RULES OF THE
ROYAL AIR FORCE REGIMENT ASSOCIATION
Amended RAF Regiment Association Rules Approved at the Annual General Meeting on 25th October 2025.
Branch Chairmen, please arrange for copies to be passed on to your members without email service.
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SECTION 1 – STYLE AND GOVERNANCE
RULES OF THE
ROYAL AIR FORCE REGIMENT ASSOCIATION
RAF Regiment Association Rules Approved at the Annual General Meeting on 24th October 2025
SECTION 1 – STYLE AND GOVERNANCE
1. The following provisions shall constitute the Rules for the Royal Air Force Regiment Association (hereafter termed ‘the Association’) and shall be binding on all Branches, and individual Members as appropriate to their category.
2. The formal title of the Association shall be the ‘Royal Air Force Regiment Association”. Branches of the Association shall be styled the (name / location) Branch, The Royal Air Force Regiment Association”. The only approved abbreviated title of the Association shall be “RAF Regt Association”.
3. The Association shall be a Charitable Incorporated Organization (CIO) with charitable aims detailed in the CIO Articles. The management of the Association’s affairs shall be the responsibility of a National Management Committee (NMC), which shall report to the Association at General Meetings. (See Section VII). Members of the NMC shall be, ex officio, Trustees of the CIO.
4. The main structure of the Association shall comprise the NMC and a number of Branches throughout the UK. The NMC shall determine the approval of Branches. There is also a Headquarters Roll for those who are not members of a Branch.
5. The NMC shall issue guidance to all Branch Secretaries to assist them in the day-to-day management of their respective organizations. The guidance shall be reviewed and, where necessary, updated.
6. The Association governance hierarchy is as follows:
a). CIO Articles
b). Rules of the Association.
c). NMC guidance and instructions.
d). Association Business and Financial Plans.
e). Branch guidance and instructions.
7. The term “RAF Regiment member/personnel”, when used in these Rules, shall be
held to apply to any person who has been commissioned in the RAF Regiment/Royal
Auxiliary Air Force Regiment or has been mustered in the trade of Gunner. RAF or Firemen serving from 1959 –1975 (or as a Gunner/Fireman) and servicemen of the RAF Regiment (Malaya) force are also deemed to be RAF Regiment personnel.
SECTION II – OBJECTIVES.
8. In furtherance of the charitable aims detailed in the CIO Articles, the Association shall seek to maintain and promote esprit de corps and comradeship amongst all RAF Regiment personnel, both past and present, in order to promote the good name, reputation and traditions of the Corps. To achieve these objectives the Association shall:-
a). Facilitate clear communication between retired members and the serving RAF Regiment community.
b). Represent former and fallen members of the Corps.
c). Support the maintenance and enhancement of RAF Regiment memorials, including the RAF Regiment Memorial Garden at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas, Staffordshire, the RAF Regiment Chapel in the church of St Anne’s in Catterick Village, North Yorkshire, and such other memorials and graves as deemed appropriate by the NMC.
d). Encourage and support Association members’ social activities.
e). Represent the RAF Regiment in appropriate national veterans’ associations, HM Government’s Veterans’ Agency and related organizations.
f). Advise Association members on any related Corps or Association issues.
g). Establish and maintain contact with other such organizations that concern themselves with the welfare of the Armed Forces, to ensure that due consideration is given to the interests of both serving and retired RAF Regiment members and their families.
h). Assist in fund-raising for, and making donations to, those Armed Forces’ charities and causes that benefit RAF Regiment and RAF Regiment Association members.
i). Support the RAF Regiment Heritage Centre and the RAF Regiment Archives in recording, preserving and developing the history of the Corps.
SECTION III – PRINCIPLES & POLICY
9. The Association shall be a membership subscription organization in which members may choose to form Branches. All are encouraged to act cohesively for their own collective benefit, and that of the Corps and the Association.
10. The Association shall be a permanent body that shall maintain non-political, non- sectarian and non-religious values at all times. Under no circumstances shall it, or any of its Branches elect or be seen to take sides as a body in any political, industrial or religious disputes. Members shall remain entirely free to act as their individual consciences may dictate, provided it is in the spirit of the Association and that their actions do not bring the Corps or the Association into disrepute in any manner that may cause embarrassment to the RAF, the RAF Regiment, the Association, the NMC or individual members at any level.
