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The Association has been in
existence since 1886. It was incorporated under the name Royal North West
Mounted Police Veterans' Association by Letters Patent under the Companies
Act on January 14, 1924, and steps were taken on December 1, 1954 to
change the Association's name to reflect the present-day name of the
Force.
PURPOSES AND OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION
The Association came into being out of a recognition many years ago that
the training, experience and comradery that members had obtained/developed
during their active service, could still be put to very meaningful use in
individual and collective service to Canada, the Force and other former
members (or members of their immediate families and their dependents),
even after their separation from the Force. That worthwhile precept, is
still apropos today. To that end, the Association continues to subscribe
to the following worthy purposes and objects in its Constitution:
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to promote and assist in the
promotion and advancement of the best interests of Canada, especially
respect for its Constitution; - to be of service to the Government of
Canada when required and requested;
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to co-operate with and to
render assistance to the Police, especially the Royal Canadian Mounted
Police, in all matters of common interest or concern;
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to promote the physical,
social and economic welfare of the Corporation's members or the
members of their immediate families;
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to acquire by purchase,
lease, gift, bequest, devise, endowment or otherwise personal property
of every nature and kind and any interest or property rights therein
and to dispose of the same;
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to acquire by purchase,
lease, gift, bequest, devise, endowment or otherwise real property,
and any interest therein, and, subject to the provisions of section 65
of the Canada Corporations Act, to mortgage, sell, lease or otherwise
dispose of the same;
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to establish under such
names and titles as may be deemed desirable, such benevolent fund or
funds as shall be deemed requisite for the purpose of aiding such
former members of the North West Mounted Police, the Royal North West
Mounted Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, or the members
of their immediate families, or their dependents who are in need of
assistance and to appoint trustees to supervise the administration and
management of any such funds;
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to provide support to worthy
community services or organizations of a charitable or benevolent
nature.
HOW THE
ASSOCIATION FUNCTIONS
Policies and objectives of the Association are usually determined at its
annual general meetings. The Dominion Board of Directors is the governing
authority between general meetings. In addition, it is the responsibility
of the Dominion Headquarters Executive Committee to administer and manage
the affairs of the Association on a day to day basis.
To assist the Dominion Headquarters Executive Committee, as well as
Divisions of the Association and the general public, the Association
maintains a Secretariat office which is usually staffed during normal work
hours (Ottawa time), except on Fridays. Being conveniently located in the
Headquarters complex of the Force, the Secretariat is thus able to
maintain a vital and close liaison with the Force.
BENEFIT TRUST FUND
An outreach of the Association of particular importance is to be able to
respond in a meaningful way to former members of the Force, members of
their immediate families or their dependants, who are in financial
distress. Such needs are often beyond the lawful means of the Force to
alleviate. While assistance can take a variety of forms, it is important
that rescue be undertaken in an effective, discreet, timely, and
meaningful way, if it is to serve a useful purpose.
Such assistance may simply be by way of helping the individual connect
with the appropriate Federal, Provincial or Municipal level of government
best suited and able to assist.
Another form of assistance is available through the Benefit Trust Fund
which exists under authority of the RCMP Act, or through a much smaller
fund established and maintained by the Association itself. Such assistance
can also take the form of a grant, or a loan, repayment of which is geared
to one's circumstances. Financial assistance is available where there is
no other funding available, or in addition to other forms of available
assistance.
The objective is to provide temporary or ongoing relief where documented
financial distress beyond the control of the individual exists, thereby
enabling approved recipients to have simple, yet dignified financial
expectations out of life.
If you know of an eligible, worthy person you are encouraged to contact
the Association for assistance.
THE FORCE AND THE ASSOCIATION
The Force's post-discharge responsibilities to former members are
generally limited to ensuring that entitlements earned during one's
service are fully paid in a timely manner. While the Association takes a
great deal of satisfaction out of its excellent rapport with the Force
over the years, it also recognizes that enhancement to existing
post-discharge benefits, must often be generated outside the Force, for
the reason that the Force's focus is primarily on serving members. The
Force recognizes the Association as a credible advocate for the interests
of former members. To retain that important status with the Force, it is
vital that the Association be seen as truly representing former members,
and this can best be achieved through strong and growing membership.
ESPRIT DE CORPS
That important common spirit of enthusiasm, devotion and strong regard for
the honour of the Force which is so important to the common good of the
RCMP, continues to be nurtured and promoted following discharge, through
membership in the Association. The Association allows former members to
work with the Force in areas of common interest, and at the same time
brings about the opportunities for former members to regularly gather for
purposes of comradeship, socializing and rendering assistance and support
to each other as may be required.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership in the Association is open to any former regular, special
constable or civilian member of the Force with at least twelve months
service, or three years service in the case of a member of the RCMP
Reserve, prior to discharge. While membership is voluntary, a condition of
acceptance of an application or continuing membership, is that every
individual has had and still has an exemplary character.
If you are eligible to join the Association and you are not yet a member,
you are invited to contact the Association at your earliest opportunity
and the necessary application form will be provided to you. Your interest
in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Veterans' Association is welcomed and
appreciated.
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