2025 AGM REPORT
My report covers the Society’s activities in 2025.
IMCoS met its commitment to its membership with the timely delivery of the quarterly journal, a Show & Tell event In February, a UK regional visit which was hosted by the Library of the Royal Geographical Society in April, the annual Malcolm Lecture in May. It was delivered by Rodney Kite Powell, Director of the Touchton Map Library at the Tampa Bay History Center who spoke on ‘Hernán Cortés Map of the Gulf of Mexico; the Society was present at the London Map Fair in June; and rounding off our calendar of events was the 42nd International Symposium in Portland, Maine in September. It was hosted by the Osher Map Library and the Smith Centre for Cartographic Education, The IMCoS/Helen Wallis award was made in Portland to Professor Matthew Edney, who conveniently is the head of Cartographic Studies at the Osher Map Library. The occasion also allowed us to recognise in person the 2024 winner, Mary Pedley who you may remember received the award virtually, via Zoom, during the farewell dinner of the 41st international Symposium hosted by the Malta Map Society.
All the events were well organised and well attended.
FINANCE
The Society’s financial position is stable but has been adversely affected by the loss of advertisers during 2025. Lower membership numbers and rising general costs, which affect all aspects of the Society’s activities have contributed to a less favourable outlook. In anticipation of a loss of circa £3000 it was proposed that membership subscriptions be increased to £70 for the year, £195 for 3 years and £35 for Junior/ Student members. These figures were approved at the AGM in June.
Our position was significantly strengthened by the successful sale of the Society’s restored 1782 English Pilot, Book 5 by John Seller, published by Mount and Page. The Treasurer At the Executive Committee meeting in December 2025 the Treasurer was able to report a surplus of £14,256, derived primarily from the sale of this atlas of charts. It had been gifted to the Society by Chris Tyrrell, placed with the Camberwell School of Art for conservation and forgotten about for ten or more years. For anyone interested in it, please see the article in the September 2018 issue of the journal which presents a detailed census of known and several newly discovered exemplars of the Pilot.
Cinzia our Treasurer will explain greater detail the Society’s financial position in 2025 and how it is affecting 2026.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
2025 saw significant changes in the composition of the Committee. Mike Sweeting stood down suddenly in November due to ill health. I stepped in as Interim Chair indicating that I would only serve until the June AGM and in that time undertook to identify my replacement. I am very pleased to report that this person is seated beside me and that, later in the proceedings, I will ask you to approve his appointment. Other appointments have been made which I will describe under Item 7 on the Agenda.
You may have noticed in the journal that, throughout 2024 and the first half of 2025 we placed a prominent advertisement seeking for a replacement for Peter Walker who served the Society as the Financial and Membership Administrator for more than a decade. On behalf of the Society. I would like to record our sincere thanks to thank for his work, which he always undertook with accuracy, reliability and efficiently. He generously remained with us for two years beyond his planned departure date.
When the advertisement failed to attract a suitable candidate, it was decided to divide the role. Committee member, Christine Rafalko applied for the post and was appointed as the Membership Secretary in the summer of 2025. The bookkeeping element of the role was temporarily filled, but the appointee proved unsuitable, and the search continued. The situation was finally resolved early this year.
CONSTITUTION
In December 2025 an Ad Hoc Governance Committee was set up to review IMCoS governance, administrative practices and foundation documents with the goal of streamlining and simplifying the Society’s management. The first item scrutinised was the Constitution. Jenny Harvey who led the review of the Constitution will summarise the key points that are recommended for change, later in the proceedings and will call on your vote to accept the changes. Copies of the revised constitution are available to read.
WEBSITE
The IMCoS website has served the Society for ten years. Peter and I established it with an IT studio located conveniently close to us which enabled regular face‑to‑face meetings. Peter monitored its functionality, and with occasional modest updates kept it going. Following his departure and without his expertise to address the issues that inevitably arise with an ageing site, problems have begun to emerge, particularly in relation to the strategically important area of membership renewal. Throughout 2025 we made do but going forward we anticipate a comprehensive overhaul of the website. How we proceed is currently being considered.
MEMBERSHIP
In his Report for 2024, Mike Sweeting wrote: “Last year, I pointed out that our membership was very slowly declining – by 7 persons in 2022, by a further 7 in 2023. In 2024, it was by 9”. The trend did not improve. Membership for 2025 fluctuated between 343 at its lowest and 398 at best. Nevertheless, I remain confident that the Society can, in time, reverse the decline by increasing its visibility and with the entry of several new hearts and minds onto the Committee.
And with my best wishes for hours of happy map hunting, I conclude my report for 2025.
Ljiljana Ortolja-Baird (Chair)
