The RAF Mountain Rescue Association (MRA) was formed in 1993 following the 50th anniversary celebrations of the formation of the RAF Mountain Rescue Service (MRS) which were held at Bangor University. Initially formed on semi-formal lines we do have a written constitution which is shown below and the association is managed by a small committee of dedicated volunteers whose details are shown on the Contact Us page, this is where you need to go if you want to join the MRA.
Since 1993 the association has met the aims of its constitution in the following ways:-
1. Holding reunions when ever there has been a requirement to do so, this was annually up to and including 2011.
2. Donating to the MRS teams copies of both Flt Lt Graham’s medals, he was awarded the first MBE for services to Mountain Rescue and copies of FS Johnnie Lees’ George Medal.
3. Erecting and dedicating a memorial to Flt Lt Graham at Carlisle cathedral.
4. Erecting and dedicating a memorial to the 12 Troops who have died whilst on MRS duty, this is in the Crypt Chapel of St. Clement Danes church in The Strand, London.
5. Organising and executing a charity walk aka “The Wee Walk” from Lands End to John O’Groats via the peaks of many of the highest mountains in the UK.
6. Representing the MRS at the Cenotaph Parade in Whitehall every Remembrance Sunday with a small reunion the preceding evening.
7. Digitizing as many of the historical MRS documents as possible, including the Team diaries so that they are available on this website for members to read.
8. Producing an annual Journal, “On the Hill” to record the activities of the MRS past and present; this is supplemented by a Newsletter.
9. Creating a Database of all current and past members of the MRS, this is only available to view on this website in the members area i.e. you must be logged-in.
10. Commissioning a painting to commemorate the successful climb of Everest’s North Ridge in 2001.
11. Planting a tree at the National Arboretum “As a tribute to all MRS Troops who served in this country and overseas as part of the RAF mountain Rescue Service”.
12. Creating and maintaining this website for the benefit of all Troops past and present.
13. Commissioning a Standard for use at Reunions, funerals etc. NB This is NOT a colour as awarded to Squadrons and Units.
We are also looking at having a directory of members contact details available on this website to members only.
We have not always got everything right and the decision to protect long term income by rescinding Life Membership for the over 65s sadly resulted in a number of members resigning, this was very much regretted.
New members of the committee are always welcome, to volunteer please contact any member of the committee.
The following document records any decisions made by the Committee on behalf of members since August 2012.
THE RAF MOUNTAIN RESCUE ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION
Version 7 – dated 14th May 2011
NB Please also see the proposed version 8 which follows Version 7 and reflects the changes necessary after the secretaries post fell vacant and was deemed no longer necessary
Objects
1. The Association shall be called the RAF Mountain Rescue Association (RAFMRA)
2. The objects of the Association shall be to:
a. Maintain a contact with and foster an interest in the RAF Mountain Rescue Service (RAFMRS), its history and achievements
b. Continue the comradeship that members found in it
c. Compile a register of members of the Service
d. Encourage, and where appropriate arrange, reunions and offer other events
e. Record, and where appropriate publish, material about the Service past and present
f. Support the continuance of the RAF Mountain Rescue Service
Membership
3. The full membership of the Association shall consist of those who are either past or present members the RAFMRS and who pay an annual subscription. The Association may appoint as an associate member a person not qualifying for full membership but who has been associated with and given assistance to the MRS and/or a particular team past or present. Such a member will normally pay an annual subscription and not be eligible to vote at AGM’s. However, the Association may agree to waive the subscription where the person’s contribution has been significant in which case associate membership would be for life. Proposals and voting to associate membership status can only take place at a general meeting and nominations – with a written justification (approx 1/2 page of A4) –must be received by the Secretary at least 3 months beforehand. The widow of a former full member automatically qualifies for Associate membership.
4. The Association may make the following honorary appointments:
a. A Patron, who holds office for an indefinite period.
b. From the full membership an Honorary President, holding office for at least two years, in recognition of significant past service; and Honorary Members who have made an outstanding contribution to the RAF MRS.
Candidates for these appointments shall be proposed and seconded by members. When elected they will enjoy the privileges of membership but will not pay an annual subscription while in office.
