Confirmation of changes to the Microbiology Society’s governing body
08 October 2024
As President of the Microbiology Society, I have written to all our members to confirm important changes to the Microbiology Society’s governing body, as voted for by the Society’s membership at its Annual General Meeting on 7 October 2024.
You will recall the background to these changes, that Council wants to ensure that the Society can draw on a sufficiently wide range of expertise for its future decision-making as the environment in which it operates changes dramatically.
At the Society’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 7 October 2024, membership carried a special resolution to amend the Society’s Articles of Association, which are its governing constitution. The amended Articles, approved by the UK’s Charity Commission, allow the Society to change its governing body to incorporate two new groups:
- A Board of Directors and Trustees.
- An Advisory Council.
The Board of Directors and Trustees
The Board of Directors and Trustees (referred to simply as “the Trustees” in the new Articles) will continue to be responsible for the legal duties. Importantly, the Board will necessarily contain a majority of members of the Society, so important decisions will always be taken primarily from the view of the microbiology community, but the Board can include expertise beyond that of the microbiology community.
The Advisory Council
The Advisory Council will be responsible for discussions about the Society’s core activities and programmes such as journals and conferences. The Advisory Council must be consulted by the Trustees on important issues. Importantly, the Advisory Council will have the right to advise the Trustees on any matter it considers appropriate.
Seeking external expertise
Shortly we will begin the process of seeking co-opted members for the Trustees with specific experience which we believe will strengthen our knowledge base in vital areas where the Society must realise its ambition in order to support our vibrant microbiology community, as it has done for almost 80 years. First we want to co-opt someone with a strong track record in publishing and, in addition, an experienced fundraiser. An application pack for these positions will be available on the Society’s website shortly.
I want to sign off by emphasising how much I, as Chair of Council, personally believe these changes will guide the Society through times of both challenge and real opportunity as it approaches its 80th anniversary in 2025. For all of us who deeply value its work, the Society must thrive in the modern world and I know members of the Advisory Council and the Trustees will be best placed to guide it.
If you have any questions or points requiring further clarification please don’t hesitate to get in touch by emailing [email protected].
Professor Gurdyal Besra FRS
Microbiology Society President