[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It was always going to be a different style AGM & Seminar this year thanks to a Director election and Covid-19 restrictions. As it turned out, it was a super evening, masks and all
Members had travelled from throughout the UK, undertaking long journeys and making huge efforts to be present for this important annual event.
The meeting was held at the London Heathrow Marriott hotel, the scene of so many previous Society AGMs. While the buzz of a normally very busy hotel was missing, the staff had made great efforts to accommodate the Society and to ensure that the meeting was Covid- secure.
Members were required to wear masks throughout the evening and that included the Speakers who coped brilliantly with the situation.
The Society Chairman, Professor Graham Smith kicked off proceedings introducing Leslie Smith, a University of Hertfordshire Graduate, who won the Student Travelling Scholarship to St Clair College, Windsor and then Megan Parker who travelled to York University in Toronto. Both produced excellent presentations and did themselves, their universities and the Society proud.
The third presenter was excused wearing a mask. Ka Wing Mak, a Graduate of the Technical and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong was the winner of the 2019 Bruce Hobbs Travelling Scholarship to Duke University, North Carolina, USA. He had sent a fascinating video recounting his journey. MK as he likes to be known, was the first overseas winner of the award and his gratitude and humility was something very special.
Since the three travelling scholarship winners had returned home from their respective visits the Chairman had caught up with each of their hosts and he had recei
ved glowing feedback on all three award winners.
Professor Smith said:
Although the Society has had links with Canada for many years, both Megan and Leslie had totally different experiences to those Graduates who had gone before, so listening to their presentations was interesting and gave Members attending the seminar a completely different perspective to what they may have heard before. The same can be said for MK too as for both himself and our colleagues at Duke, there were cultural as well as clinical perspectives that had never been raised or discussed before. I know that all three had tremendous experiences and the discussions that I had with all who had interacted with them made me feel very proud. 
During the evening, the 2020 Society AGM was also held. After receiving the report from the Directors, presented by the Chairman, and then the Annual Accounts, it was necessary to hold an election to fill the 2 Director vacancies. It being that each year 2 Directors must stand down by rotation although they can offer themselves for re-election should they so wish. This year saw Jenny Jones step down as a Director after 7 years in the role and Kevin Campbell-Karn was also due to retire by rotation but chose to re-stand for election. Members of the Society had previously been advised that there were two Director roles available and three Society Members had been nominated – Kevin Campbell-Karn, Tom Cresswell and Lisa Edwards. All 3 candidates were required to give a short speech saying why they wished to take on the role of Director and a vote by Members attending the AGM was then taken.
The votes were counted and Kevin Campbell-Karn and Tom Cresswell duly elected to the Board of Directors. Congratulations
to them both and special thanks to Lisa for standing and for making the journey from Wales where she has been doing some great work there, raising the profile of Society Members, especially within the Welsh Assembly.
On a final note our sincere thanks to all Members who attended and to the staff at the London Heathrow Marriott Hotel for their support and making the event possible.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]