SCAR EXCOM 2015 WP35: Update on the SCAR Development Council Popular

SCAR EXCOM 2015 WP35: Update on the SCAR Development Council

Executive Summary

Title: Update on SCAR Development Council

Authors: Pete Convey and Jenny Baeseman

Introduction/Background: The SCAR Strategic Plan 2011-2016 called for the formation of a committee to identify sources of external funds and develop a strategy to diversify SCAR’s financial resources beyond membership fees. The council also acts as an 'umbrella' for SCAR funding proposals.

Important Issues or Factors: The Committee has not been very active over the past year, but does have a plan to try to encourage engagement by existing SCAR programmes and groups in the search for resources to enhance SCAR’s activities. The Delegates are largely an untapped resource in terms of engaging with national and possibly other funding opportunities that would expand SCAR programmes, particularly the Visiting Professorship and Fellowship Schemes.

Recommendations/Actions and Justification: To begin this engagement, the chair of the committee has drafted two letters and asks the ExCom to consider their utility and content and provide comments and revisions.

Expected Benefits/Outcomes: Ideas generated from these letters could help to identify additional funding sources for SCAR – thus providing opportunities to increase our activities.

Partners: Delegates and other National Committee reps

Budget Implications: Letters can be sent electronically, so no budget implications are foreseen. If letters are sent by post, some cost would be incurred, but usurped into normal office costs for SCAR. It is advised that funding be allotted, as in the past, for an in-person meeting of the DC to help facilitate activity.