The nomination period for both RCVS and VN Councils runs up until 5pm on Tuesday 31 January 2017 and, in order to stand, candidates for either Council will need to submit a nomination form, a short biography and personal statement, and supply a high resolution digital photo. 
Each candidate also needs two nominators. For RCVS Council candidates these should be veterinary surgeons who are on the College’s Register but are not current RCVS Council members and for VN Council candidates they must be registered veterinary nurses who are not currently on VN Council.

Dr Chris Tufnell, RCVS President, discusses RCVS Council and various committees in a video urging members of the profession to put themselves forward: “Being on Council is open to all members of the RCVS, and is at its best when it includes people from all walks of the profession, whether it be practice or other areas. It involves seven or eight meetings a year, where you’ll make key decision on education, professional standards and other matters. 

“But there are plenty of other opportunities to get involved – I stood for Council because I’m passionate about veterinary education and lifelong learning, and I’ve been lucky enough to be involved on the Education Committee, and subsequently became its Chair, which, as well as giving me a really in-depth knowledge of the Department, gave me a place on the Operational Board which is involved with the day-to-day running of the RCVS. Subsequently I have become President, which I certainly wasn’t expecting when I stood for Council seven years ago. 

“I’d really urge you to get your nomination in as the nominations close at the end of January, and it’s a really great opportunity to play a part in the future of this great profession.”

Liz Cox, Chair of VN Council, adds: “With the publication of the VN Futures Report in July there is now huge scope for VN Council members, current and prospective, to take forward some of its recommendations, for example, around clarifying Schedule 3 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act and building a structured and varied career path for veterinary nurses.

“As well as VN Futures there is also a lot of important day-to-day work for VN Council members around veterinary nursing education and professional standards and we would really encourage VNs from all areas of practice to put themselves forward as candidates and to have a say on these crucial issues.” 

The election period starts around mid-March and will run until 5pm on Friday 28 April 2017. Ballot papers will be sent to veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses who are eligible to vote in the week commencing Monday 13 March 2017. 

Nomination forms, guidance notes and frequently asked questions for prospective RCVS Council candidates can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk/rcvscouncil17. The equivalent documents for VN Council candidates are available at www.rcvs.org.uk/vncouncil17.

To view the video with Chris Tufnell, please visit our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/rcvsvideos.