Circular – 20 March 2019

Circular – C02/19

20 March 2019

Support & Assistance Fund

As sub-Branches are aware, the Support & Assistance Fund has been a longstanding mechanism by which contributions from across the League are used to support less well-off sub-Branches. In the past, the Fund has been utilised to cover the cost of sub-Branch insurance, IT equipment, travel/accommodation for Annual State Congress, commemorative activities and administrative costs associated with the running of a sub-Branch or District Council. It is an efficient and transparent model by which large sub-Branches can support those in need, through an assessment by ANZAC House based on a sub-Branch’s budget and annual returns.

During the suspension of fundraising, State Council decided to temporarily cease accepting contributions to the Support & Assistance Fund, instead directing sub-Branches to contribute to the 2018 Support Fund scheme as per the State Council Directive of 15 March 2018. Given that the 2018 scheme was a one-off activity, and yet fundraising is still suspended, there is now a pressing need to restart the Support and Assistance Fund in order to again provide financial support to those smaller sub-Branches – based on informal communications we have grave concerns for the ongoing viability of up to twelve sub-Branches this year. To clarify some concerns, legal advice confirms that contributions to the Support & Assistance Fund do not contravene the fundraising suspension, as the funds are moving to and from member bodies of RSL NSW. This activity does not constitute a fundraising appeal under the relevant legislation.

As such, ANZAC House is now requesting contributions to the Support and Assistance Fund from those sub-Branches who have the capacity to make them. Contributions can be made in the following ways:

• EFT: BSB:                             062 016

Account Number:        0000 0741

Account Name:           RSL Australia NSW

Reference:                  “SAF” + your sub-Branch name [as many letters as will fit]

or

• Cheque: Payable to – “RSL Australia NSW”

All contributions to the Fund will go toward supporting the core activities of smaller and less financially secure sub-Branches and District Councils. Contributions should be recorded in your sub-Branch accounting records (SBA) under the category of ‘Other Expenses’, under ‘Contributions to Support & Assistance Fund’ expense line.

Any sub-Branch or District Council that requires support from the Fund should contact ANZAC House by email or letter, detailing the nature and estimated cost of such support. The distribution of funds to those entities is facilitated through a delegated authority given to the State Secretary after an appropriate assessment. ANZAC House will make available a report detailing all incoming and outgoing contributions to the Fund.

Any sub-Branch or District Council that requires support from the Fund should contact ANZAC House by email or letter, detailing the nature and estimated cost of such support. The distribution of funds to those entities is facilitated through a delegated authority given to the State Secretary after an appropriate assessment. ANZAC House will make available a report detailing all incoming and outgoing contributions to the Fund.

I would urge all those sub-Branches which are capable of doing so to make a contribution to the Fund for the benefit of the League.

Jeff O’Brien

State Secretary