At the recent meeting of the DPF National Executive Committee (NEC), it was agreed, unanimously, to suspend the rule governing the requirement for the repayment of back subscriptions (6 months subs) when re-joining the Federation, until Annual Conference next year.
The rationale for this is that the NECbelieve that it is divisive and does not, in our opinion, deliver the intent of the rule, that being to discourage members leaving and re-joining regularly.  Conversely we believe it actually discourages officers re-joining, as the cost is not insignificant.
It is not within the gift of the NEC to remove the rule, and we are unable – within the rules – to apply this retrospectively but it is our intention to take a motion to Annual Conference next year, detailing this, to allow Conference to debate this and, potentially, offer retrospective application.
As such, this is to be treated as an amnesty, meaning that until voted on at Annual Conference next year, no back subs will be required from former members re-joining the DPF.
We hope that this will encourage former members, who have been considering re-joining to do so and will seek to have this rule removed from the Rules and Constitution going forward.
Eamon Keating
National Chairman
