Page 5 - QARANC Vol 17 No 1 2019

THE GAZETTE QARANC 3
structures to ensure we are fit for purpose to meet the new regulatory requirements and the needs of our members. We have managed to recruit a new trustee since I last wrote, Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Merrill Bate. She is already deeply involved in Association activities and adding real value in all that she does. A further four new trustees will be joining us at our next meeting, Major (Retd) Angela Burrow, Lieutenant Colonel Joanne Cooke, Warrant Officer 1 Caroline Olive and Sergeant Hannah Robertson. Despite the efforts of all
involved, there remains much more to do and therefore please get in touch if you are interested in becoming a trustee or volunteering in any way. We often have small projects that could be delivered much faster with the support of volunteers.
Finally, as you know it’s our 70th anniversary this year and we will commence our commemorative and professional events to celebrate this with the Chief Nursing Officer Symposium at DMS Whittington on 26 and 27 March, a Sunset ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum on
26 March and a Corps Day Church Service on 27 March. These events are open to Regular, Reserve and Retired personnel and I look forward to meeting those of you who can attend in person. For those of you who cannot attend, the next edition of the Gazette will be brimming over with photographs and articles which will enable you to share in the event and we will share as much as possible on our social media.
Colonel Alison McCourt Chief Nursing Officer (Army) President of the QARANC Association
Report from the Chair of the QARANC Association Board of Trustees
I write as winter still casts its will and reminds us of the power it controls. Strong winds and a surprising chill factor! There is no chill in the Regimental Office as the heat of organising the various functions relating to the Anniversary, D-Day, Op Banner, and reunion Lunch are well under way.
The Board of Trustees has seen several changes as tenure of appointments were fulfilled. We say thank you – but not goodbye to, Warrant Officer 2 Letso Rapoo, Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Marjorie Bandy, Major Alex Saunders and Mrs Julia Jones. Stepping up to the challenge are Lieutenant Colonel Jo Cooke, Sergeant Hannah Robertson, Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Merrill Bate and Major (Retd) Angela Burrow. A hearty welcome to them!
There have been many changes as to how charities are regulated and managed; that and the impact of the Veterans Strategy have led the Board of Trustees to recognise the need for a review of how we manage our business and, indeed, how we can best serve our members. To this end we have engaged the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) to carry out this review and determine how we could improve our service internally and to you. The Board will have work to do ensuring our Association is fit and able for
Colonel Quinn presenting a leaving gift and bids farewell to Warrant Officer 1 Lee Richens
the future. By the time you read this, the review will be well underway. I will inform you of the outcome in the autumn edition.
The Board still has a vacancy for a trustee... do you have some time, a wish to make change happen? If you do, please send your CV to the Regimental Secretary. I am fully prepared to speak to you.
Part of looking forward is the review of what we do now. The Board reviewed the annual awards and it was noted that there was one area that does not have an award and has instituted The QARANC Association Medal. The medal will be awarded annually to the QARANC Association retired member who has made an outstanding contribution to the Association by fostering esprit de corps, comradeship and the welfare of the Corps by preserving its traditions or relieving need, hardship or distress. The prize is funded by the QARANC Association and will consist of a medal and a purse of £150.
In conclusion may I thank all for their contributions; the vibrancy and variety are breathtaking.
Colonel (Retd) John DF Quinn Chair of the Association
Colonel Quinn thanks Warrant Officer Dave Rapoo for his service on the Board of Trustees