Fellowship Charter – joining up conversations

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Permalink Reply by Stephen Elliott-Hunter on November 19, 2009 at 10:29

Chucking in a low ball here

“A key focus for 2009/10 will be implementation of a new code of Fellowship rights, responsibilities and opportunities, in the form of a Fellows’ Charter”

So states the draft Terms of Reference for the Fellowship Council

If the RSA Fellowship Charter exhibition really represents the current thinking about a new Fellows’ Charter, then does it present a “new code of Fellowship rights, responsibilities and opportunities”?

It is of course that the RSA exists to serve society, not its Fellows, so asking 'the public' for a view seemed a good idea. The other thing is that the 'Fellowship' should represent that society, with "Members from all ranks, professions and trades".

Placing the issue into the hands of a non-RSA focus group with the following request was quite revealing.

‘Referring to the RSA website, the draft Terms of Reference and any other research that you consider necessary, please comment on the design, tone, delivery and ‘value’ of the ‘RSA Fellowship Charter’

The aim was to put the matter into an environment unconnected with the RSA, but with the ability to assess it as the ‘man on the Clapham omnibus’.

In no specific order, the following general comments were made:

Design –

Messy
Fussy
Confusing
Clever
Artistic
Overall not forward-looking
Too many oblique and non-inclusive visual references
What does it really mean?
UK-centric
No global aspect

Where is the “new code of Fellowship rights, responsibilities and opportunities”? This should be clear, like an SLA. Expectations on both sides made clear.

Do not like the ‘open’ buildings
Really interesting design, but does it work?

Tone –

Elitist
Pompous
Self-congratulatory
Well-intentioned
Exclusive

Delivery –

What does it really mean?
Bitty
No really coherent message
Does it really mean anything?
Who is it aimed at?
Misses the point
Inspire, Support and Enable are really good
Lots of information about the past but not much about the future

What about the rest of the world? The UK may the centre for the RSA, but many parts of the world have really significant issues where active Fellowship could be incredibly valuable.

Specific comments;

“Members from all ranks, professions and trades” – From what I have found out, this is not really the case. The Fellowship represents only the higher levels of society. Is this statement actually true?

“Circulation of most useful and beneficial knowledge”…..”The RSA Fellowship….works together”. Does it?

I have to say that, although I had heard of the RSA, I had no idea about it really. It looks very impressive, has excellent intentions and a huge membership. Why have I not heard more about it?

Until you spoke to me, I did not know about the RSA.

Royal Society of Arts I knew of, but not that it did lots of other things than Art. It sounds great.

My personal thoughts:

There are some really useful comments here. My personal view is that the charter is visually interesting but does not do the job. Not presenting a global view a real concern for me, as is the preponderance of an historical view when we should be so keenly looking to the future, while referencing the past. I would be happy for a visual representation, together with a more formal and 'obvious' text "code of Fellowship rights, responsibilities and opportunities"

One more for the melting pot!

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