Working Procedures for Branch Members/Parents

The following points are presented to acquaint New Board Members and Parents with the workings within a Navy League Branch Executive (general duties, responsibilities, expectations).

1. The Branch is made up of all the Navy League Parents and Supporters in good standing. The Branch Executive consists of the President, Secretary/Treasurer and the Cadet Chair(s). Often the Branch Executive, Chair, Members-at-Large and other interested members are invited to attend monthly meetings as the “Branch”. It is their task to support equally the one/two sponsored Corps with funds, energy and positive direction. They meet to support the cadet movement.

2. The Branch is a democratic organization, based on the will of the majority.  If a vote doesn’t reflect a member’s personal view then they need to present new information, live with the results of the vote or make a decision about further involvement in the organization.

3. The Meeting Chair is responsible for the well being of the Board during meetings. Personal slights and negativity are not permitted and need to be controlled.

4. The Cadet Chair is a senior executive position first and a liaison with the Commanding Officer and Corps second.

5. The President, the Cadet Chair(s) and the Building Chair are the Branch contacts with the officers of the sponsored corps regarding Branch business.

6. Comments made by branch members to branch members need to be mature, empathetic and reflect the ideals that we expect in our cadets at all times.

7. The executive does not have the authority to tell its members what to vote for, or whose opinions are correct. They may recommend a course of action usually through a report to the branch or a motion for discussion at a board meeting.

8. Workshops may be necessary to inform members about the various roles, tasks and responsibilities of board members. These duties are generally outlined in the President’s Handbook and should be reviewed yearly to ensure familiarity.

9. Branch members do not share what is said in confidence within the branch meeting with those outside the meeting. Comments taken out of context lead to mis-information or false information being presented as the approved branch policy.

10. Any Branch member wishing to report a concern may report it to their President, their Branch, their Area Representative, the First Vice-President or to Ontario Division, generally in that order.

11. The Branch executive has the responsibility to discuss issues of mutual concern before and during the tenure of a CO to ensure the smooth running of the corps and to maintain strong lines of communications and to foster common expectations.

12. All Branch members dealing with cadets must have successfully completed the Navy League Volunteer Screening process.

13. All board positions require awareness of duties, volunteer effort and professionalism. In volunteerism there are no effortless jobs, no jobs of superiority, just everyone doing their part.

14. Recruitment of cadets, officers and branch members is the responsibility of the Branch and needs to be an ongoing monthly activity.

15. Cadets can not raise funds outside of the cadet program while acting as cadets. The only exception is the sale of Poppies prior to Remembrance Day activities.

16. In any volunteer organization supporting a non-for-profit group such as the Navy League, it is everyone’s responsibility to support the fundraising activities. Fundraising brings in the consistent revenue that supports the activities of the corps.

17. There is also a need to realize that “cadets” is an expensive program and that parental expectations require funding activities. These activities need to be shared equitably among the families represented and benefiting from the program. It is not up to a small group to carry the load by themselves.

18. DND contributes a set amount of funds to each corps based on the enrolment at the Annual Review of the Corps. If there is a corps band, they also receive a “band grant”. This money is banked and distributed by the Branch on behalf of the cadets.

19. Reimbursement funds from DND for approved cadet activities will be deposited in the CO’s personal bank account (if applicable) and then transferred to the Branch bank account as soon as possible. This is branch raised money.

20. The Navy League building has been arranged for through the efforts of the Branch Executive on behalf of the local Navy League Branch and their members for use by the cadets. The branch is the landlord and provider of accommodation.