Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

In 2000, the RCOG put in place a new board structure to free-up Council's time to concentrate on strategic and specialty wide issues. The three boards (Standards, Services and Education) were given executive and decision-making authority and were able to ratify the decisions of reporting committees and groups. They were be responsible to Council and met quarterly. The Services Board was set up to develop and co-ordinate services to Fellows and Members, Trainees, members of the public, the media and RCOG internal departments. Its original terms of reference were to co-ordinate and facilitate publishing activities, including responsibility for editorial production, management, marketing and distribution services. Its remit was also to co-ordinate the production of information to Fellows and Members, the public and the media; whether paper, electronic or verbal/oral. The Board was intended to have executive and decision-making authority in addition to ratifying decisions by reporting committees. It was also expected to report matters of political, financial importance and/or which had personnel implications, to the Finance and Executive Group (FEG). It was also, ultimately, answerable to Council. Its original membership consisted of the Chairman (Honorary Officer), the Chairmen of the Publications Management Committee, the Information Technology Committee, the Information Services Committee and the Website Working Group, the Public Relations Officer, a Fellows and Members representative each from Council, the Head of the Services Division and any other 'relevant managerial staff' according to agenda items, i.e. they were to attend on an ad hoc basis. A later remit was agreed or dated 23rd January 2002, but it is apparent that there were amendments made to the membership in the early stages of its existence. In 2003 the Services Board was disbanded because Council felt that there was duplication of reporting. Responsibility for awards, overseas activities, fellowship selection, publications management and press were passed to the Finance and Executive Group. A new Services Committee was established on 23rd May 2003, reporting to Finance and Executive. It incorporated the remits from the old Services Board, House Committee and Information Services Committee and was responsible for the activities of Administration, Facilities, Information Services, Information Technology, Membership Services and Premises. However, in 2005 Council ratified Finance and Executive's decision for the Services Committee to revert to its former title and executive status as the Services Board. So despite some to-and-froing, by 2008 the Services Board's remit was essentially little changed from that of its establishment in 2000. The Board was to develop and co-ordinate services for Fellows, Members, Trainees, Associates and Affiliates, and to assist in supporting College strategy by developing new services and regularly reviewing the provision of current services provided by the College departments of Administration, Facilities, Information Services, Information Technology, Premises, Communications and External Affairs, and Publications. It retained its status as an executive authority and had the power to ratify the decisions of the following groups and committees that report to it: Public Affairs Committee, Publications Committee, Services Group, Website Group, Cross-Departmental Marketing and Focus Group, and Red Eventful Cuisine/RCOG Group.