The Air Force Association’s national body, AFA Ltd, will restructure to form a smaller skill-based National Board of Directors and a Federation Council, the latter comprising representatives from each of the State/Territory Divisions.

The decision to restructure the national body was unanimous and made at the recent May AFA Ltd Board Meeting. The change will ensure the National Board will be independent and the company structure conform with contemporary governance requirements.  The change is the result of several years of workshops and discussions on seeking the best way to take the Association into the future.

The Federation Council will be an advisory body to the National Board, setting priorities for the Association and being responsible for veteran support initiatives and activities.

The National Board will manage the company. Its extant role with outside agencies will remain.

The restructure model will be described in a new Constitution that is currently being drafted.  It will contain linking clauses to Divisions.  Participating Divisions will need to insert linking clauses to the National Body in their constitutions thereby ensuring we have a formally linked federation rather than the existing loose arrangement.  The Association will effectively operate as a unified national organisation.

Division autonomy will remain unchanged. There will be a neutral impact on members.   Members will, however, have a greater opportunity to nominate office bearers. This aspect and other details will be outlined in the Constitution and any By-Laws that will require AFA Ltd Board endorsement.

I am pleased to advise we have reached this milestone decision that will modernise the Association’s federated and governance structure.

Carl Schiller, OAM, CSM

National President

May 2022