11. The Association shall not be a welfare organization. Rather, it will forward for consideration any case of hardship or distress, in which direct financial assistance is sought or other assistance may be required, to the RAF Regiment (Band of Brothers) RAF Association (RAFA), RAF Benevolent Fund (RAFBF), Royal British Legion (RBL)/RBL Scotland (RBLS), Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) or other appropriate welfare and support organizations. This does not debar Branches from taking a close and active interest in their members and of former RAF Regiment personnel and their families living in their vicinity.
12. Branches shall not amalgamate or integrate with other societies, bodies or organizations, and must maintain their independence and integrity. However, close liaison is encouraged with other such organizations whose policies are similar or sympathetic to those of the Association.
SECTION IV – MEMBERSHIP AND VOTING RIGHTS
13. There shall be four categories of Membership:
a) Full
b) Honorary Life
c) Associate
d) Honorary
14. Full Membership. May be conferred on those individuals defined in Rule 7. Additionally, former RAF Ground Gunners and former members of the RAF Armoured Car Companies may also be admitted as Full Members.
15. Honorary Life Membership. may only be bestowed upon those entitled to Full Membership whom the NMC agrees to have made a significant contribution to promoting the Association. These may either be proposed by a Branch or gifted as a departing gesture to outgoing members of the NMC Executive. Honorary Life Members will no longer have to pay annual subscriptions
16. Associate Membership May be granted to:
a) Members, or former members of the British, or Commonwealth Armed Forces who have served on the established strength of a RAF Regiment formation, unit or establishment (including the RAF Regiment Band).
b) Immediate family members (ie spouses, partners, widows, widowers, brothers, sisters, parents, sons and daughters) of Members or personnel as defined in Rule 13(a).
c) Members of bona-fide associations of another Service, Corps or Regiment.
d) Members of the RAF Regiment concept-related combat security forces of other national Air Forces as deemed appropriate by the NMC.
e) Individuals’ ineligible for membership under Rule 13 (a) but who wish to support the Association, who are proposed to the NMC by Branch Committees or by members individually, on such terms, conditions, and purposes as the NMC may decide.
17. Honorary Membership. may be granted by the NMC, Branches to Service and Civic Dignitaries who, while not eligible for Full or Associate Membership, may be deemed worthy of the privilege.
18. Full, Honorary Life Members and Associate Members may hold office at National, and/or Branch level and may vote as individuals on any Association or Branch issue. These three classes of membership may vote at an Annual General Meeting. However, Honorary Members shall not be eligible to hold office, serve on Branch Committees, nor vote at any meeting convened in connection with the affairs of the Association.
19. Applicants who meet the Membership requirements under Rule 16(a) and 16(b), and who are unable or choose not to join their local Branch, may choose to join the Branch of their choice or be included in a Headquarters Roll maintained by the NMC.
20. Applications for Associate Membership may be made to the Secretary of the Branch or to the National Secretary in the case of the Headquarters Roll. Branch Committees, and the National Secretary in the case of the Headquarters Roll, shall have full discretion to refuse or withdraw the membership of any person subject, in the case of withdrawal, to their right of appeal to the higher body.
21. Nominations for Honorary Life Membership of the Association shall only be considered as an option for those entitled to Full Membership and then shall only conferred in exceptional circumstances with the referral of the NMC and ratification by a General Meeting. However, extant Life Memberships of the former Corps associations shall be honoured.
SECTION V – MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS
22. The Association year shall be from 1 April to 31 March. Full and Associate Members of Branches shall be charged an annual Association Membership Subscription at a rate set by the NMC and ratified by the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The following provisions shall also apply:
a). Branch members’ Association Membership Subscriptions shall be forwarded directly to the Association by Standing Order, not later than 30 April annually, or within 30 days of receipt of a new member’s Membership Subscription.
b). Branch members may be charged a supplementary annual Branch Subscription, to be determined by the respective Branch at its AGM, for the respective Branch’s own funding purposes.
c). Redacted
d). Members joining the Association during the year shall pay a proportion of the annual subscription depending on the number of months remaining until the end of the current Association year (see paragraph 20 above).
e). No Member leaving the Association, for whatever reason, may lay claim upon the
contributions or other moneys paid by them into the Association.
f). Branch members who fail to pay their Association Membership Subscription after due notice of two calendar months may have their membership terminated without further recourse and all Association benefits shall cease.
