Minutes for the YCG AGM 2019
15th April 2019, University of Nottingham
Committee members present:
- Elliot Carrington (EC)
- Tom Roseveare (TR)
- Natalie Tatum (NT)
- Rachael Wilkinson (RW)
- Stephen Dodsworth (SD)
- Charlie McMonagle (CM)
- Sam Horrel (SH)- honorary position
1. Formalities
1.1. Apologies for absence
These were from:
- Matt Reeves (Ordinary Member) (MR)
- Matthew Dunstan (Deputy) (MD)
- George Sackman (PSG Rep) (GS)
- James Crumby (Ordinary Member) (JC)
1.2. Acceptance of agenda
This was presented by EC and accepted by CM and NT.
1.3. Minutes of the YCG AGM 2018
These were accepted by CM and NT.
1.4. Matters Arising
No Matters arising were presented
2. Reports
2.1. Chairman’s report (SH)
EC welcomed everyone to the AGM and briefly mentioned the wide variety of research talks presented at this year satellite meeting. He did point out that this year’s primary focus was organising the satellite meeting with minimal outreach or engagement occurring. EC, however, did hope that the focus of the second day of the meeting on outreach, engagement and social media would inspire some of the attendees to pursue further outreach projects. EC also highlighted that Tim Easun had set up his virtual reality game for the duration of the meeting and encouraged everyone to try it out.
2.2. Secretary’s report (EH)
Little to report apart from that the previous AGMs actionable task to consolidate the YCG funds into the BCA bank account has still not been implemented. EC and TR need to contact Claire Hobday to do this.
3. Elections to the committee
Prior to this meeting an email was sent to the BCA mailing list to advertise the vacant positions within the committee, which received interested from one member who expressed interest to become an ordinary member (elections in section 3.5)
Discussion in a previous committee meeting about proposing a new role within the committee to focus on equality and diversity (an Equality and Diversity Officer). This proposal was put to the BCA council and it was concluded that this role could be implemented following a vote at the YCG AGM.
EC proposed the creation of the role of Equality and Diversity Officer.
This was accepted unanimously by the attendees.
EC gave a brief introduction to what it was like to be on the YCG committee as well as highlighting some of the specific roles of committee members calling upon NT to give an overview as to what being a group rep was like.
NT highlighted the fact that the role meant that you were involved in financial discussion relating to conferences and outreach events as well as assist in the winter meeting and push BSG activity within the YCG. NT commented that it has been an enjoyable experience.
A discussion about eligibility for member to sit on the committee was discussed with CM highlighting section 2.3 of the constitution (https://escg.crystallography.org.uk/constitution/ ) allowed the committee to be slightly flexible with the eligibility outlined in section 2.1.
3.1. Deputy Chair
MD is stepping down as deputy following two years in the role
- Natalie Tatum was nominated by SH and seconded by CM
The nomination was accepted with no objections.
3.2. BSG Rep
NT is stepping down as BSG rep following a two year term and moves to the deputy chair of the YCG
- Rachel Wilkinson was nominated by NT and seconded by CM
RW takes up this position and steps down at an ordinary member following just one year in the position.
The nomination was accepted with no objections.
3.3. Equality and Diversity Officer
Following unanimous vote the ED Officer was officially proposed and opened to nomination.
- Natalie Pridmore was nominated by NT and seconded by RW.
The nomination was accepted with no objections.
3.4. IG Representative
Following one year as IG rep Lucy Mapp had to step down before the meeting due to focusing on other commitments.
- Natalie Johnson was nominated EC and seconded by RW
The nomination was accepted with no objections.
3.5. Ordinary member
Following RW taking up the position of BSG rep resulted in three available ordinary member positions instead of the usual two.
- Ali Abdeldaim nominated by RW seconded by CM
- Anna Herlihy nominated by HY seconded by TR
- Emma Wolpert nominated by HY seconded by SH
The three nominations were accepted with no objections.
The new YCG committee is therefore comprised as follows:
- Chairperson: Elliot Carrington
- Deputy Chairperson: Natalie Tatum
- Secretary/Treasurer: Tom Roseveare
- Webmaster: Charlie McMonagle
- BSG Rep: Rachel Wilkinson
- CCG Rep: Hamish Yueng
- IG Rep: Natalie Johnson
- PSG Rep: George Sackman
- Ordinary Members:
- Stephen Dodsworth
- Ali Abdeldaim
- Anna Herlihy
- Emma Wolpert
4. Any other business
With respect to inclusivity a member raised the issue of including members with hearing or visual impairment urging the committee to looking into what be done to ensure that attendees can be see and hear the oral presentation.
HY raised the point that the use of young within the group name was ambiguous and may not reflect the attendees/participants of the group and the meeting.
HY called for a motion to consider/investigate a change of name to early career or an equivalent to better reflect the group.
RW raised the point that the descriptors for membership to the YCG (section 2 in the constitution) particularly the 5 year descriptor did not accommodate part time researchers. RW also commented that the name early career may also be as ambiguous and would require defining further.
It was also raised that the name and constitution needs to reflect careers within industry to not to exclude IG members.
SH proposed discussing with BCA council about name changes and also queried what early career means.
It was pointed out that the committee can overturn the bylaws to accommodate members outside of these descriptors, but a review of these by laws should occur.
It was agreed that the committee would explore a name change and would review and amend the by-laws to be more inclusive.
5. Date of YCG AGM 2020
Next YCG AGM to be held at the University of Leeds on the first day of the BCA spring Meeting
6. Close of the AGM
The committee thank all members of both the BCA and YCG for attending the YCG AGM and thank everyone involved in organising the YCG satellite meeting. This marks the end of the satellite meeting and start of a productive BCA main spring meeting.