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.

 

AIM

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.

 

CONSTITUTION

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).

 

COMMITTEE

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 Tours:

suggestion Mark Hone

 


ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

6.             A small reliable group of volunteers are required to:

a.              Assist with mailing.

b.             Set up and clean up after events.

 

RHQ STAFF

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.

 

PLANNING DATES

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 – Minden

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 Rochdale.

 

MEMBERSHIP

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.

 

EVENT WED 19 OCT

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.

 

TIMINGS

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

 

AGENDA/BRIEFING/MINUTES

15.         These are the responsibility of the Secretary.  However, for the first AGM I will provide assistance.

 

FUTURE EVENTS/CHARGES

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.

 

CHARITY

17.         It will be appropriate in due course to register as a charity in order to claim the 28% on membership fees.

 

ACCOUNTING

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.

 

FUNDRAISING TARGETS

19.         The target figure for the Friends Group is £30k by Sept 2006. 

 

PROMOTION AND MARKETING

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.

 

HANDOUT/JOINING FORM

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

 

MARKETING

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.

 

TARGET AUDIENCES

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.

 

BAND CONCERT

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.

 

NEWSLETTER

25.         It should be an aspiration to publish a newsletter once a year.

 

PROMOTING EVENTS

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.

 

CONCLUSION

27.         Feedback would be appreciated.

 

 

M.J. GLOVER

Lt Col (Retd)

Regimental Secretary