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Branch accounts !

June 30^th will arrive faster than we'd like, so now is a good time for Treasurers to be checking that everything is going to be ready for the Branch accounts to be completed and audited by the 30^th September; at the latest.

Accounts should be audited if possible by one of our two RBL Independent examiners, or an independent person who is considered financially inclined. If the latter, please ensure that they are given a copy of the Auditors instructions and letter of engagement. It is obviously very important that an Auditor is aware of our Charity’s objects, rules and regulations.

Here is the list of documents that the auditor will need. This can also be found on MAP, Membership Handbook and Auditor instructions or can be downloaded here

Checklist of documentation required to conduct an Independent Examination

Branch Certificate at section 1 already signed by Branch Officers

Ledger/Account Book/Cash Book/Computer print out

Bank statements (1 July – 30 June) for all accounts

Bank reconciliations for the period (prepared at least quarterly)

Full list of stock held (badges, wreaths etc.)

Minutes of Branch meetings for the period under examination

Branch Accounts/Income and Expenditure Forms for previous year

Investment statements (if applicable)

Building society pass book (complete to 30 June – if applicable)

Paying-in books

Cheque books + copy of bank mandate

Receipts and payments vouchers

BFI statements

Signed copy of ‘Authority to Disclose Information Forms’ for each bank giving the account(s) held by the Branch

Signed copy of ‘Authority to Disclose Information Forms’ for each investment company holding Branch investments (if applicable)

Complete and signed MS1 form

The letter of engagement can be downlaoded here.

Finally , if anyone is having problems, or anticipates any, please get in touch with the County Treasurer or Committee so that we can help if we can.

Ges Brown

Hampshire RBL County Treasurer email: Hampshire.treasurer@rbl.community

We are recruiting Poppy Appeal Organisers for the below districts within Hampshire.

In the North of the County

We are looking for Poppy Appeal Organisers for two new Districts, ASDA Farnborough and Morrisons Farnborough. You will receive a warm welcome and be well supported and join a great bunch of local fellow PAOs! If you think you might be able to help and are keen to take on one of these volunteer roles, please contact Sarah by email sferris@britishlegion.org.uk or call 07742 762988.

We look forward to hearing from you and any questions or a quick chat, please do get in touch.

In the South of the County

SBC08 – Netley and Hamble Inc Tesco Bursledon (1 supermarket collection ) Worth £24,000

SBD08 – Fareham Sainsbury – (1 supermarket table ) Worth £10,000

SBC07 – Sainsbury Eastleigh ( 1 Supermarket table) Worth £10,000

SBK02 – Woolston –( delivery route ) Worth £2,654

SBH13- Fordingbridge – (delivery route ) Worth £5,557

SCB02- Boyatt Wood – (delivery route ) Worth £1,998

If anyone is interested in applying, please contact Claire at csmith4@britishlegion.org.uk

The revised Membership Handbook is now available on MAP or can be requested from your Membership Engagement Officer (MEO). A summary of changes made is also available to view on MAP.

Previously known as the Membership Management Handbook (MMH), you will note the revised name to be the Membership Handbook to align with what is stated in the Royal Charter. This handbook sits alongside the Royal Charter and was created to help RBL officers; committee members; members and staff make sure they’re acting within the rules of the Royal Charter.

The Membership Handbook undergoes biannual revisions, occurring in March and September, however the document is reviewed constantly. Prior to each revision cycle, an opportunity for feedback is extended to all users of the Handbook throughout RBL. This collaborative effort aims to enhance the document's efficiency.

Additionally, Membership Compliance works closely with subject matter experts and stakeholders across RBL, including but not limited to, Legal; Safeguarding; Risk & Insurance; Remembrance; Finance, to ensure that all information and policy guidance remains current and relevant, maintaining the document's integrity as a comprehensive source of guidance, in line with charity and other UK regulations and guidelines. Following the gathering and review of feedback, a report is submitted to the Membership Council for approval of the proposed revisions.

Your input is valuable, and we encourage you to share any feedback or proposed revisions for the upcoming September revision using this form.

Should you have any questions please contact Membership Services membershipservices@britishlegion.org.uk.

Join our April 100km Dog Walk Challenge!

