A re you ready for a new challenge ? Do you want to become a leader in the growing occupational therapy professional community ? If so , you should consider standing for election to our governing Council .
Joining Council will take commitment , but it will be a rewarding and stimulating experience . You ’ ll debate issues and help make decisions that ’ ll influence the future of our organisation and the profession .
We ’ re looking for nominations for :
Chair of Council You ’ re an inspiring and confident leader who will help take our work in championing occupational therapy into the next phase of our history . You ’ ll manage our organisation , chair Council meetings and ensure the Council functions effectively . You ’ ll be elected annually – the current Chair , Odeth Richardson , intends to stand for election again .
Council member , Northern Ireland You ’ re working or living in Northern Ireland and want to get involved in running our organisation and championing occupational therapy . You ’ ll be elected every three years – the current member , Carmel Harvey , was elected as a casual member for one year and is eligible to stand for re-election .
Council member , Research and Development You ’ re active in research , contributing to the expansion of the evidence base and research capability within the profession . You ’ ll be elected every three years – the current member , Professor Priscilla Harries , was elected as a casual member for one year and is eligible to stand for re-election .
All nominees must be RCOT professional members ( of at least five years for the role of Chair ). Nominators and seconders must also be members of RCOT .
Council member , Learning and Development You ’ re actively engaged in the education and professional development of the occupational therapy workforce . You ’ ll be elected every three years .
What is a council member ?
If elected , you ’ ll be a Council member and a director ( registered at Companies House ) for both the British Association of Occupational Therapists Limited ( BAOT ) and RCOT . RCOT is a registered charity and wholly owned subsidiary of BAOT , which acts on behalf of all members of BAOT . You can learn more about how we ’ re run at rcot . co . uk / how-we-are-run .
As RCOT is a registered charity , you ’ ll become a trustee as well . You ’ ll be responsible for controlling the management and administration of the charity and will have to abide by the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 and the Companies Act 2006 .
You ’ ll be formally responsible for the governance of the organisation , including financial matters , managing identified risks and agreeing and monitoring the organisation ’ s strategic plan .
To preserve the organisation and the profession ’ s future , you ’ ll need to be ready to consider issues you might not have experience of , thinking beyond your own role and personal views .
You won ’ t be representing a particular constituency of members . Instead , you ’ ll be ensuring corporate governance and acting as a leader of the profession .
Holding a Council seat is demanding , it needs a willingness to commit your time , have corporate responsibility and deal with complex and differing issues . But it ’ s also rewarding . It provides intellectual stimulation and learning
16 OTnews February 2023