Page 6 - QARANC Vol 16 No 1 2018

4 QARANC THE GAZETTE
Invitation to Publish in the Professional Supplement of The Gazette
To celebrate and share current developments in nursing knowledge, skill and experience, from the next edition of the Gazette, a Professional Supplement will host a variety of publications on nursing practice, literature reviews, original research, case study, summaries on specific topics and service innovations. Articles are most welcome from all members to report inspiring and informative aspects of nursing relevant to the current readership. Submissions are particularly sought from personnel graduating from nurse training, BSc and Masters’ Degree programmes with a 300-700 word precis of their academic and clinical achievement, as well as thoughtful reflections on practice.
Publishing is a huge achievement, demonstrating strong communication skills, is tangible evidence of CPD
for Revalidation, provides the evidence to help challenge and shape the future of Army nursing and demonstrates effective practice by sharing knowledge, skills and experience. Personnel should register their interest to submit an article to the editor and to gain access to the academic mentoring team who will assist with clearance and writing. Further advice and guidance can be obtained directly from the sponsor: Lt Col Debra Ritsperis at debra. ritsperis463@mod.uk .
Contact details:
Lt Col Debra Ritsperis QARANC Army HQ, Andover, SP11 8HT 01264 887794 / 07740 702337 Debra.ritsperis463@mod.uk
Membership Matters
In the RHQ office, much of the time every day is taken up with dealing with membership matters. As you may all imagine, keeping track of our 3,000 plus members is an important part of the General Secretary’s role, and over the last 12 months since Sue McAteer has been in post, we have been trying to streamline processes and update the database so that it is truly reflective of our current membership.
The question of how to manage membership of the Association for Reserve QARANC personnel has been an important part of our discussions. The Board of Trustees has decided that members of the Reserve will pay an annual fee of £36.00 for membership. We are, therefore, inviting all Reserves to complete the Reserve membership form in this Gazette, and to complete the direct debit instruction so that your annual membership fee can be collected in May each year. The application form also explains the transition arrangements for Reserve personnel who are already members of the Association. Once you retire from the Reserve, the membership fee is the retired rate of £12.00, collected in January each year by direct debit.
There are a number of current members who are still paying by standing order each year or by cheque. We realise that this is a personal preference, but we would greatly appreciate it if every retired and Reserve member could pay by direct debit. This makes it easier for us to manage your membership, and you don’t have to remember to send in your cheque every year, or alter your standing order if the membership fee changes. If you would like to set up a direct debit, please complete the instruction in this Gazette and send it to us at RHQ. Current serving Regular personnel pay their subscription via the Payroll Giving Scheme, so do not need to complete a direct debit instruction. For those retired members still paying by standing order, we would be grateful if you could check with your bank that you are paying the correct amount of £12.00 per year on 1 January. There is no longer an option to join as a life member, but existing life members who wish to receive the Gazette should pay £9.00 per year.
to admin@qarancassociation.org.uk, or by post to: General Secretary, RHQ QARANC, HQ AMS, Robertson House, Slim Road, Camberley, Surrey, GU15 4NP. This will ensure that you receive your Gazette twice a year, and hopefully by keeping us up to date, the return rate of the Gazette to RHQ will decrease.
From time to time the Association receives requests to provide contact details of its members to other individuals and organisations, or a request for us to search our records for information. However, data protection legislation makes it clear that we can only use data for the purpose for which it has been collected. In our case, we use members’ personal information in connection with their membership, to tell them about events, to send them the QARANC Association Gazette twice a year and to send greetings on significant birthdays or Christmas. The Association does not release members contact details to third parties, unless we are required to by law.
We also receive requests from previous members of the Corps for information about their careers or their service details. Regimental Headquarters does not hold any records about previous members of the Corps, and these are held at the Army Personnel Centre in Glasgow. These records are available on application to the Army Personnel Centre by the individual, or the next of kin of a deceased individual. The Museum of Military Medicine likewise does not hold personnel records of individuals. If you access the Veterans UK website, you will find information and an application form to apply for a copy of your own service record. https://www.gov.uk/ government/organisations/veterans-uk
We realise how disappointing it can be when you contact us for information, only to find out that we do not hold it, or which legally we are not allowed to provide. We are always willing to advise Association members on the phone, by post or by email. We would also like to reassure you that your personal data is held securely, and is not given out to anyone unless we have your permission.
Alison Spires Membership Secretary
Any changes in personal details should be notified by email