Ian Mason's Branch Report to the 2010 AGM

Published: 20th June 2010

Report to AGM of the Branches and Members Committee  14 May 2010  

Meetings since AGM in Leicester, 9/5/09:

1.Birmingham Midlands Institute, 6/6/09;

2.London Institute for Hist.Research,19/9/09;

3.London NCVO,Branch Officers' Meeting,7/11/09

4.London NCVO, 6/2/10. 

Committee Members:

  • Chairholder: Mr.Ian C.Mason, FHA
    Hon.Sec of Cumbria Branch;
  • Deputy Chairholder: Mr.John Till
    Shropshire Branch Officer;
  • Professor G.Batho; G.Bisson;T.Blunden; R.Burgess; J.Golding; R.Hill; R.Hughes; T.Lomas; E.Matthew;
    E.Muirhead; A.Rogers; J.Saul; A.Wagstaff; E.Yates;
    D.Waller

 

Changes inspired by Branches and Members Committee

  • Rationalisation' of Quota Payments from Head Office, (‘minimum of £200 and no branch to receive less than under present system')
  • Joan Lewin Awards to Branches,
    £2,500 p.a.
  • Branch Officer Resources online:
    advice sheets as Setting up a New Branch, Guidelines to Marketing and Guidance to Branches

 

Feedback to Head Office and Encouraging each other

  • Concerns of branches in straitened times:
  • Increasing costs of room hire;
  • Ensuring a succession of honorary officers;
  • Withdrawal of support from some hard-pressed universities;
  • The marginalisation of historical studies in schools and colleges;
  • Examples of good practice to imitate:
  • Liaison with secondary schools and local societies;
  • Data projectors and radio-microphones for speakers;
  • Coping with health and safety legislation.


Photograph of Cumbria  Branch proudly collecting its Joan Lewin Award
& evidence of a change detectable in relations between head office and branches?

  • Head office warms to associate members now termed ‘branch members'
  • Welcome letter to new branch members from HA President, Professor Anne Curry
  • Quota payments to branches from head office improved to smaller branches