AGM and Open Days Firstly, thanks to all governors who attended the AGM in May and particularly those who visited the membership stand.

Many of those attending the AGM and the annual presentation of awards during the afternoon purchased items from the range of membership insignia - which helped to raise funds on what was a very enjoyable day for everyone involved.

The Poole Open Days again proved to be a very popular event and both existing members and visitors were able to learn more about the RNLI. Many new members were recruited as a result, and it was a pleasure to meet so many members, new and old.

Recruitment The Southampton Boat Show takes place as this issue of the journal goes to press, and with a well-placed stand and an enthusiastic team the RNLI plans to put on a display which will encourage even more people to sign up and become members.

Once more the Institution will have a stand at the London Boat Show, which runs from 5-15 January 1996 and hopes, as usual, to recruit many new members at this annual event.

Campaigns to recruit new members by other means continue, with a mailing to selected areas during October and doordrops (unaddressed mailings) to certain postcode areas throughout September.

These will continue during October and November and as historically the autumn and winter have proved to be successful for generating new supporters, it will be the busiest time for welcoming new members on board.

Deeds of Covenant A total of 688 members completed the deed of covenant enclosed in the Spring edition of the journal, resulting in a further £3,800 additional annual income for the RNLI. Thank you to all members who have considered helping the RNLI in this way.

Signing a deed of covenant is an opportunity to increase the amount of your subscription by a third, at no additional cost to yourself. If you are a UK taxpayer (either through your salary, pension orsavings) you are eligible to sign the form, which will take effect from your next renewal date. It's a simple form of declaration that you pay income tax and, because of the RNLI's charitable status, we can reclaim from the Inland Revenue the tax you have already paid. If every member were to complete a covenant the RNLI could receive a further £750,000 every year. Please contact membership services on (01202) 671133 who will be pleased to send you further details.

Legacies You may be aware from our recent publicity that the RNLI is experiencing a downturn in its legacy income. Traditionally, up to two-thirds of the Institution's income has been received in this way, but due to changing economic and social conditions there are indications of a decline of some £4m of the £62m total needed during 1995.

If you would like to receive our new booklet 'Preserving All You Value' explaining how you could help us through a gift in your Will, please complete the form enclosed in this issue of The Lifeboat.

Alternatively, telephone John Marshall, legacy enquiries officer on (01202) 671133 who will be pleased to help you.

RNLI Lottery During May 1995 the RNLI undertook a survey to determine what effect, if any, the Camelot national lottery is having on its own quarterly lifeboat lotteries.

The findings were interesting, in that around 50% of those members surveyed thought that the RNLI would benefit from the Camelot lottery. Furthermore, some 10% said they gave less to charity since its introduction. You may be interested to know that only 5.6p in every £1 spent on the lottery is allocated between all eligible charities. It is not known whether the RNLI will benefit from this and therefore we would urge you to support the RNLI lottery as much as you are able by buying our tickets. Don't forget to sell them to friends and family as this can be a wonderful opportunity for us to bring on board new support. If you would like us to send you more lottery tickets please contact membership services on the above number who will arrange this for you..