ABR5128, the ANC policy manual, gives details on how to raise a Unit Support Committee and its obligations/responsibilities.
The success of any volunteer organisation is dependent upon the support it enjoys from its local community. A vital part of community support for Australian Navy Cadet (ANC) Units is provided by Unit Support Committees. All ANC Units must be sponsored by their local community. A Unit of the ANC is not a legal entity and is therefore unable, in its own right, to enter into contracts or hold or dispose of property, real or otherwise.
A Unit Support Committee is to be formed from parents and interested persons in the community on the invitation of the Unit Commanding Officer. The Commanding Officer (CO) or an officer nominated by, them to act as their representative, is to be an ex-officio member of the Committee.
The functions of a unit Support Committee include:
- assuming the role of sponsoring organisation in relation to a unit;
- where applicable, the provision and maintenance of buildings for training purposes for the Unit;
- the provision and maintenance of equipment not provided by the Commonwealth Government;
- the provision of club, general welfare and sports facilities for the unit; and
- providing assistance to the CO and to other officers and instructors as requested by the CO.’
The Unit Support Committee or individual members are not to enter into financial or other commitments which might bind the Commonwealth Government, Department of Defence, RAN or ANC in any way. Unit Support Committees are not to use official ANC letterhead paper for their correspondence but may use Unit Support Committee letterhead incorporating
both the unit name and the words ‘UNIT SUPPORT COMMITTEE’.
See below for more useful information on USCs!