E d i t o r / C h a i r m a n EDITOR’S words I
n this issue I hope you will find plenty to interest you. As a team we have had a busy season running
workshops and attending families days to canvas your views on the RAF way of life. You will find a taster
of the things that were said within the Federation News section. Also in this issue, AOC 2 Group tells us what his job is all about and we hear one person’s experience as a Reservist on the front- line. It is once again a packed issue and I hope it is useful
and informative. Do come back to us with any comments you may have, good or bad.
Good reading The Editor
From the Chairman W
ell, life is certainly never boring in this job! This past few months have seen
the arrival of two new team members, a refresh of our brand, and the roll- out of our interactive workshops, not to mention a busy diary of meetings and briefings. The Federation now considers itself a mature organisation and we believe we have established ‘buy in’ at the very top, with Ministers, senior MoD and RAF staffs all aware of our role and supportive of our work.
But can the same be said of the families we represent? What percentage of the RAF Family is aware of our role? And, more importantly, how many of you are prepared to engage with us and make your voices heard? Well, indications are that we are slowly but surely raising our profile with families and our database is being populated with many, many
enquiries from personnel who wish to raise a family-related issue with us. We are meeting a growing number of family members during our workshops and our presence at 12 Families’ Days this year is also helping promote our message. Obviously, we think what we do is extremely worthwhile and I doubt you’d find a more dedicated and motivated team, all working on your behalf – hence our strap line “We’re in your corner”.
Whilst helping people resolve their individual issues is important to us, what is more important is the ability to use those individual cases to identify themes and trends. Is housing delivery improving or not? Are the disadvantages of military life being exposed and challenged? Is improved retention a sign of the recession or indicative of better terms and conditions of Service? Are people being valued and treated with respect by the RAF? Is the current operational
tempo, particularly for Formed Units, creating long-term problems for families?
These, and many other issues, are explored in our workshops and we will be reporting back fully on the results of our first year of activity. In the interim, please continue to tell us what you think – we’re here to listen and to represent you and we promise, as always, a confidential and professional service.
The Federation is there for You T
he RAF Families Federation is here to represent the concerns of RAF personnel and their families on the issues that affect the RAF family. We operate
entirely outside the RAF chain of command, so we can always promise an independent and confidential service.
By gathering the facts we put your view and concerns in front of the people who matter, such as senior RAF and MoD staffs and Ministers. Influencing change, where it is needed, for the better.
2 Autumn 2009
So whether you’re a spouse, a partner, a parent, a child or a sibling of a member of the RAF, we are here to act on your behalf.
And do remember that if you don’t regularly get to see a copy of Envoy you can request your own copy. We will send each issue free of charge . There is a registration link on the website, you can call the Federation on 01780 781650 or email: enquiries@
raf-ff.org.uk
www.raf-ff.org.uk
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