THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGIONHOLLAND BRANCH – BR3623

Patron: Her Majesty The Queen

Minutes of Branch AGM held at Houten on the 19th November 2010.

1. Opening of Meeting and welcome by the Chairman.The Meeting began at 1400hrs. Due to the lowness of the ceiling, it was not possible to march in The Branch Standard, as planned. The Standard was therefore placed in a corner of the room, visible to everyone. The Chairman subsequently welcomed all present.

2. Exhortation.The Chairman recited ‘The Exhortation’ and then requested a one minute silence for Branch Members who had passed away since the last meeting.

3. Apologies for absence.There were 24 Members in attendance at the meeting. The following persons had sent their apologies:-Mr. JohnstonMrs. van Gelderen-DaviesMr. Bijerbergen-van Henegouwen

Mrs. de Jonge, and Mr. and Mrs. Louis were in attendance, but were unable to climb the stairs to the Meeting room on the first floor. They therefore remained on the ground floor in order to have their votes cast when necessary.

4. Introduction by the Chairman.The Chairman introduced himself to the Meeting, and then proceeded to introduce the individual members of the Committee. He requested a round of applause for his committee.

5. Chairman’s Report.A full copy of this report is archived with these minutes, and will be reproduced on the Branch Website and included in the next Branch Newsletter.

In August 2009 a meeting had been held in Utrecht with Representatives of TRBL from London HQ - Mr. John Farmer (then RBL National Vice-Chairman who has since become the National Chairman), Mr. Ralph Ashenhurst ( Director Membership and Regions) and Mr. Eddie Hefferman ( Trustee with responsibility for RBL Branches in Northern Europe), and, of course, we Chairmen of our respective branches of Amsterdam, Arnhem/Nijmegen and Eindhoven. This meeting resulted in the decision to form one “Holland Branch”.Presently, our new branch comprises about 200 members, with new members enrolled. It should be noted that there should be no complacency, however, as we had lost members due to death and resignation. Therefore the Chairman called on members to volunteer their support to help the Committee in various ways:-attend, at least, local Remembrance Ceremonies;support local events;contribute to our Branch Newsletter;communicate ideas or suggestions to our Branch Committee;volunteer to serve on the Branch Committee;volunteer to assist with our annual ‘Poppy Collection’;suggest possible social activities;take an active role in recruiting new members. The Chairman recognized that the Membership was an ageing one, and this meant limitations on physical attendance at functions, but he hoped that younger members would be encouraged to join the Branch. A National Branch was the only way to ensure a RBL presence in the Netherlands, but

presented difficulties in arranging events that were accessible to all members. However, the Committee wishes to maintain contact with all members. Ideas for the coming year are still being shaped, and these will be made known during the year by means of the newsletter and website.

6. Secretary’s Report.The Secretary had been busy selling and sending wreaths to members and other organisations, attending Remembrances, as well as other duties. He had had pleasure in meeting Members during that time, and enjoyed watching the Branch’s Pipes and Drums Band in action. They are a credit to the Branch and to themselves.

7. Treasurer’s Report. The Treasurer stated that all members should have a copy of the Year’s Statement of Accounts. After a short explanation of the same, she asked if there were any questions. Mr. Murphy pointed out the there was no mention of the monies from Arnhem/Nijmegen’s accounts. The Treasurer pointed out that these had been transferred after the end of the previous financial year, and would be seen on next year’s accounts. In the past, the Amsterdam Branch had received a useful income from bingo evenings. But since they had stopped, the Branch’s only current income was from membership dues. The Treasurer thanked Mr. de Jonge and Mrs. Emerson for the sterling work that they had performed with the bingo over the years. The amount of dues expected from Members was €22.50, of which €9.50 was for the Branch’s General Account after the required payment to HQ. The Branch bank accounts were made known to the Members.Mr. A. Bright asked if the Branch was losing money or just breaking even. He was informed that the finances were presently quite healthy but we needed to find ways of ensuring more income. The only other source of income at the moment, apart from the membership fees, came from the Band. Mr. G. Alblas asked if there was a chance of a Branch lunch or a dinner soon. Mr. de Jonge is busy organizing something along those lines.

8. Sub-Committee Reports. a. Welfare Officer.He was busy with one person living in Almere. There had been cards and flowers sent out by Mrs. Emerson to members. Fortunately the Membership generally is in good health.

b. Poppy Appeal Co-ordinator.Had been extremely busy the last couple of months. She now had more places to visit with her poppies, as well as sending some to Arnhem/Nijmegen. Mrs. Emerson reiterated the Chairman’s call for help from members to offer assistance during this vitally-important period of the Legion year. There had been more interest coming in for the Poppies. Her team of money counters would be sitting down soon to count the monies collected. Mr. Murphy asked about The Village Shop, had that been favourable? That had been, there had been a company who would like to make a donation, which was being worked on.

c. Membership Secretary.A copy of her report, in Dutch, was provided by Mrs. Alblas. She said that when she had been asked to become the Membership Secretary, it was the time of the merging of the Branches, and the administration of the Amsterdam Branch had been in chaos. She had e-mailed and phoned many members to check if they had paid their subs. Some members, had apparently paid twice. The new Branch had started out with 200 Members. This had fallen to 170, but had since risen to 182. New Members will now receive a RBL pen. The first two of these were presented, by the Chairman, to Mrs. Alblas-Manders – one for herself and one for her husband Mr. G.H. Alblas.

d. Rotterdam Area Representative.Last week a lunch had been held at the van Ghent Barracks in Rotterdam. An enjoyable meal had been eaten in the restaurant, then the party retired to club house ‘Het Anker’ for drinks and a chat. The widow of Mr. Arie van Vliet stood the first round in memory of his recent passing. The event realized a profit of €57.70.

