RACPD 1/428 June2017

THE ROYAL ARTILLERY CENTRE FOR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PROMOTION POLICY 2017-2018

  1. This paper sets out the RACPD’s Personal Development (PD) promotion policy. It gives guidance on what RACPDcan and cannot support in terms of the activities and the organisations involved, and how the allocated funds are granted.This 2017edition of the policy supersedes the previous version dated 23 May 2016.
  2. Despite reductions in the Charity’s income through changes to Government education and Defence policies, the Board has retained PD promotion supportfor regular and reserve regiments as a charitable benefit.
  3. The PD promotion period will run from 1 Aug 17 to 31 Jul 18.

DEFINITION

  1. For the purposes of this policy, PD promotion is defined as:

A financial contribution given to a unit or individual for the purposes of promoting and encouraging Royal Artillery personnel to gain educational benefit through personal development. This will occur undertaking an activity through or staging an event which develops the individual. The contribution must enhance the visibility and reputation of
RACPD.

  1. PD promotion is not a donation or grant, however a ‘return on investment’ is expected with participants showing proof of development through the activity, and units demonstrating support to RACPD programmes.
  2. A unit must submit a successful application to draw down the RACPDallocated funds. The bid funds are paid to the unit when the bid activity has been completed and all conditions have been met.

PD PROMOTION ACTIVITIES

  1. RACPD will consider allocating PD promotionfunds for any activities that offer individuals the opportunity to develop their personal and professional skills and confidence, as well as being of an educational nature. This could take the form of:
  2. Educational visits and expeditions e.g. historical, conservation, battlefield or aid activities.
  3. Lectures or Study Days.
  4. Adventurous training activities, including expeditions.
  5. Sports development activities as an individual, but not sports tours.
  6. Costs of fund-raising activities where they are of a developmental nature.

This is not an exhaustive list and other proposals will be considered.

  1. RACPDPD promotion funds will not be agreed for:
  1. Individuals who have previously been supported in the same or related activity unless progression and/or further learning can be demonstrated.
  2. RA corporate or centrally organised sports or adventurous activity events.
  3. Donations that will benefit other charities.

OBJECTIVES

  1. To widen participation in challenging or learning activities for individuals, and promote personal development (PD)in a broader manner.
  1. To ensure that the recipient(s) have good opportunities for personal development through,and following,the activity.
  2. To encourage and reward units for ensuring soldiers undertake and complete PD programmes.
  3. To ensure the RACPD maximises opportunities to gain publicity which will promote PD in the unit, and the Gunnersgenerally, and maximise support for RACPD’s programmes in units.
  4. To ensure that the RACPD’s position and reputation are protected in PD promotionagreements[1].
  5. To ensure that the RACPD adopts a consistent and professional approach towards PD promotion.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES

  1. RACPDwelcomes opportunities to work with RA units, and RA individuals serving outside RA units, topromotePD opportunities of mutual benefit, and which are in keeping with the charity’s
    strategic priorities and core principles.
  2. Activities must raise the profile of RACPD within the Gunners and, where possible, the Army. The RACPD will agree with the recipient the nature of the publicity and will have the right to approve all advertising and public relations materials and events.
  3. In supporting and promoting RACPD programmes, regular RA units should consider: using the PD fund for the wider benefit of PD and supporting the Learning Centre; appointing sub-unit PD representatives; ensuring sub-unit commanders encourage and endorse soldiers’ wishes to engage in PD; engaging all ranks, especially junior officers and soldiers, to take responsibilities in planning, executing, reporting, or presenting during or after the activity as a learning exercise rather than a test; or, requiring a presentation to a wider audience of the final report.Evidence will be required to support these activities and to allow the drawdown of funds.

PD PROMOTION FUNDING

  1. The A2020 ORBAT significantly altered the size of RA units and made noticeable differences in RA strength among the major units. In order to divide the PD promotion funds fairly among all units, the units have been divided into different bands, based on their RA liability strengths, which have been allocated a fair share of the allocated funds. The allocation for each unit is shown at Annex A.
  2. The HQs’ allocations are shown at Annex A and include funds for both their RA personnel, and for the senior RA officer to use to promote PD through more ‘cerebral activities’such as seminars, study days or HQ-led battlefield tours; these funds are not intended for re-allocation to subordinate units.

