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Archival description

The functions of the group were to keep the RSA in touch with developments in manufactures and commerce; provide ideas for lectures, projects and initiatives; advise on the value of suggestions for lectures, projects and initiatives coming from the Fellowship and the extent to which the RSA name should be attached to them; evaluate the quality of the RSA manufactures and commerce programme; support the RSA in the formulation and dissemination of ideas and project results and provide advice on sponsorship for manufacturing activities.

The aim of the project was to define the role of manufacturing in a sustainable economy, which the Society considered to be one of the key issues of economic and industrial policy facing the UK. A linked series of three lectures and five seminars to clarify the significance of a healthy manufacturing sector in improving the UK's international trade and economic growth.

The manuscript versions of the Transactions were the draft versions of the printed Transactions, published from 1783 until 1847. They include original correspondence as well as drawings, plans and diagrams in support of claims for premiums and awards. From the late 1840s, papers were read at Society meetings. Some of these papers were reprinted in the Transactions (and the Journal from 1852). Manuscript copies of the text of these lectures, submitted by their authors, are included at the end of this series.\nIncludes correspondence and manuscript versions of papers printed in the Transactions

Minutes

The minutes, agendas and supporting papers are largely records of decisions taken on general policy and administration. \nThe Management Group are responsible for the internal administration of the RSA. The Director is the link between Trustees and Council and the Management Group. These files sometimes include minutes from the Section Heads Group meeting.

Minutes and papers

Minutes of the Society, Minutes of the Council and other committees relating to the governance of the organisation. The minutes are largely records of decisions taken on general policy and administration and the confirmation or rejection of reports from committees. Names of candidates for election as subscribing or corresponding members with addresses and proposers are given (up to 1900).\n\nFinance & General Purposes Committee Minutes were bound together with the Council Minutes between 1952 -1964, and so are catalogued with the Council minutes for this period. Thereafter they were bound separately, and the F&GP minutes can be found under RSA/AD/MA/400/12/02.

As well as various standing committees (see individual entries for Mechanics Committee, Polite Arts Committee, Agriculture Committee, Committee of Colonies and Trade and Chemistry Committee) the Society regularly set up ad-hoc committees to discuss a broad range of topics concerned with the programme and administration of the Society. These include the Committee of Correspondence and Papers and the Committee of Miscellaneous Matters\n\nRecords include minutes of the diverse committees and correspondence to the members of the committees. Correspondence in this section is mainly administrative or on topics which could not be covered by the main subject committees.

The National Advisory Council for Careers and Educational Guidance is a non-government organisation. It was established under the aegis of the RSA and CBI in June 1994, working towards full independence in June 1997. Member organisations represent guidance professional bodies, education, commerce and industry, and student, youth and special interest groups.The purpose of the Guidance Council is to promote and advise on the provision of good quality guidance for learning and work, accessible to all individuals throughout their lives.\n(Taken from the introduction of First Steps publication 1995)

Society campaigns at this period included:\nReport on accidents and diseases in industrial occupations; Memorial Tablet (Blue plaque) scheme Campaign for the adoption of a uniform musical pitch; Petition in support of Bethnal Green Museum; Education Exhibition 1854; Paris Exhibitions of 1855 to 1881 to report on exhibitions and attendance at International Electrical Exhibition, Committee on the Economic use of Fuel; Prizes for an improved lifeboat; Competition for a revolution indicator for steam ships; Committee on collisions at sea; International Health Exhibition; Public health and sanitation conferences; National Training School for Music; Patent Law reform; Samuel Pepys Memorial ; Prevention of Fires ; Poisonous Colours ; Motor Trials ; Acetylene Gas Generator Trials; International Postage Association and Committee on postal reform and papers; Colonial and Indian Exhibition 1886; Albert Memorial ; Conference on strikes and lockouts; Committee on collisions at sea; Domestic Economy Congresses ; Art Workmanship Competition; Committee on the deterioration of paper \nRecords include correspondence and routine administrative papers, some printed items and minutes of various committees

The Society has only recently established a personnel department. Staff matters and pensions were dealt with by senior managers and accounts staff. It includes some personal reminiscences of some longer-serving staff members. \n\nThis series of twentieth century material relates mainly to general policy on staffing although it does include a small amount of information relating to individuals which may be sensitive. The RSA reserves the right to restrict access to this series of records.