ANGASTON GROUP FUNDRAISER

[snr1]

To those interested in supporting the Angaston CFS Group


WHO:              JAMES BLUNDELL
SUPPORT ARTIST:   Danny Hooper, Charlie McCracken, Heartland Band
WHERE:            Tanunda Show Hall
WHEN:             Saturday, May 17th 2008
TIME:             1900hour start
COST:   $65 through Venue Tix outlets (Venue Tix Tanunda - 8561 4299) or web site  (www.venuetix.com.au)

There will be a licensed bar. :lol:

Come and have some fun! You can get up and dance or just sit down and relax! 8-)

GET YOUR TICKETS QUICK!!

Thanks for support the Angaston CFS Group Fundraiser  :-D

[bajdas]

Just for my curiosity, what is the fund-raising for ?

[Benji]

Guess would be Angaston CFS Group

[bajdas]

Guess would be Angaston CFS Group

Dohhhh... is it for equipment, maintenance or volunteer social activities...

[snr1]

Money made from this fundraiser will be divided among the participating brigades to spend how they wish. Our brigade would use the money to buy and upgrade equipment for the trucks and station. With a new station, there are things that would help make our 'home' more confortable. The money would help with training resources and equipment for the cadets.
Any money raised would help us cross off items on out 'wish list'. :-)

[chook]

Doesn't your service take away "stuff on the wish list" if it doesn't match the Standard stowage?
I understand stuff for the shed, but upgrading equipment?
If it is non-standard or new equipment, how do you cover off the training bit?
How do you maintain it?
Just I was toled that standard stowage is the way to go, it's taken 20 years to get there & the CFS members love it!
The reason I ask these questions is some in our service want to go the same way & non standard items that are outside the units Standard of Emergency response will eventually be removed from those units!
Anyway good luck with it, hope you raise a fortune!
cheers

[bittenyakka]

no it doesn't seem to be non standard stowage will be removed it is however that non standard stowage is incredibly hard to get unless you buy it. It is a good idea in a way but if the SES does go that way fight tooth and nail to make sure it is a very generous list.

[24pumper]

Chook,
I believe CFS has to terms they use 1) stadard stowage. eg. meets the minimum requirements (usually very minimum) and is payed for or supplied by CFS, 2) approved stowage- equipment that CFS think is a good idea and has a use, has had a risk assessment done etc. However will not fund so it is up to individual brigades, groups to pay for. I can see pro's and con's either way, however generalising accountants/ aministrators and mangers might find the standard stowage list suitable however operational Fire-fighters will alays find little bits and pieces that they find add great benefit tho their ability to provide a service to the community.

On another thing re- fundraising- I have heard of some brigades/ groups out there who are paying for their own training, i think it was rcr but may be wrong, to ensure they can crew trucks appropriatly.
24p

[Red Message]

Our brigade has done a fair amount of self funded training, often to get around SFEC issues. As far as non standard stowage issues, I was under the impression that as long as a risk assessment has been done and relevant training undertaken, there is little issue with with the equipment being used.

It would be nice to know a little bit more about what the concert is raising money for, rather than just "Angaston CFS Group"

[chook]

Don't worry I have been :wink:
I use the same argument "its ok for the bean counters, the front line guys think its crap!" Sadly I will be leaving soon (October)& I'm afraid that the majority will lay over & take it :-(
Anyway as I said good on em - I don't mind a bit of James Blundell either (not a big CW fan though).
Good on Angaston Group as I said good luck.
cheers

[Cameron Yelland]

Can still spend money on standard stowage equipment.  Generally it seems the CFS buy from the cheapest bidder, not necessarily the best quality.  i.e. replacing a viper branded nozzle with a TFT or Akron branded nozzle.

[littlejohn]

Would anyone mind if Angaston put a little/some/all funds raised in to social activities??  BBQs, outings etc.

Whenever we (not Angaston, our quite seperate brigade!) try to do something social, it has to come out of our own pockets. I can see the argument not to put donated/Emergency services funding toward a few chops and beers, but volunteers seem to put so much money into volunteering already.

I am of the opinion that the social get togethers, although infrequent, provide a much more valuable opportunity to get to know members of your own or neighbouring brigades, which in turn makes any jobs much more cooperative and fluid, yet it's just one more thing we get to spring for.

Or am I dreaming??!

[mengcfs]

Our brigade has done a fair amount of self funded training, often to get around SFEC issues. As far as non standard stowage issues, I was under the impression that as long as a risk assessment has been done and relevant training undertaken, there is little issue with with the equipment being used.

It would be nice to know a little bit more about what the concert is raising money for, rather than just "Angaston CFS Group"

There is a difference between standard stowage, non standard stowage and approved stowage  :wink:

[bajdas]

Would anyone mind if Angaston put a little/some/all funds raised in to social activities??  BBQs, outings etc.

Whenever we (not Angaston, our quite seperate brigade!) try to do something social, it has to come out of our own pockets. I can see the argument not to put donated/Emergency services funding toward a few chops and beers, but volunteers seem to put so much money into volunteering already.

I am of the opinion that the social get togethers, although infrequent, provide a much more valuable opportunity to get to know members of your own or neighbouring brigades, which in turn makes any jobs much more cooperative and fluid, yet it's just one more thing we get to spring for.

Or am I dreaming??!

For myself some of the 'fun & social' aspect of being an emergency service volunteer has gone. I know we need to be more 'business like & accountable', but I miss the social side.