SECTION VI – ASSOCIATION OFFICERS
23. The NMC shall be populated by capable and respected individuals without regard to rank. The Honorary Officers of the Association shall consist of, where appropriate, Patron, President, Vice Presidents and Advisers.
24. The Patron shall be person of high standing within the community, whose patronage would bring prestige and advantage to the Association. The NMC shall nominate the Patron, after verifying their willingness to be nominated, for ratification at a General Meeting.
25. The serving Commandant General of the RAF Regiment shall be the National President in an ex-officio capacity. He shall take an interest in the policies and direction being taken by the Association and offer Corps guidance where appropriate, but he shall not have any voting rights in committee.
26. Advisers may be appointed for their knowledge and expertise and need not be Members of the Association. Such advisers should only be invited to attend where their expertise and advice would be required for specific discussion items, and they shall not have any voting rights in committee.
SECTION VII – NATIONAL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
27. The prime role of the NMC shall be to manage the affairs of the Association, draft the Business and Financial Plans, advise the AGM, and implement its decisions. It will have the authority to apply and uphold the Rules of the Association and resolve any issues to which the Rules do not specifically apply.
The NMC will:
a). Decide upon matters of general management and administrative policy.
b). Draft and implement the Association’s Business and Financial Plans.
c). Create sub-committees, or ad hoc working groups, as considered necessary for the day-to-day business of the Association.
d). Review matters brought before it by Branches and agree the items being placed on the agenda of a General Meeting.
e). Provide guidance and advice to Branches on procedures to be adopted.
f). Conduct, a periodic review of the Rules and, where necessary, propose revisions at the next AGM.
28. Elections. National Officials shall be Full, Honorary Life or Associate Members (apart from the Chairman who shall always be a Full Member) and shall be elected by the membership. As far as possible, elections shall be phased to maximize continuity on the NMC. The format of elections shall be recommended by the NMC and approved by a General Meeting. The results shall be announced at a General Meeting.
29. National Officials shall constitute the voting members of the NMC and shall be as follows:
a). National Chairman.
b). National Vice-Chairman.
c). National Secretary.
d). National Treasurer.
30. National Officials shall be appointed, ex-officio, as trustees of the CIO. National Officials shall normally serve for a term of no more than three years when they must stand down, the exception to this is that in order to maintain continuity and to enhance the management of the Association, their periods of office may be adjusted by agreement at an AGM. They may seek immediate re-election at a General Meeting. Should a National Official retire, resign or be unable to continue in office for any reason, a Full, Honorary Life or Associate Member (being willing to serve) shall be co-opted by the NMC and they shall serve until formal election at the next AGM.
31. The NMC shall comprise the National Officials and one Officer and one Warrant Officer or SNCO, nominated by the Commandant General, RAF Regiment as non-voting members, to provide the necessary interface with the Corps.
32. Any three voting Members of the NMC shall constitute a quorum. The Chairman or the Vice-Chairman shall preside.
33. The NMC may co-opt any other Full, Honorary Life or Associate Member to attend meetings to advise on any particular issue, but such co-opted Members shall not be entitled to vote.
34. The NMC shall meet whenever necessary. It shall, in any event, meet at least three months before the scheduled date of a General Meeting and at other additional times at the discretion of the Chairman, or when an Extraordinary General Meeting is called for under the terms of the CIO Articles. The NMC will meet at least quarterly, this may include “virtual” meetings using Teams or Zoom or a similar platform
35. Minutes of each NMC Meeting shall be recorded by the National Secretary and issued to all NMC Members and Branch Secretaries within two working weeks of the subject meeting.
36. Appropriate and allowable travel expenses of Members attending meetings shall be determined by the NMC and met from the Association’s General Fund. Travel costs, however, shall be set at the most cost-effective means, as defined by the NMC. Subsistence costs shall be the responsibility of individuals other than in exceptional circumstances.
