No. 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron Association

Background to 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron Association.

In May 1982, No 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron held a well attended and highly successful reunion at Royal Air Force Waddington. Many of those present suggested the formation of a Squadron Association and, as a result, the then Commanding Officer, Wing Commander S.A. Baldwin, proposed the idea to some 500 members and former members of the Squadron. The response to the proposal was very encouraging and, by the end of January 1983, 209 applications for membership had been received, and the Association was born. Since that date, the membership has risen to peak at 490; it has now fallen back to approximately 450.

Annual Meetings

The Association meets socially once each year, usually in May, in the Lincoln area. Reunions are held over a three day week-end, starting with a Meet and Greet on Friday evening. Saturday includes coffee in the morning followed by lunch, some afternoon activity, with dinner in the evening. On Sunday, we hold a remembrance service, followed by lunch. It is a full week-end, but members are free to choose which elements of the reunion they wish to attend. There is a well tried system of accommodation booking for our members, whereby a local motel is booked en bloc for the week-end. Coach transport is provided to and from the motel for each of the functions.

Committee

Air Commodore S.A. Baldwin MBE

Group Captain J. Laycock BA (Retd)

Squadron Leader D. Haller (Retd)

Squadron Leader P.A. Batty (Retd)

Squadron Leader H.M. Horscroft (Retd)

Squadron Leader P. Leckenby MBE (Retd)

Flight Lieutenant R.H.J. Morris (Retd)

Squadron Leader J. Hathaway (Retd)

Squadron Leader J Hathaway (Retd)
Squadron Leader AC Marson

Constitution

1. Association Name and Aims.

The Association shall be known as No 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron Association and shall have the following aims:

To provide a link and bond between former Squadron members by providing an Association membership list to all members.
To foster good comradeship among former members of the Squadron.
To encourage and promote social contact between former Squadron members.

2. Association Management.

The Association shall have a President and be managed by a committee composed of:

Chairman.
Honorary Secretary.
Honorary Treasurer.
World War II member.
Deputy Honorary Secretary.
Deputy Honorary Treasurer.
Deputy world War II member.
Archivist with responsibility for Association records and memorabilia.
Historical Consultant to advise the Committee and members on matters concerning the history of the Squadron.

3.Membership.

Membership of the Association is open to all former members of No 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron who were on the posted strength of the Squadron, and those whose close association with the Squadron was such that the Committee feels that membership can be justified. 4.Friends of the Association.

For those who wish to join the Association but who were not on the posted strength of the Squadron, membership as a “Friend of the Association” may be offered when the applicant:

Had a close association with the Squadron or
is a close relative of a former member of the Squadron, or
has a genuine interest in the well being of the Association.

All applications for membership as a “Friend of the Association” will be considered by the Committee and the names of those approved will be included in the membership list. Subscriptions as a “Friend” will be the same as for full members. “Friends of the Association” may attend all Association meetings and social functions, but they may not vote at General Meetings.

5. Association Accounts.

The Association annual accounting period is from 1 July – 30 June. The Treasurer, or his deputy, is responsible for preparing a balance sheet which will be audited before presentation at a General Meeting.

6. General Meetings.

The business of the Association will be conducted at a General Meeting which will be held at two yearly intervals at a place to be decided by the Committee. The Secretary will notify members of the date and time of the meeting not less than six weeks before the date of the meeting. The Secretary should receive agenda items not less than three weeks before the meeting.

7. Election of Committee.

Committee members will be elected by majority vote at a General Meeting and will serve for a four year term. In the event of a committee member resigning his office prematurely, the Committee may co-opt an Association member to fill the vacancy created. Nominations for Committee members should normally be notified to the Secretary not less than three weeks before the General Meeting. In exceptional circumstances, nominations may be made at the meeting. Retiring committee members are eligible for re-election.

8. Residual Funds.

In the event that the affairs of the Association are wound up, with no successor body, the residual funds should be donated to appropriate service charities in such proportion as the committee at that time shall see fit.

9. Life Vice-President.

As an acknowledgement of exceptional service to the Association by a member, the Committee may recommend that the member be created a Life Vice-President. This appointment should be awarded very sparingly and will require the approval of a General Meeting.