Well Autumn has really arrived and we are now just a month away from the ADSO Conference, we really cannot wait to welcome you to the Conference after a year away. It will be a little different this year, being virtual, but there are some great sessions, so do join us if you can.
I am really looking forward to introducing Members and Social Media on the Thursday and am personally hoping to learn something, as I deliver the training to members at my authority on social media. For you as an ADSO member it is £70 plus VAT per person to attend.
AGM & Awards 2021
As part of the conference days, all members will have the opportunity to join the AGM and the Awards on 25 November, separate details will be sent to you in due course. The AGM and Awards are free for all members to attend and we hope as many of you as possible will join us. During November we will be introducing you to the members who have been shortlisted for the ADSO 2021 Awards, so do make sure you like or follow us on social media.
Democracy Direct bulletin
In this week’s bulletin you will see details of new regulations and accompanying guidance on political assistants, if you have or are thinking of employing political assistants you should take a read.
Regional meetings
Last week the East of England region met and later this week the South East region are meeting, if you have not joined a meeting before, please do, they are good opportunities to meet with colleagues and hear life in other Councils, I always feel much better after a regional meeting! Details of future meetings are in our calendar or on your ADSO Regions page.
School Appeals Webinar 2 on Best Practice – Wednesday 10 November
There is still time to sign up to our next free webinar – School Appeals: Best Practice, for more information and to book, visit here. We welcome suggestions for topics and also for facilitators, so do get in touch if you have ideas. I am also still interested in case studies, including career paths, if it is something that you would be interested in getting involved in, please get in touch.
John Austin is back on the conference circuit again, at the time of writing he is at the Society of Local Council Clerks Conference, I am sure he will share his experience in a future newsletter.
I know some of you are already on half term and others have it to follow, over the last few weeks at least one of my team has taken some well earnt leave, I hope you have had recently or manage to get a break in the coming weeks, you certainly deserve it. I am having a bit of time off myself next week, I am not sure it will be a rest with a six- and two-year-old, some bikes and a few hills, but I am hoping that there may be some chocolate at the end of the hills…
Joanna Boaler, Director of Communications