37. The system of dealing with disciplinary matters will be as follows:-
- The NMC shall be entitled to suspend, for a finite period, any Branch or individual that has ceased to respect the requirements of the Association’s Constitution or Rules. Once any charges are raised against any branch or individual, they should be dealt with at branch level firstly but if this is impractical then the National Chairman will invoke an investigation by the Ethics Committee.
- They will make their judgement and offer guidance to the National Chairman who will relay that to the accused person(s), who then has the right of appeal to the National Chairman. The National Chairman will then consider all the evidence put before him, and he will make a final decision on behalf of the Association.
- This decision will be final, and no further course of appeal will be available to the accused person if they are found guilty
38. The NMC may appoint such support staff as necessary for the efficient conduct of Association affairs. The support costs of such staff shall be met from the Association’s General Fund.
SECTION VIII – OVERSEEING THE NMC
39. General oversight of the NMC is vested in the membership at General Meetings. In addition, one nominated Trustee of the CIO (the Compliance Officer) shall have the responsibility to monitor the performance of the NMC in delivering the Business and Financial Plans and implementing the decisions of the membership expressed by General Meetings. He or she shall ensure that the NMC is implementing prudent risk management in managing the Association’s affairs and shall advise and warn the NMC. He or she shall report to the members annually at the AGM and such report
shall be a separate and independent document submitted to the AGM.
SECTION IX – BRANCHES
40. Branches shall not be established or disestablished without the approval of the NMC.
41. Each Branch shall elect a Committee, comprising a Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, and a minimum of two Full or Associate Members, whose duty it shall be to exercise a controlling oversight of the conduct of the Branch and to implement any constitutional or administrative direction provided by the NMC on behalf of the Association AGM.
42. A Branch General Meeting shall be held each year where the Committee members for the forthcoming year shall be elected; their names and contact details shall be reported to the NMC.
43. Branch members may be paid appropriate and allowable expenses, subject to formal agreement at a Branch Meeting, from the funds of the respective Branch. Branches agreeing to pay expenses to a member for whatever reason, are to ensure that the request is discussed at a Branch Meeting and the decision, made by those attending, for or against such expenditure is properly noted as a minute in the records of that meeting with clear indication as to who proposed, who seconded and a detailed count of the vote registered (e.g.: For-5/Against 4 – motion carried). This decision cannot be challenged afterwards and will represent the intentions and feelings of the branch as a whole. Where expenses are paid without strict adherence to the above guidance, the person receiving such money will be required to reimburse the full amount. It is the responsibility of the Branch Chairman to ensure that all expense claims are discussed at a meeting (including Teams/Zoom or other electronic means), prior to the money being given to the claimant.
44. Serving Members of the Association may apply to join a Branch of their choice, including the Headquarters Roll, irrespective of their posted location. However, a subsequent change of posting shall not justify any free change of Branch membership prior to the end of the Membership/Financial Year.
45. Branches may form a Club as part of their organization. However, the responsibility for the administration, finances and general running of any such Club shall rest solely with the Branch concerned. The Association’s General Fund shall not, under any circumstances, be liable for any expenses or losses.
46. Any Branch having requested and received authority to close, shall forward to the National Secretary:
a) A statement of the Branch Accounts, certified by the Chairman.
b). The balance of remaining Branch funds (after suitable disbursements have been made in accordance with the wishes of the membership through a General Meeting).
c). Branch ledgers, electronic accounts and cash books relating to these funds together with all duplicate subscription receipts.
d). A register of current members transferring to alternative Branches
e). The Branch Standard, if it is not to be laid up formally elsewhere
SECTION X – STANDARDS
47. Association Standards shall be regarded as the ‘Colours’ of the Association and a symbol of the comradeship and esprit de corps for which the Association stands. They shall be kept in a secure, safe and appropriate place, and only be paraded or displayed on authorized occasions or functions that are appropriate and in keeping with their revered status. Standards shall not be used in any decorative role (e.g. as a table covering), or on occasions unbefitting the dignity of the Association’s symbol. The NMC shall issue additional guidance on the storage and employment of Standards, and requirements for Standard Bearers, as appropriate.
48. The Association shall have a National Standard to be paraded or carried at appropriate major events and occasions. The cost of purchase and maintenance of the National Standard shall be borne from the Association’s General Fund.
