Business, Professions & Government Division
About Us | News/Reports | Events | Management Committee
About us
The strength of the Business, Professions and Government Division (BPG) lies in its diversity, which in itself represents a strategic challenge to the committee behind it!
The members of the Division may use their languages as a primary or secondary function, regularly or intermittently, with specialised or general terminology, but largely in support of, or complementary to, another discipline within the sphere of commerce and industry.
For instance, the current divisional management committee includes a marine biologist, a business development manager for a steel company, translators and small business advisors – but none of the committee could perform these functions with the same degree of professionalism without the language skills which give them the ‘edge’.
Mission statements may now be considered ‘old hat’, but the BPG Division considers its objectives to be the following:
To provide networking opportunities for its members supported by informative and stimulating events.
To promote the value of language skills and to enhance the respect accorded to linguists within the context of industry and commerce.
To create and maintain awareness within the industrial/commercial world of the benefits of cross-cultural communication.
One of our new initiatives is to welcome and inform new divisional members, and to seek their views about events or information which would benefit them.
This is done by means of a welcome pack and questionnaire, to be followed up by a programme of ‘regional socials’ for new and existing divisional members to provide a networking platform in a pleasant and sociable atmosphere.
A recent survey of new divisional members indicated that the main motivation for joining the division was ‘business/industry-related events’, followed by ‘networking with colleagues’ and ‘language-related events’. The majority of new members who responded worked in the areas designated ‘industry / services sector: support role’ and ‘translation / interpreting’, which for the majority of Business, Professions and Government Division members represents part of their varied duties to a greater or lesser extent. English was listed as the most frequently used language at work, followed by German, French – no surprises there – but then a little further down the list came Chinese, Russian and more specifically Cantonese and Mandarin.
We welcome new ideas and will do our utmost to fulfil them within the constraints of our budget and human resources – why not let us know what you would like to see on the agenda?
The committee details can be found on the website – we would like nothing more than to hear from you.
Judith Ridgway
News/Reports
Download your copy of the BPG Division's newsletter "The Network":
September 2006 copy
- The Network (PDF, 300kb)
- Registration Form (PDF, 350kb)
Events
Regular Meetings
You are invited to join us at our regular social evenings on the 1st Thursday of every alternate month. The purpose of these evenings, as well as being social, is to provide networking opportunities and find areas of common intrerest. Members from all groups and all parts of the country are very welcome.
Please go to the Events Calendar to check for other events organised by the Business, Professions and Government Division or contact Judith Ridgway or call her on +44 (0)121 3606152 for information about the Division's events.
AGM, Lunch and Guided Walk
Saturday 10 July 2010, London
10.30 for 11.00 a.m
Please join us on Saturday 10 July 2010 at 10.30 for 11 am at:
HMS PRESIDENT
72 Katherine’s Way
London E1W 1UQ
for our Annual General Meeting which will include the following features:
followed by a guided walk led by London Walks
Only divisional members can vote at the AGM, but guests are welcome to attend and take part in the lunch and the walk. The cost of the event, meal and other refreshments is £30.00 per person.
Please click here to complete the booking slip and return it with your payment by 2 July 2010 to:
Julie Hobbs at the Chartered Institute of Linguists, Saxon House, 48 Southwark Street, London SE1 1UN.
Tel: 020 7940 3144
A Rare Opportunity to Visit Lambeth Palace
THURSDAY 7 OCTOBER 2010 @ 2pm
Lambeth Palace one of the most recognisable sights on the bank of the River Thames, the Palace has been the home of the Archbishop of Canterbury since 1200AD. The Palace was originally closer to the waterfront and the Archbishops came and went using the archiepiscopal barge. Many believe that the word Lambeth originates from the word loamhithe meaning ‘muddy bank’.
Access to the palace is gained through the Tudor brick gatehouse built by Cardinal Morton in 1495. The Fig trees in the garden are thought to have descended from those planted by Cardinal Pole, the last of the Catholic Archbishops, in the sixteenth century. Past the Fig Trees lies the Great Hall which fell into disrepair under Oliver Cromwell and was rebuilt by Archbishop Juxon. The Chapel and Crypt were built in the thirteenth century- the chapel was damaged during the war, but has now been fully restored. Lollards Tower was originally a water-tower but is best known as the prison of Wycliffe’s supporters. Wycliffe stood trial for heresy in the Chapel in 1378.
If you would like to join us, please book by clicking here to download a booking form.
Please reply by 31st August 2010 to Julie Hobbs, Chartered Institute of Linguists,
*Numbers are limited, so please book early.*
If you wish to attend similar events, please contact Stephen Eden for information on upcoming events.
The division also offers an e-group facility, which provides the opportunity to raise queries and contribute to topics for discussion. Further details are available from Paul Shipman.
Management Committee
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