8 GUEST SPEAKER

The Guest Speaker was introduced by the Chairman as Nicky Howard, Branch Liaison Co-ordinator from Headquarters and was invited to address the Members on the subject of The workings at HQ and the role of the Branch Liaison Co-ordinator Nicky started by thanking the Branch for the opportunity to meet and find out at first hand the working of one of her branches even though the flight was a trifle bumpy and she admitted that she was not the best traveler in the world. The presentation was in three parts and was a general overview of the Roles and Service, followed by the PR Department and then more specifically the role of the Branch Liaison Co-ordinator. Although only been with IOSH for a couple of months is very enthusiastic towards serving the branches and will not be slow to carry the voice back down to HQ. The structure of Headquarters was then described by highlighting the key figures and their departments indicating that the Chief Executive provided the vision and leadership whilst determining the import and relevance of the key policy areas. The International Affairs Officer controlling projects and the aid to dignitaries going abroad. The Professional Affairs Manager was mentioned as a hard worker welcomed frequently at this Branch particularly for the work done with Tech SP up grading.

The Technical Affairs department had a mention and the support that is readily provided for the membership when sought. There is a commercial affairs department having concerns with courses, certification and IOSH Services. The PR department was also flagged up to support and be involved with the media, conferences, the magazine and particularly Branch support. The other three departments included Publishing, Human Recourses and Finance & Secretariat. All providing professional support for the professional body. The role of the Institution was expanded and some of the more important activities were mentioned and these included granting Corporate and technical competence as a recognized leader standard, representing Safety Practitioner both at home and abroad, providing the members with comprehensive support systems, consulting with the HSC, the HSE and the Government, communicating with other national bodies including BSC, RoSPA, ASSE.

Also very important was the Safety Awareness Course Providers support. These were then expanded to include a variety of additional services available � News Releases, Publications, Website, Handouts for meetings, CPD courses, Seminars and associated brochures, publicise branch events and activities, highlighting the 10 Specialist Groups, Branch networking, Register of Safety Practitioners, Register of Consultants, Training Courses, particularly Working Safely, Technical enquiry line and the personal legal help line. Not to forget the Safety and Health Practitioner and the Learned Journal.

The workings and direction of the PR department was then mentioned with emphasis on media relations and press releases, working to raise awareness of the Institution. The possibility of training local volunteers in the art of talking to the Press in the local area. The IOSH Website with links to branches, showing events, maps and providing a discussion platform � all to stimulate both interest and support for the Institution. There was offered the need to link with local government and how the add influence.

Nicky then spent time outlining many different ways that the PR department would help the branches when ever possible right from the printing of minutes, mail shots of information, support to local seminars to ensure smooth running, display equipment to raise the profile. The structure of the PR department was explained showing the gains made by bringing the resources in-house against using expensive Consultants. The particular tasks of the seven involved were mentioned form the top with Liz to the great work being done in the clerical arena by Claire.

The particular role of the Branch Co-ordinator included the offer to assist Branches and become involved in their local events � some were mentioned including the next week Working At Height being run in Glasgow. The Yorkshire Branch was fun to market and also enthusiastic. Making full use of the TSHP both before and after the event. Nicky offered help to make sure that Speakers turned up at the right place and on time also with the right topic to hand. The provision of delegates packs on the day and many other valuable pointers, which go towards making Branch Events memorable and beneficial to both the members and guest delegates. The importance of the final critic was stressed, as feedback is essential for the path to improvements.

Another very important task was the smooth running of the Branch Officials Conference to be held at the Grange during October. The programme must be relevant, networking with other branches important, providing activities and contact lists, keeping all branch officials up to date. This has caused the introduction of a user friendly pro former for the Secretaries to forward branch details to HQ. With the request to members to help the PR department help the Branches. Nicky being the first contact at HQ for the Branch and will willingly and enthusiastically champion the branches through HQ maze but must have all the information. The more the information the better the possibility to help.

Nicky closed the presentation by thanking the members for their attention and hoped that the topic and presentation had been of interest as being new to both the professional institutions and the job the nerves had come into play.

The Chairman then took a number of interesting and pertinent questions from the floor � all able fielded by the Speaker and included such items as

The Chairman voiced a Vote of Thanks and a small token of the Members appreciation was offered � the members responded warmly.

9 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Members were reminded that the next meeting had been set at:

With the topic being

Institute of Occupational Medicine

10 CLOSURE

The Chairman thanked all for their attendance and contribution and bade them a safe journey homeward; then closed the meting with the invitation to have tea and then mingle.