Jock,
I respond to your complaint "in part".
Your area sub-branch appears to be run by "civvies" but are they Ex Servicemen or Associate Members? Was/is there a sub-branch Constitution? If so, does it allow for Associate Members to occupy all positions on The Board? As a member of a large RSL, our Constitution only allows for two(2) Associates who are non voting members of The Board we also have only one (1) Board member who is a current serving member, the rest are "civvies" being ex servicemen. the problem is that as time goes by, and we become fewer, without "new blood" from either ex or current seving members, all Sub-Branches will eventually be disolved or Constitutions written to allow pure civilians to run for available offices. Be proactive and find out about The Constitution of your sub-branch and have an input at their meetings. It may mean that their are insufficient full members to fill the available positions or that The Constitution has been *******ised.

Geoff "Pom"