Hopefully all members are aware of the decision at the 2024 AGM to rename the BBS to explicitly include Ireland, with the agreed new name being ‘British and Irish Bryological Society’. Work on this has been ongoing, but there has also been a more recent proposal to move the Society from an Unincorporated charity to a Charitable Incorporated Institution (CIO), something which many other societies have done or are looking at (for example, the British Lichen Society). The main advantage of a CIO is to limit the liability of the trustees and members of the organisation. The change has been agreed in principle by Council and will be put to members for a vote at the AGM.

It seemed sensible to handle the name change and move to a CIO at the same time – both will involve liaising with the Charity Commission, updates to bank account etc – and so that is what we are working towards at present. We have been advised that setting up a new CIO could take 6-12 months – and of course there is only so much that can be done before getting agreement at the AGM. So for those of you who are waiting for the emergence of the new ‘British and Irish Bryological Society’ (or BIBS), please be patient.

Published: 1 May 2025