College launches search for new council members

T

he College of Optometrists has issued calls for Nomination to Council for 2009. There are vacancies in seven regions, and practising members in each of these regions are encouraged to stand.

The vacancies exist in Northern Ireland, Scotland, London, Wales, Eastern, London and the South West.

Council Members are elected in a total of twelve regions: nine regions in England plus Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Members are eligible to stand as a candidate in the region where they live or work and are elected by other College Members living or working in that region. Council Members serve a term of 3 years up to a maximum period of twelve years.

Key areas of the College’s activity include developing and promoting standards for the profession, developing the professionals of the future, identifying research priorities and providing funding to ensure that research is carried out, promoting understanding of the profession with the public and providing professional support to Members. The College Council plays a pivotal role in determining policy and strategy for the College and in ensuring its responsiveness to the needs and views of the membership. Council Members are the College’s representatives in the region for which they have been elected and are volunteers who:

• Act as the conscience of the College, monitoring the performance of the Board of Trustees and ensuring that the College remains true to its principles and fully accountable to its membership.
• Elect the President, Vice President, Treasurer and Trustees.
• Bring Members’ views directly to the College’s attention and share the College’s thinking, direction and activity within his/her region.
• May be asked to act as the College’s spokesperson in their region in response to local media enquiries.
• Attend Council meetings three times each year - one is held in London, one is an overnight meeting held outside of London, and one is a brief election meeting during the College’s Annual Conference.
• Have the opportunity to join one of the College’s Standing Committees, sub-committees or working groups. Any Council member may attend any Standing Committee meeting as an observer.
• Provide regional input for the College’s communications.
• Support College or other events in their region.

President of the College, Dr Rob Hogan said

“The College of Optometrists belongs to and works for and on behalf of its Members. Our governance structure is designed to ensure that the College’s direction and strategy are informed by the needs and views of an elected and representative cross section of our membership. The College Council sets the strategic and professional direction of the organisation. I would encourage any Member who wishes to be involved in the development of our profession to stand for election.”
Council members are volunteers, but all reasonable expenses will be reimbursed, including childcare expenses incurred as a result of attending College meetings.

For further information please contact Ellen Colquhoun, Head of Marketing & Communications on 020 7766 4342 or email:ellen.colquhoun@college-optometrists.org

 

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