Hello everyone,
Hope you are coping with the first real chilly weather before Christmas, scraping the car, salting the path and all that. Once again our thoughts reflect back to those sadly no longer with us while at the same time looking towards a New Year which, given the recent political events in USA, should be interesting!!
A big thank you to all the members who attended our AGM and a very special welcome to the Branch for our new committee members, Lorna Robbie and Alistair Joss. I must also thank Dave MacDougall for his sterling service over many many years and wish him a very happy 'retirement' from the Branch Committee. To any budding committee members out there, get in touch and I’ll be happy to discuss in more detail. For those that couldn't make the AGM you missed a great night and a humbling one at that with a medal presentation and Life membership awards. Check out the website in the near future for an update and photographs.
RPOAS continues to move on a pace and earlier this month Andy McKay and I were part of an intense Working Group tasked with planning for the next 3 to 5 Years. With the ever changing face of Scottish Policing and potential implications for our organisation we discussed in some detail a whole range of topics. A good example was in the area of recruitment to RPOAS which, as one of our 6400 members, you know is vital to our success. A number of questions were raised:
• Will new recruits be in the 'job' for the long haul as most of us were or will they join for say 10 years to bolster their CV's and take up another career thereafter?
▪ Can we continue to attract recently retired new members as we have done in the past?
• What do potential new recruits expect from being members of RPOAS?
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
As you would expect, we also looked at financial matters, marketing, member benefits, representation in key national committees, supporting branches, welfare and much more. The Executive Members will take this work forward in the new year and the findings will be put to members at our Annual Conference at Cumbernauld on 6/7 April 2017. I will keep you posted.
On members’ benefits, I once again draw your attention to an ever growing list of benefits:
• The very best travel insurance from AXA
• Tax Advisory Service from MCM accountants
• Comprehensive legal services from Aberdein Considine
• All your travel needs with Not Just Travel
• New car offers from Peter Vardy
• New car offers from Nissan
• Cruise offers from Fred Olson
• White goods offers from Hotpoint
In addition to the above, those members with the 'NARPO' car insurance policy through PMAS should note on renewal to quote their RPOAS membership as this will result in a small financial benefit being paid to RPOAS as opposed to NARPO. Remember – access the WEBSITE and see for yourself.
www.rpoas.org.uk – remember your login is your membership number (don't include TS) and your password (your surname with a capital for example – Brown)
Finally,
KEY DATES FOR NEXT YEAR
Branch Annual Dinners –
PERTH – Salutation Hotel, Perth , on Friday 14 April 2017
DUNDEE – Downfield Golf Club, Dundee , on Thursday 27 April 2017
More information early 2017 re booking seats but get the dates that apply to you in your diary NOW.
A very Merry Christmas to everyone and a happy and prosperous New Year.
Fond regards
Matt Hamilton
President
RPOAS Tayside Branch