To the staff, cadets and supporters of the ANC, to our colleagues of the RAN and RANR, greetings.

Having assumed the role of National Commander it is important that I provide some clear indication of my intentions and expectations for, and of the ANC.

Program

There is no doubt that the effectiveness of a youth development organisation depends on the delivery by the staff of a modern, well planned attractive program. The ANC is based on the maritime environment, established within the Navy family, and operates in the community.

These three components must be mutually supportive. The development of the new contemporary ANC program is under way within our training department. The program structure will be considered in the next few months and the plans for roll out will mirror the introduction of the staff training program.

But I must stress that training is not the only solution to all our problems. Other strategies are also required to reinvigorate the ANC. The ANC program has for many years been largely determined by the skills, experience and ability of the unit staff. In this new model, staff will be trained in the skills necessary to deliver a model program designed to provide for local needs and opportunities. For the first time staff will have clear consistent guidance on what is expected, and how to implement the program with standards of achievement.

Cadets will be provided with a truly consistent national program that can be managed with effective performance outcomes. Our excellent safety record will be sustained as we continue to focus on Cadet Activities in a Responsible Environment (CARE). This embraces our cadet’s welfare as well as our safety obligations. We need to be responsive to community expectations and the duty of care standards of the Navy.

This means being more proactive in the application of leading edge activity management and sensible risk management that “safety proofs” our organisation. This will ensure both our staff and cadets are responsibly guided and protected from harmful situations. Safety assurance must become an enabling component of our program not a restriction on activity.”

Staff Expectation

The ANC principles are; Respect, Justice and Responsible Care. Our actions, judgements and decisions must accord with our moral compass and thus meet the expectations of our cadets, the community and the Navy. My expectation of staff in the ANC is high. Our organisation is values based and has clear guiding principles. These are the standards against which we will all be judged. In addition I expect that staff will strive to achieve high personal standards in performance and achievement and by example demonstrate those standards to our cadets.

Recruiting and Retention

The ANC needs to grow in staff and cadets to become a sustainable organisation. Units of less than 25 – 30 cadets and 3-5 staff are unsustainable. Depleted units cannot deliver an effective program as there are no real opportunities to create and benefit from the Divisional structure, and progress cadets through a learning and leadership continuum.

These depleted units are to be the focus of my staff to ascertain how they can be reinvigorated and brought up to strength. I expect all of the ANC Training Ships, Regions and Areas, or any future structural groups, to develop plans and establish clear objectives which they can assess and review to ensure we are a dynamic growing organisation aligned with a national direction. I will be seeking regular reports of achievement on those plans.

Our membership is not great. Relying on our current information there are probably around 2200 members of the ANC. The question is “why are our numbers low”? We have a good activity record with an excellent national events program. Reading “On Board” reveals some units have outstanding activities including overseas visits but some units seem unable to attract members or staff and their programs are uninspiring.

Recruiting and retention are two key issues for each and every member and the key to this is effective planning, good communications and a great program of activities. I expect you all, to actively “grow” the organisation.

Communication

Communication is always an area of organisational challenge. I expect staff to be active in communicating and to seek information. I have asked for an urgent review of all our communications systems with the intent of making it simple, certain and appropriate. We need to pool and share our ideas to achieve our common goals. Effective communication in organisations often depends on goodwill and it is that spirit within us that enables us to overcome the “blocks” and ensure we are all receptive to ideas that enhance our relationships and improve our organisation.

Structure

A substantial structural change to our traditional Area structure is intended. Our Director-General will be personally driving a change program aimed at creating a reinvigorated organisation capable of delivering much needed local support and assisting in the growth of the ANC.

Personal Behaviour

I would also mention the matter of priorities within the ANC. As staff we have agreed to participate in an organisation to assist in the development of young people. Unfortunately there are some occasions when personal behaviour overshadows these original undertakings and disputes develop. Such disputes are debilitating and divisive and have no place in the ANC. New procedures to resolve disputes which avoid the traditional military model will be implemented adopting a contemporary approach to dispute resolution.

Community Engagement

As I mentioned at the start, community engagement is one of the three key components of the ANC. Commanding Officers must consider how to ensure their unit and their community is effectively engaged to achieve the ANC objectives. Community engagement extends beyond inviting local government and ex-services members to the Annual Inspection. Community engagement requires you to actively market the concept of the ANC and ensure the highest possible visibility of the unit locally. You must network constantly with the community leaders and those that can bring an influence for good on the ANC. It also requires you to ask for specific assistance. The unit support committee should be a key resource and represent an effective link to your community.

Navy Support

Our Navy support team is fully committed to achieving our ANC outcomes. Their efforts are essential to our success. It is vital we engage with and support initiatives to achieve improvements, including Sea Familiarisation Training and the Twinning Program. Every effort is made to facilitate participation in national activities, please play your part by ensuring you promote the programs and provide the necessary information to participants and national headquarters when requested.

Conclusion

I seek to lead the ANC rather than command it. I am mindful of the enormous potential of the ANC as a youth development organisation but I also know that 3 improvement and change are essential for us to become a sustainable, contemporary organisation of the 21st Century. I will need your wholehearted support and active participation if we are to effect these changes.

The opportunity for us all to leave a great legacy for the young people who participate in the ANC now and in the future is a compelling argument to “raise the bar” on our efforts. Finally at a recent cadet forum I asked cadets what we should do to develop the ANC and I was struck by the poignancy of one response: We should live up to our promises! Let us therefore go forth with a renewed spirit to ensure we meet the challenge we have been given, to live up to what the ANC promises and ensure we play our part in its achievement.

Yours Aye,

ER (Eliot) Fisher ESM

CAPT, ANC

NATIONAL COMMANDER  ANC

26/08/2008