YOUR COMMITTEE’S ANNUAL REPORT

TO THE MEMBERSHIP 2002- 2003

1…OFFICERS:

The following Committee Members served the Association from April 2002-April 2003: Kim Allison (Welfare Officer) Jeff Heather, Les Lovitt, Larry Slater, Tony Smiles, Don Smith, Ian Thompson, Phil Warrington and Harry Worth. Alan Paterson and Alan Ashdown were co-opted onto Committee as Joint Webmasters in October 2002 replacing Les Littlewood. Peter Williams resigned from Committee in Summer 2002 and was replaced and ratified at the AGM by Les Lovitt. Once again we have been well supported by our Patron Ray Colborne.

2…GENERAL OFFICERS

The following, elected under Rule 7 a-d. (duties) have led the Committee throughout the year: Dave Wallace (Chair) Harry Worth (Vice-Chair) Ian Williams (Secretary) Peter Williams (Membership Administration and Treasurer)

***Les Lovitt replaced Peter with effect from October 2002

 3…MEETINGS

The 2002 AGM (ACA25) took place at Wokefield Park near Reading on April 6. An interim Committee meeting was held at the Manchester Airport Moat House Hotel on October 26 last. A 2003 Social Sub-Committee was formed and met with Wychwood Park Management on March 14. Further Sub Committee meetings will take place as required.

  4…RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION STRATEGY

All Committee Members are committed to promote the ACA with a view to increasing our profile and Membership. Ian Thompson looks after all matters at RNAS Culdrose, George Gardiner represents the Association at RNAS Yeovilton and Sam Norris, with the RAF at Odiham, helps with all matters inter-service. ACA goodwill and promotional visits continue to take place at the major Air Stations.

 4…OTHER ASSOCIATIONS

We continue to maintain close social links with our sister FAA organisations:-

FAAOA (Officers) FAAHA (Handlers), FAAAA (Armourers) and the TAGA (Telegraphist Air Gunners). Among our official guests at ACA25 included the Chairman of the TAGA and the National Secretary of the Armourers Association.

5…MEMBERSHIP

At the 2002 AGM we had a total of 357 members made up as follows: 292 full, 26 Life, 14 Honorary, 11 Associate, 12 Overseas and 2 Overseas Associate. Over the past 12 months our Membership has increased by 29 (including 7 overseas and 4 re-joins) 95% of these new joiners were as a direct result of our website and the electronic method of joining ‘on-line’ The assembled Membership voted to amend Clause 11a) of the Constitution and it was reworded in April 2001 to ensure that ONLY the notified next of kin of ”fully paid up Members”  were entitled to the constitutionally agreed memorial payment. 2 Members have resigned over the last year.

TOTAL MEMBERSHIP is 386 (as at 01 May 2003)

6…SPORTING EVENTS

The 2002 Golf Championship was held prior to the AGM at Wokefield Park where Carl Robertson won the ACA Championship. Stevie Dodd was crowned Champion at Wychwood Park ‘03

7…TACAN

Edition 25 of the Association’s free magazine was despatched to Members in June last year. The Xmas edition was delayed for 2 months due to editorial and computer software problems. It was subsequently despatched to Members in mid-February. The next edition (27) is due to be published in June/July 2003. Due to the continued close electronic communication between the 2 Secretaries, we now encounter very few TACAN returns. Those that we do encounter are quickly found, through the ‘lost souls’ page of the website.  

8…COMMUNICATION

The first ACA website was setup in 2001, but due to operational and hosting problems, the Committee decided that the Association should take steps to own our site outright. In October they voted for a financial outlay of £92.82 and, as a result www.aircrewman.org.uk was born, jointly managed by Alan Paterson and Alan Ashdown. The site has proved highly popular and is generally regarded as one of the best in the Fleet Air Arm. We ask that you all continue to support it and spread the word. A further forum, set up by Jesse James can be found at www.smartgroups.com/groups/aircrewman where ACA Members and non-members alike can join and chat.

9..FUTURE SOCIAL EVENTS/MEETINGS

The next Committee weekend will take place in October at a venue to be decided. Next years AGM/Social Weekend will take place at the Cheltenham/Gloucester Moat House Hotel on the first weekend in April.

IAN WILLIAMS  ASSOCIATION SECRETARY MAY 2003