannell, MBE, FRICS, MIPR
The Chairman welcomed conference, especially those from
overseas and from National Branches.
The Chairman started with instructions to delegates when he said that
sometimes delegates represented Branches without these Branches being aware of
the fact. Measures had been taken to stop this. It also appeared
that some delegates had been told by County or other formations how to vote on
Motions or Charter Motions. This was contrary to democratic process and
the only organisation to tell a delegate how to vote is the nominating Branch.
Should the delegate not follow these instructions and vote with his or her
conscience, the delegate should explain later to the Branch.
Mr Cannell had travelled extensively during the last year
to places as far-flung as Burma and Libya. He praised the volunteers for
their sterling work.
Since 1997 the Legion has been involved in the National
Curriculum in schools, and this should ensure that the youngsters of today were
aware of the works of the Legion.. He gave a report on the current
standing of the national Memorial Arboretum.
When talking about the future of HQ at Pall Mall, he said
that there were two options - 1) Refurbish and move back from temporary premises
or 2) Sell the present HQ and move into a new HQ. The latter was the
preferred option.
Because of it's importance, the Chairman stated his
intention of proposing Charter Motion 4 himself.
The Bucket collection on behalf of the Poppy Appeal
at last year's Conference realised the magnificent sum of £2289 including Gift
Aid enhancements.
The Chairman-Elect, John Hawthornthwaite, was elected
unopposed. [Ed - Some branch members may
not be aware that John is a member of our Branch, and our congratulations go out
to him.]
Peter Cleminson was elected as the new Vice Chairman.
Both gentlemen thanked conference for their support.
Secretary General - I G Townsend
The Secretary general presented the Corporate Plan and
stated that the turnover for 2003 was £65.3 million, and that this figure places
us in the top 25 of 180,000 charities. At present there are 4328 Branches,
including Women's Sections and Overseas Branches.
General Treasurer - Mr J A Tedder
The Treasurer explained the 2003 Accounts, and one
interesting fact came to light - 7½% of the net Poppy Appeal monies are paid to
the Officers' Association under an agreement drawn up in 1921.
National Chairman, Women's Section.
An address was made by Mrs Barbara Frankland, the newly
appointed Chairman.
National Chairman, Royal British Legion (Scotland)
Mr Eric Munroe, the newly appointed Nation Chairman of
TRBL (Scotland) addressed Conference, shortly after having been elected National
Chairman in Perth.
Dominion President, Royal Canadian Legion.
An address was given by Alan Parks from Prince Edward
Island who had risen through the ranks to become the Dominion President on the
death of his predecessor in 2002. Mr Park is not an
ex-Serviceman, and is the equivalent of our Associate Member. The Royal
Canadian Legion has approximately 400,000 Members.
Delegate Numbers at Conference
| |
Voting |
Non Voting |
Total |
| Saturday pm |
561 |
47 |
608 |
| Sunday am |
549 |
48 |
597 |
| Sunday pm |
528 |
46 |
574 |
| Monday am |
524 |
45 |
569 |
| Monday pm |
- |
- |
- |
CHARTER MOTIONS
(Charter Motions are worded to show all changes to all appropriate
paragraphs in the Charter – most of these have been removed to save space)
1.
This Conference agrees that a new
class of Membership be introduced for Ordinary and Associate Members to be known
as "Members" and that the Rules be altered as set out in Addendum 1,
notwithstanding that the Beneficiaries of the Legion shall remain the same as
defined by Article 2 of the Royal Charter
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North Wales District |
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Bognor Regis, Sussex County |
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Broadstone,
Dorset County |
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Lampeter, Ceredigion County |
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Marlow & District, Buckingham
County |
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Newlyn West, Cornwall County |
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Salcome, Devon County |
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Wickford & District, Essex County |
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Norfolk County |
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NB If Charter Motion 1
is carried 5 falls automatically |
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For 355 votes; against 188.
⅔ majority required 362 votes. This motion was lost by 7 votes
|
2. Page
10, delete Rule 23 and substitute:
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'Each Branch is
entitled to send 1 delegate to the Annual Conference. Any Branch with a total
of more than 200 Ordinary and Life Members may send a second
delegate. Any Branch with over 400 such Members may send a third delegate.' |
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Colne, Lancs County |
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For 238; against 289
Lost |
3.
Page 13, Rule 44, delete
“Chief Accountant” substitute “Director of Finance”.
