Members Day afternoon portion in SOAS
I'm tempted to say Members Day afternoon in the sun, sun, sun (but perhaps not even for London at this time of year) or fun, fun, fun if I go into Red Dwarf mode (in that afternoon portion is seldom short of interest and this year looks particularly so!).
OF LUNCHEON
The afternoon programme is at SOAS, and traditionally starts with lunch (the one bit of the day that isn't free for members for those wishing to partake of it). I did do this one year, it's much as you'd expect, lots of folk who want a proper catch-up and chat and / or a proper meal. However I have A Mission this year which involves going shopping for lots of building contracts (and anyway, lunch in the middle of the day has to be bad for you?!!), so methinks I'll be in The Building Centre eye'ing up la few building contracts with a level of enthusiasm and interest (apart from the 'ouch' of the calculator on the cost) that most other people would find deeply disturbing (but what can I say...!).
THE PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS
Once the throng of attending members has gathered post-lunch in the Brunei Gallery and everyone's settled into their seats the more official portion of the day commences with the Presidents Address. Obviously depending on President and Presidential style and what's happening in the profession and in CILIP the content of this will change from year to year. I've listened to a few in recent years (don't make Members Day that often) and they're always interesting. The one that sticks most in mind I seem to recall started with a map of CILIPIA - one territory, lots of different inter-related and inter-dependent parts. I liked the idea of CILIPIA, it's stuck in my mind. But every year is interesting or memorable for something - last year's had more pictures of health scanners than usual for instance - which proves the diversity of people in the profession.
FELLOWSHIPS AND HONORARY AWARDS
One of my favourite parts, again it comes back to celebrating diversity, achievement, commitment. Anyone who submits a successful Fellowship submission is invited to receive it as part of Members Day. The Chair of Chartership Board reads out the citations (what they've done), and they all come up and receive their Certificate. Also, people who have been successfully nominated for Honorary Fellowship and have accepted the award are invited to receive theirs as part of Members Day too. So bear it in mind, if you know a CILIP member who hugely contributres to the profession and is never likely to submit a Fellowship submission themselves, next time the nominations come round, why not nominate them? Fellowship presentations remind you of all the good things about the profession and individuals within it, in pressured times that's realy valuable and encouraging.
THE AGM
The AGM receives the Annual Report and Accounts for the year and is much like any other AGM. Auditors are appointed, date of next AGM is set... And then there's perhaps the more interesting bits. So, for example, the Hon. Treasurer puts recommendations to the AGM for the subscription rates for the next year. Some years this is fairly automatic and non-controversial, other years there's a lot more debate, activity and discussion. This year is one of the 'interesting' years with a lot of previous discussion online and in print and use of a fair number of proxy votes by those unable to attend in person. The AGM is also, of course, an opportunity for members to ask questions on things of interest or concern to them. Questions and comment can be, and often are, on anything under the sun. The thing to bear firmly in mind is that an active AGM is a good thing, it shows that people care, and being a very varied profession the subjects are bound to be diverse. so it's a bit of a flurry! And the AGM closes Members Day (though often CILIP in London have an event on directly after it, but I'm back on a train by then so can't illuminate anything on that alack and alas!). THE AGM (AND SUBS IN PARTICULAR) IS ATTRACTING A LOT OF INTEREST THIS YEAR SO I AM GOING TO BLOG THROUGHOUT THE AGM UP-DATING THOSE NOT THERE ON WHAT'S HAPPENING. For the Twitterati amongst us the hashtag folk are using is #CILIPAGM.
Isabel