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Hi all,
I’ve just read the write-up giving details of the AGM meeting in October and have a couple of queries.
Why does the venue require us to book a place? Apparently this has something to do with covid but I don’t understand what difference it will make. We all sign in for attendance records anyway.
And the possibility of masks? Do they mean that it will mirror a possible change in government advice at the time of the meeting?
Of course I understand that the BAA has little choice other than to comply.
Chris
Perhaps they want to know who is planning on turning up to avoid overcrowding?
I certainly wouldn’t relish sitting shoulder to shoulder with lots of people at present. I’m not planning on attending – other than via Zoom (if available) but would hope they would be advocating the wearing of masks…
The reason for the pre-booking is that the IoP have decided to restrict the numbers in the lecture theatre to around 70 and this helps us assess how many people are likely to come. I doubt if that will be a problem for the AGM but it will be potentially more of a problem for Christmas. As with everything Covid-related things can change quickly but I hope that this meeting can go ahead since I am really looking forward to getting back to face-to-face meetings after a long break.
In the last few months I’ve been to many crowded events and have managed to survive but I know that some people will prefer to stay away, or are just too far away for convenient travel, so we will be livestreaming the meeting on Youtube. The IoP have been very helpful with this and it will probably become a permanent feature.
Maybe. But isn’t that just another form of social distancing, which is no longer required?
Same goes for masks. Of course people should be allowed to wear them if they want but it shouldn’t be a requirement.
Perfectly understandable if people would rather not attend but people who want to go shouldn’t be impacted.
It must be remembered that attendance is purely voluntary and supposed to be fun (I just about remember that). Even the staff will be attending crowded pubs, bars, clubs, sports stadiums, concerts, theatres and public transport etc. I think imposing restrictions is indefensible.
“I think imposing restrictions is indefensible”
Are you sure you mean this? I have never viewed defending those weaker than ourselves as indefensible. But this forum probably isn’t the place to discuss this.
The legal restrictions have been lifted but the wearing of face masks and social distancing where possible is still advised by both the government and NHS as ways to limit the spread. Personal freedom works both ways. A poll of members would be interesting. It could be that actually more members would attend provided modest precautions like face masks and social distancing were in place than would not attend because they do not wish to follow the guidelines.
Sorry all. My poor choice of words may have led to a misunderstanding. I just think that restrictions may have little effect in this instance.
Apologies.
Hey folks,
I’m afraid the university / academic sector is taking an extremely cautious approach to Covid right now. If you think the IoP is going over-the-top in demanding pre-registration, you should compare it to the situation in Cambridge. Here, there’s no prospect of public events happening on-site before Christmas – today is, in fact, the first day in 18 months we’ve been allowed visitors of any kind in our building.
I know a few organisations have tried polling their membership (as Robin suggests), but generally the polls only show that there’s a huge spectrum of different opinions. So, I’m not sure how useful such a poll would be, especially since the BAA is constrained by restrictions dictated by venues anyway.
I hope the BAA manages to have a face-to-face Christmas meeting (for those who are comfortable with it), but I fear the BAA will find it tricky to find venues for meetings for a little while to come.
Cheers,
Dominic
About 1/3rd of Leeds’ citizens are wearing facemasks on public transport and in shops. I recently had a mini-break in Liverpool, travelled by coach and I was the only passenger wearing a mask. I made my choice; other passengers made theirs. I don’t mind wearing a mask at the AGM.
I hope the IoP won’t be directing spotlights at the audience and view screens as done previously. We’ve been spoilt by meetings on Zoom and YouTube, seeing the speakers’ excellent slides in all their glory, instead of squinting through the Bortle 9+ glare of the brightly lit lecture theatre trying to glimpse the washed out screens. Heaven help a speaker who shows a deep sky image. Please switch off the spotlights and dim the theatre lighting during presentations.
Cheers,
Alex.
Alex. I’ll pass on your request and I’ll see if we can make it as dark as Headingly on a mid-summer’s day.
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