Branching out

Dear member,whenever I’m drafting my latest foreword to Scottish Birds, I have a quick look through a few recent editions, sometimes for inspiration! Then my quick look turns into a longer browse as I look again at articles, notes and photos and admire all that our quarterly journal contains. Authors, editors, contributors – please take great pride in this flagship publication; readers – please continue to enjoy and support.

I want to say a little about SOC Branches. It’s very easy for me as President to be somewhat HQ-focussed, involved with national committees, management and strategy. But our Branch structure is an integral part of the Club, making activities and other opportunities more accessible to members across the country. I was very pleased to visit and meet members at nine Branch meetings earlier this year and hope to catch up with more soon.

Here are some personal reflections about Branches, ahead of writing up results from the little survey I commissioned from those of you I met: n They are a vital part of our Club; displaying varying degrees of autonomy according to local ambitions and preferences; n They provide focus for local projects and collection of ornithological data; n They foster friendship and shared experiences among members; n They can tailor meetings and activities to the interests and needs of local members; n They can, and do, innovate locally; n They can form local informal partnerships with other bodies; n They can share ideas and experiences with each other; n They are highly valued by those who attend talks, outings and discussion groups; n They aspire to attract a younger audience and membership.

What, therefore, might Branches, or the Club as a whole, need in order to enhance their benefits? Perhaps it’s more people to help by offering to take a turn on their Branch committee or similar – we all have something to offer and lots of knowledge or contacts aren’t necessarily prerequisites! Or to clarify the extent to which Branches are a part of the ‘corporate whole’ of the Club and its collective responsibilities for managing risk alongside offering opportunities.

Is there a chance of starting up a Branch where none presently exists? Can more be done to actively promote SOC membership, especially to currently under-represented groups? Are Local Bird Recorders and those preparing regional bird reports as fully part of Branch structures as might be wished?

Those are my initial thoughts and I’ve run out of space to say more! Branches will continue to be supported and promoted in any way that I, and the SOC’s Council, can. We want to build on the discussions held among Branch representatives one weekend last year. My thanks to all local organisers and committee members and heartfelt appreciation for all your involvement.

Ruth Briggs, SOC President