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BCS creates Truth Commission to heal wounds

Moves to win back 'sizeable minority' of members

The BCS is setting up a committee to deal with members' concerns about the current management's modernisation and rebranding project, even though it won the vote on the issue.

The rebels forced an Extraordinary General Meeting in July but lost the subsequent vote to call a halt to the reform programme.

The rebels did generate some interest - 32 per cent of members voted, about twice as many as usual. But the group failed in its move for more transparency of the £5m spent on the project.

A vote of no confidence in the current management was also lost by 76.5 per cent against 23.5 per cent.

The procedure all got a bit unpleasant for the normally placid group with accusations of libel and threats of lawsuits flying around.

The BCS, which now likes to be called the Chartered Institute for IT rather than the British Computer Society, said today it was time to win back members of its disgruntled rump.

Bob Assirati, Deputy President explains: “Following the EGM and vote, our priority is to re-build bridges across the organisation and tackle the deep rooted concerns of some members.

Members of the group, which meets for the first time today, will be chaired by Adrian Williamson, from the Trustee Board. Other members include Bob Assirati, Bob Harvey, Adrian Walmsley, Chris Andrews, Sheila Bullas and Iain Thompson.

The move has won support from Ken Leighley, the BCS's Oliver Cromwell and leader of the rebels.

He's quoted in the BCS release as welcoming the attempt to address the issues and hoped it would help the BCS move forward in a way which "supports all aspects of the organisation".

The BCS brings in £30m a year and employs 266 people. ®

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