Get ready to em-BARK on this tail-wagging adventure with your four-legged friends! Walk 100km with your dog this April and raise vital funds for the Armed Forces Community.

Join the group now and claim your free poppy bandana for your dog today, the exclusive accessory for those picture pawfect photos!

(https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/things-to-do/events/virtual-challenges?dm_i=7M37,2B4E,LRK3I,8XC8,1)

Our D-Day 80 commemorative events

This year, we will mark the 80th anniversaries of D-Day and the other battles that helped the Allies on their path to victory.

We're inviting Normandy and WW2 veterans, families of the fallen, descendants, and members of the public to join us in commemorating D-Day 80. Full details of each event can be found on our D-Day 80 webpage.

Wednesday 5th June - Remembrance Service, Bayeux War Cemetery, France
Thursday 6th June - Remembrance Service, National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire
Thursday 6th June - National Remembrance Event and Legacies of D-Day Exhibition, British Normandy Memorial, France

We'll share more information about the other battles that helped the Allies on their path to victory in the coming months.

If you have any questions about these events, please contact the Remembrance Events team at RemembranceEvents@britishlegion.org.uk.

Many congratulations and a huge "Well Done" to Natalia, our Hampshire County RBL Youth Standard Bearer who today achieved first place in the Regional Standard Bearer Competition.

Natalia now goes forward to compete in the National competition.

We are immensely proud of your achievement, well done!

Getting ‘Discover’ Ready

The L&D team are working hard to get Discover ready for CTOs to start putting courses on.

In the meantime, people can and should still register on Discover. It is easier to iron out log-in problems at the moment rather than when there are lots of users registered.

To set-up your profile, the URL is https://learn.britishlegion.org.uk/learn
You can use your County, Branch or personal email to set-up your account.

Once your profile is set-up, there will be no need to go back into the system until I advise that courses have been uploaded and made available.

Click on the link for a guidance sheet Creating Your Discover Account (Members)

Please see below the updated Standard Bearer SW Competition information. This supercedes any previous communications.

2024 Updated Host County Std Bearer Competitions Std Bearer SW Competition Venues 2024 Onwards

Hampshire R.B.L. County Sports 2024

The Hampshire RBL County Pairs tournament returns to The Army Club, Aldershot on MONDAY 13^th MAY for the 2024 event so come on Branches and Clubs, please join in!

This golf course, one of the finest in North Hampshire is close to the home of the British Army and hosts many events for serving personnel. It is situated close to Farnborough airport but is easily accessible from the M3 and Blackwater valley main routes. It presents a good challenge with its 6300 yd par 71 features which run through gently sloping woodland.

We have secured the military-rate due to our RBL association, but fee has gone up a little to £60.00 per person (£240 per four) which includes coffee and bacon roll on arrival, 18 holes of golf and ham egg and chips to follow plus a contribution to the prizes. The cost to ARMY CLUB members will be £20 (£80 per four). As with last time the format is a team of four with the best two individual scores in each becoming the best pairing

Tee-offs will commence from 930am approx depending on entry size (entry limited to 8 four-balls). Teams will be notified of their exact tee-off positions nearer the date. There are only a few buggies available on the day and YOU will need to book BEFORE then if you require one (01252 337272 and ask for Vivienne).

This is primarily a light-hearted event but the pride of YOUR Branch is also at stake and as we will also be holding a raffle for the Poppy Appeal, please bring some cash!

The format of play is: Stableford, full handicap (max: gents 24, ladies 30)

There will be prizes for the winners and runners up plus awards for the Longest drive, Nearest the pin and N.T.P. in 2

Players are VERY MUCH expected to dress and behave in accordance with the regulations for most golf courses. Dress for the meal and presentations should be smart casuals.

The closing date for entries and receipt of fees by MONDAY 6^th MAY .

The completed entry form MUST be accompanied by FULL payment.

Pedal to Paris 2024

It’s still not to late to claim discounted entry to take part in P2P. We’d be really grateful if you could share another post and encourage people to take part in our flagship event.
P2P will be taking place on 5^th-9^th September 2024, and it’s £279 to secure a place.
Claim your exclusive early bird discount code before it’s too late! Use code CYCLING50 for £50 off your registration fee. Don’t miss out on this four day ride through French countryside and enjoy the thrill of cycling along the Champs Elysee as a peloton. This is the only event, outside of the Tour de France, where you’ll get your moment of victory at the Arc de Triomphe on closed roads. This year for the first time we’ll be taking our final evening celebration to the Seine River where we’ll take in views of the Eiffel Tower by boat and enjoy a three-course traditional French dinner, drinks and music.

