The December 2023 edition of the SOLAS Newsletter (Issue 75) reflects another busy year under President Natalie Cooke, with strong uptake of the SOLAS courses, remote classes continuing alongside in-person examinations, and graduation ceremonies celebrating successful students across the branches. Joint online seminars were continuing to grow, with nearly 200 members registered for Edinburgh’s November seminar. SOLAS also introduced a new seminar registration process, allowing registered members who could not attend live to access recordings afterwards for CPD purposes.
Member feedback was also shaping the Society’s direction. Of 462 members surveyed, 84 responded, with 81 considering their membership good value for money and support for retaining the combination of one online and one in-person National Seminar each year. The March and September National Seminars were both well attended, while Glasgow hosted a successful Annual Dinner and AGM with around 90 guests. Attention was already turning to Aberdeen’s turn to host in 2024, which would coincide with the branch’s 70th anniversary.
Branch reports show SOLAS continuing to modernise how members access CPD and engage with the Society. Aberdeen reported increased participation through national Teams-based CPD, Dundee welcomed new members, and Edinburgh introduced an automated seminar registration and attendance process developed by Paul McRobb, making CPD administration easier and providing recordings to registered participants. Graduation ceremonies in Edinburgh and Glasgow celebrated the next generation of members, while 22 new Associate Members were admitted in November. Across the Society, however, the continuing call for volunteers to join branch committees highlighted the importance of maintaining active member involvement.
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