National Council
For 488; against 34 Carried
4. This Conference approves the
proposed changes to the Royal Charter and Rules, arising from the Future
Structure Group’s report dated 1st
February 2003, as set out in Addendum 2 to this Agenda.
National Council Proposed by National Chairman
For 422; against 101 ⅔
majority is 350 Carried
5.
This Conference agrees that a
new class of Membership be introduced to replace ‘Ordinary Members’ with a new
class of member to be called a ‘Full Member’ and therefore approves the
following changes to the Rules in the First Schedule to the Royal Charter:
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Rule 2(a)(i) delete ‘Ordinary’ insert
‘Full’. |
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Rule 3, Heading ‘Ordinary Membership of
the Legion’ delete ‘Ordinary’ and insert ‘Full’ |
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Rule 3
after ‘(as defined in the Charter)’ insert ‘and Qualified Associate’ after
‘for’ delete ‘Ordinary’ and insert ‘Full’ |
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Rule 5(b)(i)(ii) and (iii) delete 'Ordinary' insert 'Full' |
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Rule 6, line 1 delete
'Ordinary' insert 'Full' |
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Rule 9 (b) line 2, delete
'Ordinary' insert 'Full' |
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(c)(iii) delete 'Ordinary' insert
'Full' |
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Rule 11(a) and (b) delete
'Ordinary' insert 'Full' |
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Rule 23 delete 'Ordinary'
insert 'Full' |
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Rule 27, line 1 after
'Only' delete 'Ordinary, Life and qualifying Associate Members' and insert
'Full and Life Members' |
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Rule 37, line 2, delete
'Ordinary' insert 'Full' |
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Rule 50, delete 'Ordinary'
insert 'Full' |
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|
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If this Charter Motion is
carried, the National Council is requested to make the following changes to
the Governing Regulations: |
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|
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GR 3 (b) lines 1 and 3 delete 'Ordinary'
insert 'Full' |
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GR 5 (a) line 1 delete 'Ordinary' insert 'Full' |
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(b) lines 2 and 4 delete 'Ordinary' insert 'Full' |
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(c) line 2 delete 'Ordinary' insert 'Full" |
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(d) line 3, delete all after
'Regulation 5(a),' and substitute ',Such qualifying Associate Members are
to be classed as Full Members when deciding whether there is a majority of Full Members on a
Council or Committee.'
|
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GR16 (b) lines 2 and 3
delete 'Ordinary' insert 'Full' |
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GR 47 line 1 delete 'Ordinary' insert 'Full' |
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GR 48 line 1 delete 'Ordinary' insert 'Full' |
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GR 49 lines 1 and 4 delete 'Ordinary' insert 'Full' |
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GR 54 line 3 after 'must be' delete 'an Ordinary' insert 'a Full or'.
After 'Life' delete 'or qualifying Associate'. |
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Shropshire |
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For 318;
Against 199 ⅔ Majority = 346 Lost |
| 6. |
Page 2, Article 2(f) delete "man"
substitute "person" and add to 2(f) "or (iii) served as a Bevin Boy". |
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|
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Soham,
Cambridge County |
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|
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This would have allowed Bevin
Boys to become full members of the Legion |
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A statement was made by Bill Lodge on behalf of National
Council. This Charter Motion is not in line with the Charter or with the
Mission Statement. |
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For 198; Against 320
Lost |
|
7. |
Page 2, Article 2(f) delete "man" substitute "person" and add
to 2(f) "or (iv) was called to serve in the Land |
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Army". |
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Soham, Cambridge County. |
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|
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This would allow Land Army girls to
become full members of the Legion. |
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For 165; Against 360 Lost |
| 8. |
Paragraph 2, page 3 of the Articles after
"Special Resolution of the National Council" insert:- |
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"Special Resolution of the Membership: if
so deemed by the National Council to be fundamental to the future of the
Legion, a resolution of the Membership on a Motion of which due notice shall
be given to all members and passed by a two thirds majority of those Members
entitled to vote and voting by postal ballot". |
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|
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Page 5, in Articles 17 and 20 add "or of the
Membership" after "Annual Conference" |
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|
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North Wales District |
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Aston Clinton & District. Buckingham County |
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|
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For 89, Against 409
Lost |
| 9. |
Article 2, page 3: |
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(i) in definition of Special Resolution of
the Annual Conference substitute "simple" for "two thirds" and |
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(ii) in definition of Special Resolution of
the national Council delete "majority of two thirds" substitute "simple
majority". |
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|
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Newlyn West, Cornwall County |
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For 171; Against 320
Lost |
MOTIONS
GROUP "A" - PENSIONS AND DISABLEMENT
The subject matter of motions marked * is
already Legion policy
| 1. |
This Conference urges the National
Council to make representations to HM Government to retain the current
|
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standard of proof applied to War
Pensions awards, that of reasonable doubt as opposed to balance of
probabilities. |
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Liskeard, Cornwall County |
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Carried |
| 2. |
This Conference requests that the
national Council makes representations to HM Government to disregard
|
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all War Pensions and War Widows Pensions
in Pension Credit calculations. |
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Martlets Holding, Sussex County |
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Eddie Dixon made a statement on behalf of
National Council |
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Carried |
GROUP "B" - REMEMBRANCE,
FUNDRAISING AND PUBLICITY
| 3. * |
This Conference urges the national
Council to take all possible steps to ensure that Remembrance activities,
|
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at national and local level, continue
after 2005, having regard to recent speculation in the national press.
