On leaving the Corps in 1990 I joined the RMA on its HQ Register. After a couple of weeks I received my membership card and have never heard anything since!. It would seem that in exchange for £40 or £50 quid all I have ever had in return is a card which will allow me entry to various clubs throughout the UK where I can buy beer cheaper than in a pub.
In contrast to my experience with the RMA, in November this year I joined the RBL (after the local branch contacted me to request that I lay a wreath on behalf of the RM on Rememberance Day) and have just received the pack they send out to 'new joiners'. I am amazed at the services they offer, particulerly in respect of supporting those who may be entitled to a War Pension.
My point is this - Should the RMA not be providing a similar service for former Royal Marines. If they do then why do they not publicise the service in a more effective manner?.
Gentlemen..... your comments please.
Jim T
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The RMA
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Yorkie Malone
- Member
- Posts: 705
- Joined: Fri 14 Dec, 2001 12:00 am
- Location: Lamerton, Tavistock
GREAT, At last we have comments from a HQ Roll member. They do nothing for you not even sending out a news letter of which we get in the branch periodiclly.
They do not inform you of events happening ie parades, reunions etc.
I can also bet that they have not sent you details of A Strategy for the 21st Century, which is a paper going through all details of how the RMA is to work/change and go onwards.
How many more of you are there?
They do not inform you of events happening ie parades, reunions etc.
I can also bet that they have not sent you details of A Strategy for the 21st Century, which is a paper going through all details of how the RMA is to work/change and go onwards.
How many more of you are there?
As a Life Member you should at least receive an annual newsletter from Central Office. Not much I agree, however the organisation is running at a deficit of £7,000 over the past year.The strength of the RMA is thro' the branches which are run by the troops for the troops. All of the senior officials within the organisation are former officers and perhaps we need to get some of the troops into these positions.
Things are changing, slowly, but with the Strategic plan for the 21 st Century perhaps something will come out of it all.
Things are changing, slowly, but with the Strategic plan for the 21 st Century perhaps something will come out of it all.
Some interesting comments so far, I wonder if those responsible for managing (mis-managing) the RMA view this site?.
I can assure you that I have never received any form of news letter since joining, even though I still live at the same address. The Stratergy for the 21st Century is something which I have not heard of before, and as we are shortly to go into 2002 I would have hoped that everything is now in place for the RMA to get its act together. If not why not!
How does an organisation like the RMA end up £7000 in the red?. Who bloody runs things at the top?. One thing that I would bet a months wages on is that those at the top pay themselves a salary. I may be wrong, but if I am right then they are accountable for their actions in relation to the management of the organisation. As for the revelation that all are retired officers I don't care if they are retired bin men, just as long as they are effective in the role they fill!
In summary, if I were leaving the Corps today I would NOT join the RMA in its present form.
Jim T
I can assure you that I have never received any form of news letter since joining, even though I still live at the same address. The Stratergy for the 21st Century is something which I have not heard of before, and as we are shortly to go into 2002 I would have hoped that everything is now in place for the RMA to get its act together. If not why not!
How does an organisation like the RMA end up £7000 in the red?. Who bloody runs things at the top?. One thing that I would bet a months wages on is that those at the top pay themselves a salary. I may be wrong, but if I am right then they are accountable for their actions in relation to the management of the organisation. As for the revelation that all are retired officers I don't care if they are retired bin men, just as long as they are effective in the role they fill!
In summary, if I were leaving the Corps today I would NOT join the RMA in its present form.
Jim T
We all agree the RMA needs to change - but change takes time... the question is: how much time?
The paper which you speak of Brian could easily be published on the Once A Marine Web site for all to view, possibly this might be a good way to get feedback, comments and no doubt people interested in developing the RMA in to a viable Association for the next Millennium (This one actually).
It would allow both those who are and those who are not members to comment – and interest more of us (I am still not a member) into becoming members. I want to become a member but can see no reason why I should. I already know that my opinion is not valued, but I believe it is my generation of “Bootneck” who will be needed to keep the traditions going over the next 30 years or so.
Traditionally the Officer Corps have maintained control over the RMA, well I suppose this is a military thing, only Officers are educated you see… That was plausible in 1946 but these days a great deal of us OR’s either run our own businesses or are senior managers in industry or hold decision making positions. I believe more people should be elected to sit on a board which makes the decisions. The RMA stands for Royal Marines Association – this does not mean it is a unit or branch of the Royal Marines so it is possible even for a member of it’s management to never have served in the forces as long as they are providing sound management. I agree someone needs to provide continuity with the Corps and it’s traditions, but this is not the be all and end all of the RMA.
The RMA provides many a valuable service to Former serving members of the Corps. But the modern Ex-Bootneck wants more say in how their association is run…
It needs to be done now while there is still an RMA, Most of the mainstay members served in the WW11 Corps sadly many are no longer with us.
