We are consulting RSC members on proposed changes to the Chemists’ Community Fund, the RSC member's Benevolent Fund, legal Trust Deed.
From everyday challenges to exceptional circumstances, the CCF is here to support every member of the Royal Society of Chemistry and their family with financial, social, mental, physical and wellbeing support. We provide impartial information, helpful connections and support you can count on.
The changes aim to increase the charitable impact that the CCF has for the RSC community based on what the CCF is seeing in terms of need, the work of other occupational benevolent funds and for the CCF to have the biggest impact for individuals in times of need.
The Chemists’ Community Fund Committee and the Board of Trustees have discussed and agreed these proposals.
What will these changes mean for me?
For most members engaging in this consultation, there will be no change to your eligibility to access support from the CCF, due to your existing membership length. The changes will open up support to a larger cohort of people.
The RSC community has generously supported the CCF over many years. Due to the robust financial position of CCF, and the ongoing way in which these financial reserves are managed, these proposals can be made.
The proposals won’t negatively impact RSC members' ability or eligibility to access the CCF.
The changes proposed are:
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reducing the ‘normal’ qualifying length of RSC membership for support from the current three years to one year. You can find more information here.
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including RSC staff as potential beneficiaries, irrespective of them holding RSC membership. You can find more information here.
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update and modernise the Trust Deed language from a member’s ‘spouse’ to ‘partner’. You can find more information here.
Timetable
The member consultation timeline:
- In 2023 - the proposals for consultation were discussed and agreed upon by both the CCF Committee and the Board of Trustees
- 18 March - 8 May 2024 - member consultation open
- June 2024 - recommendations following the consultation period collated and presented to the CCF Committee
- July 2024 - CCF Committee recommendation presented to the Board of Trustees for approval
- Autumn 2024 - depending on outcomes we will progress to make any legal changes to the Trust Deed via the Charity Commission processes
More information and comments
Further information on these proposals, including examples of case studies of how these changes will impact the RSC Community, is available for all members to access, as well as details of the opportunity to join drop-in sessions to ask questions.
Read further information about the Trust Deed proposed changes here
Please send any comments on these proposals to ccfconsultation@rsc.org
Comments will be compiled for the CCF Committee but may not be individually responded to.
You can find more information on CCF activity during 2023 here.