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BCRA > Special Interest Groups > SIG Policy
BCRA SIG Policy for 2005
(See further down for the situation in 2009 and sample constitution)
In the light of BCRA/BCA 'consolidation', BCRA Council discussed its SIG policy at its meeting in Nov. 2004. A policy was then confirmed with the SIGs. After further discussion at the SGM, BCRA Council agreed a set of points at its meeting on 27th Feb. 2005, as follows. Council agrees to continue to support the concept of SIGs as "groups of members with a common science interest" rather than as "member clubs". Council agrees…
1. that BCRA will continue to allow the SIGs to use the name 'BCRA' in their title, subject to certain guarantees, as at present. These to include: (i) At least two SIG executive officers must be BCRA members (as at present), (ii) Financial control remains with BCRA (as at present),(iii) Full voting members of the SIG must be BCA or BCRA members
Comment (14 Dec 2009) by David Gibson: The phrase "at least two SIG executive officers..." appears to have been badly worded. It means "at least two executive officers" and not "at least two of the officers must be BCRA members" - they must all be BCRA members.
2. that from 1st Jan 05 the members of a BCRA SIG must be individual members of BCA (DIM/CIM) or BCRA.
3. that BCRA will investigate the possibility of providing similar services to the SIG members that it intends to provide to subscribers to C&KS - i.e. centralised collection of subscriptions, centralised printing and centralised mailing services.
Comment (11 Dec 2009) by David Gibson: BCRA Council remains receptive to this possibility but, whilst it often seems like a good idea when discussed, in practice BCRA does not have sufficient volunteers to implement many of these facilities. One of the SIGS - CREG - is currently in the process of moving to centralised subscription services, but this is only possible because the volunteer who maintains BCRA's subscription services, David Gibson, also happens to be the CREG treasurer. Other SIGs should contact David to enquire. An additional point is that (3) does not imply any funding of a SIG. BCRA Council has been categoric in the past that SIGs must be entirely self-funded.
4. that, because BCRA can now be more focussed as a science body, it will look at additional ways of supporting the work of the SIGs.
Comment (11 Dec 2009) by David Gibson: No progress has been made on this point, largely due to a lack of pressure from the SIGs themselves. The point could probably do with re-confirming by BCRA Council.
5. that a means will be found whereby BCA 'club officers' insurance can be applied to all SIG officers.
Comment (11 Dec 2009) by David Gibson: The scope of BCA's insurance policy is for BCA to decide (i.e. it is not, as I understand it, a matter for the insurers). This statement was, I think, meant to indicate that this matter would be put to BCA and it was considered to be 'taken as read' that they would agree. It probably needs formally clarifying.
6. that a means will be found whereby temporary PL insurance can be offered to participants in SIG events.
Comment (11 Dec 2009) by David Gibson: See above.
7. that there shall continue to be a 'non-member subscriber' status of SIG supporter.
Comment (11 Dec 2009) by David Gibson: To clarify this point... For legal reasons, members of a BCRA SIG must be individual members of BCRA and the definition of a BCRA SIG is 'a collection of BCRA members'. However, the SIGs have sought to encompass people outside of BCRA to draw on their expertise. It is clearly legitimate for such people to subscribe to SIG publications and to attend SIG events. But they are not members of the SIG; that is, they have no voting rights and can exercise no control over the running of the group. The definition of a BCRA SIG as 'a collection of BCRA members' may seem to contradict point (2) above. It is questionable whether point (2) was actually a legal decision of BCRA Council, but this depends on what is meant by 'member' (e.g. voting rights). This point probably needs formally clarifying.
Note: the statement about the SIGs becoming 'independent', which was made in BCA newsletter 3 (page 2) is incorrect. That statement was supposedly a report of a BCRA Council meeting, but no such point was agreed at the meeting and several minutes were subsequently amended at the next meeting.
In the mid-1990s BCRA produced a SIG policy document, and a sample SIG constitution. However, in the light of the BCRA / NCA consolidation in 2005, these documents were withdrawn leaving only the notes given above. There seemed to be no rush to revise the policy documents because there were no new SIGs on the horizon. The current policy remains broadly as indicated in point (1) above. In addition to those conditions, there are a significant additional number of conditions and restrictions that control the conduct of the Group, its control by BCRA and its dissolution. These are listed in the 1997 policy document and the sample constitution below. The conditions are necessary because, if BCRA is going to allow its name to be used by a group of members that operates largely 'at arms length' from Council, it has to be certain that they will act responsibly.
As noted above, the sample constitution was withdrawn whilst it was re-written to allow for the formation of BCA. Although BCRA Council has not formally re-issued the sample, CREG's constitution, adopted at their AGM in 2005 is similar to the intended new sample (CREG's version inserts an additional clause (2.5a) and the annexe) and can be found here.
Non-constituted SIGs. The SIGs, as described above, are Groups operating at arms length from BCRA Council, and they have a constitution that strictly controls what they do. However, in 2007 CREG was formally dissolved and its funds returned to BCRA. BCRA Council then set up a new group, with an identical title, that is now managed directly by BCRA Council. There is therefore no need for a constitution for CREG and it has no members either. Its operation is similar to the way that the production team for Cave and Karst Science operates. See Changes to CREG Operations.
British Cave Research Association (UK
registered charity 267828). Registered Office: The Old Methodist Chapel, Great
Hucklow, BUXTON, SK17 8RG
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This page, http://www.bcra.org.uk/sig/sigpolicy_2005.html was last modified on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:44:43 +0000