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