Most of LARIA's output is generated through the work of a series of Activity Groups. All members of LARIA (both full and associate) are eligible to join one or more of the Activity Groups (with the exception of the Policy and Administration Activity Group, which has a restricted membership) and are encouraged to do so. Any member wishing to join an Activity Group should, in the first instance, get in touch with the relevant Activity Group Chair to discuss their potential contribution. Activity Groups typically meet three or four times a year, although increasingly e-mails are being used to minimise the need for travel. For information on the different Activity Groups and a list of contact details, click on the links below.

LARIA Member Development Group
Events
Marketing & Promotion
Newsletter
Policy and Administration
LARIA In Scotland
ALGIS in LARIA

LARIA MEMBER DEVELOPMENT GROUP (Chair: Mike Walker - Mike.Walker@css.lancscc.gov.uk)

The Member Development Activity Group aims to develop, support and promote continual professional development for local researchers in the public sector. The role of the group is to:

• search for and review existing best practice guides, and promote and publicise to researchers;
• identify the need for new best practice guides;
• inform local researchers in the public sector of opportunities in education and training;
• run an ‘excellence in research‘ award scheme;
• provide research support to members through provision of an ‘expert list’;
• identify, monitor and support the education and training needs of members and develop appropriate training;
• support and assist the development of competencies for local researchers in the public sector; and
• represent LARIA where appropriate on education and training matters.

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EVENTS (Chair: Gerallt Evans-Hughes - gevanshughes@btinternet.com)

The Events Activity Group's purpose is to arrange and co-ordinate conferences and seminars. In particular it supports the Events Organiser in fulfilling his role by:

• Identifying and agreeing topics or issues for events;
• Suggesting suitable venues for events, including the annual conference;
• Identifying themes for the annual conference;
• Assisting with programme planning;
• Co-ordinating one-off events with other activities by LARIA and its partners;
• Suggesting names or contacts for presenters and speakers;
• Assisting with event management on the day;
• Evaluating feedback from events.

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MARKETING AND PROMOTION ACTIVITY GROUP (Chair: Tony Todd - ttodd@wdh.co.uk)

The Marketing and Promotion Activity Group's purpose is to achieve influence for LARIA by helping to raise its profile and developing a network of external contacts. It aims to:

• Develop relationships with the media and help make LARIA more media friendly;
• Seek ways of providing the media with news items;
• Foster links at executive level with a key list of other organisations and bodies;
• Ensure the availability of appropriate promotional material;
• Develop lists of contacts;
• Manage the LARIA website;
• Facilitate the widening of LARIA membership.

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NEWSLETTER GROUP (Chair: Joy Thompson - joy@neweastmanchester.com)

The role of the Newsletter Activity Group is to:

• Organise the production and circulation of LariaNews three times a year;
• Organise the publishing of LARIA documents;
• In collaboration with other activity groups to raise awareness of LARIA and to promote its activities.

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ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY (Chair: Andy Davis - andydavis@warwickshire.gov.uk)

The Policy and Administration Activity Group oversees the administrative and support arrangements for the running of LARIA. When necessary, it acts as an executive body on behalf of the full Council. It aims to:

• Oversee the smooth running of the working of LARIA, including the organisation of the AGM and Council meetings;
• Oversee any arrangements for paid assistance with the work of LARIA Council and the various Activity Groups;
• Maintain the relationship with the Registrar of Friendly Societies;
• Ensure appropriate provision of financial statements and plans;
• Organise responses to consultation requests received by LARIA from central government or other external bodies;
• Develop a regional dimension to LARIA’s work as appropriate; and
• Provide advice and support to the Chair as required.

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LARIA IN SCOTLAND (Chair: Paul Davison- davisonp@stirling.gov.uk)

The role of the LARIA in Scotland Steering Group is to develop and deliver a programme of activities which promote the further development and understanding of local government R&I in Scotland and to represent the interests of LARIA's Scottish members. It aims to:

• Maintain and develop a network of practitioners throughout Scotland;
• Share knowledge and expertise among practitioners;
• Promote good practice in R&I activity;
• Raise the profile of information research throughout Scotland;
• Establish links with appropriate organisations;
• Promote the use of all forms of technology that will support these objectives;
• Organise the Scottish conference and seminars and workshops appropriate to these objectives.

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AFFILIATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SPECIALISTS AFFILIATED TO THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES RESEARCH AND INTELLIGENCE ASSOCIATION - ALGIS IN LARIA

ALGIS in LARIA is an autonomous group affiliated to LARIA. It represents the interests and concerns of information specialists within local government. The group organises events and visits, publishes a quarterly Newsletter and undertakes other activities designed to raise awareness of the potential and actual benefits of the work of information specialists within local government.

Membership is £13 per year and entitles members to attend visits and seminars and to receive the newsletter. They will also receive three issues of LariaNews per year and receive details of LARIA events and publications.

ALGIS was formed with the specific aims of raising awareness of the potential and actual benefits of the work of information specialists within local government and, to improve the effectiveness of information specialists within local government.

ALGIS needed a 'host' organisation that had aims largely in line with those that ALGIS hoped to address for a widely dispersed yet clearly defined 'community'. Fortunately, ALGIS was able to locate a willing partner that not only answered the group's immediate constitutional and administrative needs, but also offered the prospect of future development and partnership opportunities. With all the arrangements put in place in early 2003, ALGIS in LARIA hopes to augur a renaissance of interest in local government research and information issues.

ALGIS in LARIA continues to organise small-scale events for local government information practitioners but also works with LARIA in extending the range and reach of the activities that are facilitated. A commitment to working with LARIA on issues of joint concern underpins ALGIS in LARIA's forward strategy. The group wishes to encourage active participation in the development of its programme of events, publications, seminars etc.

To visit the ALGIS in LARIA website click here.

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