LHQ
Aug 05
Steering Group
FRIENDS OF THE FUSILIERS’ MUSEUM AND ARTS AND CRAFTS CENTRE
SITUATION
1.
The formation of the Friends is
an integral part of the Fusiliers’ Museum Project. A successful Friends group will provide
financial support and promote the Collections and Arts and Craft Centre. The Friends will be independent of the
Regiment, but in the first season will require support from the RHQ. The task of setting up the Friends has been
given to the Regimental Secretary.
2. The aim of this paper is to provide a brief for the Steering Group, with progress on setting up the Friends and to generate positive feedback.
3. It is the aim of the Friends Committee to have an effective organisation in being by Christmas 2005.
4. A draft constitution, is at ANNEX A it still needs some work. It will have to be agreed at the first AGM in October. The draft is based on a generic constitution provided by the British Association of Friends of Museums, (BAFM).
5. The following have agreed to stand for the committee. They will have to be voted in at the first meeting.
a. |
Chairman: |
nomination Alan Marshal |
b. |
Vice Chairman: |
nomination Steve Cooney |
c. |
Secretary: |
nomination David Brennan |
d. |
Treasurer: |
suggestion Jennifer Hindshaw |
e. |
Battlefield |
suggestion Mark Hone |
6. A small reliable group of volunteers are required to:
a. Assist with mailing.
b. Set up and clean up after events.
7.
From experience, I believe that
at least the for first season, the Friends Committee will require assistance
from the Regimental Secretary and the admin staff of RHQ. This should not be overlooked when other
project tasks are being allocated.
8.
The Committee are working to
the following dates:
a.
|
Wed 24 Aug 05 |
First meeting of Committee |
b.
|
Wed 5 Oct 05 |
Committee meeting |
c.
|
Wed 19 Oct 05 |
AGM/Presentation/Hot Pot Supper |
d.
|
Wed 14 Dec 05 |
Volunteer Lunch |
e.
|
Wed 29 Mar 06 |
Presentation/Hot Pot Supper |
f.
|
Wed 31 May 06 |
Presentation/Hot Pot Supper |
g.
|
Sat 8 Jul 06 TBC |
Summer Fete |
h.
|
Aug 06 |
Formal Dinner
– |
i.
|
Wed 18 Oct 06 |
AGM/Presentation/Hot Pot Supper |
j.
|
Wed 6 Dec 06 |
Volunteer Lunch |
9.
There may be other activities
that could be added, including a battlefield tour. For now, all presentations will take place in
the Association Club. In due course it
is suggested that events should be organised to alternate between Bury and
10. It is difficult to gauge interest. However, as target figures, I believe that we should aim for:
a.
|
By Xmas 05 |
50 |
b.
|
By June 06 |
150 |
c.
|
By Xmas 06 |
250 |
11. Membership Fees will have to be agreed at the AGM but I would suggest:
a.
|
Annual |
Individual |
£10 |
|
|
Family |
£20 |
|
|
Young Person |
£5 |
|
|
Pensioner |
£5 |
|
|
Institutional |
£20 |
|
|
Corporate |
£50 |
b.
|
Life |
Individual |
£100 |
c.
|
Volunteer |
|
Free |
12. A certificate of membership should be issued on joining with a suitable covering letter. A well-designed quality certificate will need to be produced.
13. This is the first Friends Evening. It will take place in the Association Club and will be free. It is divided into three parts:
a. AGM. Must formally agree Constitution, Committee Members and programme of events.
b. Hot Pot Supper. Free.
c. Presentation. Rosemary has kindly agreed to talk about the Museum Project.
14. The timings on Wed 19 Oct will be as follows:
a.
|
Doors open |
1900 hrs |
b.
|
AGM |
1930 – 2015 hrs |
c.
|
Hot Pot Supper |
2015 – 2100 hrs |
d.
|
Presentation |
2100 – 2145 hrs |
e.
|
Bar Closes |
2300 hrs |
15.
These are the responsibility of
the Secretary. However, for the first
AGM I will provide assistance.
16. All events will be organised to raise funds for the Friends. A suitable charge will be made for all events. The charge may vary depending upon the nature of the event. The first event will require funding from elsewhere. It can be a loan until membership fees start to come in.
17.
It will be appropriate in due
course to register as a charity in order to claim the 28% on membership fees.
18. It will be appropriate right from the start to have a Treasurer and agree a means of having the accounts inspected. A bank account needs to be set up. I would suggest that Jennifer Hindshaw should be asked to take this on. RHQ staff should not get involved in this. Life will be made much easier for Jennifer if we invest in a Sage Accounting Software Package.
19. The target figure for the Friends Group is £30k by Sept 2006.
20.
This is a critical
element. It requires a small team headed
by one person, with the time to develop each target audience. This person has not, as yet, been identified.
21.
We require a handout to include
details of the Friends and an application form to fill in for membership. See QLR Friends at ANNEX B
22. The committee should promote the Friends through:
a. Word of mouth.
b. Handouts at events, Band Concert, Arms Fair, RRT.
c. Direct Mailing, Bury on line advert.
d. Inserts into other publications, eg Fusilier Mag, Assoc Newsletter.
e. Internet, Regimental, Museum, Bury/Rochdale on line.
f. Newspaper articles.
23. Target audiences include:
a. Museum Visitors.
b. Research Enquiries.
c. Local History Group.
d. Art and Craft Group.
e. Regular Battalion.
f. TA.
g. ACF.
h. CCF.
i. Association.
j. Schools, Colleges.
24.
The Band Concert on Fri 23 Sep
is the first opportunity to reach a mass audience. A handout and application form needs to be
designed and produced for this event. I
believe Anna should take this on. The
account will need to be established in order to include the details on the
Banker’s Order.
25.
It should be an aspiration to
publish a newsletter once a year.
26. This can be achieved by:
a. Production of poster/handout.
b. E-mail.
c. Postal list.
d. Establish suitable location for poster.
e. Need volunteers to put up posters.
27. Feedback would be appreciated.
M.J. GLOVER
Regimental Secretary