These monthly newsletters aim to keep all member networks updated with news describing how to get involved, as well as information of relevant events, services and new initiatives from the RSC Networks team. If you require further information about any of the items in the newsletter, or have any comments or ideas for content please contact the Networks team.

Committee members and representatives are encouraged to disseminate this information, as appropriate, to colleagues and other members. E-alert request forms can be downloaded from the Useful Forms and Documents page. Up to date lists of members can be obtained by emailing the Networks Team.
 

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Archive for January, 2022
Dear ​colleague,

Welcome to the first Networks Newsletter of 2022!

The Networks Newsletter is 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
  • Spotlight: Change to the member network rules
  • Communications from across the RSC
  • Latest updates on our policy work
 
Upcoming Deadlines
 
11 January
13 January
18 January
25 January
27 January
28 January
31 January
07 February
07 February
07 February
Deadline for E-alerts going out on 20 January to additional networks
Deadline for E-alerts going out on 20 January
Close of nominations for 2022 RSC Volunteer Recognition Prizes
Deadline for E-alerts going out on 3 February to additional networks
Deadline for E-alerts going out on 3 February

Deadline for submission of 2021 Annual Report
Deadline for March Chemistry World Local Section inserts
Deadline for submission of 2021 annual accounts
February deadline for Outreach Fund
Close of nominations for elections to Subject Community Councils
 
Upcoming Events
 
06 January
11 January
20 January
25 January
01 February
03 February
09 February
17 February
01–02 March
22 March
29 March
Member e-alerts
Training for Treasurers, 10:00 UK time
Member e-alerts
Hybrid Meetings & Events drop-in session, 10:30 UK time
Training to become an RSC Mentor, 11:00 UK time
Member e-alerts
Retirement in Sight Workshop from the CCF, 17:00 UK time
Member e-alerts
#RSCPoster Twitter conference
Public Engagement Workshops – How to be Engaging 1, 12:00 UK time
Public Engagement Workshops – How to be Engaging 2, 12:00 UK time
 
Spotlight: Change to the member network rules

Following a recommendation from the Member Networks Committee and approval from the Member Communities Board, we have updated the rules for our member networks. These supersede all previous versions of the member network rules.

Please note that the change relates to the inclusion of appointed members for our committees – as explained in the notes associated with this rule, the appointed member position can only be used in accordance with the rules and that this is in line with the governance of all RSC boards and committees.

If you have any queries please don't hesitate to contact the team.

Read the updated member network rules


 
Communications from across the RSC

Here 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.


Reviewing contracts – how long does the process take?
If your network is planning any events for 2022 please ensure any contracts are reviewed by the RSC Legal team. Here is some guidance on how long the contract review process can take:
  1. Submission
    Network submits a completed legal and MCB form with any contracts to the Networks team.
  2. Instruction (two working days)
    Networks team review the form and instruct RSC Legal team.
  3. Review (two working weeks)
    The RSC Legal team will review the contract.
  4. MCB approval (two working weeks)
    If a single contract is over £10K, or the total event value is over £15K, approval from Member Communities Board (MCB) approval panel is required. If MCB approval is required, approval is sought at the same time as the RSC Legal team are instructed. The MCB approval panel are given two weeks to respond. Please be mindful that the MCB panel are volunteers who are involved in our member networks in addition to the Board, as such, we ask that you provide as much time as possible for them to review your request.
  5. Negotiation (varies – usually up to six weeks)
    The RSC Legal team will contact the other party to negotiate terms. The length of time to negotiate is primarily dictated by the work flow and turnaround time of the third party not RSC staff.
  6. Signing (five working days)
    Once the contract is approved the Networks team will ask the other party and authorised RSC staff to sign the contract via DocuSign. A copy of the countersigned contract is sent to the organiser.
We appreciate that networks are often keen to progress with their event, but please allow sufficient time for the contract(s) to be reviewed.

And finally, please do not sign any contracts. We ensure RSC staff sign the contract(s) to protect our members from inadvertently becoming personally liable for any damages or loss. Members are not authorised to sign any contracts for RSC activities.

Contact the Networks team if you have any questions about the process



2021 Annual Report: deadline and support available
The 2021 Annual Report must be submitted to networks@rsc.org by Friday 28 January.

You can download the form from the Useful Forms & Documents page. There you'll also find a step-by-step pdf guide and a 15 minute video explaining how to complete the form and what we do with the information we ask you for.