All of this is pointless though unless a desision making member of the RMA see/hear the comments which are being made and using these to gauge how and why the changes are required, and then having the strenght to carry these to the RMA Board...
_________________
Yours Aye
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Nomad on 2001-12-31 12:18 ]</font>
The paper which you speak of Brian could easily be published on the Once A Marine Web site for all to view, possibly this might be a good way to get feedback, comments and no doubt people interested in developing the RMA in to a viable Association for the next Millennium (This one actually).
It would allow both those who are and those who are not members to comment – and interest more of us (I am still not a member) into becoming members. I want to become a member but can see no reason why I should. I already know that my opinion is not valued, but I believe it is my generation of “Bootneck” who will be needed to keep the traditions going over the next 30 years or so.
Traditionally the Officer Corps have maintained control over the RMA, well I suppose this is a military thing, only Officers are educated you see… That was plausible in 1946 but these days a great deal of us OR’s either run our own businesses or are senior managers in industry or hold decision making positions. I believe more people should be elected to sit on a board which makes the decisions. The RMA stands for Royal Marines Association – this does not mean it is a unit or branch of the Royal Marines so it is possible even for a member of it’s management to never have served in the forces as long as they are providing sound management. I agree someone needs to provide continuity with the Corps and it’s traditions, but this is not the be all and end all of the RMA.
The RMA provides many a valuable service to Former serving members of the Corps. But the modern Ex-Bootneck wants more say in how their association is run…
It needs to be done now while there is still an RMA, Most of the mainstay members served in the WW11 Corps sadly many are no longer with us.
All of this is pointless though unless a desision making member of the RMA see/hear the comments which are being made and using these to gauge how and why the changes are required, and then having the strenght to carry these to the RMA Board...
_________________
Yours Aye
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Nomad on 2001-12-31 12:18 ]</font>
I assume that there is an AGM where members can propose new courses of action and vote on these. I also assume that there is a committee that can be voted in and out of controlling power?. If this is the case why should we have to depend on one of the high and mighty viewing our comments on this site by chance?. If members are not happy with the lack of action then they need to change the way things are done!.
It all sounds a bit revolutionary, but if these people were in industry and commerce they would have been 'let go' a long time ago.
Jim T
It all sounds a bit revolutionary, but if these people were in industry and commerce they would have been 'let go' a long time ago.
Jim T
We all hear how good the RBL is, and why, the main body is not controlled by ex-officers but by mixed ranks. A lot of senior members in the RBL seem to be from the lowest of lows not from the officer fraternity.
One thing I have found in civvie street is that very few officers move on to set up companies they seem to prefer going into a management role. I have seen businesses of all descriptions set up and run efficiently by many ex-servicemen and women mainly from lower ranks. Perhaps this is a failing within the RMA lack of business acumen.
This I feel is a matter that should be sorted very quickly as far as the RMA is concerned or we may well loose the RMA through bad budgeting and lack of membership. They should activly promote the RMA to serving members the way the RBL promote effectivly to all service personnel.
The answer may lie in the formation of a new Association, the RBL was not the first attempt at forming an all service association after all.
One thing I have found in civvie street is that very few officers move on to set up companies they seem to prefer going into a management role. I have seen businesses of all descriptions set up and run efficiently by many ex-servicemen and women mainly from lower ranks. Perhaps this is a failing within the RMA lack of business acumen.
This I feel is a matter that should be sorted very quickly as far as the RMA is concerned or we may well loose the RMA through bad budgeting and lack of membership. They should activly promote the RMA to serving members the way the RBL promote effectivly to all service personnel.
The answer may lie in the formation of a new Association, the RBL was not the first attempt at forming an all service association after all.
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Andy O'Pray
- Member
- Posts: 3189
- Joined: Thu 06 Dec, 2001 12:00 am
- Location: www
The First one was the "Great War Veterans association"Formed in 1917,for Canadian Veterans,Round about 1920 it was starting to run into ruin because other organisations were startind to form,but in 1925 Field Marshal Earl Haig Visited Canada and started a reformation of the associations and named it the Canadian League of the british empire.
Earl Haig Had already Formed the British Empire Service League,
The point I am getting at is in 1919 Fieldmarshal haig was made Earl and devoted the remainder of his life to organising the British Legion,"Later to become the Royal British Legion.
John_D
Earl Haig Had already Formed the British Empire Service League,
The point I am getting at is in 1919 Fieldmarshal haig was made Earl and devoted the remainder of his life to organising the British Legion,"Later to become the Royal British Legion.
John_D
When I write on these boards my aim is to promote the RMA, and to encourage people to join. The organisation may not be perfect at the moment, however it is the only one available to serve former Royals, and we should endeavour to change the discrepancies rather than talk about starting again.
