2019 Annual State Congress - RSL NSW · 2019-11-01 · assessment and clinical counselling services...

2019 Annual State Congress

The Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch)

Albury Entertainment CentreSunday 27 – Wednesday 30 October 2019

Where to now?• What is our current situation?

• Let’s look at some factsWhat is the RSL?

MembershipCharity

Other Considerations?• Is the ‘destination’ right? The

vision?• Do we know how to reach the

‘destination?’• I need your help!

We need a plan (Recap)

• Provide clear direction to achieve a sustainable and proud future

• We have a start, but much more needs to be done and critically, members need to be on board, and it must be resourced

• Clear and measurable objectives to be met, by when (e.g. increase membership by X by Y time) so XXXX outcome can be achieved

Our current Mission and Vision (Website)

Mission: Respecting, supporting and remembering our veterans and their families.

Vision: To be recognised and respected as the pre-eminent association within the DefenceFamily in New South Wales*

Remember the past, honour veterans and their

families and provide camaraderie opportunities

Champion remembrance and

camaraderie

Meet the health, wellbeing and support needs of veterans and

their families

Be the voice for veterans and their

families

Govern responsibly to fulfil our charitable

purpose

Understand evolving areas of need, provide services and find ways to engage

RSL NSW advocates for and represents veterans

and their families

Building trust through transparency and sound

management

Actions‒ Be representative

‒ Stay true to core values

‒ Support camaraderie

‒ Build new ways to engage

‒ Foster respect and receptivity

‒ Develop and deliver services appropriate for all veterans and their families

‒ Measure outcomes

‒ Provide support for regional NSW

‒ Work with ESOs, government and community organisations

‒ Influence policy

‒ Advocate for veterans and their families

‒ Build & foster government relationships and partnerships

‒ Promote positive image and brand

‒ Restore fundraising

‒ Manage finances sustainably

‒ Provide open communication

‒ Embed strong governance

‒ Continue constitutional reform

‒ Embed skills-based board

‒ Ensure Accountability

Respecting, supporting and remembering our veterans and their families

Strategy pillars

Purpose Strategic Plan 2020-2022* (Recap)

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Facts……..What is the RSL?

……..history

Public service scheme

NSW veteran's employment scheme

Soldier settlement

Advocacy and camaraderie

RSL? It’s……………………

ICONICMEMBERSHIPHISTORIC

But……what do non-members think of RSL?

WE HAVE AN ICONIC AND HISTORIC POSITION and PURPOSE BUT THIS IS NOT WHAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC THINK

Source: Qualitative Research n=46 Gen X,Y,Z non-members

Survey results (people aged between 23-50):What does the RSL mean to you?1. Clubs and pokies2. Old people3. Veterans and ANZAC Day4. Cheap beer5. Cheap food

Conclusion – what is the RSL?

It’s not well understood, and the general image is not what the RSL does or

stands for

“I’m trying to tell our people that we are very much in a numbers game and unless the numbers remain high, politicians will not take much notice.” National Secretary, 1975

A proposed strategy………..“Let us die out with dignity.” William Hall, 1977

What are we going to do?

1975 Congress“(We must) …..get started without delay on substantial plans for submission to all members, to ensure the continuance of the RSL for all possible time, as aneffective beneficial and influential authority for ex-serviceand serving men and women and good living andSecurity in Australia.”

What is the RSL, and what does it stand for?

Veterans support?

How do we position

ourselves?

Is the vision right?

Quote……

Facts…….Membership

What are your top three concerns about RSL NSW for the future?

36% 35% 34%

20% 19% 19% 17%

9%6% 5% 5%

Financial sustainability

CorruptionAgeing membership

Governance Quality of services provided

Brand /Reputation

Lack of relevance

Resistance to change

Lack of clarity around strategy

Lack of diversity of

membership

Lack of family

inclusion

Exclusivity Other (please specify)

Number of Responses: 1,702

Top 5 responses

RSL NSW 2017 Membership Survey

AGEING MEMEBERSHIP WAS THE MAIN STATED CONCERN IN 2017 MEMBERSHIP SURVEYSource: SVA Board Approved Strategy