We are currently updating the 2022 form and would welcome any feedback you have about the 2021 form or process. We will share the 2022 form with committees in early 2022 so that you can complete it throughout the year.

Send us your feedback or submit your form



Training for Treasurers
11 January 2022, 10.00am – 11.00am

We are running an online training session for Treasurers of RSC Interest Groups and Local Sections based in the UK or Ireland on 11 January 2022 at 10.00 – 11.00.

The session will be run by Richard Putnam from our Finance Team who is the person behind
NetworksFinance@rsc.org and supports all of our volunteer Treasurers, and Debbie Dekker from our Networks Team who supports our volunteers with their grants and legal matters. In the session we will cover:
  • The responsibilities of the Treasurer
  • Your network bank account – Bankline
  • Completing the cashbook – processing expenses, invoices etc
  • Annual accounts – including an overview of the new process of using DocuSign
  • Funding for networks
  • FAQ
  • Resources for Treasurers

We’ll be happy to answer any questions from Treasurers at the session. The session will be recorded and available on demand.

Register now online



Anti-bribery training for volunteers
As a UK organisation, the UK 2010 Bribery Act applies to all RSC volunteers and activities around the world. To learn how this affects you, you can:
Find the training options on the Useful Forms & Documents page



RSC Elections: Subject Community Council
We are accepting nominations for elections to our new Subject Community Councils until Monday 7 February 2022. Those elected will serve from the AGM in July 2022.

There are vacancies for President of the following Subject Communities:
  • Analytical Science
  • Chemistry Biology Interface
  • Education
  • Environment, Sustainability & Energy
Those elected will serve as President Elect for one-year from the AGM in July 2022 and take office as President for a three-year term until the AGM in July 2026, followed by one-year as Immediate Past President until the AGM in July 2027.

There are vacancies for two elected members of the following Subject Community Councils:
  • Analytical Science
  • Chemistry Biology Interface
  • Dalton (Inorganic Chemistry)
  • Education
  • Environment Sustainability & Energy
  • Faraday (Physical Chemistry)
  • Materials Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
Those elected will take office from the AGM in July 2022, for a three-year term, until the AGM in July 2025.
 
Read the role descriptors Nominate by 7 February



New year, new Brand Centre allocation
Every member network has a dedicated annual budget on the RSC Brand Centre to use on promotional items – this budget reset on 1 January.

Key things to remember:
  • Local Sections and Interest Groups receive £400 annually, AD Regions receive £300 (funded by the ACTF)
  • Postage is included in the allocation - please note that as there is no payment step postage will be added after you order has been placed
  • If you've not logged in for a while your account might have been paused – contact the Networks team to have it reset
  • Any 2021 overspend will be taken out of the 2022 member network grants
  • FAQ and other resources are available on the Useful Forms and Documents page

Log in to the Brand Centre here



Two weeks to nominate for RSC Prizes
Time is running out for you to make your nominations for our 2022 Prizes – make sure you send us your nominations by 17:00 GMT 18 January 2022.

Prizes open for nominations are:
  • Research & Innovation Prizes: celebrating exceptional people advancing the chemical sciences across industry and academia
  • Volunteer Recognition Prizes: celebrating people who go above and beyond to form communities and support and inspire others
  • Inclusion & Diversity Prize: now an annual prize, celebrating people improving access and progression for all in the chemical sciences
  • Horizon Prizes: now in their second year, celebrating discoveries and innovations that push the boundaries of science

If there is somebody or something that you think is brilliant, make sure you put them forward. All of the RSC’s prize committees want to see the very best candidates representing the full breadth and diversity of our community.

Explore prizes and nominate



Implicit bias and fair decision-making
Many of us have been made aware that our minds make snap decisions about others without us realising it, and that one person’s implicit bias can have a lasting impact on another person’s career path.

We are very grateful to members of our community for their enthusiasm in joining in with our effort to recognise and begin to address bias where it occurs. In fact, our members have been asking us: what next?

To begin answering this question, the RSC Inclusion and Diversity team has created this 90-second animated video as a resource for members of boards, committees, and funding and interview panels – anyone whose decisions make an impact on others’ careers in the chemical sciences. The video suggests some small actions we can all take to mitigate the effects of implicit bias on our decision-making.

With your support, we can help to make chemistry truly for everyone. You can find the video
on the Inclusion & Diversity Resources page or click the button below to watch it on YouTube.


