Presidents Report

As I write this my third report I am aware that I am now well past the halfway point in my Presidential year, my liaison missions to county branches continue with visits to Warwickshire & West Midlands, Staffordshire, Dorset, Lancashire, and Devon now having been completed.

Without exception I have been warmly greeted and received with members giving careful attention to my message regarding the need for greater professionalism within our sector.. Meeting attendance figures have indicated that all branches I have visited so far are active and working well. Included with this report are just a small sample of the many photographs my wife Janet & I have taken , however there is not room for all within this report so please do not be offended if I have left yours out. A big thank you to Devon Branch for my birthday cake and greetings, glad you did not put 69 candles on it for reasons of health & safety!

Some of the nice things about these visits are that I am able to share your poignant local matters such as the retirement of long standing officers like my old friend John Blount at Staffordshire
and take in the history of Town Council offices like Peter Young’s at Litchfield., what treasures there must be tucked away in town council offices in England & Wales.

Late last month I was privileged to visit the IIMC Conference in Reno together with Johnathan Bourne , Sam Shippen and 5 Clerk bursary winners. This International Conference proved to be extremely interesting and provided a chance to network with Clerks from 10 contributing nations and an opportunity for we three officers to strengthen links between our two Institutes.

In the final section of my year I will be continuing with branch visits, attending the Summer Seminar at the University of Gloucestershire and hope to be offered a chance to attend the One Voice Wales Conference in October.

In conclusion I must thank all members for the wonderful support I am receiving and Janet and I will treasure the memories we are gathering over this eventful and energetic year of our lives.

John and the Devon branch

John and the Lancashire branch

John and the Mayor of Reno

Your President,

John Whitney.