Hello everyone,

Many thanks for such an excellent response to our calls for members to contribute actively in the work of BSG in the following roles: being nominated as Executive Committee Members or Secretary-Elect, as future editors of Generations Review online, and to host future BSG annual conferences. We were delighted that so many members want to join us in our mission to improve the lives of older people and promote ageing research, teaching, policy and practice and we thank you all for your expressions of interest.

As part of our new strategy there are some new key developments that we are planning to take forward in the academic year 2009 / 2010. It is essential that the BSG not only communicates its purpose effectively but ensures that we reflect the multiplicity of views of our members. As our profile on the inter/national arena increases, we also hope to attract new members, ensure we retain our members and bring lapsed members back into our Society. Whilst I believe our current dynamism and strategy will enable us to achieve this, we do really also need your help and feedback and I would like to make you aware of some key initiatives that we will be taking forward in the autumn:

• Members’ Survey

  Our new strategy will involve us developing and promoting our identity to ensure that we communicate our goals and objectives clearly. To ensure that our message and identity reflects our membership we need to know about who you are, your interests, your background, your links with BSG and to understand more about how the BSG can work with and for you. In the autumn we are planning an online survey of all our members, lead by Professor Sheila Peace, so that we have a current profile of our membership. We would be very grateful if you will take a short space of time to complete this short survey, and also ensure your voice and interests are part of our new strategy and identity.

• Development of the BSG website

  The BSG website is central to how we communicate our mission and identity with and between our members, to potential members and the outside world. It is often the first port of call for anyone interested in BSG. It is therefore essential that the content and format of the website is up-to-date, reflects our aims and goals, and links to the key activities of our members (e.g. research, teaching, policy and practice). I am delighted to announce that the BSG has agreed to fund a small project lead by Sue Venn (team members are: Rachel Hazelwood, Rachel Pitman, Wendy Martin and Veronika Williams) to update and renew the content of the website. This will include sections on gerontology courses, ageing research, ERA, up-to-date BSG news, and policy and practice. We will be in contact with members as we develop this website and collect and collate new information.

• Updating Membership databases

  Now that Rachel Hazelwood has had a chance to settle into and develop her new post, we are planning to ensure that we update all our membership databases. This will include ensuring members’ details are current and up-to-date and to contact recently lapsed members. I know that in recent years we have had significant difficulties ensuring that renewals and becoming a member is an easy and streamlined process, but we hope that now all communications go via Rachel Hazelwood that any of these problems will be solved. I hope you will be happy for Rachel to contact you and help you to update and / or hopefully renew your membership. Please do contact Rachel Hazelwood with any issues about membership on the contact details below. We very much welcome your contributions and comments.

• BSG Exhibition Stands

  The BSG is having a stand at our annual conference at Bristol this year – where you can meet our new administrator, Rachel Hazelwood, learn more about BSG, and take the chance to update your BSG records. Please drop by and say hello – we will have a warm welcome waiting for you!

  The BSG was also very well represented at the IAGG conference in Paris this July. Not only were many members present but we had a highly successful exhibition stand that promoted the profile of BSG in an international arena and became a focal point for friends and colleagues alike.  Our President, Professor Judith Phillips, also represented our interests at committee meetings throughout the conference.

I am very much looking forward to our annual conference in Bristol this year, the Bristol team have again provided us with an excellent academic and social programme. This is of course a great opportunity to meet new and known colleagues, members and friends. I look forward to seeing you there!

Our contact details are:

Email:

britishgerontology@yahoo.co.uk

Phone:

Please leave a message with your name and number on the BSG answering service on 07532 248 835. We will get back to you as soon as possible.

Post:

British Society of Gerontology

PO Box 607

York

YO26 0EQ