Welcome to the SocEnv Autumn Newsletter
I am pleased to report that the Society continues to move forward on several fronts and some of these developmental activities are described in this news letter. The new website is now live and my congratulations go to the Society’s staff, particularly Kerry Geldart, and contractors for completing this piece of work. We can now offer a web site to Chartered Environmentalists (CEnv) and other interested stakeholders who want to find out more about the Society’s activities and range of interests. This information source will grow in content and value in the coming years.
We continue to receive new organisations into the Society’s membership. Recent new members are the Institute of Agricultural Management and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. I am delighted to welcome them into the Society’s membership.
With such an eclectic group of interests around the table, the Society’s voice should be heard in many more places. There are currently 15 members and a Board of 30 people, so we need to ensure that member representatives on the SocEnv board remain engaged with the Society’s business and that committees play an active part in developing a long term role for the Society.
During the next 12 months we will be focusing on how to maximise the Society’s contribution towards the development of a sustainable society. If you would like to make a contribution, you can email your thoughts to me at john.brady@consil.co.uk.
Meanwhile David Hickie and his staff continue their work on many fronts. The development of our relationship with the EC(UK) and the Science Council ensures that the accreditation procedures for Chartered Environmentalist qualification are of the highest standard. Peter Mathews, our immediate Past Chair continues to pursue ideas on diversity, citizenship and the environment; whilst Will Pope continues to liaise with the London Organising Commity for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) on behalf of the Society.
Finally I would like to wish colleagues and the readership a happy Christmas and a more sustainable New year.
John Brady, Chair of SocEnv
SocEnv launches new Website
We are extremely pleased to announce the launch of our new website. This is the start of a journey to build a comprehensive resource that will help us connect with our many members, partners and the general public. Next year we will be developing the site to provide a platform for Chartered Environmentalists to communicate and debate on a whole range of topics. We are interested to hear from CEnvs as to how to continue to develop the site into an informative and useful communication tool for the CEnv community. We welcome your views email: enquiries@socenv.org.uk
Accredited Expert Environmental Witnesses
The newly launched designation of ‘Accredited Expert Environmental Witnesses’ recognises specialists who are both registered expert members of the Academy of Experts and Chartered Environmentalists registered with the Society of the Environment. They provide recognised expertise in both environmental and expert witness matters. For more information and to find out how to become an AEEW, please see www.socenv.org.uk/what-we-do
Diversity, Citizenship & the Environment
A very successful meeting was held with Judy Ling Wong, OBE, CEO of the Black Environment Network (BEN), SocEnv Board Members Peter Matthews Chair of NIAER, Nick Reeves Executive Director of CIWEM and David Hickie CEO of SocEnv. We are delighted to announce our relationship with BEN, an organisation with an international reputation as the pioneer in the field of ethnic participation in the built and natural environment and we look forward to future joint ventures. For more information and to see our policy on Diversity please visit www.socenv.org.uk/what-we-do.
Skills for Sustainability – what does it really mean for the professional?
David Hickie, CEO of SocEnv was delighted to be involved with the recent workshop held to consider how Continuous Professional Development can most effectively help professionals develop their competencies in sustainability and responsible development. This free workshop was held by the Professional Practice for Sustainable Development in partnership with SocEnv and the Science Council. Through presentations and interactive sessions, participants explored the range of competences required of a professional working in the field of sustainability and the implications this has for CPD within their institution and their professional practice. For more information please visit:
www.socenv.org.uk/what-we-do
Congratulations to the CIOB and the RICS on becoming SocEnv Licensed Bodies
We look forward to a great many more practitioners, working towards sustainability and responsible development, joining the SocEnv community from both these Licensed Bodies.
Auditor Workshop 8th February 2007
Our annual Auditor workshop in Northampton, is a great opportunity to touch base with our valued team of volunteer auditors and update them on the 2 and 5 year audit program which is scheduled to ensure all our licensed bodies are maintaining the highest standards of assessment. An important output of this workshop will the be the Auditor Guideline Manual, for which we have engaged the services of an excellent facilitator Ron Harland, formerly of British Energy, who has extensive experience as an environmental auditor and business consultant. To register for this workshop or enquire about becoming a SocEnv Auditor, please contact trish.hall@socenv.org.uk.
Renewable Energy Forum: 2020 Vision
This forum being held in London around 1st March 07, is part of a series we have held this year to inform SocEnv’s ‘Energy Position Statement’. Experts from this sector, both commercial and public are invited to speak and answer questions from SocEnv members and CEnvs. If you would like to attend, please contact kerry.geldart@socenv.org.uk