Northumberland, Tyne and Wear County |
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|
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Carried |
| 4. * |
This Conference calls upon the National
Council to take measures to increase public awareness of the |
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availability of Legion assistance to
dependants and families of regular or reserve Service personnel deployed
away from home on operations, particularly where no local main base
support is available Sandy & District |
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|
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Carried |
GROUP "C" - WELFARE AND RESETTLEMENT
| 5. |
This Conference calls on the National
Council, as a matter of urgency, to look at providing a material and
|
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recovery service based on a help line for
users of electric powered vehicles supplied by the Legion.
Golcar, South & West Yorks County
|
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Eddie Dixon made a statement on behalf of
the National Council. A recovery card will be issued to all concerned. |
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Carried |
| 6. |
This Conference requests the National
Council to provide "Welfare Break Centre" facilities in Eastern |
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England.
Stowmarket & District, Suffolk County
|
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Eddie Dixon made a statement on behalf of
the National Council. The sum of £6 million will be required.
The National Council has approved this, and is currently looking at sites. |
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|
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Carried |
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7. |
This Conference whilst
welcoming the closer co-operation between the Legion and SSAFA Forces Help
|
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urges the National Council to
ensure that SSAFA Forces Help implements in full the spirit of the Working
Accord between the Legion and SSAFA Forces Help
Torre Del Mar, District South Spain |
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|
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John Hawthornthwaite made a
statement on behalf of the National Council. |
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If this motion is carried,
Motion 8 falls automatically |
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Carried |
| 8. |
This Conference strongly urges the
national Council to suspend all further co-operation with SSAFA Forces Help
and Age Concern Espana, a |
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non-Service Charity for SSAFA Forces Help
to pay Age Concern Espana to recruit, train and administer Welfare
Caseworkers on behalf of SSAFA Forces Help Mijas
Costa, District South Spain |
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|
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Fell automatically
when Motion 7 was carried |
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9. |
This Conference asks the National Council
to ensure that Benevolent Fund money is used to meet direct welfare costs
only |
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York, North Yorks County |
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|
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John Hawthornthwaite spoke against the
Motion on behalf of the national Council |
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Carried |
GROUP "D" - GENERAL (INTERNAL)
|
10. |
This Conference requests that a working
party, consisting of County representatives and National Council members, be
formed to consider the |
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National Council's policy on bequests to
Branches and if appropriate recommend changes to that policy for
consideration by the national Council. |
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Rode, Somerset County |
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|
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Carried |
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11. |
This Conference requests the National
Council to seek the permission of the Charity Commissioners to allow a
proportion of rent for |
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properties owned by National and Branch
Trustees to be paid into a fund created to provide for the upkeep and
development of the said properties. Winton &
Moordown, Dorset County |
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|
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Tom Buckley made a statement on behalf of
the national Council and said that the Charity Commissioners were against
the use of charitable monies for such a use. |
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Lost |
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12.* |
This Conference confirms the
right of a Branch, under Article 4(g) of The Royal Charter, to give
financial assistance to any ex-Service charity |
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sharing one or more of its
objects and using the donation to further those objects.
Coalisland, Northern Ireland District |
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|
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A statement was made by Tom
Buckley on behalf of the National Council. |
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Although this was a starred item, being
Legion policy, the votes went again the Motion, and it was therefore
Lost |
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13. |
This Conference resolves that the Annual
Affiliation Fee for Ordinary and Associate Members be increased from £10 per
annum to £10.50 |
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per annum with effect from Friday 1st
October 2004. Shropshire |
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|
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For 252; Against 252 after recount
Not Carried |
|
14. |
This Conference urges the national
Council to introduce one year's free Membership to those Service personnel
who are about to leave the |
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Armed Forces.
