Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Special Interest Group (STEM SIG)

Terms of reference

1. Members of the Group must be full or associate members of BESA and suppliers of products for teaching and learning in STEM subjects with a particular focus on encouraging: that education properly prepares young people with practical as well as theoretical skills for employability in STEM-relevant jobs. 
2. The Group is known as the ‘BESA STEM Special Interest Group’ 
3. The Group should have two or three meetings a year, unless the Group wants more. 
4. As agreed by the founding members of STEM SIG, any member of BESA may make a written application to the BESA secretariat to join the Group and such applications will be presented to the Group via e-mail. 
5. Applicants that can demonstrate to the Group, by justifying their area of expertise within STEM, that they fit the description defined in paragraph 1), shall be admitted to membership of the Group. Members will have two weeks to comment on submissions and no comment means an application is approved. If the Secretariat receives any objections the application will be referred to the next meeting. 
6. Member companies need to attend a minimum of two meeting per year. If the minimum requirement is not met, the company may be asked to leave the Group and will have to reapply for membership. 
7. When attending a meeting, members need to be ready to contribute to all areas of meeting unless not relevant. 
8. When attending a meeting, members need to be ready to interact to the polls, Q&A’s and have their camera turned on. 
9. When attending a meeting, members need to ensure that they are in a suitable location without distractions. 
10. The Group is entitled to call meetings which will be serviced by the BESA secretariat. Any abnormal costs may have to be charged. 
11. In the event of the Group deciding to undertake a course of action leading to or becoming liable to any costs or expenditure over and above the provision expressed in paragraph 7) then such expenditure shall be borne by members of the Group. 
12. In the event of the Group wishing BESA to undertake a course of action on its behalf such proposed action shall first be approved by the Executive Council. 
13. The Chairman of the Group (or a representative nominated by the Group from amongst its members) will be co-opted to membership of the Executive Council of BESA. The Chairman of BESA is, ex officio, a member of the Group and is entitled to attend its meetings. 
14. The Chairman of the Group has the responsibility of organising a guest for each meeting, this responsibility is not for members of the group. 
15. The Chair and Vice-Chair shall be serve for three years, subject to re-election for a fourth year, four years being the maximum period of continuous service in one office. The Chair and Vice-Chair shall be from separate member companies. 
16. Based on one vote per member company, decisions taken at a Group meeting will be a simple majority with the Chair having a casting vote. 

How do I join the STEM Working Group?

Joining the STEM Working Group is free and open to all BESA members. The process is an email or letter from the company, stating that you want to join the group. 

Meetings take place approximately three times a year and are usually held at the BESA offices.

Example application letter

Dear Sir or Madam,

 I am writing to formally apply to join the STEM Working Group.

 Paragraph confirming that

i)You are happy to share ideas with the rest of the STEM Working Group 
ii) Committed to developing and taking the Group forward 
iii) Additionally you need to meet the Group’s Terms of Reference which are available on the website.

 Yours sincerely

Next steps

Please email the events team expressing that you wish to join the group.