RSL SOUTH EASTERN DISTRICT LTD DISTRICT VETERAN WELFARE GRANT (DVWG) GUIDELINES

Transcription

1 RSL SOUTH EASTERN DISTRICT LTD DISTRICT VETERAN WELFARE GRANT (DVWG) GUIDELINES General RSL (Queensland Branch) has established a program known as the District Veteran Welfare Grant (DVWG). The Grant has been allocated to the RSL South Eastern District Branch. Aims The aims of the District Veteran Welfare Grant are to: a. Enable the League to meet Charitable objects and the objects as set out in its Constitution, and b. To raise the profile of the League within the District Branch and Sub Branch areas of operation, such as the League is seen as a major contributor to the veteran community and is a good corporate citizen. Source of Funds The funds to meet the specific aims of the DVWG will ordinarily be those funds raised in the name of the League for charitable purposes and sourced from surplus funds from the conduct of the League s Art Union and other business or fund raising activities. Each year the Board will allocate a set sum in its budget papers for the purposes of the DVWG. RSL South Eastern District Ltd- District Veteran Welfare Grant (DVWG) Guidelines 2018 Page 1

2 Allocation of Funds All District Branches will be allocated an equitable sum to fulfil the objects of the DVWG each calendar year, and the method of allocation and the amount will be as determined from time to time by the Board. The determination of the Board for the 2018 calendar year will be set at a base amount, $100,000. General Fund Business Rules and Exclusions All application on behalf of eligible District Veteran Welfare Projects must be made by a supporting RSL (Qld Branch) Sub Branch, signed by the Sub Branch President and Secretary. RSL (Qld Branch) District Branches may also sponsor applications, but such applications must be signed by the District President and Board Secretary. All applications must be approved by the relevant District Branch Board. The District President is to exercise a VETO over applications which do not meet the charitable objects or objects of the League, or over which there is doubt. Vetoed applications will require the consent of the RSL Qld Branch Board to proceed, if not earlier withdrawn. Projects which benefit the following are to be excluded: International charities (eg Rotary) or any charities which benefit from professional fundraising activities. The operations of Government agencies or business units; Individuals Where a Project could be deemed to be a Fee for Service, such projects must also be excluded as they may fail to meet taxation requirements for RSL (Qld Branch). The Grant should be used to complement other Sub Branch or District Branch initiatives for Welfare, Commemorative and Patriotic, Community Engagement and Youth Development. Sub Branches or District Branches may submit application for eligible District Veteran Welfare Projects up to a maximum of $10,000, or such other maximum RSL South Eastern District Ltd- District Veteran Welfare Grant (DVWG) Guidelines 2018 Page 2

3 not exceeding $10,000 as the District Branch may determine. Projects must be completed in the financial year in which funds are approved, although acquittal may be deferred to the following financial year at the discretion of the Program Administrator (who is this RSL South Eastern District Board or District President). Decisions on application are final. The Chief Operating Officer RSL (Qld Branch) will be responsible to administer the Grant on behalf of the RSL (Qld Branch) Board. Payment for approved District Veteran Welfare Projects will be made by cheque or other means in favour of the Sub Branch, and delivered through the supporting Sub Branch or District Branch. Sub Branches (or District Branches for their own applications) are responsible to complete the Project acquittal documentation for their supported projects, including promotion of the District Veteran Welfare Grant. Evidence of promotion must be provided with acquittal documentation. District Branches will be responsible to ensure timely completion of Grant Acquittal documentation for assigned Sub Branches. District Branches will be required to provide monthly reporting on the DVWG funds allocated to them in a form to be determined by the Chief Operating Officer RSL (Qld Branch). District Branches will be required to complete an annual reconciliation of the District Veteran Welfare Grant funds by 31 January of the following year in a form to be determined by the Chief Operating Officer RSL (Qld Branch). Principles of Allocation (Veterans) The following principles of allocation of funds for consideration of grant must be adhered to: a. That the least amount of money should be used to benefit the greatest number of people b. That projects with the greatest need should have priority c. That the project should have some enduing benefit; d. That, wherever possible, a permanent acknowledgement of the RSL s contribution is to be displayed on the item or in the place benefiting by the RSL South Eastern District Ltd- District Veteran Welfare Grant (DVWG) Guidelines 2018 Page 3

4 grant, with the costs of any such plaque or other suitable recognition forming part of the grant request; e. That cash is not an item of allocation to individuals or groups of individuals; f. That salary or wages of a person is not usually an item of allocation, unless that salary or wages is paid to a person ordinarily in the workforce for a service or services to a group of people; g. A grant is not paid to other organisations to provide a service, unless that service constitutes a new service; h. A grant is not paid to other charitable organisations or community organisations to provide a service, unless that service constitutes a new service or is a joint venture with the RSL with either a new service or existing service. i. The recurrent funding is not a sound proposal to gain the greatest reach into the veteran community, is likely to make for a lazy program lacking innovation and recurrent requests from the same beneficiaries each year, therefore an organisation in receipt of a grant will be ineligible the following year for a grant. j. Requests for mobile phones, computers, GPS navigation devices will not be supported k. Request for reunions or alcohol will not be supported. General Advice The end beneficiary of the Grant is veterans, and they should receive a direct or indirect benefit from the proposed project as a consequence. An example of a direct benefit could be taking a group of aged care veterans on a bus trip (but not in place of any DVA program to that effect), whereas an indirect benefit may be arranging for spouses of hospitalised veterans, who dot not drive, to visit their partners in hospitals. It may be a reasonable cost, for example, if the aged care veterans on a day trip were to be accompanied by a nurse for the day, if the aged care facility will not provide one at no cost for the day then it may be necessary to reimburse. RSL South Eastern District Ltd- District Veteran Welfare Grant (DVWG) Guidelines 2018 Page 4

5 Eligible projects under the Grant are limited only by the innovation and ingenuity of members and Sub Branches / District Branches to perform welfare services for those less well off than themselves and to improve their quality of life and access to those things most of us take for granted. When you look at the Grant, and think about the Grant, you cannot go wrong if you question how the proposed project fits in with the broader objects of the League. RSL South Eastern District Ltd- District Veteran Welfare Grant (DVWG) Guidelines 2018 Page 5

6 APPENDIX A Objects of RSL (Qld Branch) as of Objects 2.1 The objects for which the RSL (Queensland Branch) is established are: provide for the sick, helpless, wounded, aged, vulnerable, destitute and needy among those who are serving or who have served in the Australian Defence Forces and their dependants; perpetuate the close and kindly ties of friendship created by a mutual service in the Australian Defence Force or in the forces of nations traditionally allied with Australia and the recollections associated with that experience; maintain a proper standard of dignity and honour among all past and present members of the Defence Forces of the nation and to set an example of public spirit and noble hearted endeavour; preserve the memory and the records of those who suffered and died for Australia, erect monuments to their valour, provide them with suitable burial places, and establish and preserve, in their honour, the annual commemoration days known as ANZAC Day, Remembrance Day and other commemorative days; encourage loyalty to Australia and secure patriotic service in the interests of Australia; protect the good name and preserve the interests and standing of members of the Australian Defence Force; encourage Members, as citizens, to serve Australia with that spirit of self-sacrifice and loyalty with which they served as members of the Australian Defence Forces; provide welfare to the sick, helpless, wounded, vulnerable, aged, destitute and needy. RSL South Eastern District Ltd- District Veteran Welfare Grant (DVWG) Guidelines 2018 Page 6