Mrs. van Gelderen said she did this work in honour of her father and uncle, and did not require extra thanks. The Chairman nevertheless expressed his appreciation. e. Web-site Manager/Newsletter Editor.Mr. A. Bright had produced a new web-site for the Branch. This was in English only at the moment, but would become bi-lingual when time permitted. With regard to the newsletter, he had, indeed, set it up, and decided on the layout and format, but the information for inclusion had been provided not only by him, but also from the Committee and some members. He would like a greater input from more members. He thanked Mrs. Alblas for the printing, and his parents for the envelope stuffing, stamping and posting.

f. Pipes and Drums Representative.Mr. G. Alblas, the Band’s Drum Major, gave the report. The Band is in a state of growth. There are now 35 members, mostly students of the instruments. The Band had been busy with, amongst other things, the 65th Anniversary of the end of WW11 (including the Poppy Appeal), tattoos in Luxembourg, Basle, and Voorthuizen. The Band had played at the Airborne Remembrances at Ede, and the Freedom Day Parade in Wageningen. There is to be a tattoo ‘open evening’ at Barneveld to which everyone is invited. Invitations to this will follow. The band’s greatest wish is to perform at world renowned Edinburgh Tattoo. The one recurring negative point is the splitting of the Band. The breakaway group, now called the Pegasus Pipes and Drums Band, are still making mischief. Mr. Alblas ended by making a call for more Members. Anyone who knows of potential members is asked to contact the Band.

g. Events Co-ordinator.To his regret, he had been forced to abandon the social evenings of the former Amsterdam Branch due to lack of support. Mr. H. de Jonge hoped to arrange a social event for the new Branch in the near future. Meanwhile, the annual Freedom Day Parade in Wageningen will be organized, as usual, on 5th May 2011. Keep an eye on the newsletter and website for more information of this and other possible events.

9. Points raised beforehand by Members.There being no points raised beforehand, the Chairman took this opportunity to thank two Committee Members, by awarding them with Certificates of Appreciation, for their services to the Branch. The Branch President was asked to make the presentations:-To Mrs. Emerson, for her many years of service as Welfare Officer and Poppy Appeal Co-ordinator.To Mr. de Jonge, for his long service as Social Events Co-ordinator.

10. Standing down of the present Branch CommitteeThe Chairman informed the Meeting that the present Committee would now all step down from their positions. There would a short interval of 15 minutes, after which the Branch President would chair the meeting for the voting-in of the new Committee.

11. Voting in of the new Committee Mr. Bright informed the Meeting that as there was presently no standing Committee, in effect, the Branch did not exist. He then asked the Branch President to preside over the voting. Mr. Cameron-Webb announced the following results:-

Branch Chairman. Mr. J.B. Bright Passed unanimously

Branch Vice-Chairman. Mr. J.A.M.H. Vuerhard 9 votes Mr. D. R. Williams 13 votes Mr. Williams was therefore elected.

Branch Secretary. There were no candidates.

Mr. Williams declared himself willing to perform this function in the absence of anyone else. The Chairman proposed delaying this decision until next Branch Committee Meeting, to allow time for other candidates to put themselves forward. or ascertain if this office could be merged with another. Mr. Alblas asked if the posts of Vice-Chairman and Secretary could be merged. As there was some uncertainty about this Mr. A. Bright proposed that the vote be postponed until a later date. At this point it was agreed to delay further discussion of this question until the remaining posts had been finalised.

Branch Treasurer. Mrs. R. Hadingue Passed unanimously.

Welfare Officer. Mr. D. R. Williams Passed unanimously

Poppy Appeal Co-ordinator. Mrs. R. Emerson Passed unanimously

Membership Secretary. Mrs. M. Alblas Passed unanimously

Rotterdam Area Representative. Mrs. E. E. van Gelderen Passed unanimously

Web-site Manager/ Newsletter Editor. Mr. A. J. Bright Passed unanimously

Events Co-ordinator. Mr. H. de Jonge Passed unanimously Branch Standard Bearer. Mr. A. Rotscheid Passed unanimously

At this point the Chairman asked Mr. Rotscheid and our former Standard Bearer Mr. de Bruijn to come forward, which they did. The President shook hands with both, thanking Mr. de Bruijn for his loyal past service. The new and former Standard Bearers then shook hands as a formal gesture of the ‘handing over’ of the Branch Standard.

Union Flag Bearer. Mr. D. R. Williams Passed unanimously

Account Auditors There were no candidates The Chairman asked if there were any persons present who would be interested. There was no response.

The Branch President then handed the Meeting over to the new Branch Chairman.

The Chairman now returned to the question of combined posts and asked if anyone had any opinions about the Vice-Chairman and Secretary being the same person. It was thought that Mr. Williams was already committed to sufficient responsibilities without adding those of Secretary. Mr. G. Alblas asked if anyone could volunteer for the Secretary’s post from outside the Committee. The Chairman said that this is always possible, but that the person elected would then automatically become a Committee

Member. The Chairman proposed that the decision be deferred until the first Branch Committee Meeting. Mr. Williams indicated that a Secretary was needed immediately because essential administration still had to be completed and sent to HQ. The Chairman proposed therefore that Mr. Williams be elected as ‘interim’ Secretary, until a permanent replacement could be found. This proposal was accepted by the membership present. The President further suggested that should no such person be found, Mr. Williams should be accorded the office.

12. Closure of Meeting. The Chairman thanked all for their attendance and attention. He wished all a safe journey home. He then closed the meeting at 15.45hrs.

Mr. J. B. Bright Mr. D. R. WilliamsBranch Chairman Interim Branch SecretaryTRBL Holland Branch TRBL Holland Branch