BESA Science Special Interest Group (BSciSIG)

Terms of Reference

a. Members of the Group must be full or associate members of BESA and suppliers of products for teaching and learning in science, with a particular focus on encouraging: that education properly prepares young people with practical as well as theoretical skills for employability in science-relevant jobs.

b. The Group is known as the ‘BESA Science Special Interest Group’ (BSciSIG).

c. As agreed by the founding members of BSciSIG, any member of BESA may make a written application to the BESA secretariat to join the Group and such applications will be presented to the Group via e-mail.

d. Applicants that can demonstrate to the Group, by justifying their area of expertise within science, that they fit the description defined in paragraph a), shall be admitted to membership of the Group. Members will have two weeks to comment on submissions and no comment means an application is approved. If the Secretariat receives any objections the application will be referred to the next meeting.

e. Member companies need to attend a minimum of one meeting per year. If the minimum requirement is not met, the company may be asked to leave the Group and will have to reapply for membership

f. The Group is entitled to call meetings which will be serviced by the BESA secretariat. Any abnormal costs may have to be charged.

g. In the event of the Group deciding to undertake a course of action leading to or becoming liable to any costs or expenditure over and above the provision expressed in paragraph d) then such expenditure shall be borne by members of the Group.

h. In the event of the Group wishing BESA to undertake a course of action on its behalf such proposed action shall first be approved by the Executive Council.

i. The Chairman of the Group (or a representative nominated by the Group from amongst its members) will be co-opted to membership of the Executive Council of BESA. The Chairman of BESA is, ex officio, a member of the Group and is entitled to attend its meetings.

j. A Chair and Vice-Chair shall be elected each year at the Group’s first meeting following the BESA Annual General Meeting. The Chair and Vice-Chair shall serve for one year, subject to re-election for a second year, two years being the maximum period of continuous service in one office. The Chair and Vice-Chair shall be from separate member companies.

k. Based on one vote per member company, decisions taken at a Group meeting will be a simple majority with the Chair having a casting vote.