Occupational Therapy News OTnews January 2019 | Page 15

VOLUNTEERING FOCUS ON A re you ready for a leadership role or a new challenge? Do you want to play an active role within the occupational therapy professional community? If the answer is ‘yes’, then consider standing for election to RCOT’s governing councils. Thanks for giving this some thought. If elected, you will be a council member for both BAOT and RCOT. All members of council are directors of the two companies, the British Association of Occupational Therapists Limited (BAOT) and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT). They are registered as directors at Companies House and have the full responsibilities of directors. RCOT is also a registered charity. Charity trustees are the people responsible for controlling the management and administration of the charity. Council members therefore become trustees of RCOT and also have to abide by the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 and the Trustee Act 2000. All members of council are formally responsible for the governance of the organisation, including financial matters, the management of identified risks and the agreement and monitoring of the organisation’s annual work plan. As well as some of your time, these responsibilities require a commitment to the long-term sustainability of the organisation and the profession and should not be undertaken lightly. Holding a council seat is demanding and requires a willingness to shoulder corporate responsibility and deal with complex and differing issues. It does, of course, also provide intellectual stimulation, as well as learning opportunities relating to business management and professional body administration. Council consists of nine members and there is an expectation that all council members think strategically and actively contribute to discussions and key decisions extending beyond their own area of practice and experience. Council members are not expected to represent constituent groups of the profession, but rather to act as leaders of the profession as a whole. They may be called upon to debate complex issues and make important decisions in order to safeguard the organisation and its members. In terms of the level of input required, council members are expected to attend four one-day meetings a year, normally held in London and starting at 10.30am. They are also expected to attend the annual general meeting, held during the annual conference. Expenses are refunded in line with the organisation’s agreed expenses rates. There is a considerable volume of documents to read and consider before each council meeting. There are also routine council mailings and emailing, which may, for example, involve members in responding to consultations or feeding back specific information within defined deadlines. Being a council member is a demanding, but fulfilling, role and you are advised to gain the support of your manager so that he/ she is aware of the time away from work, which the responsibility of holding a national office involves. Those who have previously served on council have reported the experience as stimulating, educational and rewarding. This is an opportunity to develop your skills in a new sphere, to act as a leader in the professional community and to support your professional body. Please note that all nominees must be BAOT professional members in good standing (of at least five years in good standing for the role of chair). Proposers and seconders must be members of BAOT in good standing. The chair of council is elected annually. The term of office for the other seats is three years. Election will be by a ballot of BAOT members in good standing. The independent scrutineer for the forthcoming ballot, appointed in accordance with the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, will be Electoral Reform Services. The election results will be announced at the AGM in June 2019. Please contact Dominique Le Marchand, RCOT senior administrative officer for a nomination form or additional information, email: [email protected] or tel: [phone], or visit: www.rcot.co.uk/about-us/governance/ council-and-boards/royal-college-occupational-therapists-council. The deadline for receipt of nominations is noon on Friday 8 March 2019, by either hard or electronic copy. ‘‘ Julia Scott, secretary and chief executive This is an opportunity to develop your skills in a new sphere, to act as a leader in the professional community and to support your professional body OTnews January 2019 15