 Sandhurst Foundation Newsletter
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See Distribution |
Our Reference: SFoundation/AGM/7Nov07 Date: 07 Nov 07 |
THE SANDHURSTFOUNDATION AGM – TUESDAY 6 NOVEMBER 2007
Present:
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Maj Gen D Rutherford-Jones Jeromy Bird Jim Drew Peter Miller Sandra Ross Sally Taylor Peter Stocken Donald Clark Bill Masterson Tony Merrifield John May Keith Rollinson Anthony Bowden Ray Grover Michael Mumford Maj (Retd) Jules McColl |
Comdt - Chairman Sub Committee Chairman Sub Committee Member Sub Committee Member Membership Secretary Accounts Secretary Secretary |
Apologies: |
John Wilbourn David Otton Stephen Henthorne Geoffrey Farrell Charles Gillman-Wells Mike Vacher Francis Hobbs Alan Gazeley Stuart Severs |
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Item |
Discussion/Decision |
Action |
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(a) |
(b) |
(c) |
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1. Introduction |
1.1 The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed all present conveying that he was not concerned about the turn out as understands that many members live too far away. |
All |
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2. Minutes of last meeting |
2.1 The previous Minutes were confirmed as a true and accurate record of the meeting held on 07 Nov 06. Jim Drew proposed and Peter Miller seconded the minutes. |
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3. Membership |
3.1 The Secretary gave an update on current membership (2,300) and detailed how the decrease in membership fees had already shown a marked increase in the membership uptake. All OCdts have to become members on starting their CC. 3.2 The 3.3 The Comdt hopes that the Foundation will have achieved the 5,000 member mark by next AGM. |
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4. Membership. Subscription and Communication Sub Committee Report |
4.1 The Sub Committee Chairman stated: The committee has met twice since March when it was established. On both occasions there was general discussion about the current role of the SF, the range of products and services it offers and its future aims and objectives in the context of a wider discussion about its long term role. As these discussions are ongoing, there is little they can meaningfully contribute now, other than to say that they will continue to provide whatever support they can and continue to work within the Terms of Reference set out by the Management Board. However as the committee is a small, but representative, group of “active” members there are a couple of points worth making, as they relate to the terms of reference of the committee. 1. There is a general feeling that the current offering, eg Leadership Encounters, membership discounts, access to RMAS, reunion dinners, may not be sufficient to attract and retain suitable numbers of new members to the Foundation to ensure its long term viability and that more meaningful “activities” are needed. 2. That there is an appetite for an organisation that has a greater purpose, over being a membership or alumni association. For example, as a philanthropic “charitable” trust, raising money for, providing expertise and insight and supporting leaders and leadership projects around the world, leveraging the Sandhurst “brand”, values and philosophy enshrined in our motto, “Serve to Lead” Examples of role model organisations might include: · The Princes Trust · The Duke of · World Economic Forum Global Leaders of Tomorrow Program · Bill Gates Foundation · Tom Hunter Foundation Summary & Next Steps 1. MSC Sub Cte will continue to work with the Foundation Secretary and staff to develop new ideas for products and services that will have greater appeal to the membership base. 2. Work with staff to develop names, access and booking of speakers for the Leadership Encounter events. 3. Canvass existing membership about range of services they might like the SF to provide and to provide an insight into the level of support or otherwise for the Foundation becoming more philanthropic in its endeavours. 4. Continue to contribute to the debate about the Foundation’s future role. |
Sub-committee |
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5. Current Events |
5.1 The Secretary delivered a comprehensive list of all current events and the reasoning behind reducing weddings in both colleges due to wear and tear whilst trying to increase the Reunions as core business to The Foundation. 5.2 With the King of Bahrain’s patronage the Foundation will look to introduce more well known speakers to increase attendance at Leadership Encounter Evenings. 5.3 Peter Miller asked the question to the Chairman whether a serving Captain could not be found who could assist in moving the Foundation forward for 6 months. The Chairman felt this was unlikely due to the already overburdened officers with operational tours and training. 5.4 Tony Merrifield asked the question about the Oxford Business Said School Leadership Chair link with the Foundation. The Chairman explained that this is being run by a high profile team in the MOD who were struggling to find the £4million required - this has now become a long term plan which The Foundation would be very interested in being part of when and if it comes to fruition. This chair would be competing against other Leadership Chairs already well established and we would need to be careful that the link set up with the Academy was unique. The Chairman was due to speak to the Dean of Oxford in the coming weeks. 5.5 Jim Drew asked the question whether this link with Oxford would only happen with the Academy rather than the Sandhurst Foundation (not being part of any commercial structure) – the Chairman replied that both Oxford and Sandhurst are global brands not the Foundation but should a link be forged then the Foundation would look to be brought into the Academy side of the agreement. 5.6 Jeromy Bird suggested that the Foundation could and should offer a more ‘hands on leadership’ approach rather than anything too academic. |
All |
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6. Future Events |
6.1 The Secretary stated that the next Annual Dinner Night would be 17 May 2008 and hoped to fill the Indian Army Memorial Room with 120 guests including some reunions. 6.2 The Secretary stated that the Foundation was now taking an active roll in promoting reunions by going to the members to find support rather than wait for intakes to contact them. 6.3. The Chairman suggested that one very high profile event Nov 08 should help to self promote The Foundation and increase our membership. This will be held in the Churchill Hall and be advertised widely. The Chairman felt that the Foundation should not be concerned with spending money on speakers for the short term in order to push the alumni forward. 6.4 The Secretary asked if those members who attended events at RMAS could write a few lines to go on the newsletter for other members. |
Chairman & Secretary All |
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7 Website |
7.1 The secretary updated the AGM on the situation with the website. As it now has been in place for nearly 5 years a major overhaul is required to update both the front and back end of the site - £4k has been set aside for this update. 7.2 Peter Stoken asked if the ability to see who was attending a particular function could be made more simple without having to apply to attend again. |
Secretary |
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8 Financial Update |
8.1 8.1 A Statement of Affairs was given to all members attending the AGM. 8.2 Tony Merrifield has asked for a more comprehensive audit/statement of affairs to be produced for next AGM |
Secretary |
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9 AOB |
9.1 It was asked from the floor if OCdts are invited to attend the Foundation events. The Secretary replied that their programme is too full for them to attend but that the Late Entry Officers Course are always invited. 9.2 A suggestion was made that a Senior Under Officer (SUO) should attend the next AGM with views and comments from the OCdts. They all get to see a copy of the minutes as they are all members and are put as part of the November Newsletter. The Comdt was concerned that again OCdts are extremely busy but the Secretary could look into the feasibility. |
Secretary Secretary |
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10 Date of next meeting |
10.1 The date of the next AGM will be Tues 18 Nov 2008 |
All |
[Original signed]
J K MCCOLL
Maj(Retd)
for Chairman
Distribution:
Trustees
Committee Members
Copy to:
All Paid Members
With best wishes Jules McColl Sandhurst Foundation Secretary |