49. Branches shall endeavour, where financially viable, to provide a Standard at their cost for their respective organizations. The cost of purchase and maintenance of Branch Standards shall be borne wholly by the funds of the respective Branch. The cost of insurance of the National Standard and Branch Standards should be met from the Standard Bearers or the Keepers’ Household Insurance and if it incurs any increase, the balance should be met from the appropriate National or Branch Funds.
50. The National Secretary shall maintain the specifications of the National and Branch Standards. To ensure continuity of design and manufacturing standards, Branch Standards should be procured through the National Secretary, by using Association-approved manufactures and suppliers.
51. The costs of attendance for National and Branch Standard Bearers at official Association events, or where the presence of the National and/or Branch Standards is deemed desirable (including, but not limited to, the Rededication of the RAF Regiment Chapel at Catterick, the Tower of London and the NMA), to a limit agreed by the NMC and announced at the AGM. Application must be made to the Treasurer two weeks prior to the event, and the Treasurer will arrange for payment to be made prior to the event.
52. Upon the closure or disestablishment of a Branch the disposal of its Standard shall be determined by the respective Branch Committee, in consultation with the National Secretary, to ensure that it’s laying up shall be appropriate. Branches are encouraged to lay up their Standards in the RAF Regiment Heritage Centre. These will be on loan to the HCC so that should a Branch re-open they may ask for the return of their Standard.
SECTION XI – GENERAL MEETINGS
53. The AGM shall be the normal means of debating and ratifying Association business. An AGM of the Association shall be held at a date and venue chosen by the NMC and notified to all Branches at least three calendar months in advance.
The business to be transacted by an AGM of the Association shall include (but not be limited to):
a) Consideration of reports and approval of Association accounts for the preceding year.
b) Approval of the Association’s Financial Plan and Annual Budget for the forthcoming year.
c) Approval of the NMC-proposed independent auditors for the forthcoming financial year.
d) Approval of any Association Membership Subscription changes decided upon by the NMC.
e) Approval of any changes to the Rules of the Association recommended by the NMC (subject to a 75% majority vote of those attending).
f) Report of the election of NMC Officials.
g) Review and approval of matters of general policy, concepts and guidance.
h) Review and approval of planned national Association events.
54. The NMC shall agree items for inclusion in the agenda for the General Meeting at the NMC meeting scheduled prior to the General Meeting. These agenda items, together with nominations for office, shall be issued to Branches with the Minutes of that NMC meeting.
55. Other resolutions for discussion at the General Meeting as Any Other Business must be advised to the National Secretary prior to the start of the General Meeting but shall not be voted upon unless the National Officials conclude that the matter is of due Association importance or urgency. This does not preclude general discussion on other important or urgent Association matters
56. The NMC may convene an Extraordinary General Meeting at any time in accordance with the CIO Articles.
57. All Full, Honorary Life and Associate Members shall be entitled to take a full part in all discussions and vote at a General Meeting.
58. All decisions of a General Meeting shall be decided by votes of entitled Members attending the General Meeting and a simple majority shall be required, except on Association Rules matters. In the event of a tied outcome the National Chairman will cast the deciding vote, so as to avoid repetitious discussions.
59. Branch Members attending a General Meeting shall be responsible for their own travel and subsistence costs; such costs shall not be met from the Association’s General Fund. However, the costs of attendance of Branch Chairmen (or his nominated representative) attending an AGM may, after a registered and minuted vote from the Branch Membership be met from Branch Funds – (see Sect VII para 36).
SECTION XI – FINANCE
60. The NMC shall establish a formal, regulated and audited investment programme for its General Fund. The General Fund shall be maintained at the level set in the Financial Plan. The NMC may delegate the management of investments to an Investment Fund Manager (IFM). An IFM shall be either:
a) An individual of sound repute with at least 15 years’ experience of investment fund management and who is an authorized person within the meaning of the Financial Services Act 1986, or,
b) A company or firm of sound repute, which is an authorized or exempted agency within the meaning of the Financial Services Act 1986, otherwise by virtue of Section 45 (1) (j) of that Act. This function has been fulfilled by Rathbones Active Income
and Growth Fund Inc since 21 January 2019 with an investment deposit from legacy
donations, which will pay a dividend at the end of each financial quarter. This
investment will also earn interest increasing the value of the capital invested annually.
