Post by Committee Matters on Nov 5, 2015 15:07:29 GMT
During the recent AGM, an issue arose about the selection of the sand-coloured beret as our Association head dress.
To explain the decision re berets, the committee were looking for a beret that would appeal to ALL of our members, not just our RAF members. We have to bear in mind that we also had 603 Signals Unit (Army) in Masirah and in Salalah and we have them in our Association (and if we ever forgot, we would receive a rapid discharge from WO (Ret'd) Nobby Hill's cattle prod) and we may, from time to time, have other non-RAF members in the Association.
We chose the sand-coloured beret as our Association beret for the sand colour, which would be associated with the desert element of our postings, nothing else.
Some members have objected that the berets hold no place in their hearts and they won't won't wear it.
The point is that it is an ASSOCIATION beret, not an RAF or other services beret.
We are starting our own ASSOCIATION traditions every time we make a new policy decision.
The choice of the beret is one such policy decision, nothing else.
The second decision that was queried at the AGM was that the beret and the tie shall be the minimum dress requirement for wear on occasions where the Association is showing honour and respect for the dead at all official (and Association-organised) functions and are representing the Association at such events, was made with this sense of showing HONOUR and RESPECT primarily in mind.
It was felt entirely inappropriate that members could/should/would turn up on official "parades" or even on Association organised events of Commemoration with no Association "badge" whatsoever.
The minimum dress code is just another such "new tradition".
If a member cannot afford the minimum dress code and really wants to attend such an event, he only has to write to any committee member and we will bring his requirement for a beret/tie to committee and possibly issue him with the required items under the Member Support element of our Association. He can then attend his chosen event.
The requirement for the wearing of the minimum dress code for use when attending all official (and Association-organised) Ceremonies of Commemoration is now a rule of the Association and can only be changed by the proposal and seconding of a motion to so change it at an AGM and can only be carried by a majority of members at any such AGM.
Hope this explains the situation.
Cheers,
Vic Nugent,
Secretary.
To explain the decision re berets, the committee were looking for a beret that would appeal to ALL of our members, not just our RAF members. We have to bear in mind that we also had 603 Signals Unit (Army) in Masirah and in Salalah and we have them in our Association (and if we ever forgot, we would receive a rapid discharge from WO (Ret'd) Nobby Hill's cattle prod) and we may, from time to time, have other non-RAF members in the Association.
We chose the sand-coloured beret as our Association beret for the sand colour, which would be associated with the desert element of our postings, nothing else.
Some members have objected that the berets hold no place in their hearts and they won't won't wear it.
The point is that it is an ASSOCIATION beret, not an RAF or other services beret.
We are starting our own ASSOCIATION traditions every time we make a new policy decision.
The choice of the beret is one such policy decision, nothing else.
The second decision that was queried at the AGM was that the beret and the tie shall be the minimum dress requirement for wear on occasions where the Association is showing honour and respect for the dead at all official (and Association-organised) functions and are representing the Association at such events, was made with this sense of showing HONOUR and RESPECT primarily in mind.
It was felt entirely inappropriate that members could/should/would turn up on official "parades" or even on Association organised events of Commemoration with no Association "badge" whatsoever.
The minimum dress code is just another such "new tradition".
If a member cannot afford the minimum dress code and really wants to attend such an event, he only has to write to any committee member and we will bring his requirement for a beret/tie to committee and possibly issue him with the required items under the Member Support element of our Association. He can then attend his chosen event.
The requirement for the wearing of the minimum dress code for use when attending all official (and Association-organised) Ceremonies of Commemoration is now a rule of the Association and can only be changed by the proposal and seconding of a motion to so change it at an AGM and can only be carried by a majority of members at any such AGM.
Hope this explains the situation.
Cheers,
Vic Nugent,
Secretary.