The Blesma AGM was held today at the RAF Club in central London. As part of the proceedings, new Articles of Association were voted into place by those present and by Members who had sent in their postal vote to redefine some of the Membership categories. While there have been no major changes, the main addition is that those who lose the use of their limb(s) through a traumatic incident that is not service-related are now eligible for Associate Membership. 

If you have any queries regarding the Membership categories, please speak to your BSO or call Blesma on 0208 590 1124.

The following Membership categories are from the new Articles of the Association that were voted into place at the 2016 AGM on 23 June.

The sentences that have been underlined are the new additions from the last version of the ‘Articles of the Association’, published in 2001.

To summarise the changes:

• Those in civilian employment in direct support of HM Forces who are injured in terrorist action against HM Forces will be eligible for Associate Membership.
• Those who lose the use of a limb through a traumatic incident other than through Service-related causes, will be eligible for Associate Membership.
• Civilians and ex-Service men and women who lose a limb or suffer loss of use of limb, in exceptional circumstances will be eligible for Associate Membership, subject to approval by the Trustees.
• Honorary Members are not entitled to charity.
• Definitions have been added to clarify ‘permanent’ loss of use of speech, hearing or sight and what constitutes as loss of limb.

Membership

Membership of the Association shall consist of three categories of Member namely; Ordinary, Associate and Honorary.

• Ordinary Membership shall be open to all those serving and ex-Service men and women who whilst serving, or as a result of service in any Branch of HM Forces or Auxiliary Forces:
  • have lost a limb or an eye.
  • have permanent loss of speech, hearing or sight of an eye or the use of a limb.

• Associate Membership shall be open to:
  • all men and women of civilian status who lose a limb, or the loss of use of a limb, or an eye as a result of War Service or enemy or terrorist action against HM Forces with which those of civilian status are employed, or volunteer, to provide direct support;   
  • all ex-Service men and women, who served in any Branch of HM Forces or Auxiliary Forces, who have lost a limb or an eye, or the use of a limb through traumatic incident, other than through Service-related causes;
  • all men and women of civilian status and all ex-Service men and women, who lose a limb or suffer loss of use of limb, in exceptional circumstances, subject to approval of the Trustees.

• Honorary Membership shall be open by invitation of the Trustees to all men and women who accept and support the Objects of the Association except that such category of Member shall only have the right to vote when holding or occupying a Branch, Area or Trustee appointment, and are not entitled to charity.

• Applicants for Membership who complete an approved enrollment form and thereafter conform to the Association's Articles and Rules shall all be deemed to be Members of the Association for all purposes except those specifically excluded in 2.3 above.

• Definitions
  • within the context of this Rule, "permanent" shall mean not less than 80% loss of speech, hearing or sight;
  • Limb is defined as an arm or leg, or parts thereof, including a significant part of the hand and a significant part of the foot.