FAQs

Yes, you do need to be a member of the Society before you can become a Champion. You can find out more about the different membership options avaialable and join the Society via our website. 

We are more than happy to offer any advice and support to help get you started. Contact us via [email protected].

If you don’t have any previous event organising experience, that’s fine. Start with what you feel comfortable doing. Consider putting up some posters, offering to make a short presentation to work colleagues or classmates about the Society and why you became a member.  We have a Buddy scheme and can put you in contact with other Champions in your region; they may have organised an activity and may be able to offer tips, advice or even consider running a joint activity with you.

It will often take longer than you think to organise, so start any conversations early in the planning process. It depends on the nature of the activity, but broadly speaking you need to:

• Plan your activity, consider what help you will need. You could ask work/study colleagues if they may be able to offer some time to help you; this could also be an opportunity for them to gain experience in organising activities and improve their networking skills.
• If you require funding, complete the activity/event budget request form, outlining what the event is, how many people will be attending, materials required, and a breakdown of funding required
• Be aware of any health and safety implications. We can provide you with a risk assessment form.
• Contact [email protected] to include your activity on the website.
• Use social media to promote a forthcoming activity, and make sure you @MicroSoc so we can share your posts.
• After you have delivered the event, complete the event feedback form.
• Send any photos, blogs, reports etc requested as part of any Society funding agreement.
• Claim for any approved expenses/costs by submitting your expenses claim form supported by receipts.

When you have joined as a Champion, you will be invited to join our online Champions group. You will then also be able to access resources.

Opportunities to get involved in Society’s activities are communicated through the monthly newsletter, the Get involved area of the website, and our online Champions group. However, if you see something of interest independently (and that also delivers Society/Champions objectives), please bring it to our attention and we may be able to consider supporting you for the opportunity.

You can submit a proposal for either. If it helps deliver our Society objectives, we’ll consider it. We’re looking for involvements that raise the profile of both microbiology and the Society. Please see the Society’s strategy for further details to help you determine a more defined criteria.

Champions can apply for a maximum of £2,000 to help with their activity. Collaborative projects with other Champions could receive up to £3,000.

Funding requests will need to be submitted using the activity/budget request form with a breakdown of funding required. This will need to be submitted at least one month prior to your activity.

Decisions on funding requests of up to £300 usually take up to 14 days. Decisions on funding requests for anything over £300 can take up to 21 days as these proposals are reviewed by the Chairs of the Sustainability Committee.

There are two ways to claim for funding:

• You can claim expenses using the expenses claim form with receipts attached.
• You can submit an itemised invoice with receipts (this is usually if another organisation is involved e.g., your education institute or place of work).