The deficit we have talked about earlier is for 1 year it is not an indication that the organisation is going bankrupt it just means it has to tighten its spending or increase its income. The subscription has been raised by £1.50 per member from June 2002, which will help to decrease the deficit. This is also the first increase in subscriptions since 1995.
The RMA is perceived as an organisation for “older people”, I’m 55 years old and one of the “young uns”. However we have to be realistic in our aspirations and realise that most people leaving the Corps. have to forge a new life for themselves. They have the concerns of wife, kids, mortgage and employment and the RMA is a low priority until they get into their 50s’. They then have more time to reflect and feel drawn back towards the Corps, and the RMA becomes of interest. This is a common problem with all service associations that I have discussed the matter.
There is an AGM every September at the Lympstone reunion, and last years event (2001), was a little tetchy because of the manner in which some proposals were attempted to pushed thro’. The membership left the Officers and the Council in no doubt at their displeasure in the handling of certain proposals, and it is now for the authorities to react to the wishes of the members.
The structure of the RMA Council is:-
President (Major General nominated by the CGRM), Chairman (Lt. Col.), General Secretary (Capt. employee),
Hon Treasurer (ex WO?), 3 reps from the Corps( 1 Lt. Col. & 2 WOs’), 10 reps from the Regions (i.e. 2 reps from each of the 5 Regions). The President may not attend all of the Council meetings. The Council meets 2 or 3 times per year.
Further to the Council, each Region (South, South East, South West, Midlands and Northern) has regional meetings quarterly.
Whilst being happy to discuss the RMA there are some aspects, which I will not discuss in an open forum on the internet. The RMA and its membership have a right to expect members to be discreet in the discussion of the organisations “corporate business” in an open forum and also with non-members of the organisation. I therefore cannot agree to the publishing of the Strategy for the 21st Century on this forum however if any members wish to have a copy I will gladly e-mail one.
Brian
The deficit we have talked about earlier is for 1 year it is not an indication that the organisation is going bankrupt it just means it has to tighten its spending or increase its income. The subscription has been raised by £1.50 per member from June 2002, which will help to decrease the deficit. This is also the first increase in subscriptions since 1995.
The RMA is perceived as an organisation for “older people”, I’m 55 years old and one of the “young uns”. However we have to be realistic in our aspirations and realise that most people leaving the Corps. have to forge a new life for themselves. They have the concerns of wife, kids, mortgage and employment and the RMA is a low priority until they get into their 50s’. They then have more time to reflect and feel drawn back towards the Corps, and the RMA becomes of interest. This is a common problem with all service associations that I have discussed the matter.
There is an AGM every September at the Lympstone reunion, and last years event (2001), was a little tetchy because of the manner in which some proposals were attempted to pushed thro’. The membership left the Officers and the Council in no doubt at their displeasure in the handling of certain proposals, and it is now for the authorities to react to the wishes of the members.
The structure of the RMA Council is:-
President (Major General nominated by the CGRM), Chairman (Lt. Col.), General Secretary (Capt. employee),
Hon Treasurer (ex WO?), 3 reps from the Corps( 1 Lt. Col. & 2 WOs’), 10 reps from the Regions (i.e. 2 reps from each of the 5 Regions). The President may not attend all of the Council meetings. The Council meets 2 or 3 times per year.
Further to the Council, each Region (South, South East, South West, Midlands and Northern) has regional meetings quarterly.
Whilst being happy to discuss the RMA there are some aspects, which I will not discuss in an open forum on the internet. The RMA and its membership have a right to expect members to be discreet in the discussion of the organisations “corporate business” in an open forum and also with non-members of the organisation. I therefore cannot agree to the publishing of the Strategy for the 21st Century on this forum however if any members wish to have a copy I will gladly e-mail one.
Brian
Sorry Brian I have to disagree it is nice for someone to openly display information without having to be told three years after the event.
You used the exact term I was looking for " Corporate Business", as such the RMA falls into any business structure and with it's members being able to openly discuss all relevent maters.
Step into the new millenium this is the Internet and the aim is freedom of information.
Are you telling us that this should be covered by the official secrets act?????
I just hope that people like myself who like to keep up with what is going on can do so without writing to you every week to make sure there has not been a major up-cock.
I feel sure this area will see a lot more discussion on this topic over the months.
It's nice to see that the RMA has no lower ranks to balance the structure, unlike the RBL.
You used the exact term I was looking for " Corporate Business", as such the RMA falls into any business structure and with it's members being able to openly discuss all relevent maters.
Step into the new millenium this is the Internet and the aim is freedom of information.
Are you telling us that this should be covered by the official secrets act?????
I just hope that people like myself who like to keep up with what is going on can do so without writing to you every week to make sure there has not been a major up-cock.
I feel sure this area will see a lot more discussion on this topic over the months.
It's nice to see that the RMA has no lower ranks to balance the structure, unlike the RBL.
