THE COMMITTEE’S ANNUAL REPORT

TO THE MEMBERSHIP 2004- 2005

1…OFFICERS:

The following report was prepared by the Secretary on behalf of your Committee and was ratified by the assembled AGM at Oxford

Once again it has been an interesting and busy year for the Committee who have deliberated on a wide range of issues.

 1… OFFICERS

The following were elected under Rule 7 a-d. (duties) and have led the Committee throughout the past 12 months:   Dave Wallace (Chair), Harry Worth (Vice Chair), Ian Williams (Secretary) Les Lovitt (Membership Administration and Treasurer)

2...GENERAL COMMITTEE

The following Committee Members served the Association from April 2004 - April 2005: Jeff Heather, Alf Kitwood, Les Lovitt, Larry Slater, Tony Smiles, Don Smith and John Sheldon . Alan Paterson and Alan Ashdown remained in support as Webmasters. As an interim appointment, Graham McRoberts (McR) joined the Committee in October 2004. Again we have been well supported by our Patron Andy Barnwell.

  3…RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION STRATEGY

All Committee Members are committed to promote the ACA with a view to increasing our profile and Membership. LACMN Bungy Williams (771 Squadron) assisted by Razor Keen, look after all matters at RNAS Culdrose, Paddy Green, at the Flight Safety and Accident Investigation Unit represents the Association at RNAS Yeovilton. Sam Norris, with the RAF at Odiham, helps with all matters interservice. ACA goodwill and promotional visits continue to take place at major Air Stations. posters advertising the 2005 AGM were distributed around all Squadrons and joining forms are available to all serving Aircrewmen within the Fleet Air Arm. At the October Committee meeting it was decided to mount a major recruiting campaign within the FAA. This has now been acheived and results are promising. An on-line joining form is available to download from our website and most new joiners use this method. TACAN is now distributed to all Squadron crewrooms regardless of ACA membership therein.

4…MEETINGS

The 2004 AGM (ACA27) took place at the Cheltenham Moat House Hotel on April 3rd and the Autumn interim Committee meeting was held at the Oaklynne Hotel in Blackpool on October 23rd. A 2005 Social Sub-Committee was formed and was in regular contact with the Oxford Hotel prior to the event. A familiarisation and planning visit to the Oxford Hotel took place on feb 21st.  entitled to the agreed memorial payment. Over the past 12 months our membership has increased by 6 Full Members, 2 Associates and 1 Re-join.

 5…OTHER ASSOCIATIONS

We continue to maintain close social links with the following sister FAA organisations and exchange periodicals and magazines; the FAAOA (Officers), FAAHA (Handlers), FAAAA (Armourers) and the TAGA (Telegraphist Air Gunners). We also, through Associate Member Andrew G Linsley, support and maintain a cordial working relationship with the RNHF.

6…MEMBERSHIP

At the 2004 AGM in Cheltenham, we had a total of 403 members. In the past year 1 full member and 1 life member have passed away. 1 full member resigned in January 2005. membership has increased by 17 in the past 12 months.

Of some 129 serving Aircremen in HM Forces, 54 are members of the ACA (42.6%)

TOTAL MEMBERSHIP IS ......... 417 (as at 8th April 2005)

 7…FINANCIAL MATTERS

the Treasurer furnished the 2005 AGM with detailed up to date financial figures from the Associations accounts. he also supplied the AGM with the results and impact of the increase in Annual Subscriptions (effective from January 2005). An independent audit of the Associations Accounts by two Association Members will take place during 2005

8…SPORTING EVENTS

Denis Woodhams continues as FO Golf. the 2004 Championship was held prior to the AGM at Cheltenham where John Sheldon was crowned ACA Champion.

 9…TACAN

Edition 29 of the Associations free magazine was despatched to Members in June of last year and edition 30 sent to members at Christmas. in accordance with a decision made by the AGM some years ago, members in arrears with their subscriptions do not receive TACAN. 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 on the website. At the moment there is 1 fully paid up member who is listed as missing.

The Association's main financial outgoing is TACAN. Annual cost to produce this is around £1190 and postage costs approx £240 pa.

10...COMMUNICATION

The ACA website is jointly managed by Alan Paterson, Alan Ashdown (and from 16th May they are assisted by H Worth). the website goes from strength to strength and is well supported by the membership. the current annual cost to maintain our site is £102:49p (registration is £25 every 2 years and hosting is £89:99p) 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. We have now found our way onto various naval and other Service Association links pages.

 11..FUTURE SOCIAL EVENTS/MEETINGS

The next Committee Meeting weekend will be take place in November at the Arrow Mill Hotel, Alcester on the 4th & 5th. next years AGM & Social (ACA29) will be held at STAVERTON PARK Conference Centre on April 7th and 8th 2006.

IAN WILLIAMS

ASSOCIATION SECRETARY

April 2005