eBCS Oxfordshire January 2010 Happy New Year In this month's newsletter, the start of a New Year, what's coming up in the Oxfordshire branch calendar as well as other events around and about the Oxfordshire area.   Is IT a Profession? Adam Thilthorpe, BCS Director for Professionalism January 21, 2009 at 7 for 7.30 IT often assumes the role of a servant but IT doesn’t just support business, it powers business. Has the IT profession come of age and is it seen as equivalent to the other professions represented in Boardrooms? An alternative view: that IT is a ‘trade’ and does not have the professional status of the law or accountancy, will also be debated. Although questions will be taken on the night, in the best traditions of BBC’s Question Time, we are asking you to send pre-prepared questions to help seed the debate. Please take some time, and let us have your questions in advance. Please e-mail questions to: bcs-oxfordshire [at] googlegroups.com Come along, join in the debate and hear what the industry thinks about this issue and what is being said.   Venue: Oxford e-Research Centre, 8 Keble Road, Oxford OX1 3QG.  What is Your Exit Strategy? Science Oxford is presenting the next in their 4ICT Series of Lectures on Exit Strategies   If you run your own business this presentation will be very relevant. Even if you aren’t planning on taking that early retirement next year, it is worth thinking about options to prepare for when you do want to get the money out of the business you have built. Read more about this on our website. Date: 27 January, 6.00pm for 6.30pm - 8.30pm Venue: Science Oxford Live, St Clements, Oxford Future Event Bookings April and May BCS Oxfordshire Events will require Booking in Advance We have had a number of people already ask about the booking procedure for these events. In next month's newsletter, we will be announcing arrangements for booking for the April and May meetings. We will also be updating the website with the same information. Items of Interest Branch Meeting Programme Our full meeting programme for 2009/10 is on the branch website. If you want a PDF for printing, that is also available. We are working on restoring the ability to automatically add events to your calendar through links on the website. Specialist Groups Did you know that BCS members can join up to five BCS Specialist Groups online? Just sign on to the Members' secure area, and click on "Specialist Groups" in the box headed "Manage your membership". You should then be able to join several Specialist Groups. Members of the Specialist Group in Software Testing will be interested in our March meeting to be held in the inspiring offices of Sophos in Abingdon. Oxford Geek Nights Oxford Geek Nights offer a chance for web developers and designers in the local area to get together, share their skills and talk about new ideas, techniques and technologies. To learn more please visit their website. BCS Overseas Did you know that you do not have to live in the UK to attend a BCS lecture or meeting? For example, the US chapter of BCS is going from strength to strength. If you know if any ex-pat BCS members, be sure to let them know. About this Newsletter Want to know more about this newsletter? There's an article on the branch wiki. [ FEEDBACK ] We'd love to hear your comments, views and opinions on this newsletter and on the branch programme. Please use the feedback form on the branch website. Oxfordshire Branch meetings are open to BCS members and non-members. Unless otherwise stated, there is no charge and you don't have to book. For other events, check the links. 21 January 2010 Is IT a Profession? 27 January 2010  Exit Strategies for Business Owners presented by Science Oxford and sponsored by Nominet 18 February 2010 An Introduction to Geospatial Systems 11 March 2010 Testing Software Quality 12 to 21 March 2010 National Science and Engineering Week - a ten day programme of science, engineering and technology events and activities across the UK aimed at people of all ages.   29 April 2010 Visit to UKAEA Fusion & JET 20 May 2010 Sciences in Oxford's History - An Afternoon Guided Walking Tour 21 May 2010 Silver Surfer's Day - the largest, national, digital literacy campaign for older people in the UK 1 to 7 June 2010 Volunteer's Week - a national celebration of volunteers and volunteering which takes place from 1 – 7 June of each year. This year, Volunteers' Week is celebrating its 25th anniversary Oxford Internet Institute events OeRC events Science Oxford BCS Events Calendar Subscription Options You are receiving this email because: as a BCS member you have chosen BCS Oxfordshire as one of the three branches the system lets you belong to, and you have opted to receive email communications. as a non-member you asked to join our branch mailing list by personal request, by registering on the BCS Oxfordshire website at www.oxon.bcs.org/contact-us or by supplying your email address at one of the BCS Oxfordshire branch meetings. 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