We are recruiting a new Deputy Honorary Secretary for the BGS, to work with Dr Ruth Law as she steps up from the deputy role to become Hon Secretary in November 2023. The Hon Secretary works with the President and President Elect to guide the BGS’s strategic direction and lead our policy and influencing work. As Deputy Hon Secretary you would spend two years learning the ropes and working with the Hon Secretary before you take over as Hon Secretary in November 2025.
During the two years as Deputy Hon Secretary, you will work closely with the Hon Secretary, the BGS Chief Executive and the BGS Policy Manager to set policy priorities for the BGS and ensure that our policy and communications work reflects the strategic aims of BGS and the priorities of the membership as well as capitalising on external opportunities to influence how healthcare systems and services are designed and delivered for older people. This also gives a two-year lead-in period working with the Honorary Secretary to learn about chairing the Policy Committee and about charity governance by participating in BGS Board meetings.
The Hon Secretary role provides the opportunity to participate with the senior officers of the BGS in shaping the direction of the organisation so that our work has maximum impact. If you have leadership ambitions, it offers the chance to build your strategic and influencing skills within a supportive environment. Many previous Hon Secretaries of the BGS have gone on to great things. They describe it, and the preceding Deputy role. as a fantastic learning ground for leadership and policy influence. We know the title doesn’t do a great job of capturing what the role consists of, but please read on to understand its scope.
Please nominate yourself for the Deputy Hon Secretary role if you are:
- Passionate about the aims of the BGS and committed to improving the healthcare of older people.
- A healthcare professional working with older people and a BGS member.
- Keen to influence the external policy environment to ensure that the NHS provides the best possible care for older people.
- Interested in the health system and the way national, regional and local policy shape how services for older people are delivered in acute, primary and community care.
- Able to commit time and energy to the role (2 years as Deputy, then 2 years as Hon Secretary).
Duties
- The Deputy will support the Honorary Secretary and take on a share of his / her responsibilities, to be mutually agreed. The duties of the Honorary Secretary are:
- To act as one of the most senior officers of, and ambassadors for, the BGS.
- To contribute with the other senior officers to the Society’s strategic planning and direction as a member of the BGS Trustee Board
- To act as a director of BGS (Trading) Ltd., our wholly owned trading arm.
- To chair the Policy and Communications Committee.
- To encourage the Society's multidisciplinary membership to engage with policy and communications work and campaigns.
- To work with the CEO and Policy Manager to develop policy positions that enable the BGS to advocate for high-quality health and social care for older people.
- To represent the BGS in external policy forums and to ensure the interests of older people are considered in the development of NHS policies and services across the four nations of the UK.
- To advise on and approve press releases, consultation responses, policy submissions to government, and other BGS publications.
- To advise on and contribute to BGS communications such as the BGS Newsletter, social media and BGS e-bulletins and blogs.
- To advocate for older people’s interests in relationships with external organisations e.g. NHS, Royal Colleges, other specialist medical societies, voluntary organisations and allied professional groups.
Term
The Deputy Honorary Secretary will serve for two years, taking office at the AGM in November 2023. When the Honorary Secretary demits (November 2025), the Deputy Hon Secretary will automatically take over as Honorary Secretary and serve in that role for a further two years (to November 2027).
Time commitment
Both the Deputy and the Honorary Secretary attend
- The BGS Trustee Board (4 meetings a year).
- The Policy and Communications Committee (4 meetings a year).
The time commitment for the Deputy Honorary Secretary will vary but should only very rarely exceed eight hours a month. Once the Deputy takes over as Honorary Secretary, the time commitment may grow substantially but should rarely exceed 3 days per month, spread unevenly.
Both are voluntary, unpaid roles, although travel costs and other expenses will be covered (in accordance with the BGS expenses policy).
How to apply
Self-nominations are invited, in the form of a CV and a covering statement of no more than 2 pages setting out how you would approach the Deputy Hon Secretary role and future Hon Secretary role and what you bring. The closing date for self-nominations is 9.00 a.m. on Monday 26 June 2023. Please send your email to Mark Stewart: m.stewart@bgs.org.uk.
If more than one self-nomination is received, an election by BGS members will be held from mid-July to the end of August. Candidates will be invited to provide a short video explaining why they are standing and why they are suited to the role.
The current Hon Secretary, Anne Hendry, or Deputy Hon Secretary, Ruth Law, would be happy to speak to possible candidates. Please contact Mark Stewart to arrange this.
