That and a passage before it.
Debate over the % aside, this is probably the fairest summation you could have made. Not in all cases, but I suspect for many.
Unfortunately we don’t have many CivCom members that are regular contributors. We’ve had a couple of more prolific posters over the years, but generally they’ve come across as having an axe to grind.
That doesn’t mean that we CFAV can’t discuss committee matters from our perspective - it just needs recognition that there are things that we won’t be aware of and will require context to understand.
Assuming this:
?
And an initial reference of this:
So can you tell me about the Wing Meetings? All of our committees are invited to Wing Meetings to discuss sqn matters and have information disseminated…
That appears to be that mechanism you talk of when I take it at face value, and would be the place to raise some of your concerns and ideas, surely?
Your statement is initially problematic from the POV of a lot of CFAV, because we tend to be problem solvers that will attempt to bring a solution where possible, and what you’ve just listed a problem and thrown your hands up. However, something we can understand is bashing your head against the wall that is Wing or Region; we just don’t have enough insight into that pillar to comment on ways to challenge.
So how would you suggest some of these issues are resolved?
Comms and info is something you raised, so access to document storage and internal noticeboards would be a boon. @themajor isn’t there something about CivCom MS licenses returning? What would the limitations on those be?
There was considerable talk of commercial software when it was planned to amalgamate sqn funds into a wing-managed financial structure, so it’s not that the obsession with “free” is so pervasive that any paid solution is completely disregarded in all circumstances. I would debate with my CivCom whether it was necessary for our unit, but larger, busier units and perhaps wings may reach a greater complexity.
If they wanted it, I would suggest a sqn committee approach local accounting firms to investigate sponsorship/at-cost licences prior to actually shelling out. My point before was that I don’t think that the Air Cadet Charity is the right body to approach for this expense or that they should consider it their responsibility. They could perhaps act as the focal point for collective bargaining on behalf of squadron charities, though. And perhaps in terms of what isn’t working, the Air Cadet Charity could/should expand its efforts to include greater advocacy on behalf the network of community unit charities in ways that don’t have a direct financial impact that provision of products and services (or funds for) would.
There is indeed:
Civilian Committee members will be provided with an Office 365 licence that will broadly grant them access to the following
- Microsoft 365 for the web (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc)
- Microsoft Outlook for the web (500mb limit)
- Microsoft OneDrive (500mb limit)
- Microsoft Teams web/desktop app
- Microsoft 365 for Mobile (All native mobile applications)
- Microsoft Forms
- Microsoft Planner
- Microsoft To-Do
- Microsoft Power Platform (as a consumer)
https://rafac.sharepoint.com/sites/DigitalHub/SitePages/Licences-Civilian-Committee.aspx
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Were I to be an OC again, I have something that wouldn’t work.
Trustees that generate this much waffle.
Work with me as effective members of the same team (albeit with different legal responsibilities) to deliver what the unit and therefore the cadets need, or find something else to trustee.
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Is there any awareness at your level of what the committee structure above wings are up to or contributing?
This isn’t the OC setting a budget. This is the OC proposing a budget. The committee then consider the proposal and then set the budget. They may well agree with the proposal in full without amendment but it’s still them setting the budget
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And if the CI is the Squadron SME or the person fronting the request, it is only right that they, after discussing it with the CO, present the case to the CWC.
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Side track topic, because this is boring. But to improve civ coms and have consistent robust approach…
I reckon you could replace civ coms with AI based solutions that takes all the data, knows the law, identifies trends and calculates value of proposals to really ensure sqns are financially being run, would probably self audit and self complete the relevant annual forms
AI is used to do a lot more complex and sensitive things.
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No it isn’t: It is the Civilian Committee.
The OC can put in requests. * The Committee is entirely within their rights to say no, unless it is funded by a specific grant.
The Committee can also spend money however they wish as long as it is in keeping with their aims and constitution. The OC can object as much as they want but they have no vote, let alone a veto.
- I’m sure that can be delegated to other staff, either because it’s for a project they lead on, or falls under a specific remit, such as the Adj requesting money for cleaning materials & toilet roll.
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But isn’t this what caused the issues with thurston Sqn where the committee went rogue & spent it on what they wanted & not want the OC wanted or needed?
If a committee want to spend money on equipment surely it still falls to the OC to permit the usage.
It’s likely that this was beyond the remit provided by the CivCom constitution (assuming one existed). Either way, the documents make it clear that the CivCom was no longer working in the best interests of the squadron so, whether CivCom are considered to be legal trustees or otherwise, there were legitimate grounds for their dissolution. Given the tone of the emails, I suspect the former chair is probably still going on about it being the wrong call, however.
That said, there is a genuine conflict between what RAFAC rules say CivComs can do versus what the Charity Commission says they’re responsible for if CivCom are considered to be legal trustees. Whilst it doesn’t often cause problems, it’s something that most certainly has the potential to.
The key question to answer is whether CivCom are legally trustees, or whether they’re an informal steering committee.
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On a side track some charities often have have a CEO that runs the organisation although the funding decisions are made by the trustee board.
How do charities with CEOs work & would it be similar to civcom & CO?
Indeed. The OC is responsible for the safe system of training.
But as far as I have been told any limits are set by the committee’s own constitution. Clearly their spending should be to benefit the cadets. But that leaves a lot of room for ‘interpretation’.
The CEO makes operational decisions, the trustee board assures the CEO’s work. They can also hire & fire CEOs.
But the real jist behind them is to ensure good governance. Beyond that, it’s all additional duties. Our trustees don’t really do much except question the directors on their actions, but in other organisations they also look after elements of fundraising (particularly at golf courses…) and building relationships.
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