Society Business
Christmas and New Year closure
The Society (London and Bath) will close at 14.00 on Friday, 21 December, re-opening at 09.30 on Wednesday, 2 January 2019.
Research Grants
Applications are invited for the 2019 round of the Society research grants. Please complete the form, which can be downloaded from the Society Awards and Research Grants page at www.geolsoc.org.uk/grants where you will also find information about all the grants.
The Research Grants committee meets once annually. Applications must reach the Society no later than 12 noon on 1 February 2019 and must be supported by two Fellows of the Society who must each complete a supporting statement form. The committee will only consider complete applications on the appropriate form.
The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851
The President of the Society is an ex-officio Commissioner of the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851. Applications are open for their various awards, including Research Fellowships. For further information please go to: https://www.royalcommission1851.org/awards/
CRM project update
As Fellows are no doubt aware, the Society has been implementing a new membership management system (CRM) for some time. By the time you read this, phase 1 of the implementation should be live and online for your use. As is often the case when introducing new technology and integrating with existing platforms, the implementation has been a challenge and the delivery is somewhat later than originally envisaged.
Among the immediate benefits you will see will be improvements to the Fellowship renewals process, online management of CPD and a new online chartership application process. We hope you find the changes helpful and we welcome any feedback you have, good or not so good, to [email protected].
Email Issues
In recent weeks, there have been increasing incidences of spoofing and phishing emails purportedly originating from The Geological Society. Email spoofing is the forgery of an email header, giving the impression it originates from persons in the Society and phishing is the fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information by various means. Often, both spoofing and phishing emails contain malware designed to compromise the recipient’s computer or seek to have the recipient divulge sensitive information.
These emails do not originate from the Geological Society though they appear to do so. The first and best line of defence is to make sure you run good anti-malware software that is kept up to date. A second line is to always exercise caution when opening attachments. These types of emails tend to be plausible, so we recommend Fellows take a moment to consider whether it is an email you are expecting and whether the content is what you would expect from us. We have taken additional security measures to further combat this modern plague and will continue to adopt best practice where appropriate.
Future meetings: Council & OGMs
OGMS: 28 November 2018, 6 February 2019, 3 April 2019
COUNCIL: 28 November 2018, 6 February 2019, 3 April 2019
Society Discussion Group
The Geological Society Discussion Group meets at 18.30 for 19.00, when dinner is served. Attendance is open to all members of the Society. For up to date information concerning topics for discussion and speakers, please go to W: https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/Groups-and-Networks/Specialist-Groups/Geological-Society-Discussion-Group.
• Wednesday 5 December—Athenaeum, Mayfair
For information and reservations, contact Sarah Woodcock E: [email protected]
Chartership news
Newly Chartered Fellows
CGeol: Alexander Blake, Finlay John Booth, Thomas Anthony Cash, Paul John Joseph Daily, Jonathan Mark Davey, Alexandra Elisabeth Flint, Christopher Rhuairdh, John Gell, Graham Paul Goffey, Charlotte Laura Gwilliam, David Samuel Hinxman, Daymion Teifion Jenkins, Matthew John Lennard, Kam Hung Hazel Lo, Timothy Daimon New, Katherine Overy, Shaun Paul Paterson, Philip Ian Patterson, Geoffrey George Pook, Daniel Frederick Riding, Richard John Sorapure.
CSci: Neil William Chalmers, Andrew Michael Kelleher.
EurGeol: Simon Eden, Mike Lelliott, Christopher Thomas Dodge
CORRECTION: Decision not to offer CEng
In September’s Geoscientist, Bill Gaskarth explained why the Society has decided not to offer CEng, mentioning that the IMMM was opposed to the proposal. This statement was made in error and he apologies to the IMMM for this. Those opposing the proposal had canvassed the IMMM for support, but the institution has not publicly stated its opposition.
CORRECTION: Eligibility to apply for Chartered Geologist
In the November print issue of Geoscientist, Bill Gaskarth suggested that the Society would require a Master’s degree qualification (or Supporting Documents demonstrating equivalent knowledge) as evidence of eligibility to apply for Chartered Geologist. This statement was made in error and he apologies for this.
We must clarify that at the current stage, this is only a proposal that would bring the Society's requirements into line with those of the Engineering and Science Councils. Any formal decision will be taken after discussion in the Chartership and Professional Committees. We welcome feedback on this proposal. To express your views, please contact the Chartership Officer ([email protected]).