CO-ORDINATION AND APPROVAL PROCEDURES

  1. Applications for PD promotionfunds will be accepted from RA unitsand from RAindividuals serving outside aRA unit. These must be received from the Second in Command/Minor Unit commander/individual serving outside a RA unit, using the promotion application form, a copy of which may be downloaded from the RACPD website via or directly from:
  1. Criteria. Applications will be considered against the following criteria:
  2. The involvement of a range of ranks in the activity.
  3. Priority will be given to those with no previous experience in the activity.
  1. Compliance with the Objectivesat paras 9 – 14 above.
  2. Evidence of unit support and engagement (para 17 above).
  3. The expected positive PD outcomes for the unit and / or the individuals involved:
    to include naming of expected qualification and/or change in job role/expected promotion.
  4. The anticipated positive outcomes for RACPD
  5. The unit’s attendance record of learners on RACPD programmes.
  6. The steps the unit or individual will take to promote RACPD, including involvement of the PD Advisor in marketing activities within the regiment, or where the PD Advisor is not present, planned marketing activities within the Gunner community.
  1. What other funding, central or personal, has been, or is likely to be, obtained, with outline details of income and expenditure, and the purpose of the PD promotion money.
  1. Description of activity. The application form must be accompanied bya short brief which answers, at least, the criteria in paragraph 21 and the following points:
  2. What is proposed and why, and when, where and how, in outline, it will happen.
  3. The personal development to be achieved with likely evidence.
  4. Nominal roll of all those taking part, including ranks and cap badges, noting that only RA personnel will receive support.
  5. Indication of those on the complete nominal roll who have received PD promotion financial support for the same, or similar, activity on previous occasions.
  6. An income and expenditure breakdown and how much money is requested.
  1. Approval. All bids will be reviewedby RACPD to ensure they meet the essential criteria.
    If approved, aPD promotion agreement will be signed by RACPD and the Unit Commander,or the individual, and must be returned along with all the necessary evidence after the event.

FINANCIAL PROCEDURE

  1. RACPDwill endeavour to ensure the full allocation is spread widely and fairly among the unit’s personnel. RACPD has the authority to change the amount if it is felt that an inappropriateamount has been requested.Normally, only up to £50 is allocated per individual.
  2. Payment will be made following the event, on condition that evidence has been provided to
    RACPD which meets the criteria of the PD promotion agreement.
  3. RACPD pays the agreed amount of allocation to the unit’s PRI account when all conditions have been met. However RACPD expects PRI to credit the participants with the RACPD funds at the time of the event, and not on later receipt of the allocation. RACPD’s financial arrangement is with the unit, not with the individual participants.
  4. PD promotion funds not allocated by 31 Jul 18, or not confirmed for payment by 1 Sep 18, will revert to RACPD and will no longer be available for units.
  5. All financial records relating to the event must be retained by the applicant for at least 12 months; these may be requested at a later date to support the audit trail.
  6. For more information about the PD promotionpolicy contact:

Communications Officer

RACPD

RA Barracks

Larkhill

SALISBURY SP4 8QT

Mil tel:94322 5454

Civ tel:01980 845454

Email:

Annex:

A.Maximum bid allocations by unit and HQ.

ANNEX A
TO RACPD/1/4
DATED 28 JUN 17

MAXIMUM BID ALLOCATIONS BY UNIT AND HQ

Ser / Units / Allocation £ / Total £
Regular RA Units
/ 42 Bty / 200 / 200
/ The King’s Tp RHA / 750 / 750
/ 3 RHA, 4 Regt, 7 Para RHA / 1,940 / 5,820
/ 12 Regt, 16 Regt, 29 Cdo Regt, 47 Regt* / 2,440 / 9,760
/ 5 Regt, RSA/14 Regt / 2,540 / 5,080
/ 1 RHA, 19 Regt, 26 Regt, 32 Regt* / 2,640 / 10,560
Reserve RA Units
/ 101, 103, 104, 105, 106, NRHQ / 175 / 1,050
HQs
/ CD CS / 600 / 600
/ 1 Arty Bde, RHQ RA / 500 / 1,000
/ 1 ISR Bde, Jt GBAD / 300 / 600
Individuals
/ Individuals incl at ERE, E2 to a total of / 500 / 500
TOTAL / £35,920

*Subject to confirmation of revised establishments.

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[1] If an event page or other information is set up or distributed on a social media site, there must be a link to the RACPD website, and RACPD informed.