Minutes
of ES2k Committee Meeting
14 January 2004
Held in Queen's Common Room, College Gardens, Belfast
Present: Tony Bazley, Sophie Preteseille, Matthew Parkes, Ian Enlander, John Morris, Patrick McKeever, Jenny McKinley, Bernard Anderson, Philip Doughty, Marie Cowan, David Kerr
Apologies: John Arthurs, Peter Crowther
1. Minutes of last meeting
Committee agreed minutes from last meeting with some minor corrections.
2. Matters Arising
IE informed committee that EHS had identified money that is available for relevant projects, for which ES2k may make an application. EHS needs to see that a funding partner can match 50% of the planned project cost. IE advised applying with respect to a particular project, that EHS needs to know there is no other money available or 'sloshing' around.
TB suggested that Es2k host a reception for GA fieldtrip in July (19th-25th).
3. Chairman's business
PD intends meeting Patrick Casement (Chair of the National Trust) in order to go about reinstating the Lower Path at the Giant's Causeway. PD thought other parties that need to be engaged include UNESCO, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the contracted landscape engineers. The AONB will not have addressed the Lower Path; instead it would have been part of the World Heritage Site Project. IE said that the area had been identified as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), as it is a maritime cliff and as such any proposed changes will have to go through the proper assessment process. IE informed committee that the Geoconservation Commission had appointed Peter Doyle to oversee the management plan on their behalf. Peter Doyle has an engineering background and may prove a good line of communication. PD proposed that a small group of Es2k committee members should approach the relevant persons and contribute to this project.
4. Secretary's business
The membership has risen from 249 to 268. The committee now has 19 members, with the co-option of Paul Lyle, Martin Feely and Betty Higgs.
Minutes for August 2003 have been sent by email to committee for checking; they will subsequently be copied to PC for inclusion on the website along with those for November 2003. The secretary wished to record thanks to JMcK for taking the latter in her absence.
In order to reduce distribution costs of magazine issues sent to Education and Library Boards, the secretary has written a letter for the attention of four chief executives (as we already have a drop contact in Dundonald for SEELB). This letter has been checked by Tony Bazley, and will be signed today by PD, TB and BA, in order to achieve one drop off point at Belfast, Ballymena (Rosalie Granger?), Omagh (PMcK) and Armagh (MC). MP & SP volunteered to do the same for the Department of Science & Education based in the Republic (MC to email copy).
MC summarised the minutes from the Geological Association's AGM held on 7 November 2003, with particular reference to insurance. MC to check with Executive Secretary for GA whether ES2k is covered on any trips in the Republic.
'ES2k member job profile' interview with Richard Watson of Marble Arch Caves is scheduled for next month.
TB informed the committee that the last date for articles for inclusion in issue 9 is 10 March 2004.
5. Treasurer's business
All cheques had been lodged, including cheques from Belfast Geologists Society and Belfast Naturalists' Field Club, and the balance stands at £3000.00.
In order to facilitate transactions relevant to those committee members in the Republic, JMcK suggested that ES2k open an Euro account.
The Curry Fund of the GA has expressed interest in considering further financial help for ES2k. Application forms for EHS have been completed. One more form needs to be submitted before the end of the tax year, and that is for the Curry Fund of the Geologists' Association. Also Jenny plans to write to Edmund Nickless, the executive secretary of the Geological Society of London, in order to target advertising.
6. Editor's report
Tony Bazley provided the red-coloured text below prior to the meeting. Any comments that occurred during the meeting are recorded in capitals.
ES2K MAGAZINE
The Editorial Board for 2004 is: Tony Bazley (Editor), Bernard Anderson (Deputy Editor), Alistair Ruffell (Ulster Correspondent), Bettie Higgs (Munster Correspondent), Matthew Parkes (Leinster Correspondent), Martin Feely (Connacht Correspondent).
Additionally I am relying on Karen Parks to act as Primary/Secondary Education Correspondent (Northern Ireland) and need someone to fill that role for the rest of Ireland. There are a number of other regular contributors to the magazine to whom I am most grateful.
JM SUGGESTED THAT THE ASSOCIATION OF GEOGRAPHY TEACHERS IN IRELAND MIGHT BE A GOOD PLACE TO START TO FIND A PRIMARY/SECONDARY EDUCATION CORRESPONDENT.
The above Board will usually communicate by Email. It is not planned to hold meetings but anyone on the Board is welcome to attend committee meetings of ES2k or supply me with comments/questions to be brought up at such meetings.
