FROM THE CHAIR

2020 will be remembered by all OMs as a life-style changer –maybe forever if recent USA research into changing consumer habits is anything to go by.

I see the trend to home working and digital meetings as an exciting opportunity for the Club to expand the range and reach of offerings to members at very little extra cost.

Physical social and networking reunions will continue. Subject to future meeting restrictions in risk areas, we have an intensive programme lined up for 2021 – see page 106. My thanks go to all event organisers for their preparatory thinking and time thus far and to John Hellinikakis for his leadership of the programme.

This year we held a virtual AGM. Julian Pollock and Gordon Mizner organised and chaired a meeting that had one of our best attendances in recent times. Secure on line pre-and during AGM voting was successfully implemented. Q & As went well. I hope we will be able to return to a physical AGM followed by our Annual Cocktail Party in 2021, but I am sure we will retain the digital attendance and voting processes so that those less able to travel can still attend.

Beyond the AGM, digital opportunities are massive –especially for the programmes undertaken by the Club’s Careers Committee and professional networking organisers. Attracting guest speakers to contribute to a one hour virtual presentation and Q & A is likely to prove much easier than to a physical meeting. We will have no room hire charges and meeting planning and organisation will be far less onerous. We experimented with this in September with a digital event aimed at helping OMs to improve their job prospects through their LinkedIn profile and settings. Sarah Goodall, CEO Tribal Impact, led this session which was well attended. Creating a programme of digital events will be a 2021 priority.

Alford House Youth Club which has been supporting the young people of Lambeth since 1884 and with the help of OMs since the 1930s continued to do so during lockdown. The two senior youth workers stayed in remote contact with some of the most vulnerable young people and as soon as it was possible the Club reopened its doors, providing a safe space for relaxation for its members. Meanwhile the Trustees’ development group continued preparation for the exciting initiative to refurbishment the Club building.

2021 will be a busy year for the Club’s relations with the Foundation. February 2022 marks the centenary of the death of Sir John McClure and the Foundation is planning to celebrate this great man’s contribution to Mill Hill. The Life Guardians Committee and McClure Award Trustees, chaired by Julian Pollock, together with John Gallagher, proposed OMC President 2021/22, will lead OM support for the Foundation’s plans. Sir John is a legend and I would encourage all OMs to be part of the celebration of his heritage in whatever way they can.

Finally, my thanks to Laura and Ann for their great work during these weird months. We chose not to furlough because we had catch ups to do on the administration side and we were very keen to publish Martlet. This edition contains important memories for the future. The Club Office has therefore been mobile – sometimes in Burton Bank, sometimes in Ann’s home and regularly at my home desk. All in all, it’s worked well.

Take care of yourselves. Take care of others.