New Loyalty scheme

Did you know that over 200 current members joined the RCS because they were referred by an existing member?

We think that kind of sales success should be rewarded, so we are introducing a new loyalty scheme to do just that.

For every person that names you as their point of referral on the application form, you will receive a FREE month's membership. Meanwhile, the person you refer will get their entrance fee waived, saving as much as £200!

Don't worry about remembering - we'll record all this information for you on the system so that when it's time to renew, you'll know how many months of free membership you are entitled to. Your next year of membership will then start at the end of the free membership period.

The new scheme will come into effect from 1st July, so no need to wait - start telling your friends, family and colleagues!

New Council Members elected

At the recent Annual General Meeting of the RCS, seven members stood for four vacancies on our Council.

At election, the following candidates were successful:

• Catherine Chin
• Godfrey Hall
• Heather Honour
• Elizabeth Smith OBE

In accordance with the Society's rules, the Council also elected three members from among the Vice-Presidents. The High Commissioners of Australia, His Excellency Mr John Dauth; Mauritius, His Excellency Mr Abhimanu Kundasamy; and Grenada, Her Excellency Ruth Elizabeth Rouse will all serve a three year term.

For more details and biographies of the successful candidates, please visit: www.thercs.org/society/councilelections

Gurinder Chada to award Competition prizes

The film and photography categories of our Young Commonwealth Competitions close today! Thanks to all those members who helped to spread the word and came forward with offers of support.

The Photographic Awards will be judged by a new and impressive panel of experts, including a professional photographer, artist and journalist.

In our Vision Awards contest, three seed grants have been awarded to aspiring young filmmakers in Nigeria and Pakistan.

We are currently raising funds to enable us to fly our Competition winners to London. They will take part in a week of workshops and visits before attending a Gala Awards Dinner on 14 October 2010. We are delighted to announce that film director, Gurinder Chada - most famous for her hit films 'Bend it like Beckham' and 'Bride and Prejudice' - will be our Guest of Honour.

Contact Competitions Manager, Catherine Clark, for more details (catherine.clark@thercs.org / 020 7766 9204).

Can you support a future Commonwealth leader?

After a highly competitive selection process, 35 young delegates from around the Commonwealth have been chosen to take part in this year's Nkabom Commonwealth Youth Leadership Programme.

Nkabom will be held in Rwanda from 5 to 15 September 2010 and will offer its 18-25 year old participants a unique opportunity to exchange ideas, gain exposure to practical peacebuilding projects and join an alumni network of emerging leaders.

Before the final list of delegates can be confirmed, top-up funds are needed to secure six candidates' flights. If sponsorship is not found soon, youth advocates from Malaysia, Nigeria, Fiji, Cyprus, the Gambia and Tanzania may miss out on a life-changing opportunity.

If you, or your organisation, are able to sponsor - or part-sponsor - an Nkabom participant's flight, please get in touch with Youth Programmes Manager, Claire Anholt (claire.anholt@thercs.org / 020 7766 9202).