Council met on the 21 July at Fenton House, 122 Wells Road, Bath.

It was noted that Compustat would be visiting the Society next week to discuss the wording for the letters to be sent to lapsed members and also to review the current letters sent to members who were in arrears with their subscriptions.

Internet Membership Survey – Dr. Kaye reported that matters were being progressed and was putting together some sample questions for a test survey.

The statistics for the end of June were received showing a decrease since the previous month but the membership was still above 10,000.

Dr. Senior raised the matter of the level of Overseas subscriptions advising that he had received a communication from a member in Cyprus concerning the cost of the annual subscription and the level of Society activity in the area.  After discussion it was decided that there is no scope for changing the subscription. 

Messrs. Bailey and Blake reported that the staff appraisals had now been completed with the exception of one member who was on holiday..  When this had been complete an objectives and training plan would be implemented.

Mr. Blake reviewed the Management Accounts for the first six months of 2009.  The annual budget had been phased by month giving a comparison of the how the Society's actual income and expenditure was performing against the annual budget.  The six month comparative figures showed that subscription income, gift aid and activity income were up compared to budget and expenses were lower than the forecast.

Approval was given to the recommendations from the various panels that had sat since the last Council meeting and for those who had qualified through the Exemption process.

Ms. Williams reported on a recent event held at the National Media Museum in Bradford – The Real Thing.  About 45 people attended and the Society wished to extend special thanks to Brian Liddy for his held with the event.  It was suggested that the next Visual Literacy event would be in 2011 with addtional venues being considered.

Ms. Williams also advised Council on the increase in the number of applicants for the various bursaries that the Society was offering together with the annual income from Mrs. Freeborn for an event involving young people.
A brief discussion ensued over the possibility of running Think Photography 2010.  It was agreed to continue with Think Photography 2010 as a project and to retain it as an agenda item for future meetings.

Mr. Birch reported on the current situation with the demise of Imaging Abstracts.  He advised that enquiries were being made as to whether there was a future for the publication..

Mr. Birch and Dr. Kaye reported on their meetings with Omni Productions in respect of the new website.  Dependant on the on-line shop and new templates for the Groups and Regions the new site would go live in August 2009.

Dr. Senior advised that there would be a visit by possibly 4 members of the Chinese Photographers Association in October 2009.

Mr. Blake reported that the Colour Group had finalized, at an EGM, their decision to close the Group at the end of 2009.  Members are encouraged to consider supporting another Group.

Mr. Birch reported on his initiative to resurrect the Visual Journalism Group.  He had received on one reply from those who had shown an initial interest.  Consideration was given to holding a meeting with an event for members of the Group.

Council agreed to the formation of an India Chapter following an approach from a member living in that country.

The next meeting will be held on the 18 August 2009 in Bath.