Networks Newsletter – November 2019
Dear Colleague,Welcome to the Networks Newsletter, our way to keep our member network committee members and representatives up to date with RSC activities, services and new initiatives.
This month’s Newsletter contains:
- Upcoming Deadlines
- Upcoming Events
- News from the RSC Networks team
- Communications from across the RSC
- Latest updates on our policy work
Upcoming Deadlines
12 November
14 November
26 November
28 November
01 January
13 January
15 January
07 February
24 February |
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Deadline for E-alerts going out on 21 November to additional networks
Deadline for E-alerts going out on 21 November
Deadline for E-alerts going out on 5 December to additional networks
Deadline for E-alerts going out on 5 December
Deadline for Local Section and Interest Group Top-Up Fund applications
Close of the Outreach Fund large grant applications
Nominations for 2020 RSC Prizes and Awards close
Deadline for 2019 financial reports
Deadline for 2019 Annual Reports |
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Upcoming Events
07 November
11 November
19 November
21 November
05 December
19 December |
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Spotlight: Becoming a Chartered or Registered memberThis month we have an update from Nelly Harvey on our Accreditations team about our professional awards.We have Chartered and Registered members across industry and academia, from apprentice and technician to senior chemist, professor and beyond.To find out more, read the full article on the Networks Newsletter blog or contact the Accreditations teamRead the full article hereCommunications from across the RSCHere are updates about events and activities from our Outreach, Careers, Events, International, and Research & Innovation teams, as well as the Chemists’ Community Fund and RSC Publishing.New Annual Report form and trainingThe Annual Report has moved to an online form: rsc.li/annual-report-2019All member network Secretaries will receive a formal notification in the coming days, but we want to take this opportunity to thank the Secretaries who tested the form and helped us to improve the content and layout, your feedback was invaluable!We've set up a webinar to go through the form step by step and explain why we need the information we're asking for and what it will be used for. Sign up below if you have any questions about the Annual Report form or the annual reporting process!Register for the Introduction to the Annual Report webinarNew Inclusion & Diversity Events Policy for RSC eventsThere is ample evidence that having a more diverse group of people gives better scientific outputs, therefore as a professional body it is in our best interests to encourage an inclusive environment and to support anyone who wants to study and work in the chemical sciences.
Our Breaking the Barriers and LGBT+ workplace reports outline various factors that affect women’s retention in science and reasons why LGBT+ scientists also leave the physical sciences. These reports have led us to develop resources to help combat these factors (such as Grants for Carers), and resources for member networks to support you when running events, managing committees and communicating information.
Furthermore, we are working to embed inclusion and diversity (I&D) in everything we do as we aspire to lead and provide good practice in inclusion and diversity. In line with this aspiration, the RSC Inclusion and Diversity Committee, on behalf of the RSC Board of Trustees, have introduced a requirement that all RSC supported events must consider inclusion and diversity, and in 2020 we will be adopting a new I&D Events Policy.
This new policy will also apply to member network events, and committees will be asked to include diversity information and details of the steps that you have taken to be inclusive in the 2020 Annual Report. To prepare for this, we will soon be sending the recommendations from the framework to all member network Secretaries and we will ask for diversity information from your 2019 events in the 2019 Annual Report.
If you would like to know more about the Framework or about resources available for member networks, please contact the Diversity team. Check out the I&D resources available for member networksEvent planning best practice: Health and SafetyHazards and risk must be considered, assessed and managed for all member network events. Member network Secretaries should ensure that appropriate risk assessments are completed for all events and activities - as outlined in the RSC Networks Handbook.Not only is it a strict legal requirement to effectively manage the risks created by such events, we also have a duty of care towards everyone involved. When planning your event:
- Always complete the relevant risk assessment and send a copy to the Secretary.
- Always request from all known guests any special dietary requirements or allergies and use venues and suppliers that can cater for people with specific requirements.
