What do we do ?

The basis of the Association is the recognition of the right to a general and independent promotion of interest for all employees of the Ministry of Defence with full respect for freedom of religion, political and social views. Therefore, the Association does not have any connection with political-, religious- or social movements. The Association will promote the interests of its members in their position as a (retired) soldier and civil servant. In order to achieve this, the Association is in permanent consultation with:

• the Government about general labour conditions and legal status;
• the Commander in Chief of the Air Force about Air Force affairs;
• the Commander in Chief of the Army about Army affairs;
• the Commander in Chief of the Navy about Navy affairs;
• the Ministry of Defence about retired personnel;
• local Commanders about working conditions;
• other associations for military personnel in the Netherlands;
• other civil associations or trade unions;
• international associations for military personnel (Euromil).

But we do more for our members! The association:

• issues a monthly magazine for the members;
• issues every two weeks a bulletin for LR and POC;
• gives training and education for the members;
• holds meetings with the Departmental Committees and Local Representatives;
• advises the individual member on legal matters;
• gives the individual member legal assistance;
• provides numerous benefits from the membership, such as:
  • reductions on car-insurance premiums;
  • an accident-insurance that also pays off during UN-operations;
  • savings accounts with a high interest;
  • a membership-card that will give discount in 7.000 stores.

In addition to all this, the AFMP/FNV's Wellfare-section can help the members with financial problems and/or advice on social matters. The Wellfare-section also advises the members on legal matters or assists them with com- plaints about transfers or periodical reviews. For that latter purpose there are several counsellors connected with the Wellfare-section. They are from all branches of the armed forces and individually support the member who asked for help.

How do we do it?
To be able to run all these activities the AFMP/FNV has its own building and employees (the Ministry of Defence has no influence about that at all). There is one Staff Associate for the Executive Committee. In the Wellfare-section there are three lawyers and one Staff Associate. In the Communication and Information-Division there is one Staff Associate. The Logistic- and membeshipservice Division have one co-worker on policy each. There is one editor, one bookkeeper and four clerks to handle the in- and outgoing mail, registration of members, etc., etc.

The means of the Association are membership-fees and donations. At present the membership-fee is 10,46 Euro per month for active professional military personnel and a certain percentage of that per month for retired personnel, conscripts and military personnel during their first training. The annual income is about 3 million euro. Also our membership of the Bureau for Civil Servants (ACOP) and the Federation of Trade Unions (FNV) is paid out of the membership-fees. In accordance with the European Social Charter and ILO-agreements, Government provides us with facilities to enable us to represent our members. These facilities are given in time-off for our delegates and members on our board plus a certain amount of money for our employees.

AFMP/FNV is a member of the largest of one of the four Bureaus for Civil Servants, called ACOP. In addition, AFMP/FNV also joined the largest of one of the four Federations of Trade Unions, called FNV. As a result of that AFMP/FNV is a member of the European Trade Union Coorporation (ETUC). Last, but certainly not least, AFMP/FNV is a member of Euromil, the largest European platform for associations of military personnel. The structure of the AFMP/FNV

The members are grouped in two different ways. First, to comply with demands from the Civil Code, there is a Membercouncel. The members are choosen out of the members of the AFMP/FNV and are related to a region in the Netherlands.

Secondly, to avoid bureaucracy and improve direct communications with the members, they are devided into Groups per airbase, per barrack, per ships or other unit. Each group elects its own Local Representative (LR). Every LR has to make sure that he has sufficient Persons of Contact (POC) (minimum level is company, squadron or ship while the maximum level is platoon, work-shop, etc.) inside the unit to support the LR in his duties. Approximately 200 LR and 1000 POC work for AFMP/FNV.

The National board and decision making

The Departments play a role during the General Assembly in relation to the Civil Code only. The General Assembly meets at least once a year. It is formed by the National Board and delegates from the Departments. Each Department has a total number of votes in relation to the size of the membership of the Department. Subjects of discussion are:

• the management and policy of the National Board;
• the election of the National Board;
• the annual reports of the Association;
• the budget for the coming year;
• changes on the articles and regulations of the Association.

In addition, Departments and National Board may add items to the agenda. For all items on the agenda it is mandatory that the members of AFMP/FNV have had the opportunity to form their opinion in the departmental meetings prior to the General Assembly. In order to enable this, the agenda is published in our monthly magazine at least one month before the General Assembly.

The National Board consists of 11 persons. All activities of AFMP/FNV are based on three Divisions. The Board exist of the:

• President, at the same time Chief of the Communication and Information Division;
• Vice-President, at the same time Chief of the Labor & Income Division
• General Secretary, at the same time Chief of the Logistic- and membership service Division;

Together they form the Executive Committee of the National Board, plus:

• 5 members witch are representatieves of the sectors Air Force - Army - Navy - Retired Personnel;
• 2 members witch are representatives of the MARVER/FNV, the trade-union for military police
• 1 member witch is a representative of the AVRM, an organisation for reservists

Because the rules for publication in the Civil Code are rather complicated and take of lot of time, we have institued an Association Council which can convene at any time the National Board wishes to do so. This Council consists of the National Board and LR from airbases, barracks, groups of ships, and so on. Each LR has a total number of votes in relation to the size of the membership of the unit concerned. Usually, this Council is advises the National Board on a particular problem or it is used to inform the membership about developments. However, the Council may also take decisions with the exception of those that are reserved to the General Assembly by Civil Code.