The 74th Annual General Meeting of the Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders Branch of the Royal Air Forces Association was held virtually, via ZOOM, on the 27th March 2022.

The Trustees Annual report for the year 2021 is available for viewing.

Trustee Annual Report 2021

We are pleased to say that although a virtual meeting was conducted the meeting was very well attended and the new committee thanks all those who took the time to attend. The Committee/Trustee elections can be seen below; along with the Ancillary roles that are vital to the continuing operation of the branch.

THE FUTURE OF THE EDINBURGH, LOTHIANS AND BORDERS BRANCH

During 2019 the Branch Chairman and Vice Chairman of the have collaborated to produce the following documents. These to enhance focussing on the difficult year ahead.

CRITERIA 5 PEST ANALYSIS
CRITERIA 5 SWOT ANALYSIS

BRANCH COMMITTEE/TRUSTEES 2021 – 2022(wef 14/03/2021)

Chairman – Susan Kidston – (Vice Chair S/NI/NE Area Councillor)
Vice Chairman – vacant
Secretary – Steve Garden
Treasurer – David Prior – (also Membership Secretary, Newsletter Production, Webmaster and temporary and Branch Standard Bearer)
Honorary Welfare Officer – George Prentice BEM (also Area Caseworker & Befriender)
Committee Member – Bobbie Prentice
Committee Member – Derek Read
(all Office holders and Members of the Branch Committee are deemed to be ‘Branch Charity Trustees’)

(Active Committee Supporters – non trustees)
Bob Bertram MBE – Branch Life Vice President – S, NI, NE Area Life Vice President – Lead Member (non Trustee) for Governance
Wings/Fundraising – Sue Gillott (also Social Secretary)
Branch Chaplain – Rev William Mounsey – Branch Life Vice President
Jim Scott MBE – Branch Life Vice President
Ross McElhinney – FB Admin also S/NI/NE RAFALO
Emma Kidston – Newsletter Editor and Facebook admin
Julia Read – Branch Events Assistant
Hamish Reid (active supporter)
NOTE – Branch Committee/Trustee meetings are held as follows:(SEE UPDATE ON HOME PAGE)
‘Face to face’ meetings are held quarterly in a venue arranged by the Branch Secretary. Prior notification of meetings will be circulated by The Secretary as will Meeting Agenda. ((note COVID-19 UPDATE))
Other ‘trustee virtual meetings’ are held on-line utilising email and Zoom as necessary. Governance decision votes are taken on a majority basis by the trustees and these decisions recorded in the next face to face meeting minutes.
An Annual General Meeting will be held in February (calling notice announced by the Branch Secretary). Via email, Newsletter, Facebook, Website
All elected Branch Committee/Trustees will be required to sign the following: OSCR Trustee Declaration / RAFA Form 1056 (which includes branch undertakings) / Branch Conflicts of Interest Declaration
BRANCH COMMITTEE/TRUSTEE RAFA/OSCR/BRANCH DECLARATIONS & CONFLICTS OF INTEREST DOCUMENTATION – to be completed on completion of Branch Annual General Meeting; Branch Secretary will advise on time-scales for submission.

COMMITTEE/TRUSTEE INFORMATION & GUIDANCE

OFFICE OF THE SCOTTISH CHARITY REGULATOR (OSCR) – TRUSTEE RECRUITMENT (SUCCESSION PLANNING)

CHARITIES AND THE EQUALITY ACT 2010

POWER POINT PRESENTATION (2019/20) – Gives good ‘general advice’ on Branch Governance and Trusteeship. However; does not really cover or adequately highlight the Charity Legislation relating to Scottish Branches. One would presume that local training sessions would cover this aspect.