THE RAF ASSOCIATION TODAY
Who are we? Membership Organisation & Welfare Charity Offering help and support for the whole RAF family Self financing
What I’ll cover today… Running our Association Our Members How we help people The Families Federation work Fundraising opportunities Getting our messages heard Our challenges together
Running our Association
2011 Finances Challenging economic climate Reliance on fundraising: WINGS APPEAL Need to plan for less legacy income Investments took a hit, but… £8.7M in reserves Operating surplus of £2K in 2011
2011 Income – Total £8.5m 2010 £’m2011 £’mVariable £’m Total Income Legacy Income Wings Appeal Other Fundraising
2011 Expenditure – Total £8.1m
Our Members
Membership today 67,000 members A 96% retention rate A loss of 215 members per month Lifestyle changes impact on Branch network Economic climate
Where we are now…
Serving RAF membership
Your membership Quarterly magazine – Air Mail New dedicated website – rafa.org.uk Network of branches Discount on RAF News Variety of affinity partner discounts Eligibility for a retired service card Temporary hon membership at UJ Club for ex-RAF Access to over 100 Association clubs
Membership challenges Subscriptions must cover costs Trustee leadership Improved Branch support Increasing Club appeal Recruiting new members What do our members want? 70 th Anniversary of Association in 2013
How we help people
Veteran welfare projects Jointly funded homes for respite breaks War pensions & AFCS advice Sheltered housing & supported living Alabaré homeless centre partnership
Honorary Welfare Officers Cornerstone of welfare provision Over 50,000 visits and calls each year RAFBF referrals have increased Quality accredited training and support On-going targeted recruitment drive for welfare volunteers
Serving welfare projects Miles More Minutes Storybook Wings Contact Houses on over 30 Stations WiFi Access
RAF Families Federation work Acting as a barometer of family morale
Investigate RAF FF Focus for 2012: Family Support Evidence to the Armed Forces Pay Review Body Impact of SDSR and the Armed Forces Covenant Evidence Gathering – Online Surveys & workshops
Influence Top level engagement includes: The Families Forum The Armed Forces Covenant Ref Group The Armed Forces Pay Review Body The House of Commons Defence Committee Air Member for Personnel CE Defence Infrastructure Organisation The Service Complaints Commissioner The Expert Group on the Armed Forces in Wales
Fundraising opportunities
Wings Appeal logo
The future together Corporate/Major Donors The Blades Wings Lotto Weekly/Wings Lotto Grand Draw Instant Win Lotto Cards (£8k profit in first 2 months) Challenge Events Remembrance Garden
Getting our message across New rafa.org.uk website Focus on social media marketing Air Mail Connect Events Annual Review 2011 Jon-Allan’s Paralympic Story
Our challenges together Membership recruitment & Clubs Membership costs Staff review More welfare volunteers Homes review New donors/increased support for volunteers Economic climate Crowded charity sector Communications
Thank you Any Questions?