The Inaugural SCI Members’ Forum
On Thursday 22 November 2007 the inaugural SCI Members’ Forum was held at SCI Headquarters in Belgrave Square, London
 The Inaugural SCI Members’ Forum was a day organised by the Membership Advisory Committee (MAC). The day had been organised by the Membership Advisory Committee and is a keystone of the new SCI governance. This SCI innovation was specifically designed to enable any member to comment on and debate plans for existing and future developments of the Society. Over 60 members registered for the day, which was planned as a mixture of networking, presentations and small discussion groups.
The main presentations for the day were given by Dr Sandy Gray, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Dr Geoff Fowler, Chairman of MAC. Following each presentation, there were extended question and answer sessions where the audience could express views and comment on the information presented. The plans presented by the speakers were in tune with the views of the audience, but it was evident from the questions raised that members had common concerns regarding the decline of the UK’s chemical industry. In particular, the lack of interest in chemical sciences by the younger generation was a recurring concern. A clear message from the participants was that the SCI should investigate ways to enhance the awareness of chemistry and mitigate chemical sciences’ negative perception within the UK. Dr Gray confirmed that SCI was actively exploring how to engage young people in chemistry; and establishing the best means to achieve this was a key goal. Collaboration with like-minded Societies was recognised as vital in ensuring that the largest impact could be achieved.
During the afternoon, the gathered members dispersed into breakout sessions which discussed four themes surveying membership interests:
- How to improve networking at events
- Locations of events
- Membership communications
- Member interaction.
These themes came from feedback received after the first notification for the Forum, so they were all viewed as priorities for members. Following these discussions, a wash-up session ran over feedback from the breakout groups. Key issues which arose were the need to:
- Strengthen the independent voice of industrial
science
- Connect with and support school science clubs through Regional Interest Groups
- Have a ‘customer service charter’ for dealing with members
- Facilitate SCI committees communicating directly with their members
- Use the E-Forum to garner members’ expertise on hot topics.
The E-Forum is a web-based discussion platform that will be rolled-out during 2008 as a communication tool for members. The day was then closed with a refreshments and networking.
Click here  to view both presentations (you will need to log in to view) and a full report on the day’s proceedings.
All the feedback from the meeting will be used by SCI, especially MAC, in developing the SCI’s mission.
 The very positive feedback received from the members who attended the Forum was extremely encouraging, and we’re sure 2008’s Forum will be a full house. The date for your diary for Members’ Forum 2008 is Thursday 30 October. It will be held at the SCI London headquarters and space is limited. If you have suggestions for discussion topics, or wider membership-related issues, please contact SCI Membership Communications E: communications@soci.org. We are also considering moving the venue for the 2009 Members’ Forum to outside London and would appreciate hearing your views.
The Society’s charitable objectives
To advance the science of applied chemistry and related sciences for public benefit by:
- Furthering practical application to products and processes of industry
- Providing a forum for multidisciplinary discussion of opportunities and issues
- Publishing appropriate journals, books, and other communications
- Granting medals, lectureships, and other awards
- Carrying out investigations into issues of public concern in the field of practical application of chemistry and related sciences
- Bringing to public notice the benefits of the practical application of chemistry and related sciences
(from Sandy Gray's presentation - Click here to view)
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By Dr Geoff Fowler
Chairman
SCI Membership Advisory Committee (MAC)
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