RSL NSW Potential Membership

28% OF CONTEMPORARY VETERANS JOIN AN ESO (SOURCE TRANSITION TASKFORCE, DOD & DVA) BASED ON STATE POPULATION THIS INDICATES 500-600 VETERANS IN NSW ARE JOINING ESOs ANNUALLY

Other ESO ChoicesPercentage of ESOs by State and Territory

Source: ASPEN Foundation Report 2015

THERE ARE OVER 2,780 ESO IN AUSTRALIA, 28% IN NSW WHICH INCLUDES RSL SUB-BRANCHES420 ESOs NOT PART OF RSL NSW – ALSO THERE TO HELP VETERANS AND FAMILIES

HALF OF ESOs WILL SEE A DECLINE IN VOLUNTEERSNON-MEMBER BASED VSOs GROWING

Understanding the other ESOs

What are your top three concerns about RSL NSW for the future?

36% 35% 34%

20% 19% 19% 17%

9%6% 5% 5%

Financial sustainability

CorruptionAgeing membership

Governance Quality of services provided

Brand /Reputation

Lack of relevance

Resistance to change

Lack of clarity around strategy

Lack of diversity of

membership

Lack of family

inclusion

Exclusivity Other (please specify)

Number of Responses: 1,702

Top 5 responses

RSL NSW 2017 Membership Survey

AGEING MEMEBERSHIP CONCERN MEANS RELEVANCE NEEDS TO ALSO BE A CONCERN Source: SVA Board Approved Strategy

RSL NSW Total Membership Profile (All Member Types)

BOOMER AND BUILDER GENERATIONS ACCOUNT FOR 89% OF MEMBERSHIP ONLY 3,100 CONTEMPORARY MEMBERS

Builder/Boomer (55+) Gen X (40-54) Gen Y (25-39) Gen Z (4-24)

Source: Member CMS

RSL NSW Total Membership Churn - (Loss)/Gain

MEMBERSHIP CHURN IS AVERAGING 1.6K MEMBERS PER YEAR

Source: Member CMS

Service Membership Age Compared to Australian Male Average Life Expectancy

• 32% of current Service Members (6,600) are over Australian Male, average life expectancy age.

• 6% of current Service Members are more than 10 years over Australian Male, average life expectancy age.

• 26% are 0-10 years over Australian Male, average life expectancy age.

• 29% of current Service Members are in their 70s and will reach age of current life expectancy within 10 years.

• This will leave only 39% of current members below Australian Male, average life expectancy in 10 years time.

Why declining membership?

It’s not just RSLBut…..

Secret Shopper calls to 10 sub-Branches were made to understand the new member sign up experience.

Findings were:

Our New Membership Sign Up Experience

Source: Secret Shopper calls by ANZAC House to 10 sub-Branches May 2019

Sub-Branch Quotes

Source: Secret Shopper calls by ANZAC House to 10 sub-Branches May 2019

What other ESOs offer veterans – non-membership?

• Work side by side with those who serve and protect Australia, and their families, helping them to secure their future.

• Services aim to help individuals build resilience and create, and expand meaningful connections with family, community and employers.

• Health and wellbeing – Psychology, social activities and programs, sporting activities and programs and service initiatives.

• Employment – Transition services, employment support, career development assistance.

• Learning – Education and training programs, vocational training.

• Participation – Social activities and programs focused on connections with family, friends and the broader community, volunteering and sports programs.

• Support for current and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families

• Veterans and Families Counselling - Australia's leading provider of high-quality mental health assessment and clinical counselling services for veterans and their families.

• Focused on meeting client needs through a combination of proven clinical practices and new and emerging evidence-based approaches.

• Mates4Mates supports current and ex-serving ADF members (and their families) who are wounded, injured or ill as a result of their service

• National and regional support services include• Physical Rehabilitation and

Wellbeing ServicesPsychological ServicesEmployment and Education Support ServicesRehabilitation Adventure.

• Social Connection Activities

• Respecting, supporting and remembering our veterans and their families.

• Camaraderie• Pension support (some)• Wellbeing (some)

• Be recognised and respected as the pre-eminent association within the Defence Family in New South Wales.

But …….DefenceCare Offers