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  7. Vice Chair: Kidney Dietitian Specialist Group

Vice Chair: Kidney Dietitian Specialist Group

Aims and objectives of the group
  • To bring together members with an interest in Kidney nutrition
  • To provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, information and experience 
  • To provide expert nutritional advice and information to dietitians, other health professionals and carers working with people with renal disease
  • To promote research into the role of nutrition and renal disease
  • To promote appropriate resources
  • To liaise with other specialist groups within the BDA as appropriate and circulate and act upon information from BDA Board of Directors
  • To deliver the Kidney Dietitian Specialist Group strategic plan in conjunction with the BDA Strategic plan
What the role has to offer

As the specialist group vice-chair, you will support the chair to lead and guide a motivated committee of volunteers, who work as a team to set group strategy, deliver objectives and provide group members with resources, education and networking opportunities. 

You will have 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, you’ll be supported by the specialist group chair, will work closely with your specialist group committee and have the support of the BDA staff team to deliver your specialist group aims and objectives.

Through this position you will gain leadership, mediation 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 tasks and responsibilities
  • Provide assistant leadership to enable the chair and committee members to fulfil their roles.
  • Work closely with the chair, treasurer and secretary to lead and support the committee to achieve its aims and objectives.
  • Call, attend and chair meetings of the committee in the absence of the chair.
  • Work with the chair to lead on projects as agreed.
  • Alongside the chair act as the main specialist group committee contact and representative of the specialist group within the BDA.
  • Support the chair and group committee in the delivery of key governance responsibilities.
  • Work closely with the BDA’s volunteer manager, seeking advice and guidance where needed.
  • Lead and encourage group committee members to work with the BDA staff team to seek advice and guidance, provide expertise and contribute to projects.
  • Communicate with other specialist group committees and the BDA staff team in order to collaborate and share best practice.
  • Where applicable coordinate the specialist group committee to represent group members to internal and external stakeholders, providing expertise, best practice and guidance for consultations, policy development and practice.
Training, support and resources

As the vice-chair you’ll work closely with the Volunteer Manager who offers support, guidance and advice to the postholder. Support for this role is offered by key committee members including the chair, secretary 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.
  • Vice-chair 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 have the option to extend for an additional two-year term. Reasonable notice can be given if you are no longer able to fulfil this role.

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 regularly throughout the year 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 specialist 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.

How to get involved

To apply for this role please submit a nomination form by 10 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 Angeline at [email protected].


Members who support my application

First member

Second member


Declaring conflicts of interest

Council has decided that it is good practice for all members who represent the BDA on outside bodies, who are completing specific pieces of work for the BDA, are executive committee members of specialist groups or members of standing committees to register any interests which may be perceived as potentially generating a conflict of interests with BDA business.

The definition of what needs to be recorded is: the interests of a member which might reasonably be thought by others to influence their actions in their capacity as a BDA member acting on behalf of the BDA. This is consistent with our Members’ Charter and the way other councils work (including the Health Professions Council).

This form will be held confidentially by the BDA Chief Executive and the Honorary Secretary. It will be completed by anyone representing the BDA externally or taking on a distinct piece of work, where the BDA thinks it appropriate that the member complete it. It may be used if a conflict of interests arises and  Council or the Investigatory Committee decides that it needs to access it.

Please complete the following details as fully as possible and declare any possible conflict of interest you may have. Click on either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to answer each question.

I confirm that the information given on this form is correct and understand that failure to disclose relevant information may result in my role representing the BDA being terminated.

I agree that the information I have provided may be disclosed to the Council or the Investigatory Committee if requested.

I acknowledge that, under the terms of my membership of the BDA, I must comply with the rules and policies of the BDA, professional Codes of Conduct and the Members’ Charter. In particular, I will ensure that:

  • I act in the best interests of the BDA
  • I uphold confidentiality and ensure that any information obtained during a visit is used solely for the purposes of the BDA and is not divulged to any person or third party.
  • I conduct myself appropriately and treat all present with equal respect.