RSLWA Sub-Branch Signal Issue 2/2019 CEO Brief To help improve communication and build greater understanding of decisions made by your Board of Directors, this column is a monthly feature of the Sub-Branch Signal (while being mindful of elements of confidentiality). The February Board of Directors Meeting discussed a range of matters, as follows:   Finances and Compliance The Chief Financial officer has finalised a budget for the coming 12 months and this will be presented for decision at the March Board meeting, following considerations by the Finance Committee. The Board has endorsed a move to invest RSLWA capital into an office complex in the Perth CBD, which offers attractive returns on investment on a monthly basis that will go towards meeting the organisation’s operating costs.    A new Fundraising Committee has been established to drive RSLWA's Help Our Heroes campaign, which will gain momentum throughout 2019. Importantly, this will involve Sub-Branches. More information will come soon. Commemoration and Events A new Commemoration Guide has been posted onto the RSLWA website and distributed to all Sub-Branches. It will assist Sub-Branches on a wide range of commemorative and protocol matters - including guidance on the conduct of funerals. The guide will be sent to the Funeral Directors’ Association. Planning is progressing well for ANZAC Day 2019. This includes traffic management plans; the Dawn Service at Kings Park; the Gunfire Breakfast in the grounds of Government House; the Street March down St. George’s Terrace; and the Commemorative Service at Perth Concert Hall. Looking further ahead, The Board has endorsed a request - subject to confirmation by the Chief of Defence Force - that Air Force leads the ANZAC Day parade in 2021, which is the RAAF’s 100th Anniversary. The RSLWA Vice President has presented a proposal, endorsed by the Board, to establish a new WA Auxiliary along the lines of the format undertaken by Queensland RSL. Sub-Branches RSLWA staff continue to work with Sub-Branches where redevelopment could be an option to allow for better management of the properties and developing new facilities for such Sub-Branches. A number of disciplinary and conduct matters are continuing to be addressed by RSLWA Staff and the State Branch Tribunal. Constitution An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) to change aspects of the Rules of RSLWA that were addressed at the 2018 Congress was successfully held in January 2019. As a result, a new category of Interim Service membership was endorsed. This will enable RSLWA to attract new ADF recruits ahead of qualifying for full-service member status. ANZAC House Redevelopment Work is on schedule, with construction of the basement ahead of the start to the ground floor before ANZAC Day. RSLWA has a number of Expressions of Interest from other Ex-Service Organisations and Veterans Service Providers to co-locate in the new ANZAC House Veterans Central facility. Incorporated Clubs A reminder that the Board of Directors has unanimously determined that any Sub-Branches that still have co-located Incorporate Clubs move to dissolve such Clubs, with any associated Liquor Licence transferred to the Sub-Branch itself. State Branch staff are assisting in this regard. There are no exceptions to this directive. State Branch Phone Calls The CEO has taken aboard concerns about the lack of timely return of phone calls. This has been addressed. Get your dancing shoes on, you're officially invited to RSLWA's night of nights - the Help Our Heroes Charity Ball! This remarkable event is your opportunity to mark your respects to those who served by supporting our fundraising Help Our Heroes campaign. You can also help celebrate the achievements of RSLWA, and dance the night away while catching up with old friends. The event includes top-class food, live entertainment, special guests, a raffle and a live auction.  It will be held at Crown Towers' Perth Ballroom on Saturday, June 15. Purchase your Charity Ball tickets and secure some great deals on accommodation at Crown Perth. Members tickets are $185 each, or $1800 for a table of 10. Early-bird pricing valid until March 29, 2019. Please note that Congress and the Ball occur on the same day, at the same location. Tickets for the Ball can be purchased here. Special room rates can be viewed here. 2018 Poppy Appeal Congratulations to all of those who gave their time for the 2018 Poppy Appeal. The combined effort from the street appeal, Sub-Branch collections and private business collections totalled $359,447.53. Congratulations and thank you to all involved.  Affiliate Membership Notice Please note that Affiliate applications will only be accepted if they fit the criteria as per the RSLWA Bylaw 4. Also, section 2 of the application must be completed. ANZAC Day JOSS Applications The deadline to submit a Joint Operations Support (WA) application for ANZAC Day is March 14, 2019. Applications must be submitted to joss.wa@defence.gov.au. The form can be found on our website.  ANZAC Day Sub-Branch Services & U&K March Media Forms A reminder that Sub-Branch ANZAC Day forms and U&K March Media forms are past due. For Sub-Branch information to be included in the next edition of The Listening Post, information should have been received before February 20. However, information received after this date will still be published on our website. If you don't have the forms, you can find them in the Members Area on our website. Please email all forms to Ashayla at socialmedia@rslwa.org.au. ANZAC Appeal forms are also due to Hayley (support.officer@rslwa.org.au). ANZAC Day Service at Perth Concert Hall Perth Concert Hall will again host this year's ANZAC Day Commemorative Service.    