RCVS & VN Councils Elections - nominations open to all

The nominations period for candidates wishing to stand in the 2014 RCVS and VN Council Elections has opened today, and we are keen to encourage all members of both professions to consider putting their names forward.

Six seats are available on RCVS Council, and two on VN Council, each for a four-year tenure. Existing RCVS Council Members David Catlow, Jacqui Molyneux, Bob Partridge, Christine Shield, Neil Smith and Clare Tapsfield-Wright are due to retire from Council next year, but are all eligible for re-election. Suzanne May and Hilary Orpet will be retiring from VN Council, but will be similarly eligible to stand again in 2014.

Last year, for the first time in over a decade, no women candidates stood for election to RCVS Council, and we are determined to widen participation in Council amongst the whole profession.

To help veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses learn more about what’s involved in being a Council Member, the benefits it can bring and the amount of time it requires, we have produced two short videos featuring the experiences of some existing members of both Councils and their reasons for standing (www.youtube.com/rcvsvideos).

“We have chosen the theme ‘People like you’ for these videos because people on the Councils really are no different to their colleagues across all aspects of the veterinary and veterinary nursing professions. The thoughts and experiences they describe on camera will sound very familiar to many of their colleagues and peers!” says Gordon Hockey, RCVS Registrar.

“We need people of all ages and of varying experiences and professional backgrounds to ensure there is a healthy and diverse range of views available,” he adds.

We will also be hosting a special ‘Meet the RCVS’ day on Tuesday, 10 December for anyone considering standing for election but wanting to find out more first.

Further information and bookings are available from Fiona Harcourt, Communications Officer (020 7202 0773 / [email protected]).

Nominations are open until 5pm on Friday, 31 January 2014, allowing plenty of time to find out more about what’s involved and to find two proposers.