Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen - Membership and Communication

Membership and Communication

Membership of ONET is open to men and women who have served in the Permanent Defence Forces (PDF), Reserve Defence Forces (RDF), An Slua Muirí, An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil (FCÁ), Maritime Inspection, Local Defence Force (LDF), Local Security Force (LSF), Coast Watching Service, Construction Corps, Irish Red Cross, or Civil Defence providing such person has had at least one-years satisfactory service and has been honourably discharged. The charity operates on a not-for-profit basis and all funds collected through subscription are applied to the running of the charity and the maintenance and upkeep of the charities homes. To become a member of the company a person must be accepted as a member of a branch and must sign a written declaration of acceptance of the Memorandum of Association & Articles of Association and the Handbook of Rules. Since the year 2000 membership has grown from a low ebb of 1,250 members to its current standing of over 1,700 members some of whom are located overseas in the USA, Canada and Australia. Branches are organised throughout the Republic of Ireland with one Branch located in London. ONET also operates a ‘National Branch’ to cater for Ex-Servicemen and Women who do not live close to a Branch (this includes overseas members). The ONET web site contains an on-line form to join the Organisation which must be printed and forwarded to the Company Secretary.

ONECONNECT is the quarterly magazine which is published by the charity and distributed to its members by post. It is a topical journal that updates members on the charity’s activities for the previous quarter and also informs them of upcoming events. The journal is also used to publish the annual accounts for the organisation prior to the Annual General Meeting as well as distributing nomination papers and ballot papers for Board of Directors positions.