Circular 32/22 RSL Auxiliaries and the Lady Woodward Cup

It is timely to provide an update about the RSL Auxiliaries following the significant structural changes adopted in early 2020 which was immediately followed by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

To recap the structural changes, following the adoption of the 2019 Constitution and approval of SOP 8:

• Auxiliary Members became a class of membership of RSL NSW
• Each RSL Auxiliary became the direct responsibility of the sub-Branch to which it was attached for all administrative, membership, and fundraising activities
• A Coordinator and Deputy Coordinator for each Auxiliary were appointed to liaise with the sub-Branch and facilitate the activities of the Auxiliary.

Despite the various challenges, there has been plenty of regeneration amongst the more than 90 RSL Auxiliaries across  the State, and membership activity is increasing.

ANZAC House requests the following information be provided to the Auxiliary Coordinator at all relevant sub-Branches:

Auxiliary Workshop

All Auxiliary members are invited to participate in a workshop hosted by ANZAC House and the Auxiliary State Coordinator from 1400 on 7 September 2022 at the Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park, Sydney and online via Microsoft Teams. Members will be briefed on fundraising, membership, processes and procedures, and more.

A formal invitation will be distributed by the RSL Auxiliaries State Coordinator to the contact database.

Request for member details

To assist with improving communication to RSL Auxiliary members, it is essential that Honorary Secretaries collate and supply the contact details of all Auxiliary members of their sub-Branch to Anzac House. Please provide the name, address, phone number, email, and date of birth of every Auxiliary member to Auxiliaries@rslnsw.org.au.

Auxiliary Finances and Bank Accounts

As first noted in the Circular of 9 March 2020, please be reminded that the sub-Branch must have oversight of the financial activities of its Auxiliary and, if it has not yet done so, the Auxiliary must close any bank accounts and roll those funds into the appropriate RSL sub-Branch bank account. This should not affect the activities of the Auxiliary in any way. The Coordinator should work closely with the sub-Branch Treasurer to ensure that the activities of the Auxiliary are budgeted for and the income from the Auxiliary’s fundraising activities are properly applied to the RSL’s charitable purpose; supporting veterans and their families.

Lady Woodward Cup – 2022 nominations now open

Every Auxiliary is invited to enter the 2022 Lady Woodward Cup competition. The RSL Auxiliary that achieves the highest score across the three categories (Fundraising, Supporting the local veteran community, Engaging with the local community) will be presented with the Cup at the RSL NSW State Congress in October.

This year, the nomination process has changed. Auxiliaries can nominate by downloading and completing this application form and sending it to support@rslnsw.org.au by 30 September.