Poppy Ride 2024

Applications are open for our annual Poppy Ride Shropshire, and we are looking for individuals and teams to join us for another fantastic event. This year, like usual, the ride will start and end at the Battle Back Centre.
Poppy Ride Shropshire will be taking place on 2^nd June 2024, entry is £30, and a fundraising target of £300.
Here is the link to sign up: Poppy Ride | Charity Cycling | Royal British Legion
We have some special discounts for a reduced entry fee
Early bird discount Use code EARLY15 for 15% off
Discover cycling and join us/the RBL and veterans on the ultimate UK sportive at Poppy Ride Shropshire 2024. Whether you’re new to cycling or an experienced rider, gear up for a day of excellence at the Royal British Legion’s Battle Back Centre – the specialist recovery centre for veterans. To find out more or to sign up, head to: Poppy Ride | Charity Cycling | Royal British Legion

The Royal British Legion Survival Challenge 2024

We are looking for individuals and teams to sign to our Survival challenge.
The 2024 RBL Survival Challenge will be held between 14^th -18^th September 2024, it’s £120 to secure a place, and a fundraising target of £800.
Here is the link to register: RBL Survival Challenge (britishlegion.org.uk)
If you could please share across your networks and encourage people to take on this personal challenge whilst raising much needed funds for our Armed Forces Community.
Challenge yourself with The Royal British Legion Survival Challenge, where your ultimate mission is to survive 5 days in the wilderness. The event is perfect for team building, making new friends and learning new skills. To find out more or to sign up, head to: RBL Survival Challenge (britishlegion.org.uk)

London Marathon 2025

We’re very ahead of the game, and we’re excited to share that we are now live with London Marathon 2025 and applications are open! We would be really grateful if you could share with your networks. Below are some key details 😊
The 2025 London Marathon will be taking place on 20 April 2025, entry is £120 with a minimum £2000 fundraising. Ballot places are FREE.
Here is the link to apply: https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/things-to-do/events/london-marathon
Join Team RBL at the TCS London Marathon in 2025. Whether this is a new ambition or you’re a regular marathoner we’d love to have you on our team.

Dear Branches,

We’re pleased to advise that the new BCS flyer is ready and available for branches to circulate with their members. There are two versions available; a print and a digital version. Both are also available on the BCS Portal under ‘Promotional items’. Please ensure to use the correct version if you are printing, or circulating online.

We are working with the Poppy shop to enable branches to order prints, however in the meantime, please use your preferred printers.

In the next month, two new BCS guides will be available for Supporters and Beneficiaries.

Thank you for your patience while we develop these materials.

If you have any queries, please contact membershipservices@britishlegion.org.uk.

Kind regards,

Membership Development Team

BCS Flyer DIGITAL Version BCS Flyer PRINT Version

NATIONAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2024

With Annual Conference scheduled for the 2^nd weekend in May (10-12 May), rather than the 3^rd weekend as is usual, we are keen to ensure that members are aware so that any who are already booking accommodation do so for the right weekend.

The location is the stunning, purpose-built International Conference Centre (ICC) Wales, in Newport, Wales, which is just off Junction 24 of the M4. It’s Red Dragon can be easily seen from the motorway! Newport railway station is a short ride away.

Nearby hotels include Holiday Inn, Premier Inn, and Ty Magor, Coldra Court (all close to the venue) with many other options in the nearby Newport city centre.

Another great way to collect for the Poppy Appeal.

Donate Foreign Coins & Notes at Sainsbury’s Travel Money Bureaux. Sainsbury’s has a long association with The Royal British Legion and are always looking at ways to generate new funds for the charity.

You can donate your unwanted foreign coins and banknotes to The Royal British Legion at your local Sainsbury’s Travel Money Bureau. Simply take your currency along to the Bureau and pop it in the donation box – It’s that simple.

https://www.cash4coins.co.uk/sainsburys/

Branches wishing to send County Welfare Donations, please ensure that they are sent to:

Hampshire Treasurer,

12 Cedar Place,

Bransgore,

Christchurch.

