The Forum approaches it’s 10th birthday in November this year and this is the 20th bi-annual study program and so it is fitting that this is our 1st 2 day event following on from our very successful inaugural dinner dance in late 2008 (thanks to Joe for your perseverance with the idea – you were right – if you build it, they will come!)
The last year has seen many changes both professionally, personally and financially and I will attend to these in turn;
Professionally
The affiliation of the SMHF to the NBE has been maintained due to the hard work of colleagues on the Core Group, especially Kym – this includes collating finance reports, membership reports and evidence of elected core group and an agreed constitution.
The Core Group have been working on revising and updating the roles of the Core Group both in terms of through-year activity and the efficient running of the study day program.  Thanks to Cameron for coordinating this.
Joe has yet again put in some sterling effort in further improving the web-site with links to other web-sites of interest and M&H equipment suppliers.
We have also invested in our marketing strategy to get the concept of the Scottish Manual Handling Forum “out there” and in the mind-set of the M&H community in Scotland (and indeed beyond – all welcome!!).  This can be seen in our website developments and the production of our various promotional materials – the very popular calendars, ID badge holders and unveiled today – the sign-in portable poster.  The aim is the further professionalism of the operation and appearance of the Forum.
Over the last year the Core Group has also discussed succession planning as regards the Core Group – where is the next generation coming from?  On an informal basis at recent study days with members we have discussed what the barriers are to volunteering for the Core Group.  This has resulted in us progressing the co-opting of some volunteers onto the CG as our constitution allows.  This allows members of the M&H community to “try before you buy”.  We have also agreed the principle of colleagues joining the CG generically with duties then allocated based on available skills.  Also, to reduce the time demand to CG members we have consolidated the use of video-conferencing facilities for CG meetings (at times this has required perseverance!!) – our record is a four way video-conference.
Finally, in September the CG met for a development day with the longer term sustainability of the Forum in mind.  The team undertook some process mapping of both the study day planning cycle and the other annual processes so that documented processes exist for future CG members.
Personally….
Some of you will know that during this last year I have changed my day job and have left an M&H professional role.  The dark side came calling and I have moved into a general management role.  Let’s just say that it has been fascinating to see the view from the operational side of the fence!  Between my new role being non-M&H specific and the pressures of recent fatherhood I have regretfully decided to tender my resignation from the Core Group.  This has been a very difficult decision for me but I believe is in the best interests of the SMHF.  I am confident, in addition to the many strengths in the remaining CG team, that the succession planning processes the CG have been progressing will continue to attract and develop the next generation of CG members.
Financially ……
No, I am not going into my personal finances and indeed the finances of the SMHF is very professionally managed by Donna, our Treasurer.  The reason for referring to finance at the start of this report refers to the current and foreseeable future financial climate in the public sector and indeed the wider economy.  I would suggest that, if not already, in all areas of M&H professional practice that value for money will be scrutinised more so than ever before.  It is for this reason that I urge all colleagues to consider carefully how you evidence this.  How can you reduce the cost of your service or more likely how do you evidence cost avoidance as a direct result of your service provision.  Unless we robustly evidence this added value or cost avoidance benefits I believe that M&H service provision will become increasingly at risk from the question – what is essential?
And finally ….. (and on a more positive note!) I have seen the Forum grow over the past 10 years in so many ways, indeed whilst the profession of moving and handling itself has grown almost beyond recognition.  There are so many ‘kent faces’ at each meeting – hopefully due in some way to the ice-breaking exercises we have run from time to time.  I do remain convinced that we have something special in Scotland – due to our relatively modest size the M&H professional community is not so large as to become impersonal and this is one of the guiding philosophies of the Forum – to provide a community of colleagues rich in experience and willingness to help each other.  The role of an M&H practitioner can be a very isolating one and I still remember coming to a meeting of the forerunner of this group – the Lanarkshire M&H Advisors network and leaving wide-eyed and full of ideas.  I continue to read in most evaluation summaries (which Lee and Kym pull together) that at least one person has attended for the 1st time and found the experience invaluable.  It is my hope and confidence that the Forum continues to provide this opportunity for members – new and old.
On a personal level … thanks to all the Core Group members  …. you have become not only professional colleagues but friends as well.  I wish the SMHF my very best wishes for the future and I look forward to attending future Forums and supporting it’s ongoing development.
To the CG, it has been an honour and indeed great fun to work with you and I will very much miss working with you – one and all.