Re: Software patents meeting

[markelkins]

		  Peter

I was speaking to another SG yesterday about funding and they understand that SG's do not get funding on the same basis as the Branches. The upshot of this is that an SG may be given startup funding, but will not then receive funding for running costs, meetings etc on a yearly basis. Infact the other SG tells me that only around 6 SG's get funding from central BCS funds each year. The rest have to find their own funds. 

However I am told that any SG can apply for special funding for particular events. The proposed workshop event would fall into this, but I am not sure paying for someone to come from abroad to speak would. Clearly it would be better to coincide any event around the dates when it is known that the speaker will be for example in London for other reasons.

In view of the information I have been given it might be worth verifying the position regarding SG funding with BCS HQ. Maybe contact John Stephens about this. 

Mark