Here you will find information and resources for committee members and volunteers involved in member network activities and events. If you are not a member network, but run a committee in your industry, voluntary organisation you may also find the information below useful - such as how to make your committee inclusive and diverse.
Useful information by your committee role
Files and resources of interest to all committee members
This handbook outlines the support and guidance available to all member network committees and volunteers and is updated regularly by the RSC Networks Team.
RSC Prizes: Guidance for Committees
A guide to support member network committees in running a competitive prize scheme.
If your committee are considering setting up a new prize, please complete and return this form.
RSC Gift and Hospitality Policy
Guidance for giving and receiving gifts for RSC volunteers, members and staff.
Volunteer Problem Solving Policy
Guidance for when issues about volunteering or a volunteer need to be addressed.
We recognise the importance of volunteers to the Royal Society of Chemistry. These Principles set the standards for the volunteer experience, and the responsibilities of both the RSC
and volunteers to each other.
Information for new committee members
Outputs from previous events for member networks
Volunteer Survey findings
In September 2022 the Member Networks team presented the findings of the Volunteer Survey in a series of drop-ins, and answered questions from attendee volunteers.
Networks Volunteer Survey presentation 2022
Networks Volunteer Survey Q&A summary 2022
More outputs from previous events
Member Networks Conference 2018
Documents for claiming expenses for member network activities
Guidance for submission and approval of Member and Non-Member expenses
Information for claiming expenses for voluntary activities.
Member and Non-member expense form
Member and non-member form for claiming expenses from the RSC.
Resources to support our member network Chairs
All contracts for member network activities must be signed by a member of staff - member network volunteers cannot sign contracts on behalf of the RSC. This guide outlines the contract review process for member networks.
Contract and MCB Approval Form
Complete and return the contract approval form for each contract your committee receives.
Complete and return this form for any joint events run between the RSC and SCI that do not require a contract to be signed.
Volunteer Problem-Solving Policy
Guidance for when issues about volunteering or volunteering need to be addressed.
The Rules and Guidelines for all of our member networks.
Resources to support our member network Secretaries
Completed reports must be returned to the Networks Team by Friday 26 January 2024.
Introduction to the 2023 Annual Report Form
Download a step-by-step PDF guide to completing the 2023 Annual Report.
2021 Annual Report Form video guide
Watch our 15-minute video guide to completing the 2021 Annual Report.
Download this guide to help your committee deal with member data safely.
E-alert request form for member networks
Download and return this form to request an e-alert to be sent to your members.
A short guide to help committees write more effective and engaging e-alerts.
Agenda Template for Member Networks
A branded agenda template for committees.
Minute Template for Member Networks
A branded minute template for committees.
Resources to support our member network Treasurers
Interest Group Top Up Fund Application Form
Local Section Top Up Fund Application Form
VAT as it affects Interest Groups of the RSC
RSC Gift and Hospitality Policy
Support for managing your committee
Rules and guidance notes for member networks
A document outlining the rules for RSC member networks, including guidance notes and a glossary of terms.
Call for new committee members - E-alert template
A template for opening a call to recruit new committee members.
Outline of RSC member network election process
A detailed outline of the member network election process from call to the ballot.
Volunteer Problem-Solving Policy
Guidance for when issues about volunteering or a volunteer need to be addressed.
RSC Gift and Hospitality Policy
Useful information by category
Planing for a physical/in-person event - checklist
Events Services Request - Member Networks
Click to set up and submit an event registration request. This is for online registrations for both free-to-attend and paying member network events.
Contract and MCB Approval Form
Please complete this form for joint RSC and SCI events when no contracts have to be signed.
VAT as it affects Interest Groups of the RSC
Top of the Bench Organiser's Handbook 2023-2024
All of our member networks can use the brand centre to order promotional items and create their own literature. You will need your username and password to log in.
How to make your communications inclusive
What formats/channels are you using to communicate your content? Are you enabling engagement from a diverse audience? Consider the needs of your audience, remembering that their needs may stem from characteristics that you cannot see or identify with.
