During 2024 the Executive Committee (ExCo) has spent some time updating the Association’s constitution. The intention is to recommend its adoption by the general membership at the 2025 AGM. The proposed new constitution will be published in the Spring Newsletter and voted on at the AGM. Such an amendment to the constitution will require the support of  a two-thirds majority of votes cast. Having deliberated extensively on the matter in recent months ExCo wishes to share a draft of the current proposal with the wider membership to invite comments prior to finalizing it for the AGM. This broader consultation with the Association’s members will conclude on Sunday 12 January, after which ExCo will finalize their proposal for submission to the 2025 AGM. Apart from numerous tweaks, the main changes to the constitution can be summarized as: A redefinition of eligibility for BAFUNCS membership to include former service contract holders who however do not have a UN pension but who form an increasing proportion of UN staff. An updating of the terminology used in the constitution. Thus, the original General Assembly has been changed to General Meeting, Chairman becomes Chair, etc. etc. Legitimization of virtual processes which have become standard practice within the Association in recent years but which require some adaptation in formal BAFUNCS processes. Recognition of the BAFUNCS Benevolent Fund (BBF) as part of the BAFUNCS firmament, albeit with different accountabilities. The BBF was established ten years after the Association and, being a registered charity, is accountable to the Charity Commission. ExCo recommends that interested members don’t agonize over the changes that are being proposed but simply read the proposed new constitution afresh to see whether it makes sense. You can click on the links below to read the proposal. You can also visit a website discussion group on the subject, if you would like to have your say.  Finaslly, there is a link to the current constitution for those who want to examine the changes in detail. The Proposed New Constitution Constitution Discussion Group The Current Constitution

We are pleased to announce that the Rt.Hon. Andrew MItchell MP will be speaking at our 2025 Annual Reunion in Norwch. Mr Mitchell first became an MP in 1987 and has been representing Sutton Coldfield since 2001. During his career as a Conservative politician, he has taken a keen interest in international affairs generally and Africa in particular. In the process he has held a wide variety of government posts including Secretary of State for International Development and Deputy Foreign Secretary.

All KSX members and guests are cordially invited to our Festive Season Lunch at Cote Restaurant, 115-116 Church Street, Brighton BH1 1UD on Thursday, December 5th 2024 at 12.00 for 12.30. The 3 course menu is £39.95pp plus tea/coffee if wanted and a mandatory 10% service charge will also be added.  Drinks are ordered separately and payment is on the day and by card only. There is an additional charge for the sirloin steak and don’t forget to let us know how you would like it cooked! There is a gluten free option so please tell us which menu your choices are from to avoid confusion and let us know if you have any allergies. See below for the menus. Please send your replies and orders to Terri (terrijezeph@yahoo.co.uk) and Heather (heatherjay1234@btinternet.com) by the 21st November.   Getting there: If coming by train, exit the front of the Station, and take a short 5 minute walk down Queens Road for approximately 400meters. Turn left into Church Street and walk down the hill and Côte in on the left opposite the Brighton Dome. A taxi from Brighton Station is approx £10, the taxi rank is at the rear of the station, exit by platform 8. For car drivers there are various car parks.  Churchill Square is cheaper but a slightly longer walk.  Closer is the NCP Theatre Royal car park and can be pre-booked, approx £20 for 4hr slot. Buses stop in Churchill Square, North Street and Queens Road and are within a 10 minute walk of Côte. Looking forward to seeing you in December. Best wishes Heather, Terri and Richard.   Xmas Cote main menu  Xmas cote gluten free menu  

The Northern Region held a regional event in Nairn, Scotland, on 24 to 26 September 2024.  This would not have been possible without the wonderful help of our member, Professor Ron Skeldon, who is fortunate to live in Nairn. Nairn is a former royal burgh, an ancient fishing port and market town, 17 miles east of Inverness.  Boasting a sunny and dry micro-climate, it has been a popular seaside resort for over a hundred years.  It has three beautiful beaches with stunning views of the Moray Firth and the Black Isle.  A perfect place for us to visit! We stayed two nights at the award-winning Muthu Newton Hotel, a splendid baronial pile and favourite hotel of Charlie Chaplin.  After checking in, we were fortunate to have Ron lead us on a walking tour of the town.  In spite of Nairn’s reputation as being one of the sunniest places in Scotland, we were subjected to squalls of rain and wind, but as intrepid BAFUNCS explorers we donned our raincoats and hats and learned about Scotland’s pioneering educational establishments, its waves of emigration and its building of transport links.  As a reward, the rain stopped and the sun came out as we stopped for dinner at the four-star Sun Dancer Restaurant, located on the beach and with beautiful views of the sunset over the sea, where we were presented with a double rainbow. The next day we travelled to Culloden Moor, the site of the last land battle on mainland Britain; it marked the end of the Jacobite Rebellion in 1746 and its attempt to restore the thrones of Britain to a Stuart king.  It has a very impressive visitor centre with a 360-degree cinematic presentation of the battle.  That, together with the desolate landscape, made for a very moving and evocative experience.  In less than an hour, about 1,300 men were killed, about 1,250 of them Jacobites.  It signalled the end of clan life in the Highlands. We then travelled to the south-west of Inverness where, after lunch, we boarded a cruise through the awe-inspiring scenery of Loch Ness.  In spite of valiant attempts we failed to spot the elusive Loch Ness monster, but it was a relaxing and restorative time after our visit to Culloden Moor.  Upon our return to Nairn, Ron and Grania generously invited us to their home for pre-dinner drinks before we walked to the nearby Italian restaurant for dinner.  Being in Scotland, we had to retire to the hotel bar for an after-dinner drink of whisky! Initially I was disappointed in the low turn-out of members from our region, but four members joined us from other regions for which I will be forever grateful.  It meant that we had more time to socialise with each other and to appreciate the benefits of our BAFUNCS membership. Nikki Feirn, NOR Regional Representative