2003 National Council Remits

War Pensions Policy

Welfare Policy

Association Policy

Standing Policy

Sports Policy

General Policy

War Pensions Policy

1. Hearing Disability - Review Of

That NEC make strong representations to have the hearing “review” facility, which was discontinued in the mid 1990s, restored.

Seatoun RSA

2. Veterans Pension Eligibility

That RNZRSA take positive and immediate action to have Government recognise the need for the Veterans Pension eligibility to be reduced from 70% to 50% disability and to have it implemented as soon as possible. The RNZRSA is to report back to veterans on action taken and the reaction of the Crown to the request as soon as possible.

Auckland RSA

3. War Disability Pension for Spouse

That the Royal New Zealand Returned Services’ Association continue to press the New Zealand Government to provide for the spouse of a deceased War Disability Pensioner, who was in receipt of a War Disability Pension of less than 70%, to continue to receive the same amount as was received by the deceased.

Palmerston North RSA

4. War Pensions Act 1954 - Coverage Under

That this National Council directs the RNZRSA to investigate the desirability of all past and serving Defence Force personnel being covered by the War Pensions Act 1954 and to take whatever action is deemed necessary to implement such change should it be deemed appropriate.

Seatoun RSA

Welfare Policy

5. Veterans Health Card

That the RNZRSA take positive and immediate action to encourage the New Zealand Government to implement the provisions of the Veterans Health Card, as detailed in the Submission to the Minister of Veterans' Affairs, and that it keep all local Associations and affiliates informed.

Auckland RSA

6. Veteran's Liaison Officer

That the Royal New Zealand Returned Services’ Association petition the Minister of Veterans' Affairs & War Pensions to finance and employ a Veterans' Liaison Officer with the Veterans’ Affairs Team.

Rotorua RSA

7. Setting up of a National Register

That in view of the unsettled concerns, grievances and disruptions caused by uncertainties about the after-effects of attendance at the nuclear tests in the 1950s and operations in Agent Orange sprayed areas of South Vietnam in the 1960s-70s.

The Government be persuaded:

(a) To set up national registers of all members of the New Zealand forces who served:

(i) at the nuclear tests in the 1950s and 1970s; (Operation Grapple, Mururoa)

(ii) in South Vietnam in the 1960s and 1970s

(b) To track and maintain contact with these members, spouses where applicable and/or their successors and establish and keep up to date names and contact particulars of children and grandchildren.

(c) To obtain and record medical/health events of statistical significance which have occurred in the lives of the above registrants to date and in future to survey registrants at 10 yearly intervals.

(d) To arrange expert review of the results and to report on the incidence of unfavourable medical/health events and recommend action if possible or necessary to support individuals adversely effected and their families.

(e) To arrange expert review on a continuing basis of relevant overseas research and literature and reporting on matters of interest in New Zealand.

Wellington RSA

8. Hospital and Rest Home Care

That the RNZRSA and local Associations immediately pressure the Government to ease the pressure on Returned Service people and spouses in need of hospital or rest home care by removing the system of taking a lien on dwellings to offset the costs of hospital and rest home care.

Auckland RSA

Association Policy

9. Capitation - Non Payment For Returned Members Aged 80 Years And Over

That RNZRSA discontinue capitation charges for Returned Service people who have reached the age of 80 years.

Auckland RSA

10. Capitation - Local Associations and RSA Clubs

That pursuant to the provisions of Rules 56 and 57, the Capitation to be paid by Local Associations and separately incorporated RSA Clubs for the year 2004 shall be an amount of $8.50 for each member, in respect of all classes of member based on membership as at 31st December 2003, as certified by the Local Associations or separately incorporated Clubs Auditors or Reviewers plus Goods and Services Tax at the prescribed rate for that year.

National Executive Committee

11. Capitation - Payment Of Instalments Other Than Half Yearly

That Rule 56 of the Rules of RNZRSA be amended to enable NEC to authorise payment of capitation in instalments of lesser or greater frequency than currently provided.

National Executive Committee

12. Capitation - Payment of, by Monthly Instalments

That Rule 56 of the Rules of RNZRSA be amended to enable capitation to be paid in twelve regular monthly instalments.

Wanganui RSA

13. RSA Review - Delivery Costs

That RNZRSA investigate the costs relating to the delivery of the RSA Review and that the Review be posted to only those members Returned, Service and Associate who actually want to receive the Review.

Gore RSA

14. RSA Review - Distribution Of

That individual RSAs distribute the RSA Review to members, as it is a known fact that many are not read by the membership. This would be a saving on postage, but become a responsibility for local RSAs.

Featherston Memorial RSA

15. The Establishment of a Defence Policy by RNZRSA

That RNZRSA direct its Defence Sub-Committee to study the Defence needs of New Zealand and invite that Sub-Committee to report back to the 2004 National Council with appropriate conclusions and recommendations.

Wellington RSA

16. Medallic Recognition - Malaysia/Singapore

That the Royal New Zealand Returned Services Association make representation to the new Government to give consideration for the award of medallic recognition to personnel who served in Malaysia/Singapore during the period 30 August 1966 to April 1975.

Palmerston North RSA

17. RNZRSA Rules - Election of Executive Officers and Elected Members by Postal Ballot

That the Rules of RNZRSA be amended to have the election of the National President, the National Vice Presidents and the four Elected Members conducted by way of a postal ballot and that the Chief Executive RNZRSA be the Chief Returning Officer for the purpose of the Postal Ballot.

