Council Meeting - August 2008
Council met on Tuesday 19 August 2008 at The Society’s Headquarters in Bath.Mr. Robertson advised that Dawn Mckeown had decided not to accept the position of Regional Organiser for Northern Ireland. Noted that an approach to Anne Cassidy had not proved successful and it was agreed that Dr. Senior speak to Des Clinton on the matter. Also a direct approach will be made to members in Northern Ireland to ask for an offer to help.Concerning training for Trustees and the Charities Act it was agreed that the information circulated since the last meeting concerning the responsibilities of trustees under the Charities Act was well presented and Council that it fulfilled their need for training as trustees for the time being. The responsibilities of the trustees will be reviewed at the October Council meeting and the need for additional training decided. Mr. Blake was asked to ascertain from Mr. Land to whether there had been any progress on the issue of photography in public places following Mr. Land’s invitation to sit on a Committee chaired by Austin Mitchell MP. Mr. Land would be asked to consider writing or sourcing an article for publication in The Society’s Journal.It was agreed to publish the letter from the Home Office relating to photography in public places on The Society’s websiteDr. Senior advised that the Strategic Plan 2008 -2013 had been published as download in the Member’s area of The Society’s website. The Action Plan for 2008-2009 associated with the Strategic Plan was reviewed in detail. The Action Plan was annotated and an up dated version will be circulated to Council and staff. It was agreed to review the Action Plan again in November 2008. Ms. Williams, Education Manager, presented the list of winners of the Bursaries following which the process employed in selecting the winners was reviewed. It was agreed that in future Post Graduate students rather than their tutors would be asked to prepare their applications. Also agreed that the winners of the Post Graduate Bursaries would be given free Student membership of The Society.Ms. Williams gave an up date on the proposed Visual Literary Competition and the Conference due to take place in 2009. Mr. Blake advised that, following the appointment of Ellis Whittam, he was finalising the documentation for the Employees Handbook, Contracts of Employment and Job Descriptions which would be circulated to members of staff in the next 14 days.Mr. Blake also advised that he had received the documentation for the Health and Safety Policy and Procedures which would need to be reviewed for accuracy relating to the Society’s organisation and activitiesApproval was given for the recommendations from the various panels that had sat since the last Council meetings for those who had qualified through the Exemption process.Mrs. Agar reported on the preparation of the new Distinction booklet and the fact that the majority of work had been done. It was agreed to circulate the draft to members of the Distinctions Advisory Board (DAB) and it was noted that the Panel Chairmen had seen and accepted the criteria for their particular panels. It was agreed that the proof should be e-mailed to Council and also to a member of staff not directly involved with the Distinction procedures for review and comment. It was suggested that the booklet be enhanced by the inclusion of images taken from successful panels. This will be considered. Council also reviewed the further developments on the proposed new feedback procedure to unsuccessful applicants. It was agreed that this should be implemented in consultation with the DAB. It was noted that there will be a need to ensure training is given as necessary to Panel members. Mr. Mant joined the meeting to advise on the current situation with the proposed joint venture event with Jessops in November 2008. The Trade support was understood not to be as strong as had been expected and Mr. Bailey was asked to contact Jessops to try and clarify matters.Mr. Blake advised that he had received final confirmation of the visit by members of the Chinese Photographers Association and others at the end of September 2008.It was agreed that Mrs. Wilman provide a report for the Youth Initiative and Mr. Bailey produce a report on Communications for the Advisory Board meeting at the end of September 2008.It was agreed that Dr. A. Kaye ASIS FRPS be invited to the next Advisory Board meeting and following a receipt of a C.V. be co-opted to the Advisory Board at a future meeting.The next Council meeting was scheduled for Friday 27 September 2008 in Smethwick at 10.00 a.m.
