Page 154 - RAPTC Mind, Body & Spirit

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www.raptcassociation.org.uk
Introduction. I left the Army in Apr 2011 but I have the honour of being the Regimental Secretary and the privilege of working in the top corridor of HQ RAPTC and HQ ASPT within Fox Lines. As such, I can see at first-hand, on a daily basis, what the pace of life is like for the current crop of RAPTC Officers and Instructors and I must say “it is relentless”. But the main advantage of being located here is I get to see, hear and stay in touch with what the Corps is doing and witness how it is changing and adapting to meet the modern needs of the current Army in comparison to days gone by.
As I sit on the inside of the HQ but on the outside of their daily churn I can look at what goes on with a different perspective and I am pleased to note the men and women of today’s Corps are no different to those who have gone before; although they are prepared and trained differently they are maintaining the high standards set by those who have gone before them and continue to preserve the ethos of the Corps.
We all become veterans at some point and it is vitally important that the serving members and veterans of the Corps understand the camaraderie and ethos of the Corps does not end when you leave the Army but continues long after you have completed your colour service.
The role of the RAPTC Association is fundamental in maintaining this Esprit de Corps and endeavours to preserve this sense of belonging and comradeship long after life as a serving member of the Corps.
Governance. To achieve this, we have a structure which is governed by charity law and regulated by the charity commission. The Charity Commission register and regulate charities in England
Regimental Secretary – Lt Col (Retd) Gary Jones and Jules Fairclough
and Wales, to ensure that the public can support charities with confidence. As a recognised charity, the RAPTC Association is obligated to meet certain criteria to maintain its charitable status. These criteria are articulated in the RAPTC Constitution which can be found on the RAPTC Website.
The Charity Commission ensure we are achieving our objectives and to this end the Trustees who form the Association Executive Committee meet twice a year to direct the affairs and business of the Association for the benefit of all its members. The Regimental Secretary – Lt Col (Retd) Gary Jones, his assistant – Jules Fairclough and the Regimental Accountant – Debbie Winter manage the day to day running of the Association with the support of the staff at HQ RAPTC and HQ ASPT.
RAPTC Association Membership. Life membership of the Association starts from the day you transfer into the RAPTC until you move to the Big Gym in The Sky (BGITS). Membership also covers your dependants and continues for them even after you have been assigned to the BGITS. It is likely that you will be a civilian far longer than your time in uniform and you only contribute financially whilst you are serving (Days’ Pay Giving Scheme). There are no membership fees when you finish your colour service and become a civilian but you remain eligible for benevolence and welfare support from the Association for life.
The Year That Was.
It has been another busy year for the Association. Seven Trustee positions are tied to military appointments and we have said goodbye to Lt Col (MAA) K McDonald RAPTC (Civilian), Capt (MAA) S Irving RAPTC (promoted to Maj and assigned as 2IC, ASPT) and WO1 (Corps SM) C Burnett RAPTC (Commissioned into the RAPTC and assigned to 51 Bde, Scotland). All our Trustees bring a wealth of experience to the table and I am sure I speak on behalf of all Association members when I thank them for their steadfast committed approach in their work for the Association which is greatly appreciated. The new Trustees are Lt Col (MAA) R Gilbey RAPTC – CO ASPT, Capt (MAA) I Bareham RAPTC – Adjutant ASPT, and WO1 (Corps SM) M Arthur RAPTC who have already attended their first Executive Committee meeting and contributed to some major decisions for the good and benefit of the Association.
Association Finances. The serving members of the RAPTC continue to contribute to the Association through the Days’ Pay Giving Scheme without which we as an Association could not achieve what we do for our members. The Association investments continue to perform well and because of the change in our investment strategy we have received quarterly dividends which the Trustees have been able to allocate for the first time. The allocations include additional grants for the Association Branches, Sports and Adventurous Training, Reunions and the Biennial Remembrance Service at the NMA which means our members attending these and other Association events can do so at a reduced cost or in some cases free.
Welfare. The RAPTC Welfare Committee have once again been involved in endorsing and providing welfare and benevolence support to members of our serving and veteran communities.
REGIMENTAL SECRETARY’S REPORT 1 APR 17 TO 31 MAR 18
Lt Col (Retd) G B Jones