Greetings to all ADSO members. I hope you are all well and beginning to think about a break during the summer ‘recess’ – if there is such a thing these days. You certainly all deserve it.
Conference season
Things are ticking over nicely at ADSO HQ. We have just taken part in the Democracy Hub at the LGA Conference in Harrogate alongside other partner organisations including LLG, Centre for Governance & Scrutiny, the AEA, DemSoc, NALC and the LGIU. My thanks to Peter Sass and Colin Copus for representing ADSO so well at the event. Unfortunately, I had to pull out at the last minute due to covid, so I am grateful to both for their time and support. Once the dust settles, we shall reflect on the success of the venture and let you know.
The conference season is well and truly open again and I am representing ADSO at a NALC event next week in the House of Lords. That leads me on nicely to the VVG Conference in October which we promoted in last week’s bulletin. We received a really good response and there are just a few places left at the subsidised rate of £300 for travel and expenses. Please let Sarah Hawkins know if you are interested by emailing sarah.hawkins@adso.co.uk . It is on a first come first served basis.
Registrations for our conference in November are going well and it promises to be an excellent event. Thanks to all who have registered to date. It will be great to see familiar faces again after a 3 year absence as well as some of our newer members, or those just attending for the first time. If you wish to join us, the draft programme and booking form can be accessed on the website here
Webinar – Impact of abuse and intimidation of Councillors – Friday 15 July
We have just released details of our latest webinar focussing on the work of the LGA on the abuse and intimidation of councillors. This will take place on 15 July at 2.30pm.
Our speaker is Jess Norman, Senior Policy Adviser at the Local Government Association who will present the findings and recommendations of the recently published LGA report Debate Not Hate: The impact of abuse on local democracy. The webinar presents an opportunity for attendees to hear about the real experiences of councillors and the impacts of abuse and intimidation on councillors and local democracy. Attendees will also hear about good practice the LGA has identified under the Civility in public life programme and have the opportunity to ask questions and make comments about good practice they are aware of in their areas
Register for the webinar here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2391862625035580940
ADSO Awards 2021 Focus – by Distinguished Award Winner, David Hair
“November 25th 2021. Not the most significant date perhaps unless it was your birthday or you’re American (Thanksgiving fell on that date last year). For me the day was significant as it was the day the ADSO award winners were announced. We all feel a little anticipation before an announcement involving us is made but for me there was a bit more to it. It was just over a month after I’d resigned my job at Lincolnshire after 17 years in order to allow me to provide a year’s care and support to my ageing parents. The award would enable me to finish my time at Lincolnshire on a high note and allow me to tell my dad I’d actually managed to win something!
As the announcement approached in the early evening my nerves were jangling. Suddenly my name was being announced and I was delighted. Time for an outpouring of thanks and recognition for colleagues across Democratic Services, the Council and IT partners Serco who had supported me so admirably over the Election and Induction period earlier that year. Alas not. The Wi-fi at home failed me and the listening audience was saved an interminable speech after a long day at conference!
However, I was still extremely happy to win the award and my dad was really pleased! To be appreciated from time to time is an important part of life, and working life, and the ADSO awards provide a great way for us to appreciate each other in the Democratic sector. Whether it’s being nominated by colleagues, shortlisted or winning an award it’s all great recognition and an important part of us raising our profile within our own organisation and beyond. I wish everyone involved the best of luck with this year’s awards process and hope it brings you all as much satisfaction as it brought me.
I’m continuing to help my parents but look forward to returning to the Democratic world sometime around the New Year.”
Have a great week everyone.
John Austin, ADSO Chair