The South East Branch has been chosen as one of the first to implement a new initiative spearheaded from Angel Gate. This aims to give the Branch must greater responsibility for promotion of arbitration and for recruitment of new members.

The Committee welcomes this, as we have for some time wanted to expand into new areas of activity and to attract more members intro the Branch. With support from HQ, these aims become much more attainable.

Changes will not happen overnight, so we are developing a three-year plan, from 2000 to 2002. In the first year, we plan to put on more CPD events, to promote arbitration to organisations, colleges and societies within the Branch area, to run an Entry course, and to bring together panel members for discussion. The objectives are to increase participation in Branch activities, to increase membership, to further arbitration and ADR within the Branch area, and to develop Branch administration.

Details are still being developed, and there will be more information in the next News & Views. We will include a questionnaire, as we are determined to respond to members' interests and enthusiasms. We will also be asking for ideas and help - for instance, do you know an organisation whose members might be interested in a talk on arbitration and ADR (it might be a firm with a couple of people interested in joining the Institute)?

If you want to know more, or if you could contribute in any way, please telephone or write to me or any Committee member, or come along to the January meeting and buffet.