MINUTES OF THE COMMANDO GUNNER REGROUP MEETING

Date/Time of Meeting: 12th November 2016

Location of Meeting: Spean Bridge Club the Royal Citadel

Members Present: 26 members present

Agenda Item 1: The Chairman thanked all for attending. He then asked Mr. Glynn Rendell to recite the Regroup Dedication.

Members Apologies: No apologies given. However it was a very poor turnout.

Approval of Previous Minutes (Item 2): Approved after a reading of the minutes after a prolonged discussion about communication between central Regroup and those outside of Plymouth.

Agenda Item 3: CO’s Address

Discussion:The CO Lt Col Cresswell gave an update on the Regiment and the future of the Citadel.

Action:N/A

Agenda Item 4:Entertainments

Discussion:Glynn Rendell informed all present of the Dinner Night on 24th June 2017. This was to commemorate both the 75th Anniversary of Operation Chariot and the 35th Anniversary of the Falklands War. He ran through the order of play for the night, the cost will be £35.00 per head with a capacity for 200. All of which has been put on line on the Regroup website.

Action: Up load returns to the website, G Rendell to co-ordinate.

Agenda Item 5: Charity & Fundraising events

Discussion: Neil Randall informed all present that Regroup has raised in excess of 30k for charity over the years, all of which has gone to good causes; around 10k went to help build the memorial outside the main gate. From this point we have decided that St Luke’s hospice will be our main charity. Several of or friends and colleagues have unfortunately been through their doors, so we thought it a very worth while charity.

Martin Lambert Gorwyn put forward a motion about changing the yomp in 2017. Instead of the usual yomp across the moors it has been proposed we take on the south Devon coastal path for a changed. Still covering around 30 miles and still over two days.

Action:This was formally proposed by Jerry Josee and seconded by MLG. Neil Randall then asked for a show of hands for those for the proposal. The majority showed in favour, none against. Motion carried.

Agenda Item 6: Welfare

Discussion:Jerry Josee ran through the system we operate for welfare issues on the limited budget we operate on. He stressed ALL welfare issues should come through him before being made public. This is so JJ can confirm details, and that families are happy for us to put personal details on line etc.

There was a vote of thanks to John Barrett for organising the making and funding of the coffin drape in the Regimental colours. Also a vote of thanks to all those who contributed to the costs.

John Francis asked if Jerry Josee was paid for his services to welfare. Neil Randall explained that all members of the committee work for nothing, all our costs are met from our pockets. No one has or will draw expenses from the central fund. We do this because we believe in what we are doing and don’t expect payment for our time or other expenses.

It was pointed out that the Plymouth branch of the CGR has in the past paid for quite a few events, such as curries, dinner nights etc. We have also spent quite a large amount of our budget on condolence flowers, reefs etc. However this is highly unfair as a small amount in Plymouth were footing the bill for the whole of the ex members of 29/95, we have now stopped sending wreaths etc and have invested in condolence cards. These will be sent if we have a contact name and address to send them to.

The £5.00 paid to the CGA several years ago was brought up. The Vice President Martin Lambert Gorwyn said that this £5.00 seemed to crop up every time the question of funds/subs is mentioned. He went on to say that it is probably more than 10-15 years since anyone paid their £5.00. Even then it didn’t raise much revenue. So, he continued, its time to put this recurring £5.00 to bed as any money raised from it had long since been spent.

Action:Try to encourage more funding from outside Plymouth area Regroup.

Agenda Item 7: Regional Regroups:

Discussion:Bill Pinter as Regroup co-ordinator spoke about his position is made difficult as no one either bothered to reply to the emails he sent out or were returned as undeliverable due to them no longer existing. He went on to say he felt like his position was redundant due to the lack of interest by members outside of Plymouth not getting involved.

Action:Look at alternative ways of contact and try to rebuild the database of contacts

Agenda Item 8: Accounts

Discussion:The central accounts were presented by Eric Davies. He went through from the transfer from the old CGA of £4,000 to the present day, outlining where the money has been spent. The accounts were available for all to see if they wished. He also reminded everyone about the go cardless donation point on the website, which he said a few were already donating to. He added the funds were running very low and without support the central fund will soon be dry.He had distributed copies of the account to all present before the meeting; he asked if anyone had anything they wished to ask. No one came forward.

John Barrett then stated he had never seen any accounts since they were transferred over. He said he might have paid in if he could have seen where the money was going and who to.

