We are working on proposals to change the BAFF Constitution. This would mean discontinuing the formal company registration to save costs. This involves converting to an unincorporated trust, mirroring the current constitution as much as possible.
Any such changes would be subject to formal approval by the current (full) membership.
We have also been working to upgrade the website, particularly the membership joining system, and a new blog and comments system.
More to follow ...
An essential part of 'successor BAFF', which will take the form of an Unincoporated Association, is a new Constitution.
A draft of the new Constitution is now available for logged-in users (including for the time being lapsed members and BAFF Military Supporters) to see and comment.
The new Constitution will effectively replace the Memorandum of Association of the current BAFF (2006) Ltd, which is available for download HERE,
Members will see that certain sections of the old Constitution have been carried over into the new one.
The reasons for this are firstly, that in drawing up the Constitution the BAFF Steering Group took advice from Senior Counsel as to how to ensure that the organisation's representation of its members serving in the armed forces would be legal. At the time there had been dark accusations from some vested interests, before seeing our porposals, that representation would amount to 'mutiny',
Secondly, having obtained senior counsel's and solicitor's advice, the Constitution was drawn up online in consultation with 50 members of the 'Army Rumour Service' website, who were all currently serving or former members of the UK armed forces. We think it's important not to lose that work if BAFF is to continue at any level.
This note is public. Login is required to see and, if desired, comment on the current draft which will be posted by Doug Young.
Work continues on reorganising BAFF to change its structure from a registered Company Limited by Guarantee to an ordinary unincorporated association.
The driver for the change is simply cost, specifically the next year's fee quoted by the accountants who act as company secretaries and provide the registered office.
The website will continue, as will volunteers' work on cases and campaigns.
Restructuring requires a formal decision to liquidate the Company. Only members with a current subscription as of today have a formal right to participate in that decision, but all registered BAFF Military Supporters are welcome to contribute their views and to ask questions.
More updates will follow.