Mission

The Commando Veterans Association was formed to ensure that the unique spirit, tradition and camaraderie of the Commandos do not fade but are kept alive, for present and future generations.

The title "Commando Veterans Association" does not refer to war veterans but to all Commandos, serving and retired, veterans of the Green beret.

Like all Forces personnel former and serving Commandos rely on their family and friends for support. This is especially true for those returning having seen active service.

Therefore the Commando Veterans Association encourages family and friends of Commandos to apply for Associate membership and continue this support through the work of the Association.

Constitution & Rules Of The Commando Veterans Association

The Name of the Association shall be " The Commando Veterans Association"

7 Glebe Close
Ambrosden
Bicester
OX25 2LH

3.1 The Association shall mean the Commando Veterans Association (CVA).

3.2 The President shall mean the President of the Association.

3.3 The Vice President shall mean the Vice President of the Association.

3.4 The Chairman shall mean the Chairman of the Association.

3.5 The Officers shall mean the Officers of the Association.

3.6 The Standing Committee shall mean the Standing Committee of the Association.

3.7 The Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall mean the AGM of the Association.

The aims and objectives of the Association are to:

4.1 Maintain comradeship and esprit de corps between members of the Association and to promote fellowship between Veterans, their families and 'Friends of the Commandos'.

4.2 Assist in forming new Branches and to promote and maintain contact between existing Branches.

4.3 Arrange a Reunion, an AGM and other meetings as required.

4.4 Promote opportunities for members to contribute to the development of the Association.

4.5 Contact those members in need and provide assistance wherever possible.

THE ASSOCIATION SHALL BE AND REMAIN NON-POLITICAL.

5.1 Full membership of the Association shall be open to all ranks that have earned the coveted Green Beret and have served or are serving in the Commandos, this must be for a period of at least 6 months. Associate membership shall be open to families and friends of Commandos if sponsored by one FULL members. Associate members are entitled to be present at meetings but have no voting rights.

5.2 In the event of a discreditable act by any Member, the Committee will enquire into the complaint and if justified, the offending Member may be expelled from the Association.

The Association subscription period shall be from 1st January until 31st December in each year. An initial membership registration fee of £8 followed by £8 per annum thereafter, payable on 1st January. Any member joining after 31st October shall be deemed to have paid their subscriptions for the following year. Subscription fees to be revised, if necessary, at the AGM.

7.1 The supreme governing body of the Association shall be the AGM.

7.2 There shall be a Standing Committee which shall conduct the financial and general affairs of the Association subject to any direction from the AGM.

7.3 A Standing Committee of at least the following elected Officers will be required to be voted in at the AGM:

• President
• Vice President
• Chairman
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Up to 3 x Members

7.4 Elected members will normally serve for a minimum period of one year.

7.5 The Standing Committee shall meet at least once a year.

7.6 The powers of the Standing Committee shall be to determine the policy whereby the aims and objectives of the Association may be achieved, subject to direction by an AGM.

7.7 Any member of the Association may be co-opted to service on sub-committees to deal with particular items of business.

7.8 The Association must follow the aims and objectives laid down and it must democratically represent the membership group for which it is established.

The Officers of the Association are the President, the Vice President, the Chairman, the Secretary, the Treasurer and up to 3 Committee Members.

President

8.1 The President shall be elected from among the members of the Association and should hold office for one year. They are to be active and advise the Committee when needed. At the expiration of office the President is eligible for immediate re-election.

Vice President

8.2 The Vice President shall be elected from among the members of the Association and should hold office for one year. They are to be active and advise the Committee when needed. They shall deputise for the President in the event of the President’s absence. At the expiration of office the Vice President is eligible for immediate re-election.

Chairman

8.3 The Chairman shall be elected from among the members of the Association and should hold office for one year. They are to be active and to be the driving force behind the Committee. The Chairman shall normally preside at meetings of the Association and at meetings of the Standing Committee. At the expiration of office the Chairman is eligible for immediate re-election.

Secretary, Treasurer

8.4 The Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected from among the members of the Association and should hold office for one year. The Secretary and Treasurer can be the same elected member.

8.5 The Secretary shall keep Association membership records, conduct correspondence, issue notices, attend meetings of the Association and its Standing Committee, be responsible for issuing the necessary minutes of such meetings and ensure that resolutions are communicated to the proper persons, or otherwise duly carried out.

8.6 The Treasurer shall be responsible for the financial arrangements of the Association and for preparing an annual statement of accounts for audit at the AGM.

8.7 They shall deputise for the Chairman in the event of the Chairman’s absence. At the expiration of office they are eligible for immediate re-election.

Members

8.8 Members will be volunteers who are willing to assist the Standing Committee in organising events, or who are able to assist in specific areas.

9.1 The supreme governing body of the Association shall be the AGM subject to statutory duties placed on Officers and the Standing Committee.

9.2 An AGM shall be summoned at least once in every year and at such other times, as the Association shall determine.

9.3 An extra-ordinary GM may be called by the Chairman and can also be called on written request to the Secretary of at least TEN members of the Association.

9.4 The quorum for the AGM or a GM shall be FIFTEEN members. In the event of the quorum not being achieved, the meeting may discuss the agenda and advise the Standing Committee. Power to determine any matter on the agenda shall be the responsibility of the Standing Committee.

10.1 The Standing Committee shall be responsible for ensuring that proper books and records of all Association income and expenditure are maintained.

10.2 No member of the Standing Committee shall have power to borrow money.

10.3 Expenditure shall not be incurred by the Association in excess of the income.

10.4 The accounts of the Association shall be audited at the AGM and a copy of the accounts signed by the elected auditor.

11.1 The Annual Commando Gathering at Fort William (including Raffle), the Service at Westminster Abbey, the Lt George Knowland VC day at Elmwood, the St George's Day celebration at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, the Commando Summer Service at Alrewas and an Annual Dinner night will be co-ordinated by the Standing Committee.

11.2 Association events will be advertised in the CVA Dispatches newsletter.

The CVA website has been developed to promote the Association and to provide an interface where members can be informed of various sources of information pertaining to the CVA and Commandos in general. Find it at: www.commandoveterans.org

A newsletter – Dispatches – will be issued every four months (Feb, Jun, Oct). Members are kindly requested to submit articles and photos for each edition.

14.1 The Data Protection Act prevents the Association from providing lists of members to any outside agencies. Members’ details will only be given to other existing Association members where permission has been granted by that member to the Association Secretary.

14.2 Association details, updates and a calendar of events will be published in the Association Newsletter – Dispatches, and on the CVA website.

14.3 If you require additional support or information, please contact the National Secretary:

Geoff Murray
7 Glebe Close
Ambrosden
Bicester OX25 2LH

Tel/Fax: 01869 243140
Mob: 07737 815194