They save money, so RSPB annual meetings are 'here to stay' says new chairman of the board

                                                       

Sir Andrew Cahn: Feedback to online meetings has been 'overwhelmingly positive' 

THE RSPB has ruled out a return to in-person AGMs.

Since Covid, the society held its annual meetings online, encouraging more viewer-participation but depriving members of the chance to meet and/or to chat to staff.

Unlike other organisations such as the National Trust - it has also opted not to make the event hybrid - in other words, both in-person and online.

Says its newly-appointed chairman Sir Andrew Cahn: "By the time the pandemic hit, numbers attending the in-person AGMs had declined.

"The lockdown restrictions gave us a chance to try a different model of event. 

"I appreciate it’s not everyone’s cup of tea but the feedback we have had from the majority of attending members (an increase on the numbers that attended the in-person event) has been overwhelmingly positive.

"And it’s also saving us money. 

"Could it be improved? Absolutely, and we will continue to evolve the format. 

"For example, I think that we could probably do more to use it to highlight our conservation successes and challenges.

"Furthermore, the Q&A section with board members could be longer and more in depth, but the online version is here to stay."

* Sir Andrew's  comments have come in response to an open letter posted on his blog by former RSPB conservation director Dr Mark Avery.