CILIP Big Day 2012 - Celebration of Achievements and Close of the Day

Celebration of Achievements

This was a joint operation in hosting terms between Annie, Kath Owen (Chair of Qualifications Board) and Phil.

The work of the Qualifications Board was introduced. They assess around 300 portfolio’s annually between all the CILIP qualifications, speak at events, do training, mentor. 

The new PKSB (Professional Knowledge and Skills Base) was discussed (leaflet on in all members September CILIP Update).

This year an invitation to the Big Day had gone out to all recent successful Chartership, Certification and Fellowship candidates at the event planning stage. Candidates for qualifications put together portfolios, reflected on experience, improved performance against rigorous criteria to be the best they could be providing the best service.  Since last year 148 people had Chartered, 77 done ACLIP, 4 Fellowship, 15 Revalidation.

Annie introduced a new short film entitled CILIP Qualifications: Celebrating Success that talked about the value and worth of undertaking CILIP qualifications.

All the recent new MCLIPs and ACLIPs present were then invited to go up and receive their Certificates and be congratulated.  Emma did a short speech on behalf of them talking about the amount of work, and how it put them in good stead to develop as professionals. She talked about the importance of taking opportunities that come up, to be brave and challenge yourself. Thanks were given to mentors, Twitter support etc. Emma has blogged her #NLD12 thoughts since.

Kath then talked about the Fellowship process and the criteria for successfully gaining this including substantial contribution to the profession, commitment to CPD. She emphasised it was not for the great and the good pre-retirement after they’d written lots of books. It was recognition of what individuals had done and achieved, of commitment and contribution.

Citations were then read out of what each new Fellow had done individually to merit Fellowship and those present came up to receive their Certificates.

Next there was the award of Honorary Fellowships. Honorary Fellowships were not applied for by the individual themselves but were a way for CILIP to honour distinguished members of the profession and people who had done significant advocacy work.  Citations were read out for each and those present came up to receive their Certificates and do a short speech of acceptance. [This year’s Hon FCLIPs are listed in September CILIP Update with short citations].

Last Award of the day was a new award, the CILIP Mentor of the Year Award sponsored by Biddy Fisher. Kath talked through the role of mentors and other unofficial networking support and the huge role this played. The winner was Jill Young, as nominated by Bethan Ruddock. A short citation was read out.

Close of the Day

This being the end of formal business for CILIP Big Day 2012 John Dolan as Leader of CILIP Council made closing remarks and gave thanks to all the people who had helped to make the day such a success including the core organisational team from CILIP, members of CILIP North East Branch, Newcastle City Libraries and the staff of Newcastle City Library, and many more.

Everyone then dispersed towards drinks upstairs, tours of Newcastle City Library that had been arranged, transport home, or the pub!