Friday 14 November 2008

Review of Archives and Records Management sector

You should have all received communication about consultation on proposed change options for the Society of Archivists. I hope members will engage enthusiastically with this process to ensure their voice is heard. Change can be a positive move and ensure that the Society becomes more effective for its members. We all have the opportunity to contribute to what is going on.

Some concern has been raised over the focus of the review looking at bodies that just represent England and Wales. To reassure members, I have had a meeting in the past two weeks with Peter Emmerson (Chair SoA), George MacKenzie (Keeper of the Records of Scotland), John Chambers (Executive Director SoA) and Peter Anderson (Deputy Keeper of the Records of Scotland and former Chair SoA) where we looked at changes and were able to inform Peter and John about things happening in Scotland and differences from England and Wales. It was a very positive meeting that will be continued on a 6 monthly basis.

Alison Diamond and I also attended a regional and special interest group officers training on Wednesday 12th November where the changes were discussed with Peter and John in attendance. Again this was a very positive meeting where constructive thought and criticism, as well as a positive push for change were expressed. We also met our colleagues from SoA Ireland and we hope to learn from some of their projects and share national perspectives on the changes.

This is something that we will discuss at the meeting on Monday 24th November at HBoS. I will also be happy to update anyone on the meeting I had and what was discussed at the training event. We are lucky to have three of members of Council within Scotland including Caroline Brown who is on the executive committee for SoAS and who is given as one of the contacts for responses.

Contact details:
c.z.brown@dundee.ac.uk
or by post to Archive Services, University of Dundee,
Dundee, DD1 4HN

Caroline will be co-ordinating responses and can only accept written submissions preferably by email. Katy Goodrum, Vice Chair of the Society will be taking a lead on this proposal, supported by members of council and, of course, Society members.

The more of us that respond, then the more the perspective, opinion and ideas from Scotland can be shown.

I look forward to seeing you at the meeting on the 24th November.

Rachel Hosker, SoAS Chair

Tuesday 11 November 2008

Scottish Region new students event

On 30 October 2008 the Scottish region hosted a short panel session for the new students on the Glasgow and Dundee archive courses. The session centred around job applications and entering the job market.

Rachel Hosker (Scottish Borders Council) spoke about the importance of gaining relevant experience and then selling those skills as part of the application process - even if these were gained in non-records related jobs. Anne Grzybowski (Edinburgh University) discussed the importance of matching your skills and experience to the job specification and making sure you cover all the points mentioned. Your generic CV and covering letter is unlikely to be successful. Seonaid McDonald (HBOS) gave some pointers and provided useful handouts on interview techniques, body language and dealing with job interviews that may require presentations. The students then broke away into groups to discuss their approaches to some sample job applications that they had been given.

The successful session was followed by a drinks reception attended by Society members to welcome the students to the region and encourage them to join their professional society.

Thanks are due not only to the speakers but also Vikki Kerr and Sarah Hepworth who organised the event.

David Powell, SOAS Training Officer