On Tuesday 3 May the IHBC hosted its third Council+ day, part of the wider programme to engage more, new, younger or early career members in the strategic development of the organization, this time with ‘break out’ sessions offering case-study ‘tasters’ of national committee deliberations on real-life issues, from Historic England apprenticeship plans to ‘how we get Tom in Orkney to join us digitally in Derby Roundhouse breakout sessions’.
Members will be glad to know that we managed to get some answers anyway, and these will help inform more formal committee meetings, while over the next weeks we’ll be posting summaries of the breakout discussions via the NewsBlogs, so keep up to date here, as ‘knowing helps doing’!
Mike Brown, IHBC Chair, said ‘Once again it was a great pleasure to chair Council+ and hear at first hand the views and comments from our diverse members and delegates here. This input is of huge value in ensuring that elected Trustees and our Corporate Plan continue to reflect the priorities and concerns of the full spectrum of our membership and their wide-ranging professional and personal interests and priorities.’
‘This was the third Council + since they were introduced by the IHBC+ ‘experimental evolution’ of 2015 and they go from strength to strength. The members made it clear they wanted a more democratic and transparent organisation and one that it was easier to participate in. I believe we have taken great strides towards those goals and I simply ask members to keep up the pressure and get involved in the running of your institute. A very good day’.
IHBC President David McDonald: ‘It was good to see that the third Council+ meeting was so well attended, and a pleasure for me to re-visit Derby’s dramatic listed Roundhouse. I’m always impressed by the enthusiasm and commitment of our volunteers. This meeting was no exception, and I left it not only with the reassurance that the IHBC is going from strength-to-strength but with also refreshed with new ideas for the future’.
Fiona Newton said: ‘The afternoon sessions provided our Council+ members with a chance to experience the business of IHBC committees in a series of mini meetings. Just a taster but hopefully it shows how much work our committees do and will encourage participation on committees. Certainly people seemed to find it interesting and some really good discussions and suggestions came up in the relatively short time available.’
Carla Pianese, IHBC’s Support Officer said: ‘This was my first Council+ meeting and I found it fascinating, and a great opportunity to meet more of our busy volunteers and see you all in action.’
‘I’d like to thank delegates for taking the time out to come along – in my job I know only too well just how tiring travelling can be – while I know all who were able make it to Derby felt it was more than worth the effort.
‘So thanks and well done to all, and if I’ve not had a chance to meet you there, I do hope to catch up soon as part of my travels supporting our Branches and volunteers’.
Some early random feedback from delegates includes the following comments, which will be detailed in our full feedback report:
- It was very useful to hear what other IHBC Council + members are concerned about
- This is a very healthy and mature approach – to be applauded!
- I think it is good to be involved and to be able to voice your opinions, concerns and interests to help shape the action of the institute
- This opportunity has given me a new insight into how IHBC works and what I can do to contribute more in the future
- I particularly thought it was a great way to learn about the different Committees; hopefully I can share this enthusiasm with other members
- Each time I learn a little more about process and people
- The participatory format with small groups fosters a sense of engagement where everyone can contribute
For more on C+ see the NewsBlogs and see the Christmas meeting
