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Letter from the Chair The AGM is over (but wasn't when I wrote this - so apologies if any topics arose that need picking up later). While it is not the highlight of the social calendar, it is an important event for us so thanks for attending those of you that came. We are your organisation. The money we raise is to be used in your service and the training and events we run are a response to demand from the membership. The committee and officers are in place to represent you. If you didn't attend and want copies of the accounts and minutes please let us know. If you have any issues to raise following the meeting please also let us know. It has certainly been a successful year if attendance at courses, events and The Awards are anything to go by and we are nicely solvent. What that also means is that my 2 years as Chair are just about up. It's been a fantastic experience for me and I have been supported by a great and hard-working committee that I would like to thank here - as well as, of course, Steve and Eve. There will also be a turnover of a few stalwarts from the committee. Peter Dann, the Vice-Chair will be stepping down after 6 years valiant service for which we thank him. Mark Earls will be stepping into the background after even more years (8 I think - or does it just seem like that) and there are some new members to welcome. We have seen no let up in membership numbers over this period and a great increase in the number of people participating in events, training and of course the awards (just think, I will never again have to share a stage with a computer with a lisp!). We know the APG is a good idea, because they are springing up all over the world - we can arrange to transfer your membership should you get itchy feet. We are always keen to hear new ideas and welcome new volunteers. Then of course there's Sharp Stick. Don't forget we welcome articles, letters and points of view in any subject, so long as its sharp and likely to poke someone in the eye. We have some grand plans for this year, a couple of book launches and a conference along with the basic training courses which we hope to improve yet again. If you haven't bagged a part of your planning director's training budget - always assuming there is one - then check what's going on at the web-site and talk them now. In fact if you have any views on whether enough is being invested in training, and in the right things, we'd love to hear from you. So farewell, thanks and its been a blast. |
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