Be Prepared

I was in the Cubs and then the Scouts from the age of about 7 I would guess, until I was 16 and Joined the RAF. The motto, 'Be Prepared', has stood me in good stead my whole working life. Not so much the past few years I suppose but since taking over the Gloucestershire County Representative's post for the Royal British Legion Riders Branch (3542 if you know what that means) I've had to re-apply it in many ways. Preparing reports, sending out information, preparing for monthly meetings and making an agenda and then doing the minutes etc.
The past couple of days I've been preparing for Saturday, the Royal British Legion County AGM. In the photo is the agenda, a proposed motion about the Riders Branch and the 'Annie Reid Award' for Outstanding rider of the year. Annie Reid is a retired Group Captain, RAF, and one of our enthusiastic supporters, and president of the Gloucestershire County Royal British Legion.
A motion has been raised to formalise the relationship between the RBL County and the RBL Riders Branch. We do an awful lot around the County, and beyond, but very seldom receive any thanks or acknowledgement. This motion ensures we will have a delegate on the County committee with full voting rights.
From my perspective, what it will do is raise our profile to the many who have no idea we even exist never mind know what we do. 
I have asked that, after the reading of the motion but before the vote, I be allowed to stand up and give the audience the history of the Riders Branch, what we do, how we raise money for the Poppy Appeal (all year round, not just the fortnight Poppy Appeal period in Oct/Nov), attending veterans funeral as escort to the cortege, group rides to the NMA, and other locations such as war memorials, to attend memorials and other events, having a stand at county, country, steam and vintage shows. We do a lot so when, in early January while attending an RBL Gloucester City coffee morning, one chap said "Yes, but you aren't a real branch are you?"! I really had bite my tongue not to lash out at him. Sad to say, he is pretty typical, even of people that belong to the RBL.
Wish me luck!