Clee Hill, Shropshire |
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|
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Carried |
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15. |
This Conference requests the National
Council to set up a system of allowing non-affiliated Club Members who are
Branch Members to |
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purchase a Club sticker for their
membership cards thereby helping those branches to keep their Legion
Members. Pype Haye & Birches Green, Birmingham
County |
| |
|
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Carried |
|
16. |
This conference requests that when the
Legion holds any National event the Welsh National flag shall be flown
alongside the Union Flag |
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Ceredigion County |
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|
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Lost |
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17. |
This Conference recommends that the
Trustees consider changing the rules regarding legacies to Branches so that
the first £5000 of any |
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legacy left to a named Branch goes to
that Branch and that the balance of any legacy in excess of £5000 is
directed for the attention of the Trustees appointed by the Legion.
Clayton & Keymer, Sussex County |
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|
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John Tedder made a statement on behalf of
the National Council. Carried |
|
18. |
This Conference requests the National
Council to consider the election of delegates, by Branches, at
County/District Conferences to |
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represent those Counties/Districts at
Annual Conference on a proportional basis according to the Membership
strengths of the Counties/Districts concerned.
Northop & District, North Wales District |
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|
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Lost |
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19. |
This Conference requests that 10% of the
Annual Affiliation Fee be credited back to each Member's Branch. |
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Redcar, North Yorks County |
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|
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Lost |
GROUP "E" - GENERAL (EXTERNAL)
|
20. |
This Conference requests the National
Council to campaign for an official Government funded National Service
Medal. |
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Norfolk County |
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|
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Lost |
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21. |
This Conference requests the national
Council to ask HM Government to restore the link in annual inflation on
pensions, particularly for ex- |
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Service persons, in all non-index linked
Countries, to be equal to those Countries that are linked to the index.
Waterbeach and Landbeach, Cambridge County |
| |
|
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Carried |
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22. |
This Conference views with concern the
increasing number of incidents of theft from poppy Appeal Collections, and
violence or threat of |
| |
violence against supporters of the Poppy
Appeal. Bedford & District, Bedford County |
| |
|
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Carried |
The Bucket Collection in aid of the Poppy Appeal this
year amounted to £1915.79, being £1773.07 in cash and £509.70 to be received
through Gift Aid donations.
Cups and Awards were presented by the national
President. The winner of the Jellicoe Cup this year was Newton Stewart,
Northern Ireland District. Members should be aware that we were
considered for this Cup this year.
The National Standard and National Junior Standard were presented to their
new recipients.
Three cyclists arrived at Conference, having cycled from
Bielefeld in Germany, and raising in excess of £3000.
Another cyclist, Jim Cottier, cycled from the Isle of
Man to Conference, raising £1500.
Another stalwart of the Fundraising scene, Colin
Northridge roller bladed from York to Scarborough, and raised £3000.
All above were applauded by Conference.
Russell Thompson, Director of Fundraising and Management
gave a talk on the events to be held at the National Memorial Arboretum on
Sunday 6th June as part of the D Day celebrations.
Ivan Glendinning, Chairman of Fundraising, gave details
of the Poppy Appeal for 2003 as follows:
| Street Collections |
£2,067,768 |
| House to House Collections |
£3,673,587 |
| Churches |
£ 843,916 |
| Static Points |
£9,800,176 |
| Sale of Wreathes |
£1,301,445 |
| |
|
| Total |
£21,626,842.15
(Target was £21 million) |
| Car Draw |
£1,701,773 |
The National Vice Chairman gave thanks to all those who
assisted Conference and said goodbye to various members, including our National
President.
Commander Lord Effingham, President Elect, addressed
Conference, and stated his intentions to carry on the good works of the Legion.
John Hawthornthwaite was invested with the chain of
National Chairman by Ian Cannell, outgoing National Chairman.
A service was held in the Conference Hall.
Officiating clergy were the Bishop of Manchester, Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch,
National Chaplain, and Rev David Porter, the Anglican County Chaplain. At
this Service, just under 100 Standards were paraded. Unfortunately, the march
past of Standards and Members had to be cancelled due to inclement weather.
Ian Cannell as his last act as National Chairman then
closed Conference until it met again in Torquay in 2005.
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