- Our safeguarding policy contains procedures and processes for engaging with children, young people and vulnerable adults.
- Familiarise yourself with our accident/incident procedure. Should an accident or incident occur, send required information to RiskManagement@rsc.org as soon as possible.
- On the day, familiarise yourself with fire procedures, any special medical arrangements required and locations of facilities.
Learn more about risk assessment for member network events2019 Christmas Cards for Local SectionsWe have had an update from our Creative and Production Services Team informing us that the winner of the Christmas card design competition has been selected and that we hope to have them delivered to our offices during the week of 11 November 2019. We hope to get the cards to your requested contact as soon as we can.RSC International Networks Forum is now on LinkedInWe have created an online forum using LinkedIn for our international Local Section committee members and International Representatives to discuss the opportunities and challenges of supporting RSC members outside the UK.Join the group to receive updates from the RSC Networks team, ask questions and share experiences.Join the RSC International Networks Forum Social media training for member networksThe third and final webinar will be about using online software to schedule your social media posts weeks or even months in advance. You can find information about the content and presenters on the Events Database or register by clicking on the button below.Register for our Scheduling your Content webinar on 19 NovemberThe first webinar, Social Media for beginners, focussed on the different types of social media and how to use them. You can download the slides and Q&A handouts from the event page or watch the video here.Brand Centre Access for AD RegionsThe Analytical Division Council has agreed to provide £300 to each of the AD Regions for 2020 for use on the Brand Centre.You can find a Brand Centre user guide and FAQs on the Useful Forms & Documents page. Contact the Networks team for your login details or remaining 2019 balance.Order promotional materials on the Brand CentreFirst Commonwealth Chemistry CongressThe inaugural Commonwealth Chemistry Congress (CCC) is to be held at the University of the West Indies, in Trinidad and Tobago, from 18–21 May 2020.A key aspect that differentiates the CCC from any other scientific meeting is the underlying principle of equal representation for all Commonwealth countries and a unique focus on creating an enabling environment for early career chemists: each Commonwealth country will be represented by three early career chemists who will be fully funded to attend.Contact the External Relations team for more information, or click on the link below.Learn more about the first Commonwealth Chemistry CongressChemists’ Community Fund Information VideoThe Chemists’ Community Fund have produced a short two minute video to explain the Fund and the breadth of support available to RSC Members, their partners and dependents. Thank you to the Local Sections and Interest Groups who have played the video at their meetings - we have had very positive feedback! If you haven’t yet seen the video please do take a few minutes to watch it by clicking on the link below and please do share it with other members at your meetings.Watch the Chemists’ Community Fund Video Latest updates on our policy workWith a programme of activities spanning research funding, mobility of scientists, open access, chemicals regulation, teacher supply, curriculum and much more, our goal is to shape the development of policy relevant to the chemical sciences.Principles for implementing waste strategiesDid you know that the natural sources of six elements that are used in your mobile phone are set to run out within the next 100 years? Drawing on our Elements in danger research, and in collaboration with our Environment, Sustainability and Energy Division, we have developed a set of principles for management of e-waste.Read how you can manage critical raw materials in e-wasteDid you know that plastic packaging is a more environmentally friendly choice than alternative materials in some cases? Managing plastic waste and understanding overall environmental impact of materials is critical in ensuring that we make and use plastics in a sustainable way. Drawing on work by our Materials Chemistry Division on ‘Sustainable plastics – the role of chemistry’, we developed a set of principles for management of plastic waste and for selecting the most sustainable material.Read how you can manage plastic wasteWe are calling on the UK (devolved) Governments to follow these principles when implementing their waste and resources strategies.Thank you for reading!This Newsletter has been tailored to you, but the full version can be found on the Networks Newsletter blog. Please read the online version and get in touch with suggestions for what you would like included or feedback about what we've sent you!Send us your feedbackKind regards,
The Networks Team
Fiona and Aurora
