Veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses can now put
themselves forward as candidates in the 2021 elections for RCVS Council and
Veterinary Nurses (VN) Council respectively with the opening of the nomination
period.
Prospective members of RCVS Council and VN Council have
until 5pm on Sunday 31
January 2021 to put themselves forward as candidates for the
elections which will take place in spring 2021. The full eligibility criteria,
including FAQs and guidance notes, for veterinary surgeons who wish to stand
for RCVS Council can be found online, as well as the equivalent
details for veterinary nurses who wish to stand for VN Council.
Due to the ongoing postal problems across the UK resulting
from the Coronavirus pandemic, RCVS Council has approved a temporary change to
the RCVS Election Scheme this year to allow nominations to be submitted
electronically, rather than in hard copy. This temporary change is currently
before the Privy Council for final approval.
Eleanor Ferguson, RCVS Registrar and Returning Officer for
the elections, explains: “The disruption caused by the pandemic has been
significantly affecting the speed and reliability of postal services, so
Council decided that there was sufficient justification to temporarily allow
nominations to be submitted electronically.
“For prospective RCVS and VN Councils election candidates
this will mean that, rather than having to send us hard copies of your
nomination documents in the post, these can simply be emailed to the College
along with the relevant digital photographs and electronic signatures.”
As well as changing how the candidate nomination period
could be run for 2021, the RCVS has also updated its information and guidance
for prospective candidates, including an informal “job description”, to help
them better understand what it means to be members of RCVS and VN Councils,
their responsibilities, commitments and how they help the College meet its
strategic goals, as well as the principles and rules governing their conduct.
Prospective candidates for RCVS Council can also contact
RCVS President Dr Mandisa Greene for an informal conversation on what it means
to be a Council member on president@rcvs.org.uk,
while prospective VN Council candidates can contact Matthew Rendle, VN Council
Chair, on vncchair@rcvs.org.uk
Mandisa said: “As I have often said publicly,
when I decided to stand for RCVS Council it was out of a mixture of fear and
curiosity, the RCVS seemed liked some distant organisation that was often
talked about, but not entirely understood, and that made me want to find out
more. It is fair to say that, since joining RCVS Council, I have learned and
experienced a great deal, have got to know people in our profession that I would
otherwise never have had the opportunity to meet, and have been at the
forefront of key discussions about how our profession is regulated and its
future.
“Throughout my time on Council I have also been
a working mother of two young children and so, for those who are concerned
about how being a Council member can fit around personal and professional life,
I can assure you that there is flexibility that allows you to carry out your
Council work around other commitments.
“I do hope that, if you are interested in the
future of our professions and having a say in our professional and educational
standards and how we are governed, then please take the time to consider
becoming a member of RCVS Council and don’t hesitate to get in touch with me if
you want to know anything more”
Matthew Rendle added: “I was very proud to
recently be appointed as Chair of VN Council with responsibility for overseeing
it and its role in important decision-making on some of the big issues for veterinary
nursing around training and education, post-registration qualifications and
registration.
“Over the past years, the role, responsibility
and stature of VN Council has really grown. Its members have been at the
forefront of important projects such as VN Futures, which is helping the
profession identify and plan for its future, and have been ambassadors for the
profession at events such as our recent VN Evening.
“Last year we had a record number of veterinary
nurses standing for election to VN Council, a fantastic development that I hope
will be repeated this year as you really can make a difference on VN Council
and play a role in speaking up for and promoting our profession. Please do get
in touch with me if you wish to find out more.”
There will be one meeting of RCVS Council taking place
before the nomination period ends. This meeting, on Thursday 21 January 2021,
will be held virtually and prospective candidates for both Councils are welcome
to attend this as observers and should contact Dawn Wiggins, RCVS Council
Secretary, on d.wiggins@rcvs.org.uk
