By Julian Bickersteth

The IIC Council met for two days prior to the Turin Congress at the offices of the IIC Italian group in Turin, IGIIC.

Members of the Congress local organising committee from IGIIC joined for part of the meeting as did IIC's News in Conservation editor, Sharra Grow and ICCROM's Catherine Antomarchi. Apart from considering and endorsing 9 new Fellows to go to the membership for approval, Council used much of the time to consider the strategic direction of the Institute, responding to the new IIC Strategic Plan 2018-2021. This had been prepared and was presented by the Executive Director Sarah Stannage.

Discussion particularly focused on considering how the benefits of membership of IIC can be further enhanced, and also how IIC can continue to expand its professional development work. With membership, the offer of discounted membership fees for countries in certain economic bands has been enthusiastically taken up, and in addition full membership retention rates are running at 97%. Professional development opportunities for members are a core focus for Council, building on the success of the Emerging Conservators meetings (the next one planned for Cologne in September 2019) and the IIC-ITCC training school at the Palace Museum, Beijing. The three courses already run have been attended by 91 participants from 30 countries with the fourth on 'Scientific Approaches to Paper and Photograph Conservation' in October 2018. Council considered various ways by which further professional development opportunities can be provided, one of which, mentoring, was due to be announced during the Congress.

Council next meets in London over the AGM on 28th & 29th January, 2019.

Julian Bickersteth
IIC Director of Communications