2008 conference, administrative skills and ideas please
"Paul Hanton" 11:36 03/07/2007
Hiya folks,

firstly, just to let you know that the 2008 conference group are already getting the ball rolling by getting quotes and availability from several venues for next years conference. Whilst many of you said you would be glad to have the conference back at Preston, an equal number were impressed with Keele, and some others have suggested a little further South, so no definitive news on that yet, watch this space.

The main reason that I am contacting the list is to ask (well in advance) for some support and help.

There are only 3 of us doing the conference organising for next year, myself, Dominic Bray, and Irene Widdop, and nearer the time, we will need to make up and send out conference packs, receive applications, have some folks to register people on the day etc., etc. So, if anyone would be able to devote a few hours per week from about feb time, please let me know asap, likewise if anyone (the more the merrier) wants to do a 'stint' on the registration at next years conference (more folks equals less time per person).

It is a very simple equation, the more voluntary hours we get from folks, the cheaper the conference can be, as we are considering (only considering at this point, before anyone jumps at me with bared teeth) geting some paid, temporary help if we have to.

Okay, that is the pleading out of the way.

Anyone that has ideas for format, speakers, themes etc. for next years conference, also please let me know.........the conference group have a dedicated email loop thanks to Barry, which we are very active on, and will be meeting up in September. There was plenty of good stuff said about the hosted conversations, and i reckon, if it works, do more of it!!

Finally, please remember to log in on the website from time to time, to ensure that your membership status is up to date, for all those that joined at this years conference, you will still be in date at next years as it is a few days earlier. The reason that I say this is simple, if, when you apply for a conference ticket next year, you are out of date on your membership, you will be charged the full conference price, period, it is your job to check your status by logging on.

It was an awful lot of work for folks this year to get 'lapsed' members to pay their subs before paying for conference etc, and whilst they never complained, at least two committee members spent a large amount of their day sat doing membership duties and missing out on the day. We are looking at having a slightly bigger price gap for non-members next year, so that UKASFP members get even more benefit from their membership.

Best wishes,

Paul H