Management of the Association
5. The management of the Association and its affairs shall be vested in an Executive Committee (hereinafter called the Committee) consisting of the following: a Chairman, Secretary, a Treasurer, a Membership Secretary, an ‘On the Hill’ Editor, a Newsletter Editor, a Welfare Co-ordinator, a Public Relations ‘Officer’ and a Website Manager with up to 2 other persons each of whom may be given a designation. The above shall be appointed by members of the Association and hold office until , resignation or postal /e-mail or election of a successor. In the event of any post becoming vacant the Committee shall have delegated powers of election, subject to the approval of the membership, having been notified by e-mail or website notice or in writing at the earliest opportunity. In addition, each existing RAF Mountain Rescue Team shall be invited to nominate a representative for liaison with the Committee. Such representatives shall be regarded as the Association’s link with individual teams. The Committee shall, on appropriate matters, keep in touch with the competent staff officers concerned with the administration of the RAFMRS.
6. A quorum for the Committee shall be four members. Telephone or e-mail meetings shall be deemed acceptable. The Secretary shall keep a record of proceedings of such meetings and of action taken ex-committee, when members of the Committee are consulted about individual matters.
7. The Committee shall have powers to regulate the admission of new members of the Association, which shall be based on the acceptance of a statement regarding membership of the RAFMRS.
8. There shall be no entrance fee, but the Committee shall determine the rate of annual subscriptions, the sum of which shall be designed to meet the costs of administration and organisation including publications. The name of any member not paying their annual subscription may be removed from the membership list after one year, though in the case of a serving member, the Committee shall have regard to the exigencies of the Service. Reinstatement may be allowed later at the discretion of the Committee in any case.
9. Within the limits of the objectives set out above, the Committee shall decide the policies of the Association but being always accountable to the Association.
10. The committee’s expenditure is limited to £500 in respect of any one item.
Meetings of the Association
11. A General Meeting of the Association can be held at the same time as a national reunion of members but annual general meetings will not normally be held. Between meetings the Secretary shall conduct a policy of informing, seeking feedback and, where appropriate, approval from the membership. A General Meeting shall consider such matters as are put to it by the Committee or members in relation to the management of the Association as outlined below. The Secretary shall give notice of such meeting to every paid-up member. Matters raised by members are to be submitted to the Secretary at least two weeks before the meeting and will be placed on the agenda in the order in which they are received.
12. For voting purposes at meetings a quorum shall consist of 10% of the paid up membership. However, where in the opinion of the committee any proposal is fundamental to the aims of the association and the committee deems that the membership is insufficiently represented they may refer the final decision on the proposal to a full membership ballot. Proxy voting is allowed.
13. The Chairman or, in his absence, a delegated member of the Committee shall chair a General Meeting.
14. At each such meeting shall be considered the election of Honorary Officers, the receipt of their reports and in the case of the Treasurer, his statements on the income and expenditure of the Association since the previous meeting, and any other competent business.
15. An Extraordinary General Meeting may be called by the Committee at any time on receiving a request in writing to that effect signed by any 20 members regarding an urgent matter which they believe requires consideration. Such a meeting shall be competent to deal only with the business for which it has been called.
Amendments
16. Any proposed alterations to this constitution shall be put to members either at a meeting, e-mail, by notice on the website, in On the Hill, in a Newsletter or in a personal letter. Acceptance will be subject to a vote in favour achieved by a simple majority.
Data Protection Act
17. The Association qualifies for exemption from the Data Protection Act (hereafter called The Act) under Exemption 7. This exemption to the Act is conditional on the continued confidentiality of data stored i.e. names addresses and all the personal details. All such data held by committee members is not to be released to any third parties without the prior written approval of the subject.
Revision dated 14th May 2011
Version 8 – dated 15th August 2012
Changes from Version 7 are shown as Struck through text with the new word/words immediately afterwards. The first change is in paragraph 5
Objects
1. The Association shall be called the RAF Mountain Rescue Association (RAFMRA)
2. The objects of the Association shall be to:
a. Maintain a contact with and foster an interest in the RAF Mountain Rescue Service (RAFMRS), its history and achievements
b. Continue the comradeship that members found in it
c. Compile a register of members of the Service
d. Encourage, and where appropriate arrange, reunions and offer other events
e. Record, and where appropriate publish, material about the Service past and present
f. Support the continuance of the RAF Mountain Rescue Service
Membership
3. The full membership of the Association shall consist of those who are either past or present members the RAFMRS and who pay an annual subscription. The Association may appoint as an associate member a person not qualifying for full membership but who has been associated with and given assistance to the MRS and/or a particular team past or present. Such a member will normally pay an annual subscription and not be eligible to vote at AGM’s. However, the Association may agree to waive the subscription where the person’s contribution has been significant in which case associate membership would be for life. Proposals and voting to associate membership status can only take place at a general meeting and nominations – with a written justification (approx 1/2 page of A4) –must be received by the Secretary at least 3 months beforehand. The widow of a former full member automatically qualifies for Associate membership.
