I must say that I agree with Helen's point entirely. I think that the
proliferation of groups acting as voices for the profession has meant that
regional exec members and the archivist-in-the-street are increasingly
divorced from and, for whatever reason, ignorant of bigger developments.
Consequently regional meetings are just events at which decisions can be
relayed or rubber stamped. In many ways this can be viewed as A Good Thing,
and a sign of the national growth in standing of the profession. However,
like a certain Mr Blair, one ought to listen to the proles now and again.
As to Bruce's parting shot. We're working on it.
Rich
******************
Richard Schofield
The Rothschild Archive
New Court
St Swithin's Lane
LONDON
EC4P 4DU
tel. (020) 7280 5808
fax (020) 7280 5657
http://www.rothschildarchive.org
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jackson, Bruce [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Friday, September 22, 2000 2:43 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Wake Up
>
>
> 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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