Building a Social Movement?

This chapter draws attention to the Special Activities Committee of the Royal Society of Arts. It mentions the institution of the Benjamin Franklin Medal, which was originally intended to be specifically awarded to younger people in order to draw them into the Society. It also talks about Freddie Williams, who had already been elected to a fellowship at the Royal Society and awarded the first Benjamin Franklin Medal. The chapter discusses the Society's expansion by forming regional committees, which started with Birmingham in 1960 that eventually became a West Midlands committee. It elaborates on the idea of the expansion of committees that would promote discussions across the country and lead to new ideas and initiatives for the Society to adopt on a national basis.