The program will feature the Salvation Army Perth Fortress Band, the Perth Modern School Chamber Choir, and Perth Modern School Alumni Singers.   While this is a FREE event, you must register to attend. Register your ticket here to reserve your seat. Also, please note that the venue does not have assigned seating and, as a result, guests will be seated in order of arrival. Information about parking and building access will be included with tickets.   For any further questions, please contact RSLWA on 9287 3799, or email eventsmanager@rslwa.org.au St John of God Mental Health Support Did you know that tailored, no-cost therapy, counselling and psychological therapies are available to those experiencing mental health issues?  Clinicians from St John of God Ferns Community Mental Health Services (FCMHS) provide safe and accessible support to veterans in WA. Family members who request psychological support are also able to access the clinicians, who are accredited by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Veterans must hold a White Card under the Department of Veteran Affairs provisions, with eligibility for non-liability health care (speak to RSL Advocacy if unsure) and obtain a referral from a GP. Family members can access services with a Mental Health Care Plan from their GP. Once you have this in place, you simply make a phone call to the number below to register. Services will be delivered at RSLWA headquarters (Level 3, 66 St George’s Tce, Perth), or at the St John of God Community Mental Health Services offices in Fremantle and Mandurah. Tel: (08) 6226 9400 Fax: (08) 6226 9488 Email: ferns@sjog.org.au Seeking Veterans for Media Opportunities In the leadup to ANZAC Day, RSLWA is often asked by media outlets, schools and councils to provide Veterans for public speaking and media opportunities. Could available Veterans who are keen to take part in speaking opportunities please email Ashayla with their name, brief history and preferred involvement. Dates for Congress Forms Please note that Congress forms have been sent out to Sub-Branches. Please note the below dates for the return of these forms: Agenda Item Submission  - Due April 18, 2019 (Enc 1) Sub-Branch Competition Form – Due May 3, 2019 (Enc 2) Remittance Advice and Delegate/Proxy/Observer Nomination Form - Due May 24, 2019 (Enc 3) Please email all forms to admin@rslwa.org.au Synergy Community Solar Fund Have you ever dreamed of a bill-free life? Well, Synergy may have the answer to your prayers.  The Synergy Community Solar Fund is offering free solar panels to select charity and community groups in the South West Interconnection System (pictured). To be eligible, your Sub-Branch must have an account with Synergy and not have any existing solar panels installed at the premises. Visit the Synergy website for further details. Information and Training for Advocates and Welfare Officers There is some good news for important advocacy and welfare training for WA - with classes planned for the first week of April. Under the Advocacy Development Training Program (ADTP), there are two pathways towards an ADTP qualification; Training or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). For existing Training and Information Program (TIP) Levels 1 and 2 Welfare/Wellness and Compensation Advocates, you can now have RPL counted towards qualifying for recognised qualifications under ADTP. This is important because Levels 1 and 2 Welfare/Wellness and Compensation Advocates have until the end of July this year to formally qualify under ADTP. For those interested, sessions will take place the week of April 1, with days/dates for each course to be advised. These sessions will take place at the RSLWA Offices, Level 3, 66 St Georges Terrace, Perth. Contact Sharon Briggs on 9287 3799, or email her at sharonb@rslwa.org.au, for further information. Prior registration is essential via the ADTP website. For those not undergoing training who are interested in becoming a Welfare or Advocacy officer, an information session has been scheduled for April 1 at 1pm at the RSLWA's offices. The session will be run by ADTP Regional Manager Ian Thompson. If interested, please contact Sharon Briggs as above. Please RSVP by March 28. Defibrillator Grant St John Ambulance Australia Ltd currently has 500 Defibrillator units available to community groups.  The grant provides a $2,000 defibrillator unit, a lock box and first aid training. Community groups are asked to contribute $200 toward each defibrillator. Sub-Branches are permitted to utilise $200 from their Welfare Accounts towards this installation. Please contact Samuel Lee for information or an information pack. Liquor Laws A reminder to all Sub-Branches that, under Western Australian liquor laws, all bar staff and volunteers selling alcohol require a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certification. It is also suggested that each Sub-Branch reviews its current liquor licence to make sure it is still applicable to the size and purpose of the Sub-Branch.  Current liquor licencing laws can be found at Racing, Gaming and Liquor. Otherwise please contact Samuel Lee on vlm@rslwa.org.au or 9287 3799 if you have any inquiries. RSLWA Logo   If you are still utilising the old black/dark-blue RSL badge (above left), please visit our website and download the current blue badge (above right). Please note that the centenary cenotaph logo is now obsolete and no longer in use.  Our friends at Magnolia’s Florists in the Perth CBD have been fantastic supporters of RSLWA. The next time you need flowers or a wreath, consider their great service.