We have many developments in progress at HQ at the moment and I wanted to take the time to share these initiatives and various updates with members.
The website has been under review with our developers, MillerTech, and we have enabled new functionality to provide member log-in, account information, access to visit payments and the ability to lodge a CPD record for members and Chartered Members alike. This process of member interface will continue every year to improve our automated service. Hopefully you will see and experience these improvements over the next month.
We have also been working on alternatives to the many events that have been cancelled and I can reveal that we have a very exciting webinar series arranged by our Honorary Secretary, Jason Daff. We have technical updates, garden walks, on farm visits, ppt presentations and a day in the life reviews from members and non members throughout the country. The video conferencing platform will be Zoom and I think this is easily accessible from phone, tablet and PC – full details can be found on the Autumn Webinar Series page on our website.
We have also arranged bi-monthly meetings with our branch chairs and we have our second session taking place on Friday 14th August. This is a perfect format to update all Chairs and branch committees on the workings of the Institute. The agenda covers finance, membership demographics, events, chartership, professional matters and The Horticulturist publication. Contact your branch chair for further information:
Ireland Branch ireland@horticulture.org.uk
Scotland Branch scotland@horticulture.org.uk
Northern Branch northern@horticulture.org.uk
Eastern Branch eastern@horticulture.org.uk
South East Branch southeast@horticulture.org.uk
South West Branch southwest@horticulture.org.uk
West Midlands & South Wales Branch westmidsouthwales@horticulture.org.uk
North West & North Wales Branch northwestnorthwales@horticulture.org.uk
Overseas cih@horticulture.org.uk
We are also in the process of forming our new Past Presidents committee and I am delighted that we now have ten Past Presidents who will join us for the inaugural meeting in September. Among the work to be undertaken will be the review of the CIH Award which is awarded to only 50 distinguished professional Horticulturists, the appointment of CIHort office holders and wider industry representation.
Our Chartership Programme continues to build despite the valiant attempts of Covid to derail. Dr David Elphinstone and Dr Ed Moorhouse are working behind the scenes to ensure that our Chartered status has endorsement from the University of Reading and that we can access the wonderful provision that the University consortia of land-based subject provides. We have completed the two chartered horticulturist modules for the University programme and hope to see progress on this matter in Autumn. Updates to follow.
Look out also for our advert for a new CIHort Development Officer, full details on our website. This is a very important role for the Institute and one that was interrupted by our loss of Secretariat last year and by Covid this year. The appointment of a full time field officer will provide us with greater reach to all the branches and enable us to drive our growth plans to members.
The Horticulturist publication continues to grow under the Editorship of Barbara Segall and is directed by the Chair of the Editorial Board; Dr Owen Doyle. The Journal is always seeking interesting and diverse articles from all related fields, so if you have papers in progress then please do contact Barbara for guidance at barbara@bsegall.plus.com
I hope you all have a pleasant, holiday August!
Gerald Bonner CHort, FCIHort
PRESIDENT
president@horticulture.org.uk