61 The NMC may authorize their appointed IFM to buy and sell investments for the Association on behalf of the NMC, in accordance with their directed investment
policy. The NMC may only do so on terms consistent with this Rule.
62 Conditions governing any such delegation, and the conduct of the IFM shall be in accordance with rules developed by the NMC and approved by a General Meeting.
63. The investments of the Association shall be vested in the name of the Association NMC as nominee for the Association.
64 All Association Membership Subscription paid direct to the Association shall become part of the Association’s General Fund. Branch Membership Subscriptions shall be retained, and accounted for, by their respective Branches.
65 An external and independent accountant shall audit the accounts of the Association annually. An abridged copy of the Association Accounts shall be provided to all Branches. Unabridged copies of the accounts shall be made available upon request and shall be included in the annual Financial Statement to the AGM.
66. Branches are to forward a copy of their certified Statement of Accounts to the National Treasurer at the end of the Financial Year.
67. Where a Branch adds no further charge to the Association Annual Subscriptions set at AGM, and has no official Branch Funds, a nil-return must be registered with the National Treasurer at the end of the Financial Year by the Branch Secretary as these Branches will have no official Branch Treasurer
SECTION XII – ASSOCIATION ACTIVITIES
68. The Association shall support, either by participation or representation, in the
following annual national events:
a) National Act of Remembrance at the Cenotaph.
b) National Festival of Remembrance at the Albert Hall.
c) Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey.
d) Battle of Britain Service at Westminster Abbey.
e) RAF Formation Day Service & Wreath-Laying at the RAF Regiment Memorial outside St Clement Dane’s.
f) Armed Forces Day – National Arboretum – RAF Regt Memorial Garden.
69. In addition, the Association may support other national events as deemed appropriate by the NMC and approved at an AGM.
SECTION XIII – COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
70. Branch Members having a complaint relating to the Association or its Members shall follow an established complaints procedure. Initially, complaints shall be heard at the respective Branch level, under local arrangements. Where the matter cannot be resolved at that level, the complainant may refer their complaint to the Association’s Ethics Committee, which shall make a decision. The National Chairman shall provide the final Appeals level where necessary. The levels of authority shall be:
a) Respective Branch Committee.
b) Association Ethics Committee.
c) NMC National Chairman (on appeal).
71. The National Chairman may not be a member of the Ethics Committee, nor may Ethics Committee Members, as individuals, be party to any deliberation or ruling on a member of their own Branch, or family. Where necessary, ad hoc NMC Members may be co-opted for such cases.
78. Before any Member or Official is censured or expelled from the Association, they shall be given, in writing, six-weeks’ notice to appear before the Ethics Committee, together with details of the complaint(s) levelled against them. Non-attendance at such a review shall be construed as acceptance of the complaint(s), unless a legitimate reason is given that warrants deferment of the review.
SECTION IX – WELFARE
72. Charitable objectives defined in our Charity Commission Statement: –
a) To promote the efficiency of RAF Regiment personnel by any charitable means, including but not limited to fostering “Esprit de Corps” and maintaining contact between past and present members of the Corps.
b) To relieve, either generally or individually, persons who are serving or who have served in the RAF Regiment, or the dependants of such persons who are in conditions of hardship or distress.
c)To commemorate and remember those members, or former members of the Armed Forces of the Cown who have lost their lives or suffered injury or put themselves at risk of loss of life or injury in service to the public.
73. A Welfare Committee will be formed by the NMC with the National Treasurer as its Chairman. It will consist of the Chairman and 2 other respected members who will manage the payment of welfare to Association Members
74. The fund will annually stand at £500.00 which is to be reviewed annually at AGM, and for which a separate account must be created by the National Treasurer. A report of welfare expenditure must be included in the National Treasurers Annual Report.
75. All expenditure from the welfare fund must be for goods and services only. On no account is cash to be handed to an applicant, and receipts for all transactions are to be kept as a record of expenditure.
76. Any significant spend that exceeds the annual budget must be proposed via the National Treasurer and approved by the NMC.
24th October 2025
Paul Grimley,
National Chairman