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This proposal has been received from Members of 2/72. To make it clear the present National Executive Committee plan is not to close the Association but to close the National body leaving the State Chapters to continue on as they wish.
More details will be published later in the year in The Scheyvillian.
Brian Cooper
bctcooper@gmail.com
0418373874
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Dear Brian,Attached is the initial material that we would like distributed to the membership.I have supplied as both a word document and a PDF.AN OPEN LETTER TO ALL OTU MembersWE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF THE OTU ASSOCIATION PAST 2026.Firstly, can we offer our congratulations to the current OTU Executive Committee on all the work and commitment they have given in initially taking the maintenance and continuation of the OTU Association over the many years to date.The activities including the website, the Scheyvillian and the reunion events have been very important in maintaining a strong focus on the history of the Association and the importance of all graduates to the Australian army history – whilst at the same time providing us all with a vital central point of connection and communication!The current Executive Committee is proposing winding up the association in mid-2026.As the more seniormembers of the Association, they have contributed so much and they are looking to ultimately step down.There are some like myself, who were in the later classes – I was 2/72, – that believe it is time we stepped forward and took on the all the necessary administrative roles and in doing so extend the life of the OTU Association post 2026.Through discussions with the current Executive Committee, we have reached an agreement that we would prepare and submit a detailed proposal on our concept to extend the life of the Association. This will be completed by the 31st of March 2024.Then our proposal and that of the current Executive Committee will be sent to all members for their consideration and ultimately the adoption of one proposal or the other or a compromise proposal.Our concept is purely focussed on extending the life of the OTU Association and also maintaining the legal structure that both State Chapters and individual classes can operate under.If you as a member would like to discuss this further and/or be part of a new Executive Committee please do not hesitate to contact either myself, Rob Hirst, Denis Gately or Paul Irving.Trevor Ranford – 2/72 – 0417 809 172 – sahort@bigpond.comRob Hirst – 2/72 – 0416 011838 – rob.hirst@tuckerseabrook.comDenis Gately – 2/72 – 0412 198 026 – denis.gately@bigpond.comPaul Irving – 2/72 – 0412 284 550 – paul.kaaren@gmail.comYou may wish to send this as a straight e-mail or send the PDF attachment.The more detailed report will be available on the 31st March 2024.Happy to discuss if required.Regards,TrevorTrevor M RanfordMobile: 0417 809 1722/72
From: Brian Cooper <bctcooper@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, December 1, 2023 2:26 PM
To: Trevor Ranford <sahort@bigpond.com>
Cc: Frank Miller <millerfw@netspace.net.au>; Harry Moyle <hjmoyle@gmail.com>; Bernard Gleeson <bgleeson23@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Our Zoom Meeting on FridayHi Trevor,Thanks for this.Your paper states CVs attached, can’t see any.If you can forward at some stage will be useful.The comment re OTU Vic is that when the National Committee Based in Vic steps aside from its National responsibility it is projected that there will be about $43,000 depending on a few factors to hand over.As is clear from the questionnaire spreadsheet the Vic Chapter like all others intends carrying on.CheersBrianOn 1 Dec 2023, at 9:00 am, Trevor Ranford <sahort@bigpond.com> wrote:Dear Brain and other Committee Members,Attached is a written response to the issues/questions to help the discussions.I will be joined online by Denis Gately and possibly Rob Hirst.Regards,TrevorFrom: Brian Cooper <bctcooper@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2023 12:45 PM
To: Trevor Ranford <sahort@bigpond.com>
Cc: Frank Miller <millerfw@netspace.net.au>; Harry Moyle <hjmoyle@gmail.com>; Bernard Gleeson <bgleeson23@gmail.com>
Subject: Our Zoom Meeting on FridayHi Trevor,We look forward to our discussion of your proposal on Friday.We thought it would be useful to flag our approach and intention so that you can prepare.We have a National Council Meeting coming up and will put your case forward to the Council.Introduction.1. Pleased to have received your first thoughts on taking over National responsibility for the Association.Clearly the proposal is ‘first thoughts’ without any detail of who exactly would comprise the National Committee.2. It is fair to mention that while a formal vote has not been called for amongst financial members, we have canvassed via questionnaire through State/Territory Committees, NSW, Qld, Vic and ACT and have received supporting commentary from the other States. (We should table or send the results of those surveys as attached below).3. Please note that of the 102 respondents the clear majority accepted National winding down and State Chapters to continue.Purpose of the MeetingTo gain a clear understanding of the proposal and to identify who exactly will be involved in order to present this information for National Council consideration in light of the Closure intention.Factors AffectingThe history is that the National responsibility was shared amongst the State Chapters for many years at around a two year period.The National responsibility has always been taken on by established State Chapter Committees who have had a structure and record of capably running the Association.The National body has typically had : a Chair, Deputy, Treasurer, Secretary, Webmaster, Membership, Scheyvillian/Historian and QM position while the States have tended to at least have a Chair, Secretary, Treasurer. (or have asked National to handle certain functions on their behalf).The State capability has been taken into account in the past before agreeing handover. Victoria has now held the National responsibility for about ten years with the complete agreement of the State Chapters.At present the National organisation has net funds of around $83,000 (30 June 2023). When OTU Vic steps aside we project that net funds could be down to $43,000 depending on whether membership fees are continued or ceased. It is therefore important that any proposal to take on National takes into consideration the financial administration of the accounts and the Incorporation requirements.Questions Arising1. Who exactly is to form or be part of this proposed new National team?2. What is their experience in holding positions such as these?3. What functions are you planning to maintain?4. When do you think you will have a detailed plan for the transition?Look forward to your comments on FridayCheers<RESPONSE TO MATTERS RAISED BY THE CURRENT NATIONAL OTU COMMITTEE_1st December 2023.pdf><CV – Denis Gately – General – September 2012.pdf><TR Resume – July 2023.pdf>
