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Association Update - January 2024

Tēnā koe <<First Name>>

A message from your National President

representation there as we determine the future of the RSA.

I know the first part of the year is always a busy one for Associations as the final plans are put in place for both the Poppy Campaign and Anzac Day Commemorations. I want to take this opportunity to thank all the Association Executives and their hard-working volunteers who make both these events possible. The RSA is fueled by its volunteers, and we are incredibly grateful for all the time and effort you put in on our behalf.

My calendar is already brimming with commitments across the country, and I’m looking forward to getting out there and spending time with as much of the membership as I’m able.

This is a year of big decisions and action. At the National Council Workshop we need to come together, have some robust discussions and move forward as a unified organisation focused firmly on improving the wellbeing of New Zealand’s veterans of military service and their whānau. I hope to see you all there.

He waka eke noa - We are all in this together.

In this edition:

• National Council Part Two

• 2024 Poppy Campaign

• Anzac Day 2024

• National Support Services Calendar

• Facebook page for Association Executives

• Upcoming Events

• Public Notices

• Merchandise

National Council Part Two - In-person Workshop

Make the most of the opportunity to shape the future of the RSA.

Part Two of the 107th National Council is the in-person workshop being held in Wellington on Saturday 24 February and registrations are now open.

The workshop will build on the work that was started during National Council 2022, and will take the ideas and blueprint that has been generated throughout the year as part of the RSA2030 presentations, to identify and build options for implementation.

This will be a hands-on session to workshop options for the future of the RSA. All Associations that want a voice on the future direction are encouraged to attend and contribute.

Given that direction regarding the future of the RNZRSA will be reviewed at this council, attendance at the workshop is primarily for those who will be responsible for implementing change. The means currently elected members of Association Executives and members of the RNZRSA Board and Presidents’ Forum.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, 24 February 2024

Time: 10am - 4pm

Location: Level 2 Lounge, Sky Stadium, Wellington

2024 Poppy Campaign

Poppies

If your Association has not yet ordered Poppies for this year’s collection, or needs additional Poppies, please contact Celyn at celynb@rsa.org.nz

EFTPOS Terminals

National Office has been able to secure an excellent deal for Associations looking to hire EFTPOS terminals to support their collections this April.

Smartpay are offering a one-month hire for $57 (ex GST) per terminal and New Zealand Couriers are providing free delivery to and from Associations.

More information about the deal, including how to order terminals can be found here.

National Office would like to acknowledge Graham Gibson and the Auckland District RSA who were instrumental in securing the low rates being offered by Smartpay.

Anzac Day 2024

Planning should be underway for Anzac Day services across the country and while we can’t control the weather, there is a lot we can do to make sure that New Zealanders have the opportunity to gather and honour our service men and women.

Any Associations that have not discussed traffic management for outdoor services with their local Council are urged to do so as soon as possible to ensure planning timelines can be met.

Find an Anzac Day Service

Each year, in order to help New Zealanders find their nearest Anzac Day service, the RSA creates a page on their website listing all known Anzac Day services.

In order for this to be as accurate as possible, all Associations are asked to provide the details of their Dawn and Civic services by completing the short survey below.

Last year this resource was accessed tens of thousands of times in the lead up to Anzac Day, so it’s well worth ensuring your services are included.

The page will be live on the website from early April.

Requesting NZDF support for Anzac Day Services

The NZDF have changed the way support is requested for Anzac Day. Regardless of any existing relationships RSA’s may have with units, the NZDF have requested that all requests for support are made using the form found at the link (or using the QR code) below.

The form asks for basic contact details, and once the type of service is selected (Dawn or Civic) more fields will become available to enter the exact sort of support you are requesting.

The NZDF have provided the following guidelines for RSA’s requesting support:

Examples of support the NZDF is able to provide at a local level include guest speakers, wreath bearers and layers, flag orderlies and potentially buglers and parade commanders.

Requests for flypasts may be considered depending on operational priorities. Firing parties will not be provided to domestic Anzac Day commemorations.

Catafalque guards will only be provided at the national commemorative services at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park, Atatürk Memorial and the Auckland War Memorial Museum, and at designated services identified by the NZDF’s Heritage Commemorations and Protocol unit. This is due to protocol, practicality and security reasons.

See the full information provided by the NZDF here

National Support Services Calendar

Get updates via Facebook

A Facebook group has been created as an additional means of improving information flow from National Office to Association Executives, and to provide a safe forum for Association Executives to seek support and advice from each other.

The group will also be used as one of the means to issue emergency communications when needed.

Membership of the group is restricted to Association Executives, and those joining the group will be required to provide their name, RSA affiliation and position on the executive to ensure the integrity of the group is maintained.

Membership does require individuals to have an existing Facebook profile, or alternatively the Facebook pages run by Associations can also be used to join.

Upcoming Events

February

13 - 14 February - Support Services Clinic Bulls Find out more —>

15 - 16 February - Support Services Clinic Levin Find out more —>

24 February - National Council Workshop Find out more —>

March

2 March - Greater Wellington Veterans’ Forum (Veterans Affairs) Find out more —>

11 March - RNZRSA Outdoor Bowls Tournament Find out more —>

April

1 April - Poppy Appeal begins

19 April - Poppy Day

25 April - Anzac Day

30 April - Poppy Appeal ends

June

1 June - National Snooker Pairs Tournament Find out more —>

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