Currently the money is outside the squadron. We’ve talked here of examples of committees holding back money for silly reason. I’m just going off of what @talon was saying WRT how the ACF does it. It also relies on this point:
This brings the OC closer to being able to spend the money IMO, not further away.
That somebody at company would probably be our wexos.
Nope.
No.
Neit
Non
What silly reason?
Many of the problems around committees are self-inflicted by sqn cdrs who have little or no experience and go in all Billy Big Balls and annoy people, then moan about it. Go in with a properly costed idea and reason and it’s not a problem, Also when you work like this people on the CWC with contacts and or time to do things, life can be easier, much easier than going through some paid wallah at Wing.
I agree with @Paracetamol on this one. I work very hard to ensure that my squadron is properly equipped, by applying for grants and organising activities with my civilian committee so the cadets can raise money themselves and spend it on things THEY want.
During lockdown I was fortunate enough to secure a significant amount of money (~£9000) for new IT kit from four different funders. This has meant every cadet essentially can use a laptop or tablet on a squadron night and complete their training electronically. If my funds were centralised I absolutely wouldn’t have been able to apply for that money. Squadrons can also apply to Microsoft for 10 free full Office 365 licences; if the fund was centralised none of us would able to do this.
I shared the funders details with lots of other local squadrons and even offered to help them fill in the bid forms for them and every squadron ignored me, or said they’d provide information and then didn’t. I won’t be carrying squadrons who are too lazy to fundraise themselves. We all know of squadrons with terrible IT or wooden trestle tables covered in paint, because nobody has bothered to fundraise or be proactive in getting support.
I have heard of a wing civ comm near me that charges for cadets to attend wing activities and then (indirectly) spends that money on things like subsidised Wing dinners for staff rather than really investing it in the cadet experience. If that kind of Wing got hold of my squadron’s money I really wouldn’t trust what they might be doing with it.
How does that work?
At the risk of derailing this topic, I’ll start a new topic with some info! 
One other thing I forgot to mention is that there are supposed to be meetings on a regularly basis (maybe quarterly, I forget as not much has been bought due to covid) where you disclose how much is in the account and also discuss ideas of what to spend it on. At least one cadet has to be present so their voice is heard. At the end of the day it is usually the cadets raising the money through subs or fundraising. If they want a ping pong table, they get a ping pong table.
Yes please, also intrigued.
Stop applying your narrow world view to things you know nothing about in bouts of supposition and assumption.
Oh…
In my experience the CWC Chairman have always been the right person for the job (in one case better suited than the OC)
A shame although with thought perhaps not surprising that some OCs take on the Committee in addition to the unit
I think centralisation would be a good thing - I’ve been on squadron where Joe Bloggs CI or Fg Off Smith was really interested in AT (example) so spent thousands of pounds on climbing equipment, stoves, tents etc. It prob get used 4 weekends a year, if that. If we centralised that kind of purchase to wing level, the wing could “hire” out equipment to squadrons for activities. Push the usage up to 30 odd weekends a year BUT have it serviced and maintained by the SQEP ay Wing. Similarly insurance, broadband, telephone should all be centrally provided, as well as IT equipment for delivery of training. If we used the buying power of 1000 squadrons to provide laptops we could make substantial savings. Squadrons should though still have a “squadron” pot managed by the OC and staff for things like trips, dining-in nights etc, which could be added to with subs and fundraising.
Would really love to know at this point, which members are actually or have been Sqn OCs.
Anyone who hasnt or isnt, really has no idea about civ committees.
Even the blessed HQAC really has no idea.
All they know is, it exists, it funds the Sqns and generally causes little issue.
I’m also not so sure, removing civ coms is on their agenda.
Reading the docs again, it strikes me as more of changes around the outside.
Also.
The first thing as Sqn OC I would do if the civ com were to be disbanded is as follows.
Have a new charity formed called 'xxx Sqn welfare charity’s.
Have the current treasure, chair and secretary take those posts within the new charity. Oh. And as an external charity, I as OC could be on the board this time. Win win win.
Have the current civ com transfer in all monies from the Sqn account to the new charity account.
(If this isnt possible. Spend every penny before hand).
Continue fundraising as per. But the money is held by this new external charity.
Continue to operate as per. Just without a civ com.
Take my Sqns share out of this mythical new joint pot of money which a sector or wing committee has. But without putting anything in, as who is going to raise funds for it anyway.
Theres no way HQAC could do squat about it.
Any external charity can fund what it likes. All our current and many revenue streams, of which I as Sqn Oc liase with on a direct basis would see no difference. Other than a change of bank account name and number.
That’s a big 2 fingers to you Tone.
I am and I’ve seen both sides of the coin.
I’ve worked with a great Civ Com where the Cadets wanted for nothing. I’ve also working with a Civ Com that we’re about as much use as a cat flap for a giraffe, raised no money and sat on what they had.
No, because:
Therefore it simply won’t be used except by those closest to WHQ, merely worsening the postcode lottery of activities and equipment.