The initial meetings that led to the formation
of the CIOL Midlands Network, and our
inaugural AGM in April 2016, were
characterised by a sense of enthusiasm for
building a local network of language
professionals, with the support and
friendship this could generate, accompanied
by a certain amount of understandable
reluctance to take on roles of responsibility.
This combination of what we wanted to take
from our local network, and how much we
were willing and able to give to it, went on
to shape the Midlands Network, whose
informal structure differentiates it from the
CIOL's other regional societies.
As linguists, our members travel often,
and have a habit of moving to other parts of
the world, as we discovered when we lost
almost half of our original committee in the
first year. Also, as most of us work freelance,
our work flow can be erratic and, naturally,
there are times when it has to take priority
over networking and socialising. With this
in mind, we have developed a flexible
committee whose work does not clash with
our professional commitments. We meet
informally once a month, and members who
are unable to attend can contribute in other
ways, such as proposing or organising an
event, or taking responsibility for one of our
social media accounts.
As our members have ready access to
training courses elsewhere, we have chosen
to focus instead on social and cultural
events, which so far have included a tour
of a historic library, country walks, meals,
and trips to the cinema and theatre. Many
of our members work alone, often from
home, and they are keen to develop
friendships and share experiences, advice
and support with other linguists. Our events
rarely involve taking payments, which keeps
the committee's workload down, and our
monthly meetings over coffee are an
enjoyable social event, as well as a chance
to plan our next events and discuss the
network's development.
There have been challenges in the process
of setting up our regional network, but they
are what have allowed us to build a network
that continually adapts to the needs of its
members and requires only a sustainable
amount of time and effort from its volunteers.
To get involved with the Midlands
Network or to find out more, email
midlands@ciol.org.uk.
@Linguist_CIOL
JUNE/JULY The Linguist 33
INSTITUTE MATTERS
For contact details for CIOL's membership networks (divisions, societies and associations), visit www.ciol.org.uk/networks-events
To view the calendar of events, see www.ciol.org.uk/events
MEMBERSHIP NETWORKS
A BREATH OF FRESH AIR
A country walk in Alvechurch
The Midlands Network looks back at the challenges of its first two years, and how
members have benefited from its development into a lively network of local linguists
A network with a difference