Watch our implicit bias and fair decision-making video on YouTube



ChemCareers webinar series: Job searching and disability
This 3-part webinar series is designed to support disabled people, or those who support disabled people, by providing practical advice and information around job searching, understanding disclosure, access requirements and highlighting support available to employers to support disabled employees. Our panel will include specialists from RNIB, Dyslexia Scotland, the National Autistic Society, Shaw Trust, Leonard Cheshire and more. BSL interpretation and live captions will be available, and recording will be available to view afterwards.
See all of the upcoming ChemCareers webinars on our wesite



Save the date: #RSCPoster is back
1 March 2022 12:00 UTC – 2 March 2022, 12:00 UTC

The #RSCPoster Twitter conference is back! Get ready for another 24 hours of sharing, networking, and engaging with the global chemistry community.

This first of its kind virtual poster event was founded by the analytical community back in 2015 as an exciting way for researchers to present their scientific findings. Since then, the conference has evolved to invite posters from all topics within the chemical sciences and to encompass new directions we are adding a new Digital Chemistry category for the 2022 event. Join researchers at every career stage from undergraduate to head of an institute.

Following on from 2021, to provide a more immersive virtual experience, we are continuing with #RSCPosterPitch and #RSCPosterLive as part of our #RSCPoster Twitter conference.

For #RSCPosterPitch, submit an optional 1–2 minute video to present to the judges alongside your poster – just like you would do at a physical conference. We are hoping this will be an opportunity to showcase your creative side and your passion for your subject, and the best pitches win prizes.

#RSCPosterLive is a series of live webinars accompanying the main event, discussing some of the important issues faced by chemists at every career stage.


Find out more now at rsc.li/poster, registration opens in January



Develop transferable skills in your post-graduate researchers
PhD students are now eligible to apply to become a Chartered Chemist (CChem). Share the benefits with postgraduate and post-doctoral researchers in your networks:
  • CChem helps our members develop a comprehensive range of transferable skills that are essential for a successful career in the chemical sciences.
  • Our members use the evidence they gather for CChem to help shape CVs and job applications, as well as providing a good foundation for interview preparation.
  • Our CChem members can apply and develop their knowledge, work with high levels of professionalism, communicate and influence others, make an impact in their institution and proactively support the chemical science community.

As our highest professional recognition award, CChem is internationally recognised and valued by employers across academia and industry.

Learn more and apply online 



Public Engagement and Outreach Workshops
After the success of a series of three workshops in November for RSC Members on the topic of Making the Most of Your Engagement, delivered by award winning science communicator Jamie Gallagher, we are delighted to announce that a recording of each workshop session is now available for all current RSC members to view via the RSC Members' Area.

More public engagement and outreach workshops will be announced in the coming weeks, keep an eye on the RSC website for more details!

Watch the Making the Most of Your Engagement workshop recordings

Click here for future workshop information



Latest issue of Analytical Matters now available online
Find out about the latest Analytical Division activities including:
  • Get involved with the new Analytical Science Community Council
  • Nominate for the 2022 prizes
  • Register for the Schools’ Analyst Competition 2022
  • Submit your abstracts for the 2022 Analytical Research Forum
  • Read the latest AMC Technical Briefs

If you have any items you wish to be included in the next newsletter please email analyticalmatters@rsc.org by 28 February 2022.

Read the newsletter online


 
Latest updates on our policy work

With 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.


Support our campaign for a global panel on chemical pollution
Chemical pollution is an urgent, critical issue for humanity, on equal footing with biodiversity loss and climate change. It is a global problem but there is no truly effective independent global scientific advice mechanism to help mitigate and eliminate the harmful effects – both known and yet to be discovered – of poorly managed chemicals, waste and pollution.

We are now actively campaigning to influence a key United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) in February 2022, to call for a new global science-policy interface for chemical pollution and to ensure the topic stays high on the UNEA agenda.


We are asking organisations to support our cause and join us in our declaration. Learn more in our letter from the RSC President, Professor Tom Welton, and our declaration, which we aim to share at the key session of the UNEA in February 2022.

Share our declaration and encourage relevant organisations to sign up


 
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 feedback

Kind regards,

The Networks Team
Fiona, Aurora and Debbie

 
Posted by Aurora Walshe on Jan 4, 2022 2:00 PM GMT