WRNS BT AGM 2009 - RN Museum Portsmouth
Message from WRNS BT Patron, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal said what a pleasure it was to be present, and to see both familiar and especially new faces - in a new venue for the AGM, the first ever outside of London - that gave added interest for those attending. She said it was good to have the AGM at the home of both so many serving personnel and the Naval charities, raising the profile of the latter for the benefit of the former. The Trustees had recognised that it was vital to make this event accessible to a wider range of members, especially those who were still serving; about 90 officers and 400 ratings that had originally joined the WRNS now served in the RN.
Her Royal Highness reminded the meeting that the Trust, like so many other charities, had suffered as a result of the current financial downturn, losing some £500,000 from its investment portfolio. Other sources of income and careful financial management would be necessary in order to continue to provide the same level of support to its members. She fully supported the Trust's urge to help itself, recognising the decision-making effort applied by the Grants Committee, the improvement in promotion material and the fresh appeal for donations. A variety of methods would be used to reach as many members as possible over the next year. Most importantly, the website had been updated and was now linked with other fundraising sites. Her Royal Highness hoped that the audience would spread the word, emphasising that donations and legacies made a significant difference to the income of the Trust.
Her Royal Highness said that more members had approached the Trust for the first time in 2008 than had done so for a number of years, and requests for assistance were expected to increase in the current financial climate. Half of the women helped were over 80 years of age, a figure that was naturally declining. There was though, an increase in requests from younger members, many of whom had complex problems, and with the associated cost in helping them being high. While most helped lived within the UK, Her Royal Highness reminded the audience that help is also given to those living overseas; in particular, members living in Zimbabwe.
Her Royal Highness said that the Trust continued to work with the Royal Naval and Royal Marines Charity, the RNRMC, and supported the aim of a single voice, supported by the Royal Navy and Greenwich Hospital Trust, to speak for all the Naval Charities. The Trustees, guided by the Trust's legal adviser, continued to examine ways in which the Trust could work even more closely with the RNRMC. The support of members was also very important to the future of the Trust.
Message from our Chairman Commander Rosie Wilson OBE, Royal Navy
Cdr Wilson welcomed those Vice Presidents present; in particular, Miss Joan Cole who had been involved with the Trust since its inaugural meeting in 1941 - since that time, she had been a Governor and Chairman of the Trust, and continued to show a keen interest. Cdr Wilson expressed gratitude for their continuing support. With sadness, she had to report the death of a further 3 Vice Presidents in 2008 - Miss Margaret Bammant OBE, Miss Marjorie Fletcher CBE, and Miss Jean Laidlaw - each of whom had taken a great interest in the charity; particularly Miss Laidlaw, who gave wise counsel to the Trust for over 40 years. Cdr Wilson also acknowledged members of the Central, Grants and Finance Committees present in the audience, along with representatives of the many charities and organisations with whom the Trust worked, expressing gratitude for their continuing assistance, advice and support. She also welcomed the significant number of members of the Association of Wrens who had attended, and reiterated that every woman who served in the WRNS between 1939 and 1993 was a member of the Trust; she said that the Trust relied on the 7,000 or so members of the Association who act as advocates for the charity. Cdr Wilson thanked all those present for supporting the charity so loyally and generously, reminding them that only members could take part in any voting at the AGM. Cdr Wilson reminded members that she had said at the last AGM that the record level of expenditure in 2007 could not be sustained. She pointed out that the level of grants awarded in 2008 was much closer to the previous 5-year average. This had been achieved by careful management of the grants process; while no deserving case was turned away, the Grants Committee and the Grants Administrator always sought to identify other military and civilian charities that were prepared to share the cost of assisting the members. The Grants Committee always gave careful scrutiny to every application, and there was clear guidance about who could be assisted. Members could be assured that those who were given grants really did need the help of the Trust.
She added that the Trust worked closely with the RNBT, to ensure that those women who had transferred to the RN on closure of the WRNS in 1993 also received equal consideration. Cdr Wilson said that regular grants had been provided to 248 women, and in addition the Trust continued to give a high level of assistance towards the purchase of medical aids. The latter was important, because while many beneficiaries were entitled to State aid via their Local Authority, waiting lists often meant they would otherwise be unable to sustain a reasonable quality of life. This made it particularly important that charities were able to step in to assist, and the Trust was particularly indebted to The Royal British Legion for their significant financial help in providing these aids. One of the regular grants that could be awarded was a Weekly Support Supplement to women, generally in their 50s, who were below State pensionable age and were not eligible for many benefits. These women could suffer significant financial hardship, which may be caused or exacerbated by serious health problems or difficulty in finding employment. The number of such women who need this kind of help was expected to increase as the State's minimum pensionable age began to rise to 65 and beyond from 2010.
It was the younger members, though, in their 30s and 40s, making up 12% of those helped in 2008, who had more significant problems - often in the form of high levels of debt. While it was difficult for the Trust to do more than scratch the surface in more serious cases, at least in conjunction with SSAFA, The Royal British Legion and other organisations the Trust could try to ensure that these members received debt counselling and other support.
Cdr Wilson said that all would be aware that from the demographics of the membership, the generous legacy income received over the preceding few years would not continue. As Her Royal Highness had mentioned, the Trust remained conscious that those charities that had given grants were also suffering in the current financial climate. The Trust had therefore decided to make much more effort to help itself, and to encourage members to become regular donors to their charity. Cdr Wilson said that Miss Joan Cole had reminded her that the Trust was founded in 1942 on the same principle of self-help
