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INSTITUTE MATTERS A day to remember Join James Farmer at Members��� Day 2012 n Saturday 6 October, 117 members, guests and Institute staff gathered in lovely autumn sunshine at the impressive Royal Aeronautical Society at Hyde Park Corner for Members��� Day 2012. Arriving early allowed me to wander through the delightful rooms with their chandeliers and portraits. Meanwhile, Soheila Dayani, Jack Sellen, Paul Whitehouse and Sarah Heaps were working their magic on all the necessary on-the-day arrangements. As in previous years, delegates had the opportunity to attend two out of four seminars. I attended ���For Your Ears Only: Language at GCHQ���. ���Lindsay��� gave us a fascinating insight into the current work of the government intelligence centre. In a forthcoming recruitment exercise they will be seeking skills in Korean, Mandarin and various lesser-known tongues. It was encouraging to hear that there is no age barrier ��� Lindsay herself joined at the age of 54. Translator Marta Stelmaszak delivered an instructive session, ���Using Social Media in the Languages Industry���. She dealt with LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter, all of which she uses regularly. It was clear from the audience reaction that many were unaware how useful these social media are; doubtless, several will now dip their toes in the water. There were also seminars on ���Ethical Dilemmas for Interpreters��� and ���Drawing Up a Plan for Continuing Professional Development���. A tempting hot buffet lunch was served in a stylish room with a gold-embellished ceiling, O 28 The Linguist but many of us couldn���t resist sitting on the outside terrace, which overlooks Park Lane. The afternoon session opened with Keith Moffitt, Chair of Council, providing a review of the previous year and the Institute���s future plans. Alexandra Jones had left the post of Chief Executive in December 2011, and Hilary Maxwell-Hyslop (Director of Examinations) and Alan Peacock (Director of Membership) had been appointed Joint Acting Chief Executive Officers. Keith had taken over from Tony Bell as Chair of Council. He thanked Tony for all he had done and welcomed his remaining on Council as Treasurer. Tessa Brewer had stood down as President and had been replaced by Nick Bowen. Membership numbers had been maintained, despite economic uncertainty. The new database, introduced in 2011, enables communication by bulk email, including details of events, renewals and news items, saving postage costs. There had been a successful first joint event with the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) and the European Union, a seminar on Clear Writing. Keith also mentioned the Institute���s enhanced commitment to CPD, with the number and scope of workshops being increased. The decision had been taken to leave Saxon House, which is no longer fit for purpose. Keith talked about the Ministry of Justice Framework Agreement and took on board comments from the floor. He added that The Linguist is now available online, and there was some discussion as to whether it DECEMBER/JANUARY NETWORKING Delegates talk over lunch should continue to be available as hard copy. Tony Bell conducted a straw poll, which concluded, overwhelmingly, that it should. Keith introduced the 2012 Threlford Memorial Lecturer, Baroness Garden of Frognal, a Liberal Democrat peer who is Government spokesperson in the House of Lords for DCMS (Media, Olympics, Sport), BIS (Higher Education) and DfE (Education). Her subject was ���Of Hard Times, Soft Power ��� And the Role of Languages���. An accomplished and entertaining speaker, she spoke encouragingly about the issue of language learning in schools. She told us of her three years attending school in Paris when her parents moved there. Shaking hands with the teachers each morning went down less well when she returned to school in the UK! She touched on her experience in the Worshipful Company of World Traders, of which she was Master from 2008 to 2009. Finally, she briefed us on the MoJ issue and sympathetically fielded audience questions. (For an edited version, see pages 14-17.) The day concluded with a drinks reception. As ever, Members��� Day was instructive, entertaining and enjoyable. It provided an excellent networking opportunity and the chance to catch up with old friends and make new ones. My gratitude and praise go to all those at Saxon House who worked so hard to make the event possible. www.iol.org.uk