Committee and Charter
COMMITTEE
President: Brig (Retd) G L Kerr OBE
Chairman: Lt Col (Retd) M Lambert-Gorwyn MBE
Vice-Chairman: Kevin Langshaw
Membership Secretary: Chris Price
CGA Secretary: Major Paul Green RA
Regional Representatives:
- Plymouth & South West: Vacant
- London & South East: Barry Exley
- West Midlands: Lou Costello
- Northern Ireland: John 'Paddy' Barratt
- North West: James Walton
- East Anglia: John Burne
- Scotland: Dave Matthews
- ABA & South: Brummie Richards
- 20 Cdo Bty RA: Vacant
- Germany: Vacant
- Spain: Vacant
- Turkey: Paul 'Chippy' Monk
- Australia: Dicky Baird
- New Zealand: 'Bart' Simpson
CHARTER FOR THE COMMANDO GUNNER ASSOCIATION
GENERAL1. The Commando Gunner Association (CGA) is the official forum for the past members of 29 and 95 Commando Regiments Royal Artillery; it also includes members of the Amphibious Bombardment Association. This latter organisation remains a separate entity within the Association due to its historic links with units which predate the Gunner Commando Regiments. The Association’s ‘headquarters’ will be based at the Royal Citadel, Plymouth, the home of the Commando Regiments since 1962, under the patronage of 29 Commando Regiment, Royal Artillery.
2. This charter will be subject to periodic review to ensure it remains relevant to the prevailing needs of the Association.
PURPOSE
3. The purpose of the association is to provide:
a. A focus for comradeship - largely through periodic reunions and or informal gatherings at dispersed locations.
b. An organisation through which the retired Commando Gunners can retain close links with the serving Regiment, fostering the ‘family spirit and club ethos’.
c. A structure and a system of communications needed to establish and maintain contact between ex members of the Commando Gunner community, thereby facilitating the passage of information and promoting cohesion.
d. An informal welfare information network with links to established military welfare agencies.
e. A forum to assist in the maintenance and development of the history of the Commando Gunner Regiments and associated units.
ELIGIBILITY
4. Full Member. Full membership of the Association is open to any commando trained individual who has served on the posted strength of 29 or 95 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, including 95 Forward Observation Unit and 289 Commando Battery (Volunteers). This includes individuals from any other branch of the Army, Royal Navy, Royal Marines or RAF. Past members of 20 Commando Air Defence Battery Royal Artillery may also register as full members. Serving members of 29 Commando Regiment elected or nominated as members of the Association Committee will be deemed full members. All serving members of 29 Commando Regiment are to be invited to be members of the Association on leaving. There is no membership subscription or joining fee.
5. Membership Records. There will be no central home address database. Existing members will be invited to supply an email address to the membership Secretary. New members will be invited to register an email address on leaving the Regiment.
6. Honorary Members. Honorary membership of the Association is open to any military or civilian individual who has served in or has had close links with the Commando Regiments and associated units, or who has significantly assisted them in a non serving capacity. Honorary membership is available to the widows and, in special cases, the relatives of deceased members of both Regiments. In all cases Honorary membership is to be proposed to the secretary and approved by the Association Committee. Honorary members have no voting rights.
7. Friends and Relatives. Friends and relatives of Full and Honorary members may attend social functions and events held by the Association when invited and accompanied by the Full or Honorary member.
8. Authorisation. Membership of the Association may be sought by anyone eligible under these rules. In the event of a dispute over eligibility the Commando Gunner Association Committee will arbitrate.
ORGANISATION
9. General. As the membership is widely dispersed the most suitable organisational structure for the CGA is that of, a federation of regional groupings under the auspices of the Executive Committee, which provides policy and coordination. The Executive Committee will be responsible for organising (or assisting in the organisation) of major events and for representing the views of the whole membership to outside organisations. This structure establishes a central focus in Plymouth for all Commando Gunners whilst encouraging CGA regional groups to flourish wherever appropriate. All routine business will be conducted by the Executive Committee; full Committee meetings, involving lead members of outstations, will be held immediately prior to General Membership Meetings.
