Belize Defence Force Benevolent Fund

(1) There is hereby established a fund to be called the Belize Defence Force Benevolent Fund (hereinafter referred to as “the Fund”) which shall consist of, (a) contribution of one day’s basic pay per annum by every officer or soldier who is a member of the regular Force, or who is a member of the volunteer element and opts to join the Fund; and (b) the grants, donations and beneficiations from any source. (2) The overall responsibility for the management of the Fund shall vest in an Executive Committee consisting of the Chief Executive Officer to the Ministry responsible for defence (who shall be the Chairperson), Chief of Defence Staff or Finance Officer of the Ministry responsible for defence, the Commander of the Force and the Force Sergeant Major. The Executive Committee may delegate financial responsibility for the administration of the Fund, up to a maximum amount to be specified annually by the Belize Defence Board, to a Consultative Committee consisting of elected members of the Force representing all ranks. 103 (3) The Executive Committee may, in its discretion, sanction payments from the Fund for any of the following (a) assistance to the spouses or families of deceased members of the regular Force, or of such volunteers who were members of the Fund by virtue of subscription, or any such members who are discharged from the Force as medically unfit for further service; (b) assistance to serving members of the regular Force, or such volunteers who are members of the Fund by virtue of subscription, to enable them to obtain specialist medical treatment outside Belize when such treatment cannot be had through the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Social Services; (c) any other purpose not specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) which the Executive Committee considers to be for the general welfare of the members of (4) The Fund shall be audited by or on behalf of the Auditor General annually who shall cause a report to be prepared and sent to the Executive Committee. (5) The money standing to the credit of the Fund may from time to time be invested in such manner as may from time to time be directed by the Executive Committee. 104