BH23 8BX

If you wish to use BACS the details are:

Sort Code: 20.79.25 Account Number: 10442690

Account Name: Royal British Legion Hants County Committee

This is a reminder that auto-forwarding inbox rules to external email addresses is prohibited and they will be removed.
Please make sure to read the System policy and Code of Conduct for guidance. They can be found on the MAP homepage. Each account has 2gb of space and when it is near full you will not be able to send or receive any more emails.

Please make sure to keep an eye on the size of your mailbox and delete large old emails.
Your email account should not be used as document storage. Please download large attachments and upload them into your document library on your MAP Branch site for safe keeping. If you are sending out a mass email to a large number of email addresses (e.g. your members) I would strongly suggest multiple emails rather than one to all your members.

The Microsoft automated spamming system may view that email as suspicious which can lead to your email account being blocked. If you receive a suspicious email you can choose how to deal with it by right clicking on the email and going to “Security Options”.

Some emails may look like they are sent from someone you know. This is known as Spoofing. If you are at all unsure, please do not respond or click on any links in the email, contact the Sender to verify or just delete it.

How to check your email storage usage and empty your deleted items.

From within your RBL Community email account (Outlook Online) click on the cogwheel in the top right hand corner.

Click on the link at the bottom of the Settings bar called “View all Outlook Settings”.
Click on the General tab and then Storage tab.
You will see at the top the amount of storage you have used in Gigabytes (You have a max of 2GBs) and as a percentage.
Underneath the Folders section you will see your storage usage broken down by folders.
On the right hand side is the “Empty” buttons to clear out the relevant folders including your Deleted Items.

Kind regards,

Tom Shepherd

We are asking you all to take note of any instances of fundraising activities using our Poppy Logo or other TRBL branding materials.

Our name, corporate logo and poppy are all legally protected trademarks and should not be used without permission. We have a duty as representatives of The Royal British Legion to make sure they are used correctly to the benefit of the organisation. They are at the core of the Legion’s most valuable assets, and have both an emotional and commercial value that we must protect in the long-term. We can all support and strengthen the brand by understanding and respecting its value and importance, and making sure only those entitled to using it are doing so, in the correct way.

The Royal British Legion will take action against companies or individuals who are deemed to infringing its trademark by commercially benefiting from it.

Any person(s) or organisations wishing to raise funds for The Royal British Legion or The Poppy Appeal are to be encouraged to do so in the correct way - which may in some instances mean applying to us for a commercial partnership agreement. Using our branding to fundraise for any other purpose is an infringement of our rights. Please call the contact centre on 0800 802 8080 regarding licensed use of our property or to report any infringements.

Training for Standard Bearers.

All Standard Bearers are encouraged to attend the next available course

County Parade Marshall Dave Graham can be contacted on 01425 623102

All standard bearers are urged to take the training courses whether beginners or long-serving to enhance their position as the Legion’s presence in the community.

It has been noticed that Branches are sending Standard Bearers to events e.g. Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, who are not considered fit enough for a variety of reasons, to carry out their duties and are asked to leave the event.

Branch Chairmen are to ensure that before they send their Standard Bearer to any function he or she will be capable of carrying out their duties.

If your Standard Bearer is struggling to make it up the aisle on Remembrance Sunday it is suggested you look for a replacement.

It is now incumbent on all Parade Marshalls to ensure that the Standard Bearers under their control are fit to carry out their duties. If the Parade Marshall considers any Standard Bearer appears unfit then the Standard Bearer will be asked to leave the event.

Where a Branch has a Youth Member who wishes to take part in a Standard Bearers Competition and there is no Youth Standard he will carry the Branch Standard if it is a Youth only Competition.

If it is a combined competition i.e. County or Regional and the Branch Standard Bearer and Youth Member are taking part the following applies: On the inspection phase of the competition all competitors enter to be judged. The Branch Standard Bearer carries the Branch Standard - whatever mark he obtains for the care and presentation of the Standard is applied as the Youths marks for the same. For all other marks they are individually marked.

The Branch Standard Bearer and the Youth Standard Bearer share the use of the Branch Standard for all other Standard drills.