As most members will know by now, BAFF is giving up its 'Company Limited by Guarantee' and moving to an unincorporated association model. Activity continues. The change has been forced upon us quite simply because we wouldn''t afford the quoted cost for future company secretary and company accounts.
The exact date has yet to be agreed, but is now imminent.
The company remains solvent to the extent that we have sufficient member donations available to cover the cost of the final accounts and any other charges. There will, however, be no funds (or very little) to pass to the new association, so we remain deoendent on continuing subscriptions. A current member has offered to continue funding the website.
It's envisaged that the new association, by securing the payment of final charges due by the outgoing company, will thereby purchase and have assigned to it the intellectual property rights of the company, including the website, the constitution, the logo and the names "British Armed Forces Federation" and "BAFF".
As an unincorporated association cannot own property directly, legal ownership of intellectual and other property will be held by named members acting as trustees on behalf of all members.
Change to an unincorporated association has legal liability implications. The association will therefore not (for example) undertake any commercial or professional activities. Were such activities to be considered in the future, a new company can be formed; the cost of forming a new company is not in itself prohibitive, given that a lot of the drafting and consultation has already been done.
Existing disclaimers about information and assistance provided are already strong, but are also being reviewed.
All current paid full members will automatically be transferred to the new association but, as always, retain the right to cancel their membership and registration at any time. Notice will be given to those members by email as soon as possible.
Current BAFF Military Supporters will also be transferred, and can, as always, cancel their registration at any time. The BAFF Military Supporter list was closed to new free registrations some time ago.
Membership subscriptions will need to be reviewed when the migration is complete, but the £5 for a year special offer remains in force at the time of writing.