ANGASTON GROUP FUNDRAISER

[Pipster]

Social events within the brigade are very important - but it is up to the brigade & its members to organise.   

The difficult thing with social events is to makes sure that everyone in the brigade is included in those events - or at the very least, has the opportunity to be involved.   That is sometimes not that easy, when you have a diverse group of people, of different ages, interests, likes etc.

It can be very easy to exclude some members of the brigade through the choice of events - and can lead to having the "in crowd" and the everyone else.

It is also a problem when you have one or two members who don't come to any social functions within the brigade - no matter how hard the brigade tries to included them.  Sometimes, it is better that some people don't attend...but I think it is important to ensure that all brigade member have the opportunity to be part of the events, even if they don't attend.

Pip
Brigade social coordinator   

[Cameron Yelland]

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.

So basically if you want to earn serious dollars for your brigade you are better off starting an auxillary account for the brigade?

[rescue5271]

Social life within a brigade is what keeps a brigade together and is a great way of showing that we are just more than those that turn up when the pager goes off...My briagde is a very social briagde and we have many FAMILY FUNCTIONS all year round,note I use the word family as the word family is not just those in the brigade but also those in our family who support loved one's who are in the CFS. If you want to be a social brigade then you need to involve all not just those that get on the appliance's or those that sit in the radio one but everyone...

Is anyone in Angaston group going to record this event??? if so i would like a copy....

[snr1]

REMINDER.......... 

LAST CHANCE TO SEE JAMES BLUNDELL IN SA FOR '08'

7PM SATURDAY 17TH MAY (TOMORROW NIGHT)

TANUNDA SHOW HALL

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR-$60.