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Secretary for the South regional committee, Heather Papworth © Heather Papworth
Regional committees are an excellent way to get involved with the Society. At their events across the country you can meet like-minded people, encounter the unexpected on field trips, and engage in lively discussions.
Why not attend one of our regional events to get started? The spring programme includes talks on varied topics such as water security in Ethiopia, mountain biking in North America, women’s resistance to large scale gold mining in Latin America, volcanoes and human history, and some of the emerging technologies for carbon dioxide removal. Whether you’re a young academic, seasoned travel enthusiast, or retired professional, there are plenty of interesting events – and plenty of fascinating people to meet!
Our regional committees sit at the heart of a growing community of geographers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. They organise and publicise public events, building local connections by promoting geography. Committees are always on the lookout for new volunteers, and have a variety of roles available. Heather Papworth, the Secretary for the South regional committee, has been a committee member since 2017.
“I got involved with the South committee after attending a Society lecture in Southampton, where I was enthusiastically encouraged to become a committee member,” says Heather. “I realised I had the opportunity to get involved in organising events, either by helping my fellow committee members or by drawing upon my own interests and contacts, to create a varied programme reflecting the diversity of geography.”
Heather’s sense of achievement is mirrored in many other committee members. These roles provide so many opportunities to meet new and interesting people, to promote geography in your local area, and to spread your passion to the wider community.
Committees are often praised for their flexibility, with roles that reflect an individual’s personal reasons for getting involved. All committees have a Chair, while other roles span finance, marketing, event planning and more. You can help out as much, or as little, as you can – there are no minimum requirements. So, whether you want to chart pioneering field trips, promote discussions on academic topics, or share experiences and local knowledge, there’s a committee position for you.
As Heather points out, “I have enjoyed meeting new people across the regional committees and at events, as well as practising my minute-taking and organisational skills!”
To get started, you can email your local Chair or drop in to an event. We look forward to seeing you!