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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 --- 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 -- 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