10. President. The Honorary Regimental Colonel 29 Commando Regiment will be requested to be President of the Association. He will fulfil the role of senior non executive director, providing advice and support to the Committee and an overarching link to the serving Regiment.
11. Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will comprise of the following members:
a. Chairman. Proposed by the President, endorsed by the membership. The Chairman’s responsibilities include :
(1) Directing the activities of the Association in consultation with the President and other committee members.
(2) Representing the Association at appropriate ceremonials and functions.
(3) Liaison with service charities
(4) Joint financial management of CGA funds.
b. Vice Chairman. Appointed by the membership. The Vice Chairman’s responsibilities include:
(1) Deputising for the Chairman in his absence.
(2) Maintaining links with the regional representatives.
(3) Joint financial management of CGA funds.
(4) Monitoring membership activity and records.
(5) Maintaining the CGA page on the Regimental website.
c. Secretary. Regimental Welfare Officer. Appointed by CO 29 Cdo Regt. The Secretary’s responsibilities include:
(1) Maintaining the link between the CGA and 29 Cdo Regt.
(2) Liaising with the Chairman on relevant Regimental and CGA issues.
(3) CGA Fund Manager.
(4) Military link, if required, to Service charities.
d. Membership Secretary. Appointed by the membership, responsibilities include:
(1) Developing and maintaining email listings.
(2) Registering new members on leaving the Regt in consultation with the secretary.
e. Non Executive Members. A maximum of three suitably experienced non voting members who will provide advice and expertise as requested by the President or Chairman. They will attend meetings as requested.
f. Tenure. All elected posts are for a period of three years.
12. Association Committee. The full Association Committee will only meet prior to an AGM or on special occasions as requested by the Chairman. Routine business will be conducted by email, letter and telephone. The Committee membership will include:
a. Regional Group Leaders. Elected by local group membership, their responsibilities include:
(1) Leading and administering their local group.
(2) Liaising with the Chairman on relevant issues.
(3) Representing the views of the local membership to the Executive Committee.
(4) Encouraging an effective communications network with and between their local membership.
b. Working Members. Appointed by the Chairman or Vice Chairman, as required, for specific functions or activities.
13. Regional Organisation.
a. It is anticipated that additional groups will form in due course but currently the following Regional Groups are established in:
(1) Plymouth
(2) Arbroath
(3) Poole (ABA)
(4) London
(5) NW and NI area
(6) WM area
(7) E Anglia
Contact details are available through the membership secretary and/or other local members
b. Each group is autonomous and able to organise, communicate and function as they see fit but within the policy guidelines provided by the Executive Committee, which will provide a central focus and support as required.
ADMINISTRATION
14. Finance. The CGA will hold funds only to promote the activities and purposes of the Association set out in paragraph 3 above.
a. The Executive Committee will oversee and administer all CGA funds, which are held in the 29 Cdo Regt Non Public Fund account. This ensures that a transparent system of accounts is maintained for all CGA financial activities without incurring the costs of independent auditors.
b. All expenditure will require the approval of the Secretary endorsed by the Chairman or Vice Chairman. A maximum of £250 may be spent on a single purchase. Approval for higher expenditure can be given by the full committee, or in appropriate circumstances, by vote at the AGM.
c. The CGA account will be published annually, prior to the AGM.
d. Regional Groups may hold funds independently, if deemed necessary, and will be responsible for the efficient accounting and management of those funds.
15. CGA Website. The CGA Website will be established to meet the aims of the Charter but will maintain strong links with the 29 Cdo Regt website and other relative agencies. All information will be disseminated through this means. Regional Group leaders can encourage the spread of information through their own communication organisation. There will be a hyper link from the central website to regional websites as they develop.
16. General Meetings. General Meetings will be held in Plymouth annually, usually to coincide with a Regimental event or reunion. An agenda and financial statement will be published on the CGA webpage prior to the meeting. Members wishing to raise an issue should indicate his intention and the subject to the Secretary in time for inclusion on this document.
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