PW_2_2019

Keeping you informed

Ghent by night

Also, during my meeting with the Chairs we discussed our special anniversary next year in 2020 and our intention to deliver 20 iconic events throughout the year. This is without doubt an ambitious target. We heard some Regions having very well-developed plans, whilst others were still deciding the best way to proceed. I have asked that we keep all of these events well posted and up-to-date on the website so that you can start to plan which events you may wish to attend. I’m also pleased to confirm that details for the 2020 UK cruise have now been announced with a good initial response. This will follow our iconic National Council Meeting in Lincoln, where I am pleased to confirm we have excellent support from the Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Mr Bill Skelly. So until next time, thank you for your ongoing support. Yours in friendship Clive Wood President Section UK

I recently held my first meeting with Regional Chairs at Police Headquarters in Leicestershire. Thank you to Chief Constable Simon Cole QPM for allowing the use of the meeting rooms. There was a full agenda in a very business focused meeting. My thanks to all involved. Some of the big issues we discussed were around how we drive the Association forward. There was a general acceptance of my notion of Back to Basics. We are a friendship Association and we should not lose sight of that. We recently re-introduced the enrolment fee to our unique Association; currently set at £35. As I often point out, this makes for a monthly membership for less than a small coffee at a well-known coffee provider! We discussed the annual fees for membership. It was recognised these have not increased for almost a decade which is, in real terms, a reduction in income year-on-year. We have asked the treasurers’ group to look at this issue and report back. We discussed recruiting, which always seems to be an issue. But this time, I am asking for your personal help. During our development session in the afternoon, Vice President Sean Hannigan explained that there would be an incremental rise in membership; if each region could recruit just four new members this coming year. Well imagine the difference if each branch could recruit those four new members. Please, take the time to chat with your friends; especially those who are not members, and try and get them to join the fold. Obviously our fixed costs for running the Association are just that and the greater number of members we have, the more additional income we would then have to spend on member benefits. The other big issue we have started to look at is our headquarters at Fox Road in Nottingham. Those of you who have visited recently will know that the building is tired. So, some work is now ongoing, with a working group formed to consider all of our options in relation to our current location. It is hoped we will be in a position to understand more by this year‘s national council meeting in June, in Warwick. I must thank Vice President Steve Bretherton for the significant work undertaken in developing this work stream.

May Britt Ronnebro (International President and Chairperson of the Professional Commission ) enjoying a chicken dinner.

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POLICE WORLD Vol 64 No.2, 2019