Environmental management is the focus for May's Qualityworld, as we look at an Environmental Quality Mark that helps to protect one of Britain's National Parks. Find out how to persuade your management of the business benefits of an EMS in difficult economic times. And finally, don't miss your chance to give us your view on the magazine by taking the 2008 Qualityworld reader survey.

Earlier this year, the CQI Qualification Board recognised the Certificate of training in Quality Management Practices (CQMP) as meeting part of the requirements to apply for member grade via the qualification route. This means that if you are an associate member, the CQI training courses you've already attended could help you achieve the CQMP and upgrade your membership.

Falling on the second Thursday in November each year, World Quality Day provides an opportunity for every organisation to celebrate business excellence and achievement in the workplace. This year CQI will be helping companies to demonstrate their commitment to quality to their customers, suppliers and stakeholders, with a range of activities through the year culminating with the CQI world Quality Conference.

Resources for the busy quality professional
There is always something new for the quality professional to learn. The CQI Body of Quality Knowledge portal provides simple, yet in-depth, statements of knowledge that can be used and developed by users such as educational and training groups, CQI members and organisations that need to define guidance or competencies for their quality professionals.

The extraordinary general meeting of the Chartered Quality Institute was held at 12 noon on 18 March 2008 at 12 Grosvenor Crescent, London. The meeting unanimously agreed that the CQI should create an individual chartered status grade available to Members (MCQI) and Fellows (FCQI) and to formally petitions the Privy Council for the changes to be made to the Bye-Laws.