Christchurch RSA

18. National Council - Voting Procedures for Elections

That the current voting procedures for the election of the Executive Officers and Elected Members of RNZRSA be replaced with a first past the post system, with the highest polling candidate(s) being elected to the position either as President, Vice President or Elected Member.

Canterbury District

19. RNZRSA Rules - Remits

That Rule 40(a), line 4, be amended by repealing the words "three (3) calendar months" and replacing them with "six (6) weeks" the amended clause to read:

(a) "NEC or any local Association or any District Meeting of local Associations or any affiliated organisations which desires to bring forward any remit to a meeting of the Council shall forward a copy of such remit to the Chief Executive on or before a date six (6) weeks before the date fixed for the meeting of the Council which shall be the final date for the receipt of such remit."

Upper Waitaki RSA

20. RNZRSA Rules - Second Schedule 5(e)(ii) Cadet Eligibility

That the Second Schedule to the Rules of RNZRSA, 'Eligibility for Admission as a Service Member of a Local Association' be amended as follows:

"In paragraph 5(e)(ii), delete '12 months' and substitute '3 years'".

Wellington RSA

21. RNZRSA Rules - Junior Membership

That the rules of RNZRSA and the Model Rules for Local Associations be amended to establish a new membership category - "Junior" member and that the criteria for eligibility for, and conditions attaching to such membership be set out in a new Fourth Schedule, the existing Fourth Schedule and subsequent Schedules to be sequentially renumbered.

National Executive Committee

22. RNZRSA Rules - Day Membership

That the Rules of the RNZRSA be amended to allow local Associations and RSA Clubs to introduce a new class of membership entitled "Day Membership".

Waihi Beach Memorial RSA and Wanganui RSA

23. Model Rules for Local Associations - Associate Members Election to Executive Committee

That:

(a) National (Dominion) Council Resolution 1999/5 be amended by deleting sub-par (c); and

(b) National (Dominion) Council Resolution 1998/20 be rescinded; and

(c) The Model Rules for Local Associations, in particular Rules 24 and 26 be amended accordingly.

Resolution 1999/5 - Associate Members - Election to Executive

That those Associations, which elect to do so, be enabled to amend their Rules to allow Associate members to:

(a) be elected to local RSA Executive Committees in any office including President or Vice President; and

(b) be eligible to nominate persons for all positions on the Executive; and

(c) provided however that in relation to (a) above the numbers of Associate members elected shall not exceed a minority of the total membership of the Committee.

Resolution 1998/20 - Associate Members Elected to Executive Committee of a Local Association: Determination of the Numbers so Eligible

That Clause (d) of Remit 10 adopted at the 1996 Dominion Council meeting be amended by deleting the word "excluding" in line 2 and replacing it with the word "including", the amended clause to read:

"(d) provided that in relation to sub-clause (a) above the number so elected shall not exceed a minority of the elected members of that committee including the President and Vice President(s)."

Otaki Memorial RSA

24. Model Rules for Local Associations - Dispensation from Minority Status of Associate Members Elected to Executive Committee

That a dispensation be given to local Associations with a total combined membership of fifty (50) or less Returned and/or Service members, from the provisions of National Council Resolution 1999/5 restricting Associate members elected to the Executive Committee to "not exceed a minority of the total membership of the Committee" including the Officers of the local Association.

Eastbourne RSA

25. Model Rules for Local Associations – Mode of Suspension of Membership

That Rule 13 be repealed and replaced with:

"The Executive Committee or its appointed Disciplinary Committee shall have the power to call on any member for any charge of misconduct within the terms of these rules laid against him by any member or for any other sufficient cause and if in the opinion of such Committee, the facts proved warrant their doing so: shall refer the matter to the Disciplinary Committee of not more than five (5) financial members being independently elected from the members on the floor, whom shall have the power to suspend the member for a period of up to but not exceeding twenty four (24) months but shall not have the power to order the surrender of the members badge during the period of suspension.

Any member so called upon shall have the right to appear before such Committee.

A suspended Member shall lose all privileges of membership during the period of suspension.

Any member so called will have the right to appeal and any independent representation of their choice if they so wish."

Upper Waitaki RSA

Standing Policy

26. Standing Policy 2002/13 - Intervention in Local Association Affairs

That Standing Policy 13 paragraph one (1) be repealed and replaced with:

"(a) That this National Council instructs the National Executive Committee (NEC) to refer allegations of impropriety and/or issues or concerns relating to the management or conduct of the affairs of the local Association to a Disciplinary Committee comprising of not more than five (5) financial members being independently elected annually from the members on the floor at the National Council Meeting and as a matter of urgency to report its findings to NEC."

Upper Waitaki RSA

Sports Policy

27. RNZRSA Sporting Policy SP1 and SP4

That RNZRSA Sporting Policy SP1 and Sporting Policy SP4 be amended to enable the National Executive Committee to change the dates where a Local Association applies to run an RNZRSA Sporting Tournament, and an RNZRSA Victory Club Open Sports Tournament of the same code, in conjunction at the same venue.

National Executive Committee

General Policy

28. Teaching of New Zealand History within our Education System

That the Royal New Zealand Returned Services’ Association petition the Minister of Education to make the teaching of New Zealand history, including our military history, compulsory in New Zealand primary, intermediate and secondary schools.

Rotorua RSA

29. National Council 2004 Venue

That the Royal New Zealand Returned Services' Association seriously consider cancelling next year's current hall hire arrangements and move the National Council meeting for 2004 to the Palmerston North Convention Centre to meet the needs and costs of the smaller numbers who are attending.

Palmerston North RSA