Future Strategy

In preparation for our special year in 2006 the Society developed a strategy in 2002 to meet the needs of the Society in the future and which is given below. Much of what was proposed has now taken place, for example in the area of the Society’s regular publications but there is no room for complacency. The strategy is constantly under review and a further statement will be made later in the year.

Towards the next Fifty Years - a strategy for the Society

The year 2006 will see the fiftieth anniversary of the refounding of the Society. This in itself is an event to celebrate, and of course, when the time comes, we will. The Society has achieved a great deal since the refounding - much more, probably, than could have been imagined at that time - but we live in a rapidly changing world, not least because of the on-going revolution in information technology which permeates so many aspects of our life today. The Society must move on. It cannot be sheltered from these changes. Let us use the forthcoming fiftieth anniversary as a focus.

During, and since, the recent process of electing a new chairman, there has been much debate about the future direction of the Society, but up until now that debate has not included the wider membership. The time has now come when all can have their say, and we want to ensure that everyone¹s voice is heard.

With the help of a number of people, the Committee has drawn up a strategy which will enable us to review all aspects of how the Society operates. Put simply, it is about consolidating and improving the things we do well, while looking for new ways to do those that aren't working as they should.

Its important to bear in mind that we undertake this review by choice, from a position of strength, not one of weakness, so there isn't going to be change for the sake of change. There are many aspects of the Society that are very good and these must be maintained. Such areas include the Richard III and Yorkist History Trust, which has done much to see new research enter the public domain, together with our research projects, such as the Wills, which will be an invaluable resource for the future; the quality of the Ricardian and the recognition it has achieved, especially in the academic world; the website, which has received much praise; and the new brochure, with which we hope to attract new members.

Our mission as a Society is stated clearly in every issue of The Ricardian: ‘To promote in every possible way research into the life and times of Richard III, and to secure a re-assessment of the material relating to this period, and the role in English history of this monarch.’

What, then, is our vision of how the Society should be if it is to achieve this? The Society must be proactive, inclusive and efficient, at the same time being seen as a reputable and objective source of information and opinion on Richard III. After all, when it comes down to it, that is what we are about, it is his reputation that we seek to enhance. I am confident that with your help, the new strategy will enable us to continue to be relevant and central to the on-going debate about the life and character of King Richard.

I'd like now to say a little more about some of the specific areas we will be looking at during the review. This list is not exclusive. If you can think of other matters, please let us know. Likewise, if you have expertise than we can use, let us know.

a) The Constitution: as is obvious to anyone who has tried to read it, the present Constitution is rather long and indigestible. It needs to be simplified and, in places, updated. We already have a working party looking into this, but we could use a legal adviser. Is there anyone out there with training in constitutional law?

b) Recruitment and retention: how do we get new members and how do we keep them? How do we get younger members? Its obvious really. By being a vibrant exciting society and that is what we mean to achieve with this new strategy. By building on the good points, which are many, and developing the others, this society, which is already good, can become a great society.

c) Education: this follows on from the last, the development and encouragement of a younger membership. We already get requests from schools to provide speakers, but we need to do more. We must raise the profile of the Society. The old Jackdaw folder was a marvellous visual aid. We are working on the production of a replacement. What about a junior section on the web site? We know there are many teachers amongst the membership. Come and give us your ideas. If you have the time to spare to join the Education working party, so much the better. We need to research into the national curriculum and how it works around the country. Then we can see how Richard and the Wars of the Roses can be fitted in.

d) Media: like education, this also follows from the need to raise the profile of the Society and to recruit new members. We cannot prevent television producers from putting out traditional rubbish if that is their will, but perhaps we can use some influence to persuade them, or others, to put forward a more rational view instead. How can we use the various media - print, television, radio, etc - to promote the Society? For the launch of the Festschrift next spring, we will invite the press and we will issue a press release, but how else can we make sure that whenever an opinion is sought, it is the Society that is asked first? A media working party has been set up and if you have the expertise and if you have the ideas, let us know.

e) Publications: we know that 70% of members neither belong to branches nor take part in Society activities, so that their only contact with the Society is paying their subscription and receiving the publications. We must make sure, therefore, that our journals are high quality and good value and it is here that we are first likely to see some of the biggest changes. As you know, there will not be a Ricardian next year. You will all receive a copy of the Festschrift for Anne Sutton in the spring. The next time The Ricardian will be published will be in 2004, when it will become an annual publication. There are plans for a change in the Bulletin, too. Unlike The Ricardian, it will still be published quarterly, but it is proposed that we change the format and, at the same time, expand it. As well as the usual diary items and reports, we are planning a larger content of articles, items that aren't for The Ricardian, which is for original research, but which nonetheless deserve a wide readership. Again, there will be a working party to sort out how we go about making these changes and we would love to talk to anyone who has expertise in desktop publishing.

f) Members Liaison: As I have said, the majority of members are not very active in the Society, but we want to see greater involvement of as many as possible. We know there are members who feel they have nothing to offer but who, in reality, could be doing all sorts of things - research, writing, advising and so on. We will appoint a liaison officer on the Committee. We want to know what we can do for members and what members can do for the Society, and how we can involve distant (ie overseas) members more in the Society? Give us your thoughts

g) Awards: we will institute 'The Robert Hamblin Service Award'. Members will be able to submit their nominations of people who they feel have done something which has been of value to the Society and which deserves recognition. We're not sure what the award will be, but most importantly, service to the Society will be recognised.

h) The AGM: we can no longer use the old London venue. Last year, we had a very successful meeting in York. Combining the two, we plan that we should move the meeting around the country on a one in three basis, ie two years in London and the next in Bristol, or York, or wherever. The other change we would like to introduce, beginning next year, is an annual report published in the September Bulletin. It will mean altering the Society's year. Whilst the AGM will still be held as close to the 2nd October as possible, the year, for reporting purposes, will follow the financial year, dating from the 1st April to 31st March.

i) 2006: what are we going to do to actually celebrate the fiftieth anniversary? Well, to start with, we would like to hold a dinner, rather like that held in 1983 in the Library at the Guildhall. Indeed, we are already writing to the Guildhall and the House of Lords to open negotiations. However, there is room for more than just a dinner. What else should we do? As they say, 'Answers on a postcard', please!

These are some of the areas on which we are currently working. Our Society has to evolve to meet new challenges and a key element of our strategic review is the involvement of our worldwide membership. We are inviting you all to contribute to the debate.

Finally, we know that Richard III was an innovative and effective administrator, indeed a recent writer observed the following;- "To an extent that is wholly exceptional amongst his contemporaries. Richard shaped his own estate and his own career. Richard is unique in this period for taking a strategic view and for developing and implementing a plan. It makes him strangely modern."

The Society that bears his name should follow his example, and our new strategy does just that. The Richard III Society - it's your Society, it's our Society, let's all work together to ensure that our success continues for another 50 years and beyond.

Dr. Phil Stone ,Chairman Richard III Society
28th September, 2002