Stand and deliver! Could you be a Council member?
The election of 17 pharmacists this year to the reformed
Council of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society offers a unique opportunity
to pharmacists interested in serving on the Council. The Society’s
President, Nicholas Wood, explains what will be involved in serving
on the new Council and suggests that a wide range of candidates is
needed to ensure that the new Council has the best possible start
Views of current members
of the Council
Ideals for the profession
“An elected Council member must have ideals for the profession’s
advancement, giving commitment and enthusiasm, tempering this
with an understanding of members’ expectations and our
role as health providers.”
— Gerald Alexander
Fair game for anyone
“If elected, do not expect to be universally loved. As a politician,
you are fair game for anyone with an issue to resolve. On the
other hand, you do have opportunities to promote the profession
and try to influence government policy. Good luck!”
— Pat
Hoare |
Have you ever thought about standing for the Society’s Council?
This year brings a unique opportunity for you to do so.
The Society’s new Royal Charter was sealed and brought into force
on 7 December 2004. Under the new Charter, the reformed Council will
take office on 25 May, the day after the Society’s 2005 annual
general meeting.
The composition of the reformed Council will be 17 elected pharmacists,
one pharmacist appointed by the universities awarding pharmacy degrees
accredited by the Society, two pharmacy technicians and 10 lay members.
The change to a new constitution means that all current Council members
will stand down in 2005 (although some may be re-elected or reappointed).
Mindful of the need to bring this new Council into being, the current
Council has published its proposed
regulations covering future elections
(PJ, 11 December 2004, p867). Details of the procedure for the
forthcoming election, which will be different in a number of respects
both to previous
elections and to those that will come after, are covered in a separate
article (see p30).
With 17 places becoming vacant, 2005 presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
for any pharmacist interested in serving on the Society’s Council.
What is involved?
What would being a Council member involve?
The Council is the governing body of the Society and is accountable
for the discharge of all its functions as a professional and regulatory
body,
within the context of the public benefit.
The collective responsibilities of Council are to:
· Lead strategic development and policy, both new initiatives and reaction
to external developments
· Ensure the proper exercise of regulatory and law enforcement duties
· Set priorities for workload, expenditure and income generation of the
Society
· Monitor the implementation of policies, activities of committees, efficiency
and effectiveness of the organisation, and policy evaluation
· Act as trustee for the Society’s trusts and funds
· Maintain good relations with the membership, public and other professions
· Represent the profession’s policies and views to government departments
and decision-makers
· Determine the overall organisational and management framework of the
Society, including departmental structures and the approval of reporting
lines for senior staff, and deciding upon the number and type of committees
that are required, and the extent to which responsibility should be delegated
to them
· Ensure adequate systems of appointment, appraisal, remuneration and
discipline of staff
· Ensure high standards of corporate governance, including financial
performance and personal behaviour
Council members have their own code of conduct, reflecting the “Nolan” principles
developed by the Parliamentary Committee on Standards in Public Life.
Their responsibility is to the public and the profession as a whole,
rather than to any particular sector. They have joint responsibility
for the decisions and actions of the Council.
Each Council member brings his or her own knowledge and skills. It could
never be possible for all the expertise needed to inform Council decisions
to be contained within the Council itself — specialist expertise
and advice is also needed. Nevertheless, the different backgrounds and
experience of Council members can provide a range of perspectives and
help to ensure a rounded picture in Council debates.
Currently, there are six formal Council meetings per year, together with
informal strategy days. Council members are also likely to serve on,
and perhaps chair, committees or task groups. It is, however, not possible
to say at this time how the new Council will choose to carry out its
work. The current Council is carrying out a fundamental review of the
Society’s supporting structures and is working towards making recommendations
to the new Council. For the same reasons, it is not possible to give
an accurate idea of the time commitment involved, although it is probably
safe to assume that this will be not less than two days a month and sometimes
more, together with preparation in your own time. Attendance fees and
expenses are provided, in line with Society procedures.
Communication with and about the profession is a key activity for all
Council members. They get the chance to engage with pharmacists through
branches, regions, conferences and links with other organisations. They
also have a vital role to play in communicating with other stakeholders — the
government, patient and consumer groups, other professions, etc. The
Society also has prominent roles in a number of international organisations.
Making a difference
The job of Council member is a demanding and responsible one. The decisions
you make in Council will shape the future of your profession, and impact
on the working lives of your colleagues years, even decades down the
line. The Society’s unique integrated role of professional leadership
combined with regulation gives it exceptional strength but can also
create tensions, and these have to be managed within the Council. However,
the role can also be an exceptionally fulfilling and enjoyable one
for the right person. Council members learn about aspects of their
profession with which they may be unfamiliar, and gain fascinating
insights into how policy — professional and governmental — is
developed and implemented. Most importantly, they have the chance to
make a difference.
This is an exciting and uncharted time for pharmacy and for the Society.
We need a wide range of candidates, with a variety of skills, knowledge
and experience, but predominantly with commitment, energy and integrity,
coupled with a strong belief in the future of their profession, in order
to give the new Council the best possible start.
Does this sound as though it could be the right move for you? If you
are interested in becoming a Council member, turn to
page 29 and read “Steps to take if you are seeking election to
the Council”. Guidance papers will be available shortly on the
Society’s website. Nomination forms, together with guidance papers,
may be obtained from Averil Ridgway (tel 020 7572205; e-mail averil.ridgway@rpsgb.org). |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal