If you would like to be nominated for this role, please complete your details below and we will be in touch to discuss next steps.
Aims and Objectives of the Group
- To promote the role of the dietitian in the care and treatment of children, adolescents, adults and older people with mental illness and learning disabilities.
- To promote communication between dietitians working in the field of mental illness and learning disabilities
- To provide specialist evidence-based advice and information
- To promote the development of evidence-based practice in the field of mental illness and learning disabilities
- To promote the role of the dietitian in mental illness and learning disabilities at a national level
- To address and contribute emerging national policy related to mental illness and learning disabilities
What the post has to offer
As the specialist group secretary, you will work closely with the committee to ensure the successful running and organisation of the specialist group. As secretary you’ll have a particularly important role as the conduit between your committee and the BDA, providing snapshots of meetings, ensuring that your committee is up to date with its annual governance requirements and working closely with the chair to ensure that your group is running smoothly.
You’ll work with the committee to develop an overview of the strategic developments affecting the specialist group from both within the BDA and externally to the profession. Using your knowledge and skills to represent specialist group members interests, advocate for the specialism and the dietetic profession as a whole.
We don’t expect you to do it alone, as secretary you’ll work closely with the Chair and the specialist group committee and with the support of the BDA staff team to deliver your specialist group aims and objectives.
Through this position you will gain organisation, communication and project management skills, which can translate directly into career development. It will also give you an opportunity to work with colleagues across your speciality, building networks, sharing knowledge and skills.
Main duties and responsibilities
- Assist the chair with the running of the group.
- Lead on key governance responsibilities, working with the chair to co-ordinate committee contributions.
- Co-ordinate committee meetings, AGM and group communication.
- Produce meeting agendas and take minutes at committee meetings and AGM, ensuring that minutes are disseminated to key BDA staff contacts and the group members.
- Oversee the storage of files, ensuring that storage is in line with the BDA’s data protection policies.
- Support the committee in delivery of group projects.
- Work closely with the BDA’s volunteer manager, seeking advice and guidance where needed.
- Work with the Chair to co-ordinate committee recruitment.
Training Support and Resources
As the Secretary you’ll work closely with Volunteer Manager who offers support, guidance and advice to the postholder. Support for this role is offered by key committee members including the chair, vice chair, and treasurer who work as a team to set strategy, determine priorities and lead the committee to success.
We have a variety of resources, tools and training available to support this role including:
- Full induction with BDA staff and a full handover from the previous postholder.
- Training and development opportunities to help build personal and professional skills including workshops, webinars and the BDA’s annual volunteer conference.
- Committee leadership training to help build skills in strategy and governance.
- Access to our volunteer handbook and volunteer hub providing a range of resources and guidance.
- Regular communications including a monthly volunteer newsletter with BDA updates and opportunities.
- Networking with other volunteers through events, webinars and access to our volunteer forums.
Length of service and commitment
You will be elected for a two-year term of office and hope that you will be able to stay in the role throughout this term. There is the option to extend for an additional two-year term. We hope that reasonable notice would be given if you are no longer able to fulfil this role, as we appreciate that circumstances can change.
There are a number of training and development opportunities available, including a detailed induction with BDA staff and governance training to be undertaken upon commencement of each term.
Committee meetings are held regularly and can be attended virtually if required. There is a varying and flexible amount of work in between meetings which is dependent on the strategy, workplans and projects agreed to by the committee.
The group holds a minimum of one event for members a year which includes the Annual General Meeting. It is typical for the committee to attend these events.
Appointment method
To apply for this role please submit a nomination form by 12 January 2025. Nominees must be a member of the group and provide the names and signatories of two BDA members to support their nomination. If you would like an informal, confidential discussion about the role and the nomination process, please contact Steph Sloan at [email protected]