Further to Helen, Anne and Richard's postings, I thought I should chip in a
Friday afternoon's musings.
Not all regions of the Society of Archivists are moribund, and is perhaps no
surprise that the strongest indications of life spring from the periphery of
the Society. Both the Irish and Scottish regions can be viewed as "tigers"
with rapidly expanding memberships, keen to push for more active regions
and, where possible, motre opportunity to tailor the activities to the
specific needs of their regions.
I can recall attending a Scottish regional meeting in St Andrews on a
Saturday morning where about 90 people were present - well over 50% of the
regional membership. Those of you who know Scottish geography will
understand that this is a level of commitment and involvement among the
membership that indicates a pretty healthy state of affairs!
Perhaps it is no surprise that it is London and the South that has the
greatest problems, due to a combination of numerous other professional
events and the vast number of members in the region. Perhaps what is needed
there is something on a smaller scale - almost a cell structure (showing my
Marxist -Grouchoist - origins there), which people could relate to more
easily.
At the end of the day, newsgroups are no substitute for personal contact. If
we find dealing with our fellow prefessionals too taxing/stressful, what
hope to do we have of dealing with the average punter in off the street!
While I do not accept the generic condemnation of younger members for not
getting involved ( we have a good mix of old lags and young bloods here in
the NW), I do think part of the problem is the increasing ennui among the 20
- 40 age set generally (not just archivists). Where my generation would take
to the streets, many now just cannot seem to display enthusiasm about
anything. Let me leave you with this thought - why do I have to still
behave as a Young Turk (at the unseemly age of 48)?, and not been turned out
to grass by a younger set of revulutionaries??????????????????
Bruce Jackson
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