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Proceedings of the 18
th
International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Paris 2013
3.1.5
Kevin Nash Gold Medal and Prizes
Provision is made for the award of the Society’s Gold Medal
and Prizes at the 18th and 19th International Conference for Soil
Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering.
3.2
Travel Expenses
Special provision is made in 2013 to support the possible
expenses incurred should the incoming Board wish to hold a
meeting prior to the end of the year. This increases Board travel
from £29,000 (agreed at the Toronto Council meeting in 2011)
to £34,700. A modest increase in the normal budget for Board
travel is made from 2014.
3.3
Information Technology (web site)
3.3.1
Licensing fee/web maintenance
In 2012 hosting of the website was transferred to
Geoengineer.org from Webforum. Provision for the
maintenance fee payable to Geoengineer.org is included in the
budget.
3.3.2
Future developments
In both 2014 and 2017 provision has been made for significant
changes or upgrades to the website (or other IT developments)
to reflect initiatives created by the incoming President and
Board.
3.4
Other Activities
3.4.1
International Seminars
To contribute to the travel for ISSMGE Board members and
speakers participating in these outreach activities.
3.4.2
Travel of ISSMGE officers to FedIGS meetings
Provision is made to support travel expenses for the President
and Secretary General to attend meetings of the FedIGS Board.
3.4.3
Initiatives
Provision is made for as yet unspecified initiatives that might
emanate from the Board.
3.4.4
Webinars
Annual fee for WebEx video conferencing service. The current
Board has agreed that these costs should be absorbed by the
Society rather than passed on to members. Therefore the budget
does not contain a credit in respect of fees for members to
access this service.
3.4.5
Contingency
Provision is made for a contingency.
4
TRANSFER TO ISSMGE FOUNDATION AND CASH
BALANCE
In recent years the growth in income to the Society from
Member Society subscriptions has been enhanced considerably
by beneficial exchange rates. This is because the UK pound, the
currency in which the ISSMGE operates, has weakened
considerably compared to the Swiss Franc, the currency used to
calculate membership subscriptions. If current favourable
exchange rates are maintained for the period of the budget the
Society will be able to conduct its business for its members
effectively and professionally whilst creating a surplus.
However, a strengthening in the value of the UK pound in the
coming years would reduce the income of the ISSMGE
considerably. Therefore, in the current climate of global
financial uncertainty, it is considered prudent to maintain
activities at the levels of expenditure proposed in the current
budget and not commit the Society to major new investments.
It is also considered prudent to maintain the Society’s
reserves (i.e. Cash Balance) at the current level. This, however,
presents the opportunity to grow the ISSMGE Foundation by
transferring annual surpluses from the Consolidated Budget to
the Foundation whilst maintaining the Cash Balance at
£500,000. The amount transferred to the Foundation in any year
would be contingent on the financial outcome of the Society.
Volume 6 - Page 343