Royal College of Psychiatrists
Update on the Membership Communications Group
The Membership Communications Group was established in 2006 following the publication of 2005 – 2010 Strategic Plan. Its remit was to put into place“Effective Communication with members”.
The Membership Communications Group includes representation from most of the College Departments involved with the College membership. The current members are:
Chair: Deborah Hart, Communications and Policy Department
Liz Atkinson, Membership Relations
Sally Blake, Communications and Policy
Richard Burton, Membership Relations
Lesley Cawthra, Finance and Operations
Diana Chan, Psychiatric Support Service
Liz Cowan, Communications and Policy
Charlotte Cox, Professional Standard
Nicola Davies, Trent/W Mids Division
Elizabeth Fox, Communications and Policy Department
Katie Gray, Communications and Policy Department
Samantha Holder, Standon House
Andrew Morris, Publications Department
Paul O'Connor, Membership Relations
Greg Smith, Membership Relations
Sonia Walter, Professional Standards
Veena Verdi, Publications Department
Achievements to date:
- Monthly eNewsletter
Dr Ros Ramsay agreed to act as Editor for the monthly e-Newsletter, the first of which went out in February 2007. The eNewsletter was recently revamped and statistics show that it is popular with members. We recently advertised for a Trainee Editor and hope to appoint someone in May 2010. The main project will be to evaluate whether we are including the right balance of information for members and to consider issuing it twice a month. This would ensure that the news is current and topical.
- Membership package
The Group was involved in developing the membership package which is now sent to new Members on payment of their subscription. The Group will be reviewing its contents at its next meeting to ascertain whether it needs to be updated.
- Recruitment issues
The Group was involved at its initial stages in advising staff in the Professional Standards Department onreviewing the College’s careers materials and materials for careers’ fairs.
The initial idea for the Student Associate Grade came and was developed by the Membership Communications Group.
The initial idea for Divisional Medical Student and Trainee Prizes came from the Group and was disseminated down to the Divisional Managers.
- Contacting members at different stages in their careers and thanking members
The idea of the Officers and the Divisions contacting members at different stages in their career came from the Group. This was disseminated down to the Divisional managers and taken on board by Membership Relations Department.
I think that thanking members for their contribution to the College has improved, but probably needs to be looked at again to ensure that this is being systematically done.
- Memorabilia
The Group was involved in the updating of the College memorabilia a couple of years ago, and has been involved in the recent review of the first review.
- Divisional audit: Engaging the membership
Between 8 to 10% of the College members are currently involved in College activities. Richard Burton and Deborah Hart will be visiting all the Divisional Executive Committees over the next couple of months to gauge members’ views as to why they think that the majority of College members are not involved, and to pull together recommendations and new ideas as to how to engage members more effectively. A report will be produced for Council.
- New Divisional leaflet
The Divisional Managers have worked together to produce a new leaflet which will be printed later this year. The leaflet will be used to market the role of the Divisions, outline what they do and how members can become more involved. The leaflet will be included in the new Members’ packs and will be available at conferences, the Annual Meeting, etc …
Deborah Hart
Head of Communications and Policy
March 2010