NADO Inaugural Conference : Running a Professional Association within HE
The Universities' Safety Association (USA) was formed in 1971 as the result of a meeting similar to the NADO Inaugural Conference, with very similar aims.
You have to be committed when founding an association.
The USA's structure is as follows:
- a chair (elected every two years at an annual general meeting);
- a deputy chair (elected every two years);
- a treasurer (on a three year basis);
- a secretary (on a three year basis);
- the executive;
- the digest editor.
It is a very supportive, structured organisation. The chair stays on for a year after the term of office to help the incoming chair etc. There is also a mailbase for communication as well as the digest.
One possible difference between the USA and NADO is that the USA's membership is corporate: the university is the member and not the individual.
The aims of the USA are:
- to develop and promote the development of health and safety management;
- to liase with other professional bodies with similar aims;
- to hold educative, informative meetings (2 or 3 a year);
- to disseminate information through publication of guidance and information (particular to the university environment).
The executive has a wing called the National Interest Group (NIG) which is run by Caroline Wake who may be a good contact for NADO.
The USA is achieving its aims through:
- annual conferences;
- regular seminars;
- the digest;
- email;
- topic groups/working groups;
- guidance documents;
- response to consultative documents;
- training courses.
The annual conferences are held at different venues around the country. We try to vary the location and ensure that they do not clash with other common interest events. They are hosted by the individual institution but the executive committee helps in providing speakers, support, guidance etc.
To begin with money is always a problem. How much should you charge? You should strike a balance between value for money and getting value for money.
In working topic groups, small groups of individuals get together to draw up documentation and guidance relative to their activities.
The USA has different rates of membership:
- full membership (about twenty five pounds p/a);
- associate membership;
- membership for digest only;
We charge between five and ten pounds for documentation that is written for the sector.
We have set up a number of training courses which are profit-making (for the organisation).
Networking is important and is done mainly via the mailbase or digest. The executive also talk to each other via electronic link, so there isn't a need for as many meetings. It is also useful for sending out minutes, agendas etc. It works very effectively.
Other professional groups with whom we have a professional association are:
- CVCP
- UCEA
- AUDE
- UPA
- AURPO
- ISTR
- NADO (in the future)
We have four executive meetings a year, which can cost a considerable amount in terms of travel expenses etc. We try to keep the expense as low as possible and look at where the executive live so that we can try to find somewhere central (not London).
We have 'away days' where the executive go away for a couple of days to brainstorm. The cost is born by the member's institutions. Money is a very important factor to be considered.