Read our quick guide to inclusive communications
How to make spoken communication accessible for disabled people
Communication support describes any service or function which aims to make spoken communication accessible for disabled people. Meeting or event attendees may require communication support to be able to participate fully and equally, for example because they are D/deaf or hard of hearing, neurodivergent, or have a learning disability.
Find out more about communication support
Making your committees inclusive and diverse
You need to consider where, when and how you set up your committee and whether it is representative of your wider community.
Find out more about inclusive committees
Making your events inclusive
This quick guide explains what to consider before arranging your event and where and how to run them to make them inclusive and diverse.
Read our guide to inclusive events
Overcoming bias and fair decision-making
We created this short video as a resource for members of boards, committees, and funding and interview panels. Watch now and find out how you can take small actions to mitigate the effects of implicit bias on your decision-making.
See all of our inclusion and diversity resources
Resources to support our committees to engage with members
E-alert request form for member networks
Download and return this form to request an e-alert to be sent to your members.
A short guide to help committees write more effective and engaging e-alerts.
Social media training for member networks
Click to watch our three webinars about social media: Social Media for Beginners; Finding and Planning Content; and Scheduling your Content
Social Media 1: Social Media for Beginners
Social Media 2: Finding and Planning Content
Social Media training: Frequently Asked Questions
Community News story template for member networks
Online events
Frequently asked questions - organising online events
Download our FAQ guide for organising and running virtual member network events on GoToMeeting GoToWebinar or Zoom.
GoToMeeting Booking Form
Click here to begin booking your GoToMeeting
GoToWebinar Booking Part 1
Click to begin booking your GoToWebinar
GoToWebinar Booking Form - Part 2 (optional)
Click here to incorporate polls, videos, handouts and surveys into your webinar
Click to begin booking your Zoom meeting
Hybrid events
On 19 January the Member Networks Team hosted a panel session and discussion on best practices in hybrid events planning.
Hybrid Events Drop-In January 2023 panelist recordings
Hybrid Events Drop-In January 2023 Discussion summary
Hybrid event drop-in - BMCS Hybrid Event slides - Chris Swain
RSC Events Team - hybrid events guidance for member networks (January 2022)
Organising hybrid events and meetings
Gives an overview of some of the issues to consider when organising hybrid events. Includes feedback and costs of hybrid events run by BMCS at Churchill College and the Toxicology Group at Burlington House.
Member network contracts
All contracts for member network activities must be signed by a member of staff - member network volunteers cannot sign contracts on behalf of the RSC. This guide outlines the contract review process for member networks.
Contract and MCB Approval Form
Anti-bribery training for volunteers
Our five minute training video introduces the 2010 Bribery Act and how it applies to the RSC, our members and volunteers
Bribery Training - Case Studies
Examples of situations where member network volunteers might experience a conflict of interest or attempt at bribery
Anti-bribery policy for RSC staff, volunteers, and members
RSC Gift and Hospitality Policy
Guidance for giving and receiving gifts for RSC volunteers, members and staff
Data protection resources for committee members
A handout created to help volunteers understand responsibilities and obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation
Data protection compliance form
Committee members must return a completed form to the Networks Team to request member data
Non-member consent to event communications
GDPR Guidelines for our member networks (May 2018)
Branded templates for committees
RSC branded powerpoint template for member networks - 16x9
RSC branded powerpoint template for member networks - 4x3
Agenda Template for Member Networks
Minute Template for Member Networks
Brand Guidelines for Member Networks
Documents supporting use of the RSC Brand Centre
All of our member networks can use the RSC Brand Centre to order bespoke promotional items and create their own literature. You will need your username and password to log in; please contact the Networks team with comments or questions.
Brand Centre
Click to log into the brand centre.
Brand Centre FAQs - Interest Groups
The Rules and Guidelines for all of our member networks.
Volunteer Problem-Solving Policy
Guidance for when issues about volunteering or a volunteer need to be addressed.
Call for new committee members - E-alert template
Outline of RSC member network election process
Download and complete the 2022 Annual Report throughout the year. Completed reports must be returned to the Networks Team by Friday 27 January 2023.