Flying Fox Association Constitution and Regulations
Object of the Association
The object of the Flying Fox Association, thereafter referred to as FFA, is to provide regular social gatherings for personnel who are currently serving or have served in HMS Flying Fox in any capacity service or civilian.
Membership is also open to Ton Class Association Members and other persons with a suitable nautical background approved by the Committee.
Frequency and format of meetings
Four FFA meetings a year will normally be held.
The preferred location for FFA meetings is the Warrant Officers’ & Senior Rates Mess’ in HMS Flying Fox, Winterstoke Road, Bristol. The Head of Establishment or nominated delegate will confirm availability of our chosen dates. Any changes to the preferred location and/or meeting dates and times will be promulgated through the meeting calling notices.
Any remuneration required in booking staff or facilities for FFA meetings will be met from FFA funds.
Guests are welcome at any FFA meeting and on FFA outings or lunches
Security
Admission to HMS Flying Fox is by permission of the Head of Establishment or nominated delegate who will advise of the extant security state and corresponding rules and entry requirements for the base.
As a minimum, the FFA Committee will ensure that a list of all attendees is available at the Flying Fox Gate Office in advance of arrivals. All attendees are to carry photo ID (Driving Licence, Passport or similar) which must be shown to the Gate Security Personnel on demand.
Dependent on the security state prevailing, members may be required to assist security personnel on the gate for a short period during meetings.
Committee
The activities of the association will be governed by a committee consisting of Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Social Secretary. These officers will be appointed by a simple vote of those members present at the Annual General Meeting during the first meeting of each year.
Responsibilities
The Chairman is responsible for the conduct of affairs of the Association.
The Secretary is responsible for dealing with all correspondence, maintaining a membership list and the distribution of email communications to FFA Members. As circumstances dictate, some of these tasks may be delegated to other committee officers for convenience.
The Treasurer is responsible for all FFA income and expenditure, including annual Membership fees and maintaining records as such in the FFA Account.
A bank account in the name of “Flying Fox Association” will be maintained.
Two Committee member’s signatures are required on all cheques drawn.
For the sole purpose of conducting FFA business, a debit card may be made available to any Committee Member who is a FFA bank account signatory. A maximum of two Committee Members may hold a debit card to the FFA Account at any one time.
Debit card holders are responsible for their usage and safe storage and for maintaining, through the Treasurer, a full and detailed record of usage.
The Treasurer will control the issue and removal of all debit cards associated with the FFA Account.
Debit cards are to be returned to the Treasurer when a Committee Member relinquishes the post.
An FFA Account audit will be conducted annually during December by a suitably qualified independent person.
The Social Secretary will organise any social events and be responsible for investigating the feasibility of any social activities proposed by members. This role may be combined with that of Secretary should circumstances dictate that this would be of benefit to the FFA and its committee.
Subscriptions
Annual subscriptions are due for payment on application and on January 1st for each subsequent year, regardless of the month of joining. Changes to the annual subscription rate will be discussed, agreed and minuted at each AGM.
Updated on 31st January 2025 at the AGM