That was the point of my original posting. If some of the funds are being used to team build outside of the emergency tasking, maintenance, paperwork, training, meetings, etc....then FANTASTIC.

Have a look at the local Surf Life Saving Club. The two closest to me is Moana & Christies Beach. Both have huge bars, small restaurant and weight training facilities. After a hot day of looking after the community, they have the ability to socialise and they have some fun in their competitions. Even the nippers are going strong.

So if you have the ability, setup a BBQ and a few drinks that include the employers & family that supports us from home.

** Sorry for so long a post, but this is a pet topic for me that I am getting no where with **

[Katrina]

I'm with you! The social side of an organisation really helps to keep it going and keep everyone's spirits up. The socialising is how you get to know members of your brigade

[Hicksflat14]

Actually if it's done by the book it should not be spent as they wish as snr1 suggests. Since Angaston have used the "CFS" name (look at Venue Tix ) to promote this fundraising event, they have to give all the money raised back to the state whether they know it or not.

The money should go into the brigades/group's state controlled fundraising account. Using money from this account comes with all the usual limitations that come with all CFS/state accounts including the standard operating accounts. That is, to draw from this fundraising account they need to follow all the same purchasing and tendering procedures as they would if they were drawing from their main operating budget. Just like the operational budget, state and regional staff get the final say on if and what the money can be spent on. If its a bit of non standard kit or event that the CFS/SAFECOM staff don't what the brigade to have, they just don't approve the spending. There is also no appeals process because technically the money is the state governments... While the CFS have verbally given a commitment that it will not happen, SAFECOM (if they wanted) could reduce the group's annual operational budget by the amount in the fundraising account. This would effectively move the fundraising money back to general revenue. Yes it's all stupidly bureaucratic but that's the state system where working in (for free) these day.

So in short, since the "CFS" name was used their technically fundraising for the state, that's assuming Angaston Group are doing things by the book and not embezzling money. I'm sure the group would have this all sorted out or else they would be risking a visit from state auditors with the lawyers and threats of prosecution. Local firefighters may have been better off registering their own charity that does not include "CFS" in the name and fundraising for that. Perhaps something along the lines of the "Angaston fire fighters welfare association". While it involves more paperwork it does provide more freedom in the way the Angaston fire fighters welfare association supports Angaston fire fighters.

[littlejohn]

Actually if it's done by the book it should not be spent as they wish as snr1 suggests. Since Angaston have used the "CFS" name (look at Venue Tix ) to promote this fundraising event, they have to give all the money raised back to the state whether they know it or not.

. . . . which is why 'the book' is sometimes used to prop a door open, and judiciously ignored.

[chook]

Yep & that can land you in all soughts of trouble. It was recently explained to me what the auditors & Treasury officials can do! Nothing untoward going on - just a lack of understanding of the rules :wink:
And there is always the tax office, be-warned just because you are a vollie that doesn't restrict the weight of the law.
I was pretty sure that raising money in the name of the service means you can't us it for non service reasons; including buying alcohol, providing entertainment etc (food for a BBQ is different). On the other hand t-shirts, helmet lights duffle bags seem to be ok! What Hicksflats is saying is very correct, so be careful!
cheers

[Katrina]

So we can use the funds to buy the meat for the BBQ as long as everyone brings their own drinks (and get everyone a duffle bag and a t-shirt to mark the occassion) Maybe book can be used as a block at road traffic incident? :-D

[snr1]

Thank you all for your input. Hicksflat is correct, everything is going by the book. The committee is working within the regulations & region is aware of this event. They have approved & are supporting the concert. All of the money raised is going back through the brigades fundraising accounts. When it was mentioned 'spend as they wish' it was in the terms of the rather than the fundraising money going to the group as a whole, it is divided between the brigades to spend back at brigade level.

IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN PURCHASING TICKETS, THERE ARE A LIMITED NUMBER AVAILABLE, SO GET IN QUICK!!!!!!!! 

[RescueHazmat]

Actually if it's done by the book it should not be spent as they wish as snr1 suggests. Since Angaston have used the "CFS" name (look at Venue Tix ) to promote this fundraising event, they have to give all the money raised back to the state whether they know it or not.

. . . . which is why 'the book' is sometimes used to prop a door open, and judiciously ignored.

While your propping your door, the lawyers are reading up..

[mattb]

So we can use the funds to buy the meat for the BBQ as long as everyone brings their own drinks (and get everyone a duffle bag and a t-shirt to mark the occassion)

Or make the occasion a 'Training' event, and put the associated costs to the training budget line.

[snr1]

Just on two weeks to go now til JAMES BLUNDELL plays in the BAROSSA (at TANUNDA SHOW HALL,Sat may 17th).
James has said that this is going to be his LAST concert in S.A for 2008. :-(

Also JETTY ROAD,James Blundell's own award winning backing band,will be supporting him!

Due to only a limited number of tickets available, don't leave it until the last minute to get your tickets or you may miss out on James Blundell's final S.A. concert this year!

TICKETS through VENUETIX-$65 (including booking fee)
www.venuetix.com.au

[rescue5271]

Nice to see something nice at last within CFS for its volunteers hope that all going have a great night If I was not going to perth the wife and I would have come along. Would be nice to see some more group's do such fundraising with in their region....

[Bagyassfirey]

i agree there should heaps more social activities..its just like any club i guess gotta have a good social side