Dave William's Final Chairmans Letter
Hello all
I write to inform you that as of the 4th December 2003, CPO (UW) Steve Couch assumed the duties as chairman to the association.
As you may be aware I leave the RN on the 4th Dec 2004 and have for some time been actively canvassing for a relief. Whilst committee positions are able to be filled by serving or indeed ex serving members, the position as Chairman must be a serving senior rate of either Warrant Officer or Chief Petty Officer status.
Since taking the position of Chairman to the association on the 26 June 2001 I have only and collectively written five letters to the membership of which, this is the fifth.
Since conception, the home of the ASWI Association (formerly known as the TASI Association) has always been within the Portsmouth Command area.
As I know only to well and I would ask that you give careful thought to this, the modern day serviceman is not the same as he was just a short few years ago. This is I believe something all of us can equate too, for example how many of us lived in? (Vernon / Dryad) Who as a young Petty Officer owned a car had his own flat?
Some may well be saying “ah the good old days.” During which the social scene was extremely good in the form of the TASI club, now, who could ever forget that and yes, I did have the honour of attending a social or two whilst on Petty Officer (PO (S)) Qualifying course in 1979 / 80.
The membership at that time was vast, particularly with those of you who managed to pass as a TASI. I only managing to achieve PO (S) was allowed to frequent the clubhouse. However, as time marched on and the TASI began to become the minority with the PO (S) becoming the majority. The social scene also began to change with more and more people living in their own private residence, driving their own cars, owning things such as mobile phones, laptops and getting married!
Overall this was to have a detrimental effect upon the membership, which although considered strong throughout its existence has periodically taken a dip.
I am but one of a long line of Chairmen who have had the honour of serving the association, in my time I have had many issues to contend with. It is with utmost confidence that I say that the membership past and present where able to give me one hundred percent backing in order that any issue was effectively overcome, for which I am eternally grateful.
Not withstanding this there was one issue which some of you are already aware of that could not be resolved within the Portsmouth Command area. That issue was one of who was to relieve me as the Chairman.
Despite actively canvassing over a period of six months, and with the natural appointing / drafting cycle of serving Warrant Officers / Chief Petty Officers it soon became apparent that I was not going to find a relief from Portsmouth either as the Chairman or as the Treasurer.
To this end I asked the Devonport membership (serving senior rates) to canvass on my behalf. They came up with a number of names not only for the Chairmanship but also the positions of, Treasurer and Social secretary.
During an extraordinary meeting held at HMS DRYAD (Nov 03) votes were taken on the following,
Chairman CPO (UW) Steve Couch
Treasurer Mr Bill Bailey
Social Secretary Mr Dave Gemmill
These names were dully passed and formally elected as members of the committee. A vote was also taken for the position of Vice Chairman. The new vice Chairman is Mr Bill Barrett (Portsmouth)
As such and with all but two positions on the committee being at Devonport (the second being the ex-serving rep Mr Andy Gleeve) the association is in the process of moving to HMS DRAKE. I am sure Steve will continue with the strengthening of the association. Therefore, I ask that you give Steve the support that you gave me in my time as the Chairman.
It has indeed been an honour to hold this once in a lifetime position, I thank you all and would close by wishing you all a long, happy and prosperous future.
Dave Williams
Outgoing Chairman