The magazine only exists to report happenings in Earth Science (especially in Ireland) to as wide a spectrum of people as possible. It wants to be attractive to people who are not trained geologists and the style of article will try to reflect this aspiration. It will trumpet the importance of Earth Science to the community, so reports of research being undertaken should make it clear how the work might effect everyday life or give an insight into the past history of the planet. It also wants to show Earth Scientists as personalities, hence sections about job promotions, marriages etc. People will figure in photographs when possible. It will try to be even-handed when reporting contentious issues. It does not exist to specially support 'green' issues. It will try to reflect the importance of applied geology to everyday life. Through the correspondents it is hoped to have something from all parts of Ireland. Any new ideas for regular features will be welcome. Initially I will keep at least 2 pages for each Province but do not let that restrict you. Any offers of book reviews will be appreciated. Also, of course, a calendar of events (talks and field trips) will be important. We will try to act as a useful way of advertising the fine work of amateur societies and other groups, like the IGI, IAEG, IGA, etc. (if they will allow it).
FINANCE
ES2k Magazine, Spring 2004 / Issue 9. Note change from 'magazine' to magazine. It has to be decided if the length will be 20 (as last issue), 24, 28, or 32 pages. Costs:
20 pages 4000 copies £1920 (5000 copies £2030)My recommendation is to go to 28 pages and 4000 copies for the next issue. That will allow us to test distribution methods, etc., without too much increased cost. The longer-term aim will be to get more advertising and move to 32 pages/5000 copies as the standard length.
Letters are going out now to those who have advertised with us in the past. Two new advertisers have come in for the next issue. Do you know any companies who should be approached? If so please urgently send me the name and address. If you want to make the approach yourself please phone me for details of prices. Note that a business ordering a half page or larger advert in consecutive issues gets a 50% reduction in price for the second advert.
TB SUGGESTED THAT ADVERTISNG BE A SUBSTANTIVE ITEM ON THE AGENDA OF THE NEXT MEETING. TB INTENDS TO CONTACT IGI, IAEG, AND IGA REGARDING THEIR PROVISION OF TEXT FOR THE MAGAZINE. TC WILL ALSO INVITE ADVERTS FROM W5 AT THE ODYSSEY, AMCORP IRELAND LTD, RIO TINTO, TAYLOR & BOYD, KELLER GROUND ENGINEERING, KMM LTD, CSA GROUP LTD, ENNEX, EHS, GSNI AND GSI. MP VOLUNTEERED TO CONTACT COMPANIES IN DUBLIN, AND SUGGESTED THAT BETTY HIGGS AND MARTIN FEELY MAY DO THE SAME FOR CORK AND GALWAY RESPECTIVELY.
IE SUGGESTED THAT THE PRICE BE REMOVED FROM THE COVER OF THE MAGAZINE. AS WE DO NOT CHARGE ANYONE £1.50 FOR AN ISSUE, THIS IS A DISTRACTION.
Distribution - postage, etc. - costs about £400 per issue. It may be a bit more with the larger magazine.
Total costs projected for 2004:
Two issues at £2240 each = £4480.Advertising revenue = £1000 (not including survey-GSI/GSNI- adverts) is confirmed at present.
Total required for the Magazine = £4380.
These give 'ball-park' minimum figures.
An issue for consideration at this meeting is some recompense for the time spent by the Editor. It involves some work all year round, with intense pressure for at least 6 weeks leading up to each issue. I have not sought any recompense for the first 8 issues but the job is now moving to another level. To establish the principle of some payment being made to the Editor will, I believe, help continue this magazine when I drop out. A small recompense will probably (I hope) get someone else to pick up the reins. My suggestion is a payment to the Editor of £1250 per issue.
THERE WAS UNANIMITY AMONG THE COMMITTEE THAT THIS PAYMENT BE APPROVED.
This would mean the cost might be £6880 for the magazine this year. Can we afford it? Will the two surveys be able to support us to this sort of level?
Finally, I will absent myself from any discussion about payment for the Editor but I will be glad to hear anyone's views before the meeting.
7. Web site, latest position & future development
PC was unable to attend this meeting as he co-ordinating the forthcoming 'Dinobirds' exhibition. However, SP showed the committee a preview of the new ES2k site. Everyone agreed that it looked excellent and thanked SP for all her hard work. As has been said many times before, it was pointed out that we need text on county geology and accompanying photos, maybe even a sub-group to work on this. IE suggested that this project might be worth spending some money on. It was thought that it was appropriate to show logos of sponsors, e.g. Heritage Lottery were perfectly willing to appear. MC suggested that maybe ES2k should consider 'launching' the website, maybe by contacting local BBC or ITV environmental correspondents. It was thought better to wait until the summer or even September as part of National Heritage week.
Regarding website graphics, IE advised against including any pictures of children with field photos, as this would infringe on current child protection policy. TBA suggested that any field photos of geologists should be seen to adhere to good safety practice, e.g. the wearing of hard hats in quarries.
