CHAIRMAN’S REPORT TO CONFERENCE 2018

Mr President, Mayor of Trowbridge, Honoured Guests, Delegates, Standard Bearers and visitors – a warm welcome to the Wiltshire Royal British Legion’s 96th Annual Conference.

I hope you will find the day interesting and informative as well as providing an opportunity to catch up with friend old and new.

As has become customary over the last few years, my address will not cover the details of the County Report contained within the delegate pack but I will pick up on a few of the main points and will be happy to take any questions on the County Report at the end of my address or in the question session this afternoon. The points I will cover will be from the Wiltshire perspective as I know that Clare, our Guest Speaker, will address some of the National and Strategic points.

At the start of my address I would like to thank all our Branch Officers, Members and volunteers for all of your hard work and dedication in supporting the Royal British Legion and all its’ work here in Wiltshire. For various reasons I know that the past 2 o 3 years have at times been difficult and trying, especially as the new systems, procedures and organisational changes have all taken time to be properly implemented and established as normal ways of working. Despite this, your support to the County Executive, the Poppy Appeal, ceremonial events and all our beneficiaries has remained as resolute as ever, so once again, thank you all.

As I mentioned at our last conference, 2017 proved to be a year of great change nationally within the Legion.

The Corporate strategy was launched with the aim of providing a modern up to date image for the Legion whilst at the same time making it more relevant, approachable and enhancing the Legion’s role in the National Services Gateway. This has meant that the RBL now works more closely and in collaboration with other service charities and agencies, clearly demonstrated if you ever visit the “Pop In” in Swindon. Although early days, I do believe that the strategy is making a difference and is quickly moving us away from the unpopular “Pathway for Growth” initiative of the past while recognising the role and value of membership.

2017 also saw the launch of the Branch Community Support initiative and Wiltshire was one of the first counties to establish a County Community Support Committee under the direction of our Vice Chairman who will give you an update on the work of the Committee and the drive to get all branches in Wiltshire registered on the scheme. We have made good progress and are currently the top nationally in terms of branch registration and activity, so well done to those already registered and COME ON to our other branches. It is neither onerous nor bureaucratic to take part but it is an ideal way of demonstrating branch activity. Have a look at the information in the foyer, talk to staff and register to make sure you receive recognition for the work your branches are already doing.

Major changes also occurred nearer home with the departure of Christopher Prestwich from his role as the County Membership Support Officer in April 2017. Christopher retired after 7 years in the post and in recognition of his hard work the County Executive presented a Certificate of Appreciation at his retirement lunch. Fi Hedges was appointed as Christopher’s successor and we welcome Fi to her first conference “in charge”. I hope Mike and I haven’t caused too many problems since you took up the reins!!!

Despite having two jobs at the start of her appointment, Fi has quickly made contact with many of our branches, attending branch meetings and AGM’s. Fi is qualified to deliver RBL training and has an interest in helping branches to develop and run, but more of that in a moment.

Other major changes this year saw Dennis Compton stand down as County Poppy Appeal Co-Ordinator and we send our best wishes to both Dennis and Eileen. Over many years they have been loyal supporters and dedicated members who have given so much to the County of Wiltshire, for this we cannot thank you enough. We welcome Len Blake as our new County Poppy Appeal co-ordinator and we hope you have recovered sufficiently from your maiden launch last October!

Another change in the year has been the retirement of Ted and Judith Wilson as County Recruiting Officers. Again I ask conference to send warm wishes and thanks both to Ted and Judith for their loyal and steadfast service.

Turning now to membership. Wiltshire along with all other counties has suffered as a result of the roll out of the Membership Services Project. At one point, following conference last year, membership in the county dropped to under 3200 but through the year we have manged to regain some of the lost numbers and the current membership stands at over 3600 with 474 new members recruited over the spring and summer period. Once again this has solely been down to the hard work of branches and particularly Branch Membership Secretaries, many thanks to you all for getting our numbers back up again.

A notable success towards the end of the year was the formation of a new branch at Luggershall and we welcome you to your first conference and wish you well for the future.

Branches were active throughout the year supporting Fundraising, Welfare, Remembrance and Ceremonial events and a major success was the opening of a local Touch Point and Friendship Club in Salisbury and Ann Khadiri, the driving force behind this has information in the foyer so please go and chat with her and get some ideas for your branches.

Our branches have also been involved in many of the national events including Arras 100, Passchendaele 100 and El Alamein 75 and the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. At the forefront of all these activities have been the Standard Bearers and once again I extend the gratitude of this conference to you for your continued support throughout the county and beyond. Our appreciation goes also to the Ceremonial Team of Brian Mitchell, Cathy Smith and John Smith for ensuring that County standards are maintained at our events.

Fund raising in the county remains as strong as ever. Following the spectacular launch at Fovant Badges, the Poppy Appeal went on to achieve over £720,000 – a rise of 7% on the record total achieved in 2016. Our team of volunteers, led by Fi Dobson and the amazing work of our branches continue to uphold our strength and magnitude of dedication and support.

Looking to our future, the County Executive on behalf of our members, remains committed to developing a strong and active branch structure in the county. Priorities for 2018 include continued improvement to communication through greater use of the website, social media and our updated newsletter. We recognise the need to support branches through training courses and provision has already been made for IT workshops including branch and financial management.

Despite recent success in recruitment we are conscious that more can be done and we are therefore looking to have at least 4 major recruiting events. Both Salisbury and Bowood are in the pipeline but your views and suggestions are welcomed and to support this we are looking at the opportunity of securing a “Pop up Shop” for events throughout the county.

A very important reminder that on 10 June in conjunction with SSAFA we are holding the County Parade in Salisbury with a service afterwards in Salisbury Cathedral. This is going to be a major and wonderful event. Further details will be sent out to branches in due course.

Another key event in August will be the Great Pilgrimage 90. This is an enormous opportunity for all branches to get involved with the biggest RBL Membership event for a generation. The journey to be held from 5th to 9th August will culminate in members engaging in a central role in the National Remembrance Parade and service, a once in a lifetime opportunity. The County and many of our branches are already committed to this and I would urge all branches to get involved. I recognise that funding is an issue but several branches have made donations to a central fund to enable those with fewer resources, including sub-branches, to attend.

At present Wiltshire is well represented but it would be wonderful if we have attendance of 75%, if not all our branches. More information on The Great Pilgrimage 90 is available in the foyer.

In closing and in eager anticipation of Clare’s address, I would like to thank the County Executive, our President, Fi our hardworking MSO and my family for all your help and support over the past year.

Thank you.