Apologies if you have seen this message before, I have been asked to copy it
to this list in addition to the original CARTOSOC posting to widen the
discussion.
I notice from the Cartography 2003 brochure this year that both Societies
are in or approaching their 40th year. To my knowledge for probably 20 of
those years there has been a discussion as to the value of and necessity
for two Societies. More recently the subject of combination/ merging has
been discussed in the smoky alcoholic atmosphere of darkened rooms during
BCS Symposia and SOC Summer Schools!
Isn't it time the Societies "grasped the nettle", "took the bull by the
horns", "came out of their traditional conventional closets" and made the
decision. Let's get together and present a united face for Cartography in
the UK.. The business/ profession is small enough already; in this day and
age we cannot afford to carry on in our own little backwaters and expect the
world to take notice.
I would welcome comments from any members who support this view and would be
prepared to present/ support a motion to the AGM's of each Society at this
year's joint meeting in Reading seeking the implementation of immediate
moves to bring the Societies together into one united frame - The British
Society of Cartography?
Tim Fearnside
Member of SOC and former Chairman and Secretary
Member, Fellow of BCS and Council member
|