The Royal Society of Victoria is an independent membership organization committed to the advancement and promotion of science and technology in Victoria by its own actions and through the involvement and education of the Victorian community

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES FOR THE NEW MILLENIUM

The Royal Society is Victoria's oldest learned society. Its aim is to promote the advancement of science and technology for the good of the Victorian community.

In order to achieve its aim, the society is committed to five strategic objectives whereby it will:

·                     provide a vehicle for the informed debate of scientific and technological issues and promote an understanding of science amongst the Victorian public;

·                     promote scientific education, research and application;

·                     recognise and encourage excellence in science and technology;

·                     provide independent advice on science and technology policy and on scientific matters generally, especially to the Government of Victoria; and

·                     represent and support the scientific and technological communities.

These objectives present the Society with the challenge of substantially increasing its service to science and to the Victorian community.  To this end, the society will:

·                     expand its lecture, seminar and publications programs giving a special place to issues of current interest;

·                     take an active position on scientific issues and make its views on those issues known to the wider Victorian community;

·                     maintain the high reputation of its 'Proceedings' as a scientific journal;

·                     support its Members and the larger scientific community on issues such as government policy on science and technology, science education and the training and professional status of scientists; and

·                     provide its Members with facilities in the Royal Society Hall which will encourage their professional and social interaction.

Membership

Membership of the Society is open to all who support its mission statement. No formal scientific qualifications are required.

The number of Members will be increased with particular encouragement to join being given to active scientists and technologists; senior members of business, industry and government; teachers and postgraduate students. Corporate membership is encouraged.

Recognition of Excellence

The recognition of excellence in science and technology in Victoria is an essential function of the Society.

Such excellence will be fostered and encouraged by inviting eminent scientists , scientific communicators and science educationalists to participate in all its activities; by developing scholarships and awards which recognise the work of young scientists and by giving a higher profile to the Society's Research Medal and to its winners.

Public Understanding of Science

The promotion of a better understanding, in the Victorian community, of the methods, content and implications of science and technology will remain a basic role of the Society.

This will be achieved by its open public lecture and seminar program, by issuing to the media considered statements on current topics of scientific interest and importance and by encouraging debate on these issues. The Society will work closely with the media in carrying out this role.

Scientific Advice

The society will draw on the knowledge and expertise of its Members and its ability to direct studies  on specific topics in order to provide independent expert advice to government, industry and community, particularly on issues in science and technology which will be of future importance to the Victorian community.

Support for Research

Since its foundation, the Society has played an important role in supporting research in Australia. Significant activities have included the Burke and Wills expeditions, exploration in the Antarctic, the establishment of the Museum of Victoria and, more recently, the Victorian Institute for Marine Science (VIMS). The publication of its scientific journal since 1855 and the maintenance of its Library which includes a unique collection of scientific journals from throughout the world are critical for the advancement of natural sciences within Victoria.

The Society will seek to identify areas of research which are important to the Victorian community and, through appeal to industry, commerce and government, raise the funds needed to support work on specific projects or to endow Fellowships in a specific field tenable in appropriate Victorian institutions. The concept may then be extended to cover conference attendance, overseas travel or overseas Fellowships.

Publications

The reputation of the Royal Society's "Proceedings" as an international scientific journal will be maintained whilst the range of the Society's publications will be broadened in line with their relevance and interest to all its Members and the broader interests of the Victorian community.

The Society will increase its occasional papers and utilise its 'Transactions' to cover material presented at its symposia and workshops, discussion papers to stimulate informed debate on significant current topics, reference works on aspects of the natural history of the State which are of wide general interest, scientific material which would not otherwise be published and scientific material for use in schools.

Library

The Society Library, including in particular the unique collection on the natural history and resources of Victoria, will be preserved, developed and managed in a manner consistent with its place in the Victorian library network and the available resources to ensure that it is accessible to Members and to the interested public.

Royal Society Hall

The Hall and Caretaker's Cottage are assets which are of historic significance to the Society and to Victoria.

Priority will be given to restoring them to a standard befitting Victoria’s leading learned society and providing facilities which will encourage the advancement of science and technology and the professional and social interaction of its Members.

Management, Finance and Administration

The direction of the affairs of the Society and much of their administration have, in the past, been carried out by members of Council on a voluntary basis.

With the planned increase in activity, the Council and its Committees will concentrate on policy making and planning. The implementation of policy will, increasingly, tend to be the role of paid professional staff.

The planned increase in activities cannot be financed from the Society's traditional sources of income (Members' subscriptions and income from investments).  Additional activities beyond the general service to Members will only be undertaken when they can be made financially self-supporting through fee-for-service charges.  The generation of income and capital through donations, grants, bequests, sponsorships and other sources will become a continuing Society activity.

The administrative base of the Society has been strengthened by the appointment of full-time and part-time staff and as activities expand, additional staff will be appointed to manage the lecture, seminar and publishing programs, carry out fund raising activities and provide service to Members.

Implementation and Review

These objectives will provide the basis for an annual plan for the Society's activities and will be reviewed every five years (or more frequently as required).

July 2001