Page 52 - Raco 2017

8.1.3 LAYA HEALTH INSURANCE
In 2015 the Association reached agreement with Laya Health Insurance to recognise the medical care provided to officers as equivalent to medical insurance cover for the purposes of taking a new policy. This means that at any time in their service or upon retirement that an officer takes a health insurance policy with Laya they will be deemed to have been covered by health insurance during their service. They will, therefore, not be subject to the waiting periods and exclusions that would normally apply to new policy holders. This facility will only apply to members of RACO – membership of the Association will be verified at the point of first claim by an individual. The Association has additionally developed policies to satisfy Lifetime Community Rating Levies and Family Health Plans in order to optimise the value to our Members.
8.1.4 FINANCIAL ADVICE SERVICE
Since 2011 the Association has continued to engage Coll & Co of Barna, Co. Galway (www.coll.ie) to provide a detailed financial advice service to members. This easily accessible service can help members to manage their financial and taxation affairs effectively and thereby improve their financial position. The service caters for officers at every life/career stage. The services provided include some elements that are free to members, others that are heavily subsidised by the Association through a retainer payment and elements that are provided at a discount.
8.1.5 RACO/ THREE MOBILE PHONE OFFER
The very popular RACO / Three Mobile phone offer (also available to spouse and family members) was managed through Totterdells. Potentially these affinity offers save members in excess of the amount of membership subscriptions on their phone bills monthly. Since BDC 2011 the offer has been extended to family members (on the member’s account) and to retired officers who were members of RACO on retirement. Regrettably, in Sept 2017 Totterdells closed down with Three Mobile nominating J.V. Facilities to handle their affinity RACO customer base. At the time of going to print, RACO is at the final stages of concluding an agreement with J.V. Facilities to continue where Totterdells concluded.
8.1.6 RACO VODAFONE OFFER
Vodaphone offers a discounted rate for RACO members and spouses. Depending on price (the more you pay the greater the percentage you save) also returns money to RACO members.
8.1.7 RACO DIARY
The RACO Diary has once again being provided to each member free of charge. The introduction of the smaller A5 size (pocket size) is proving popular RACO is attempting to get distribution commenced and completed by Sept the previous year in order to ease deliver issues to members overseas.
8.2 SIGNAL MAGAZINE
8.2.1
Since 2002 SIGNAL has been published in its current format. Published twice yearly the magazine is issued, without charge, to RACO members, all members of the Oireachtas, other Associations and Unions, and a number of libraries. Its function is to portray to key decision makers and influencers the appropriate image of the “professional officer” to support RACO’s efforts at continuous improvement in the terms and conditions of members and the Defence Organisation as a whole. It is generally very well received, particularly by those outside the Defence Forces to whom it is sent.
8.2.2
The magazine is published by Universal Media (www.universalmedia.ie). The Association retains absolute editorial control, while the publishers are responsible for advertising and derive their main revenues from this source.
GENERAL SECRETARY’S REPORT
Biennial Delegate 5522 Conference 2017