An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir November 2017 www.dfmagazine.ie 26 | REPoRt AnD PhotoS By SGt WAynE FItzGERAlD O n 23rd September, over 100 del- egates from around Ireland met to discuss veterans' affairs for the organisation of national Ex-Service Personnel (onE) in the Radisson Blu hotel, limerick. The opening addresses were given by Chairman Paddy Rooney, CEO Ollie O'Connor and, new to the board, Brig Gen Colm Campbell (retd). General Campbell said the reason veterans join the ONE is comradeship. "We have shared experiences and a shared past," he said. "That's why we get on so well; we value the esprit de corps of comradeship." He went on to discuss ONE's strategic plan: "We have to accept we won't always get it right, but we must work at it; we have to be able to change the plan. "The veterans policy in the government's latest white paper is positive and it's good that it's there – but it's not enough and needs to be developed by DoD and ourselves, along with IUNVA and ARCO," he continued. Speaking about membership, General Campbell said, "There are an estimated 100,000 veterans out there, and ONE needs to recruit more members, more influencers.; not senior ranks but the guy on the back gate who knows everyone." He finished his address with the rallying cry, "Veterans are much stronger together." Company Secretary Albert Farrell then spoke about corporate governance, and the organisation's main objective: funding the homeless. He told delegates that the last annual audit by Dublin City Council "passed with flying colours". Albert went on to tell the convention that ONE was to be commended for only spending 45% of monies collected on wag- es, which compared favourably to similar charities that spend in excess of 70% on wages. He also said that Revenue and the Charities Regulator were both happy with the new branch banking system. Derek Ryan BL, Director of Fundraising, was next up. He thanked all delegates for their hard work. "We wouldn't be the organisation we are without you," he said. "It's you out on the ground, wearing our uniform, and shaking buckets to raise much-needed funds for our colleagues." On a negative note Derek expressed ONE's disappointment that some branches were not supporting ONE's annual Fuchsia Appeal, the main fundraising appeal that supports ONE's homeless initiative. "Pa- rades are important, but they are ancillary to fundraising," he said. Derek also thanked other veterans' associations and military groups for their continued donations. He finished his address by urging contin- ued recruitment. "If every member brought in one new member we would increase our membership by 100% and not the 10% as stated in the strategic plan," he said. "A bigger membership would give the ONE more leverage when advocating on behalf of veterans." Ollie O'Connor then informed members on the new veteran support centres (VSCs) being rolled out in the next few months. It is hoped to have an additional eight VSCs set up in suitable locations around the country, along with the current two in Drogheda and Limerick. Ollie announced that the Director of PSS, Lt Col Ollie Bar- bour, is retiring soon and will be coming onto the board of ONE. The guest speaker was Tony Stafford, who told delegates about spending 10 months in Brú na bhFiann after he became homeless following the break-up of his marriage (see September's An Cosantóir). He told the delegates that former soldiers often find it hard to ask for help. "We all wore flak jackets, and big boys don't cry," he said. Tony hopes that hearing his story will help others to better understand the plight of some of our former colleagues, and he received a standing ovation for having the courage to talk about his prob- lems to a room full of his peers. The conference finished with ONE's outgoing president, Michael Carroll, hand- ing over the chain of office to the incoming president, Tom James, who coincidently comes from the same branch in Newbridge. Ollie O'Connor closed the conference by thanking ONE Chairman Paddy Rooney, who has completed his term in office. Cuimhnímís: We remember those who served ONE CEO Ollie O'Connor New ONE President Tom James ONE Board Member Brig Gen Colm Campbell (retd) Derek Ryan BL, Director of Fundraising Branch of the Year Winners: Roger Casement, Baldonnel

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