8. RIGS - update on December visit.
IE gave a summary of the visit made by Elaine Tilson in December 2003 regarding the establishment of a RIGS group in Northern Ireland. She recommended that a reconnaissance exercise be undertaken by ES2k to assess the potential work programme, sources of funding and identify the means by which RIGS-type groups would form. IE pointed out that UWT had historical links with UK RIGS and maybe should have some involvement with Earth Science sites. IE suggested that we might employ someone for 3-6 months to carry out this work. PMcK pointed out that there was an automatic list of potential sites in the Earth Science Conservation Review (ESCR). MP remarked that there was not sufficient density of people to sustain RIGS and that ES2k was the most obvious choice. JM suggested that maybe the Troubadour project, which would bring together a network of students and retired geologists, could provide an assessment of whether RIGS may be feasible. PD warned against having two national projects. IE suggested that EHS may be interested in funding such a project, and said that he would draft a project proposal, which he would email to committee for comments. He pointed out that if such a project was to go all-island, then a funding partner from the Republic would be needed, e.g. Heritage Council.
9. A strategy for the re-establishment of tertiary level geology teaching and research in Northern Ireland.
PD noted that there was a new Vice-Chancellor at Queen's University Belfast whose background was in Engineering and Aerospace Materials, and who was a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. Prof. Peter Gregson will take up the post in July 2004. PD suggested that this would be a good time to approach QUB with a view to reinstating a geology Department.
10. ES2k publicity strategy
DK observed that ES2k has three markets - professional geoscientists, secondary schools and universities, and the general public. It is the last group that need the most work, especially young people. DK suggested that it would be a good idea to have an ES2k 'travelling road-show' for public libraries. However, we would need a large display board, this may be a single project to target funding.
DK informed the committee that he had submitted articles about ES2k to the following publications: Geoscientist, Magazine of the Geologists Association, Down to Earth, Northern Ireland Travel and Leisure, and Irish Mountain Log. DK has drawn up a list of media contacts to whom we should mail the ES2k magazine, and has copied this to MC.
MP has published a paper on ES2k for the IAEG.
PD called for additional committee members to submit their photo and paragraph on area of expertise or interest to website in order to accommodate Questions and Answers. PMcK pointed out that GSNI and GSI both run a 'duty geologist' service, providing information to the media on request, as issues arise.
11. Expansion into an all Ireland organisation - how best to proceed
MP suggested that we continue as we are, i.e 'evolving organically'. It would be a good idea to set up some cross border projects and then we would be eligible for EU funding, e.g. INTEREG, Peace III A & C. Other sources include the National Lottery in UK and possibly the aggregates levy, as in Scotland and Wales. MP advised waiting until summer before launching the new website, maybe in September, during National Heritage Week.
TBA asked whether there would be an ES2k presence at the forthcoming IGRM in Galway in February; MP and SP volunteered to put up a poster. IE volunteered to print off a flier, as had previously been used for a Geography Teachers Forum in April 2003. MP and JM suggested that there be a link to www.gsi.ie from Habitas website.
12. Matters raised by members at the AGM
Co-ordination of programmes with other geological bodies: TB noted that within each ES2k magazine issue there is a 'What's on' section - this would draw attention to overlapping events or clashes.
Development programme for 32 counties: see MP comments under item 11 re EU funding for all-island/or cross-border projects.
Links to smaller Irish groups: TB sees ES2k as an umbrella organisation, which strives to forge links with all other affiliated groups, and will include their adverts and what's on schedules.
An annual conference or 1 day 'Jamboree': September National Heritage Week
Assistance to geology teachers: PMcK noted that CCEA have informed secondary school teachers that the geography curriculum is open to interpretation, hence this may open up the geoscience market. He emphasised the importance of inset days and observed that we need local teachers for local geography teaching. This may be an issue for the next agenda. PMcK said that GSNI intends to produce a methods guide for teachers.
13. Any Other Business
MP distributed booklets and maps on e.g. Tetrapod Trackway in Valentia, landscape tourism in Wales, and GSI summary map of the geology of Ireland. JM explained that the GSI printed 17,000 maps, 13,000 of which went to Science Spin, the rest being housed at the Surveys. TB pointed out that this week in Science Spin, such maps come free to readers.
TB added that in the next issue of the ES2k magazine there would be a book review on 'A master class to the Granites of Donegal' by D. Hutton and W.S. Pitcher.
IE observed that Ted Nield used the film 'Volcano' for geology/geology teaching; this film starred Pierce Brosnan, an Irish actor, so could this be a possible patron for ES2k? IE said he was aware of Brosnan's agent and would set about contacting him.
14. Date of Next Meeting
4.00pm on Wednesday 24 March 2004, QUB Common Room (College Gardens)
The meeting closed at 6.00pm