4. The Association may make the following honorary appointments:
a. A Patron, who holds office for an indefinite period.
b. From the full membership an Honorary President, holding office for at least two years, in recognition of significant past service; and Honorary Members who have made an outstanding contribution to the RAFMRS.
Candidates for these appointments shall be proposed and seconded by members. When elected they will enjoy the privileges of membership but will not pay an annual subscription while in office.
Management of the Association
5. The management of the Association and its affairs shall be vested in an Executive Committee (hereinafter called the Committee) consisting of the following: a Chairman, Secretary, a Treasurer, a Membership Secretary, an ‘On the Hill’ Editor, a Newsletter Editor, a Welfare Co-ordinator, a Public Relations ‘Officer’, a Website Manager , a Reunion Co-ordinator and an ex-officio member of the MRS as nominated by OC MRS with up to 2 other persons each of whom may be given a designation. The above shall be appointed by members of the Association and hold office until , resignation or postal /e-mail or election of a successor. In the event of any post becoming vacant the Committee shall have delegated powers of election, subject to the approval of the membership, having been notified by e-mail or website notice or in writing at the earliest opportunity. In addition, each existing RAF Mountain Rescue Team shall be invited to nominate a representative for liaison with the Committee. Such representatives shall be regarded as the Association’s link with individual teams. The Committee shall, on appropriate matters, keep in touch with the competent staff officers concerned with the administration of the RAFMRS.
6. A quorum for the Committee shall be 4. Telephone or e-mail meetings shall be deemed acceptable. The Secretary Website Editor shall keep a record of proceedings of such meetings and of action taken ex-committee, when members of the Committee are consulted about individual matters.
7. The Committee shall have powers to regulate the admission of new members of the Association, which shall be based on the acceptance of a statement regarding membership of the RAFMRS.
8. There shall be no entrance fee, but the Committee shall determine the rate of annual subscriptions, the sum of which shall be designed to meet the costs of administration and organisation including publications. The name of any member not paying their annual subscription may be removed from the membership list after one year, though in the case of a serving member, the Committee shall have regard to the exigencies of the Service. Reinstatement may be allowed later at the discretion of the Committee in any case.
9. Within the limits of the objectives set out above, the Committee shall decide the policies of the Association but being always accountable to the Association.
10. The committee’s expenditure is limited to £500 in respect of any one item.
Meetings of the Association
11. A General Meeting of the Association can be held at the same time as a national reunion of members but annual general meetings will not normally be held. Between meetings the Secretary Committee shall conduct a policy of informing, seeking feedback and, where appropriate, approval from the membership. A General Meeting shall consider such matters as are put to it by the Committee or members in relation to the management of the Association as outlined below. The Secretary Chairman shall give notice of such meeting to every paid-up member. Matters raised by members are to be submitted to the Secretary Chairman at least two weeks before the meeting and will be placed on the agenda in the order in which they are received.
12. For voting purposes at meetings a quorum shall consist of 10% of the paid up membership. However, where in the opinion of the committee any proposal is fundamental to the aims of the association and the committee deems that the membership is insufficiently represented they may refer the final decision on the proposal to a full membership ballot. Proxy voting is allowed.
13. The Chairman or, in his absence, a delegated member of the Committee shall chair a General Meeting.
14. At each such meeting shall be considered the election of Honorary Officers, the receipt of their reports and in the case of the Treasurer, his statements on the income and expenditure of the Association since the previous meeting, and any other competent business.
15. An Extraordinary General Meeting may be called by the Committee at any time on receiving a request in writing to that effect signed by any 20 members regarding an urgent matter which they believe requires consideration, the Committee may also call on EGM where they feel it is in the best interests of the Association. Such a meeting shall be competent to deal only with the business for which it has been called.
Amendments
16. Any proposed alterations to this constitution shall be put to members either at a meeting, e-mail, by notice on the website, in On the Hill, in a Newsletter or in a personal letter. Acceptance will be subject to either a vote in favour achieved by a simple majority or if notified by notice where less than 50% of the membership objects.
Data Protection Act
17. The Association qualifies for exemption from the Data Protection Act (hereafter called The Act) under Exemption 7. This exemption to the Act is conditional on the continued confidentiality of data stored i.e. names addresses and all the personal details. All such data held by committee members is not to be released to any third parties without the prior written approval of the subject.
Revision dated 15th August 2012
Notice of General Meeting 2013
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