John Francis wanted to know why the Belgium trip was funded when he knew nothing about it, he then claimed he had sent an email about it but not had a reply.

Neil Randall said that it had been on FB and we had asked for members to go. In the end people went who didn’t really want to go to Belgium, butwent just to make up the numbers. Plus it was over two years ago since the Belgium trip, why wasn’t this brought up at the last AGM?

J B said both him & JF didn’t attend the AGM last year and wasn’t sure when it was.

NR reminded them that it was well published in advance; they were in Plymouth for it but decided to go for a meal instead of attending. These points were covered at the last AGM. But NR did point out where all the money has gone.The bulk of which went to Northern Regroupbeing given £1500 to set up the area they use for an annual get together. £500 on the band for the previous reunion, £500 for buffets for reunions, around £400 on the yomp for the last couple of years. About £400 was spent on the Belgium WW1 trip, which I believe was well spent as it forged bonds between Regroup, the serving Regiment & the Belgium Para/Commandos. But all this has been dealt with and in the past surely we should be looking forward?

J B was not happy with this, he stated what happens in the past is relevant as he wants to know how Regroup operates.

NR then addressed the whole assembly. He said at no time during the old Commando Gunner Associations tenure had he seen accounts, minutes or been informed as to where or how our money was being spent. Of which, we now know wasn’t spent for the good and benefit of all. How often were we asked to vote on what was spent and where? Where are those accounts now? We have never seen them and probably never will.

The Commando Gunner Regroup runs a transparent system, at any time, any member can ask to look at the central accounts; they will be made available as soon as practicable. At no time have we hidden the accounts and at no time have we refused to let anyone see them. All you have to do is ask. Something NR asked for at a meeting of the oldCGA meeting, to be told they were not available to him, at the same meeting NR asked for a break down of expenditures from the old CGA. Again this wasn’t made available.

We have done our best to keep the central account alive, but without the luxury of a boost every couple of years from Music of the Nightit’s just not sustainable any more. Plymouth Regroup is no longer prepared to subsidise everyone. It’s up to members to put their hands in their pockets to help the central fund continue.

There then followed a heated discussion about funds and clarity etc. Much of which was a repeat of what had already been discussed. However it should be pointed out the chairman or another member of the committee should’ve called a point of order as the meeting was being hijacked by a few members on the floor and went well off course.

Action:The accounts are available to all, at all time. All members have to do is ask to see them.

Agenda Item 9: Missed off agenda due to clerical error the numbers did not run concurrently

Agenda Item 10: Confirmation of Committee or Election

Discussion:MLG said the committee as it stands, will be up for re-election at the next AGM. All those wishing to put their names forward need to do so well in advance of the meeting & have a proposer & seconded. All positions will be available, from Chairman down.

Agenda Item 11: AOB:

Discussion:MLG spoke about the jokes and irrelevant posts on FB clogging up the system; this is one of the main causes of information being missed. At one point one member put over 100 jokes on there in a few days. This needs to stop.

Action:All details on Social Media will be closely monitored. NR stated he had already spoken to some individuals. And a message will go out to all members on social media.

AOB 2 :Malta 2017

Discussion:Bill Pinter spoke about the possibility of a reunion of sorts in Malta in 2017, this being the anniversary of British forces leaving the Island. It would be open to all and not just those who have served in Malta.

Action:Post details on line to measure interest.

AOB 3: MLG suggested (on behalf of Dave Martin) the possibility of putting eulogies etc in the Gunner magazine, to be written by those that knew the deceased best.

Action:Dave Martin to co-ordinate

Announcements:

  1. Glynn Rendell informed the members that Miss Sarah Strong will be swimming from Plymouth break water to Plymouth Hoe, in aid of the Regroup charity and asked if anyone wished to contribute he has a sponsor form with him.
  1. John Colon spoke in regards to the annual Regroup Dartmoor north to south yomp, also in aid of the Regroup charity.
  1. Neil Randall voiced his disappointment at the lack of response received in respect to his Regroup Calendar project. He asked for anyone who wants to be involved to see him after the meeting.
  1. Bill Pinter spoke about his roll as Regroup coordinator, all regional Regroups, now have a central point of contact in him.

There followed a short discussion about funds and other items already spoken in length about during the AGM.

Future Agenda Items:Any agenda items need to be forwarded to the committee in advance of the next meeting; currently no date has been set.

Next Meeting:TBC

Minutes Prepared By:

Mo Randall (Mrs)

Secretary CGR