IMCoS Annual Chairman’s Report for 2023
Please note that the report is entirely about 2023, although I am happy to comment on 2024 during AOB at the end.
Financially, the year resulted in a modest surplus, as we did the year before. Thanks are due to our Treasurer, Cinzia Viviani for her contribution to this position. You will hear a more detailed report from Cinzia in a few moments. The Society does not seek to be a profit-making business style organisation, but it does not like making a loss in a year either!
Membership was stable over the year, but again declined slightly, by 7 persons, the same as 2022, by the way. Age is the only significant reason for this. I will refer further to patterns when I share on behalf of our Membership Secretary, who unfortunately cannot be with us today.
In terms of member engagement, the year was excellent, reflected in the aggregate turnout at the various events I will now outline.
Show & Tell – February
Historically, IMCoS ‘Show & Tells’ were always physical and tended to be in London, sometimes elsewhere as part of a group visit. For the last 4 years, however, they have been on Zoom. 2023 saw this become a Winter fixture to help while away the darkest months!
UK Excursion to Leith, Scotland – May
This 3-day trip was unusual in that attracted several overseas members.
Malcolm Young Lecture
As you will no doubt recall, last year’s Malcolm Young Lecture on the subject of the mapping Russia was given in two parts by Dr Dennis Reinhartz, Emeritus Professor of History and The University of Texas in Arlington. Since it was on Zoom, the international footprint of attendees was significant.
London Map Fair 2023
The Fair itself was clearly in resurgence post-Covid. Our stand was busy, and with the permission of the organisers I was able to briefly share about the benefits of the Society at two of the seminars.
2023 AGM June
The AGM was significant in that a number of EXCOM members 4 year terms of service was due for review. Our President, Peter Barber, graciously agreed to serve another term. There were 4 other renewals or new appointments of Officers. At that meeting, Peter Walker, our Membership Secretary and web master indicated that although he was happy to start a new term of office, he would prefer not to see it out. Matters are well in hand for a new Membership Secretary, and an announcement regarding this will be made soon. Other than that role, the current team is now well-established.
International Symposium, Helsinki, August.
Helsinki was a blast! Not only did my wife and I greatly enjoy it, clearly everyone else did too. Wes Brown was a superb impresario, Antti Jakobsson, his team and the Nurminen Foundation great conductors. Each of the dozen or so speakers and collection hosts provided us with outstanding solos. Several drinks receptions were our chamber music! The event concluded with a VERY atmospheric dinner in the heart of the Suomenlinna Fortress island.
Conclusion
2023 was a great year for membership engagement, good financially and good administratively. Our Journal continues to be a ‘jewel in the crown’. Members responded well to my appeal last year for more articles. Please do continue that trend! We have not cracked the issue of gaining more, younger members – although I do feel that the refreshing of our network of International Representatives will play a part in this. Societies like our do not grown from the centre, but from the component parts, our existing members around the world introducing others to the pleasures of membership. As you return home, please give a thought to how this may be achieved where you are. My own response has been to increasingly speak to non-technical audiences on antique maps in particular. Maybe you can invite a dealer or Library to join the Society. Maybe you could introduce a younger relative. Maybe…..?
Dr Mike Sweeting
June 2024
