The Strategic Plan

The Strategic Plan 2006 – 2008 has now ‘bedded down’ and the Working Parties are working steadily towards achieving the five principal objectives of the Strategy:

1) to increase membership;

2) liaison for conferences;

3) to oversee BSG publications;

4) to raise the Society’s national profile; and

5) to raise the Society’s international profile.

Like many small learned societies, we are struggling to maintain and increase membership numbers, but we do have a loyal core of members and a committed and dedicated Executive Committee, and hopefully at the AGM, we can report a healthy membership base.

National Recognition

The BSG has been asked for input on an all-party Parliamentary inquiry into Services for Older People (note they have dropped the ubiquitous (and iniquitous) term, ‘the elderly’). This takes the form of a written report and an ‘oral evidence session’ in Parliament which will take place on 21 May. I will report back in the July GR.

International Relations

I recently attended the General Assembly meeting of AGE in Brussels, as a representative of BSG. It was really good to find out what is happening across Europe, and especially with the ‘new’ EU members who are only just coming to grips with their ageing populations. One effect of the migration of young people to work in the more established EU countries is that the average age of the population is higher than before. Whole villages have experienced a mass exodus of young workers and as a consequence many families have become less stable. The net result is that middle aged women are in employment, looking after grandchildren as well as frail older family members. There is very little support in the welfare infrastructure and a cause for considerable concern for those involved with care of an ageing population. I took every opportunity to promote BSG and in my capacity as Past President from September, I will continue my involvement with AGE.

The Constitution of the BSG

At the last AGM, it was agreed that we should propose some wording changes to the Constitution in order to reflect the new Charity Commission guidelines, and indeed, the changing world of gerontology. These amendments are in hand and you will be kept informed through GR and at the AGM in Bristol.

Annual BSG Conference Bristol 2008

And speaking of Bristol, I am very much looking forward to the conference in my home town. I have visited the site and was invited to a conference meeting. I was extremely impressed with the whole organisation and I know it will be a great success.

Annual BSG Conference 2009

As I mentioned in my last report, it was with great regret that we decided not to run with the meeting in Glasgow in 2009. The scientific and social programme looked excellent, and we on the Executive Committee acknowledge the hard work put in by the team in Paisley. However, we needed to exercise caution about the projected budget, which predicted only a break-even outcome on the current costings. Since a conference surplus is the mainstay of our income, we did not feel we could take the risk. The team in Bristol have agreed to run the conference for a second year, and so the venue will be in my favourite city again.

Fellowships of the BSG

I’m delighted to report that we now have a group of ‘Founding Members’ who will scrutinise nominations for Fellows of the BSG from September. I am hoping that most of the Founding Members will be able to attend the conference in Bristol so that they can be introduced to the membership. More of this in the July Generations Review.

Alan Walker Prize

Hopefully you have visited the web site and seen the invitation to nominate someone for the Alan Walker Prize to be presented at the conference in Bristol  Tony Maltby at NIACE is the secretary of the awards committee, and any nominations should be sent to him by noon on the 16 th June 2008.

So, as the evenings lengthen and we leave a rather wet and miserable winter behind us, I trust the late spring and summer will be a warm and successful one for you all.

Kate