Member networks

A new procedure for member networks to request access to BPS reserves has been launched. This clarifies how BPS reserves are accumulated, the criteria for approving requests, and the responsibilities for approving requests.

The new procedure also outlines how networks can submit requests as part of their annual activity planning and how they can use any surplus budget throughout the year. Networks now have much more autonomy over the use of their funds, which has reduced the need for them to access reserves.

Other networks have not submitted a formal application as regular financial reporting and partnership working with the Member Network Services Team has resulted in them utilising their underspend for the year.

Changes to the Society Rules has meant the processes around the establishment of new member networks has been simplified.

The Environmental Psychology Section went through the governance processes within seven months. The changes that were implemented meant the new section was able to generate subscription income and begin delivering activities to its members from the first day it was formally established.

'Informal networks' now have a home with the introduction of online communities. The communities were initially launched with the Faculty for People with Intellectual Disabilities and an all-member Member Connect community; however, there is now the opportunity for more cross-network communities to be built around subject areas and specialist areas of interest without going through the formal steps of creating a new member network. 

Updated activity planning templates were launched for the 2024 activity planning process. The new templates have been developed to make it much easier for members to understand their income and expenditure and make a clear connection between their plan and monthly/quarterly financial reports.

Networks have also been encouraged to re-plan throughout the year. This means they are no longer restricted to only deliver activities that were planned in the previous year and can now react to emerging trends.

Feedback has been positive with committees seeing a clear link between their activity planning and regular financial reports, allowing for more conversations on how to maximise outputs.

Networks now have more flexibility when planning events and are no longer restricted to the same supplier.

This can be illustrated by the Division of Counselling Psychology Conference in 2024. The event management costs for this event were significantly less than their 2023 event; however, the level of event management support they received was increased.

They received a 70% increase in submissions due to simplified submission processes and more marketing. This meant they did not need to contribute as much of their annual budget to the event, instead being able to allocate that to other activities.

Feedback from conference leads who have been using our new suppliers and associated processes have all commented on the increased level of support they have had and how they are able to spend more of their time focusing on the psychological content, rather than the event coordination.

Accurate monthly financial reports are now sent to all committee members, ensuring they have a clear understanding of their income and expenditure, and can re-plan, if necessary. They also receive a quarterly report providing more detailed information, such as what their financial position is in comparison to their budget. The report highlights any underspend that can be used if replanning is needed, supporting committees with maximising their output.

Feedback has been incredibly positive,e with committees commenting on how much easier it is to understand the information and appreciating the regularity of receiving the information. Further suggestions for improvements have centred around monthly detailed reports, which will be taken forward as part of the 2025 activity planning process.

The existing reports have been updated to ensure accuracy, and networks now receive at least two reports a year that detail membership numbers by society and member network grade, location of members, and email opt-in numbers for members receiving newsletters.

Feedback has been positive, and the reports have been generating conversations within committees about how to reach more members through their activity.

This information will be further expanded when the Impact work has been completed.

The Member Board has been established as the oversight body for the member networks, providing clarity on governance responsibilities.

'Volunteer Resources' has launched and is publicly available on the BPS website. Additional content will be added in the coming months and kept up to date by the Member Networks Team.

The initial launch has covered "how to book travel" and "how to claim expenses" and members have commented on how much easier it is to download an expense form without the need to request one from a staff member.

This workstream remains in progress and is now overseen by the Member Board. Networks now have improved access to collaborate and share documentation within the committee. This approach will be structured and formalised in the coming months. Additional solutions are being assessed to determine if they will also be of benefit.

Networks participating have commented on how useful a central document storage space is, especially with the turnover of volunteer committee members.

Member Network committees can now communicate with more of their members, as the BPS legal basis for opting in and out of member network emails has changed from 'Consent' to 'Contract.' On the date of the change, we increased the number of members receiving communications from their member network by 20%.

This has resulted in an increase in open rates across all networks, but the level of increase does vary. As an example, there has been a 3% increase in open rates for DCP newsletters. Committees also have more information about blending their communication strategies, and further guidance will be developed as part of a future phase of the Volunteer Resources updates.

Online communities have been established as part of this workstream, which are providing members with more opportunities to network, communicate and collaborate.

This workstream remains in progress and is now overseen by the Member Board.

The Impact work will provide each network with an understanding of how members value their activities and the impact it has. A framework has been developed and tested to ensure it meets the needs of different types of networks. 

The first Impact Report will launch in May 2025. It will recognise and celebrate the achievements of networks by showcasing their impact in relation to each of the BPS strategic goals. 

This workstream was removed from the project to ensure it could be aligned with work on the main BPS fee structure, which will take place in 2025.