This meeting, held on 3^rd September, was organised at the request of the Strategic Planning Committee. The aims of the meeting were:

1. To brief committee representatives on changes in management arrangements and procedures provided in a number of key documents and the expectations on them; and
2. To consult with the committees and seek feedback on proposals to improve SRP and ensure that it delivered services to members and the requirements of the Charter.

Every SRP Committee, Topic Group etc was invited and all were represented by the 30 members attending.

Following an introduction by the President, Simon Clark spoke of the demands placed on SRP by the Royal Charter, emphasising our need to fulfill the Charter objectives as well as comply with our obligations as a registered charity. Our duties to the public (as a charity) and to our members and the state (as a professional body incorporated by Charter) are not well defined in our current structure and ways of working. The first aim has therefore been to introduce a quality management system into our current activities such that we can demonstrate how we are achieving our obligations and, where possible, improve the governance arrangements around our existing practices.

The Honorary Secretary presented the results of these endeavours, summarising a number of procedures introduced recently which clarify the roles and delegated responsibilities of committees. These included the Strategic Plan, our Financial Strategy, management processes for SRP Committees (including reporting, finance and membership) and risk management. Feedback was positive, with discussion leading to actions which should improve our governance arrangements.

The Immediate Past President described how the Strategic Planning Committee is working to ensure that SRP can be structured to address future demands from its members, the state and the public, whilst retaining the spirit which its members value. Various options were discussed, along the lines of do nothing, tweak, or change. There was general agreement that the best approach was to start with a blank sheet, looking to the Charter and our charity obligations to define our key purpose. The Governance Working Group had already studied the Charter and identified 5 specific areas – to promote and advance knowledge, encourage, promote and advance learning, promote high standards in radiation protection, encourage participation with other societies and run the society. It was recognised that this could lead to a change in what SRP does and how it is run, but in some areas at least it will give a firm foundation to current practice.

It was described how the Business Model Working Group was analysing other, similar societies to help us decide if there are alternatives which would work for SRP. Adding a tier to our committee structure was discussed but no consensus was achieved. It was agreed that we should explore some options, in particular:

• To employ someone in a business/operations manager role, initially using SRP reserves but with a 5 year plan to expand SRP services and membership such that the position can be sustained without significant subscription increase;
• To form a trading arm as a separate company, wholly owned by SRP, with its trading surplus being gift-aided to SRP; and
• Expand membership by attracting other professional groups involved in radiation protection, such as monitors, safety case writers and shielding experts.

This summary is for all members to see, both for information and to enable discussion on the forum. Alternatively you can comment directly to Strategic Planning via pastpresident@srp-uk.org.  If you haven't logged onto the SRP Forums yet don't worry, take a look at how you can log on here.

You can find the material from the day below (please note that you must be a Member and logged in to view):

- Introduction presentation

- Amber Bannon's, Honorary Secretary, presentation

- Peter Marsden's, Immediate Past President, presentation

- Notes from the meeting