The UKeiG management committee has formally responded to the CILIP 
policy Forum: Draft Specification. The text of our response is posted 
below and a PDF of the document is available on the UKeiG Web site at 
http://www.ukeig.org.uk/about/UKeiGResponseCILIPPolicyForumDocument2007-05.pdf 
or http://tinyurl.com/2md2hq

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UKeiG welcomes the rationale behind the remit, principles and role of 
the Policy Forum for a number of reasons.

* It provides an excellent opportunity for Groups to input into the 
future direction of CILIP via their Group representative in an informal 
but dynamic forum

* It represents a significant simplification of the existing committee 
structure

* The suggested review of the membership structure after a year would be 
a useful way of addressing any initial start-up problems

There are, however, a number of concerns.

* The suggested membership of over forty has the potential to make it 
far too unwieldy to be productive as a forum for encouraging innovative 
ideas or productive debate unless careful consideration is given to the 
agenda and structure of the meetings. Large scale agendas with little 
opportunity for interaction can be demoralising and perceived as a waste 
of people's time

* Smaller discussion groups and breakout/parallel sessions initiated by 
engaging and thought-provoking presentations would facilitate 
brainstorming and the development of new ideas and strategies. These 
discussion groups could be formed from those Groups that have the 
relevant knowledge and expertise to bring informed debate to the table. 
There would have to be some sort of plenary session to initiate meetings 
and draw together conclusions and outcomes

* Members would have to be committed to lively debate and proactive 
contribution. Clarity on their role and responsibilities would be 
helpful; including guidance and systematic procedures for obtaining 
feedback and input from all the Group membership

* E-working would have to be a major component of this Forum, not just 
for task and finish but also in planning the agenda and circulating 
documents, for example. The use of Web 2 technologies such as Wikis and 
blogs should be considered to improve efficiency and collaboration

* As the number of CILIP Groups reduce, it would make far more sense to 
reduce the membership accordingly

* As the Forum has no decision-making role, there will have to be 
transparency on how suggested policies are submitted, prioritised, 
adopted and rejected, beyond the basic parameter of financial restraints

Gary Horrocks on behalf of the UKeiG Management Committee

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Karen Blakeman, UKeiG Management Committee
mailto:[log in to unmask]
t: +44 118 947 2256 f: +44 20 8020 0253 m: +44 7764 936733
88 Star Road, Caversham, Berkshire, RG4 5BE
http://www.ukeig.org.uk/
http://ukeig.xwiki.com/

UKeiG is a Special Interest Group of CILIP
Registered Charity Number: 313014