The derby - Geological Curators Group

in these terms that we must seek to define our relationship with the MuseumsAssociation. Our present relationship could be described as one of closeco-operation with, but Independent from the M.A. However, it seems likelythat closer more formalised links may have to be considered if one can judgefrom the nature of matters submitted for our consideration by the Associationin recent months. I suspect there will be strong feelings either way on thisissue.1. Your new Chairman and Secretary will represent the Group at a meetingcalled by the Working Party on the Constitution of the Museums Association.This meeting is to consider the proposals for the establishment of aProfessional Services Committee within the M.A. This meeting will takeplace on the 1st February, 1977.2. The M.A. annual conference to be held in Bradford in 1977, will haveas its theme 'New Trends and Developments in the Museums Service". We havebeen asked to comment on the possibility of specialist sessions beingorganised at this meeting.3. The M.A. is considering the desirability (or otherwise) of relocatingits offices outside London. Your Committee felt that as a Group we shouldnot comment on these proposals, although individual members of the Groupmight care to do so.4. Following a resolution passed at its annual conference this year, theM.A. is considering its policy with regard to the development of a nationalnetwork of environmental records centres. A meeting has been called toconsider these proposals, and your Committee has nominated Mike Jones andJohn Cooper to represent the Group. They have been the two most closelyassociated with our National Geological Site Documentation Scheme, a schemewhich could materially affect the nature of the proposed environmental recordscentres.Information Gathering Our Recorder reports that 96% of the questionnairesfor the national geological collections survey have been completed andreturned.