CILIP Branch and Group discussions

Is it too twee to suggest that this could be a
new spring for member involvement in CILIP?

The future of CILIP branches and groups is very much up in the air at the moment.  CILIP can't afford to keep running the branches and groups in the way that they are run at present, and has recently started a consultative process to try and work out the way forward.

Emma has written a very informative post about the meeting for branch and group representatives that took place on 16 February, and I recommend that you read that for further information about the meeting and about the process in general.

In summary, CILIP can't afford to keep all the branches (12) and groups (27) that currently exist.  It's hoped that through increased cooperation and collaboration, and a reoganisation of the structures, a more streamlined (and cost-efficient) system can be worked out.  It is, depending on how you look at it, either a very scary or a very exciting time.  Things are definitely going to change, but CILIP seem keen to get members' imput into how they'll change.

The level of input that you have already had will depend on how proactive your branch and groups have been in soliciting your ideas.  If you've not heard much about this already, fear not, as there should be opportunities very soon to voice your ideas: watch this space.  In the meantime, get your thinking caps on and consider what you want or need from local or specialist CILIP groups (and share your ideas in the comments if you like).

Here are my ideas:

• Branches/groups to provide a way of getting to meet local(ish) people from different sectors, and people from across the country from my sector and/or with my special interest(s)
• Branches/groups should be communicative and friendly - putting a personal, if not local, face to the organisation

That's pretty much it.  I'm not sure how concerned I am about the specific specialist areas covered by each group, so long as overall there's a home for everyone, and that each of the sub-interests in a group gets events that are relevant to them (as well as wider networking opportunities).