The Ibex (mountain goat) is renowned for its ability to balance on steep mountainsides. It features on the BDA crest standing on top of the cornucopia. While the cornucopia signifies the plentiful supply of food we enjoy, the Ibex signifies the ‘balance’ we should maintain in our diet.
The Ibex is an honour awarded to any member of the BDA for significant contributions to the Association and the profession either locally, regionally or in a specific speciality.
Who is eligible for nomination?
- A member of the BDA in any category of membership (except student) at any stage in their career for a minimum of five years
- The nominee will have made a significant contribution to the Association at local, regional or speciality over and above what would be expected from their job role for a minimum of five years.
- The individual will have:
- Shown personal commitment and significant contribution for a minimum of five years
- Actively participated in the work of the Association locally or in a branch or speciality
- Given outstanding service to the profession and made an impact
- Areas of contribution could include, but are not limited to:
- Clinical Practice
- Teaching and practice education
- Research/evidence into practice
- Leadership
- Professional development and welfare of colleagues
- Trade Union and industrial relations
- Influencing, policy and strategy development
- Advocacy and Ambassadorial roles within and out with the profession
- Supporting the workforce through initiatives such as equality, diversity and inclusion
Nominations should ideally be made while the nominee is still active or at the most within 12 months of retiral or standing down.
The nomination process
- Ensure that the nominee is eligible and meets the above criteria.
- Nominations for Ibex should be made to the Honours Committee Chair and sent to [email protected] on the standard proforma I.
- Nominations must be supported by at least five signatures of Full Members of the Association, or by a decision of a Branch, Group or Board of the Association in general meeting. A lead nominator should be identified and contact details given.
- The individual concerned should not be approached.
- All nominations received will be acknowledged by the BDA to the lead nominator.
- The nomination will be screened for completeness. If necessary, clarification or amendment will be sought at this point.
- The formal acknowledgement to the lead nominator will inform them that they and the nominee will be notified directly if the nomination is successful; if the nomination is not successful the lead nominator will be informed.
Guidance for completing the proforma
Section 1
Basic information and contact details for the Nominee. Basic information and details for Lead Nominator and 4 other Nominators OR if proposed by a BDA Branch, Group or Board, please give details of when and where the decision was made and recorded and provide details for a Lead Nominator.
Section 2
We ask that you succinctly summarise the overarching reason for your nomination eg worked for x years on behalf of the BDA in the capacity of x; the impact of which is x. There is a 50 word limit for this section.
N.B. We may use these words in our communications and celebration events should the nomination be successful.
Section 3
We ask for a summary of the nominee’s significant personal commitment and contribution to the Association and the profession of dietetics over and above that which would be expected of their job role over a minimum of five years.
- Why are they being nominated?
- What is special about the nominee’s commitment and contribution?
- How have they gone over and above what is expected in their role?
- Have they demonstrated outstanding service as a leader/role model/mentor?
There is a 500-word limit for this section.
N.B. We may use these words in our communications and celebration events should the nomination be successful.
Section 4
Provide evidence of how the nominee has shown sustained, active participation in the work of the Association for a minimum of 5 years, giving dates. This should be succinct – you can use sentences or you may find it useful to use bullet points.
Section 5
Provide specific evidence of how the nominee’s contribution has had an impact on the profession by working with the Association. You should demonstrate how the nominee has made a considerable contribution that has made an impact in one or more of the areas outlined below.
Areas of contribution could include but are not be limited to:
- Clinical Practice
- Teaching and practice education
- Research/evidence into practice
- Leadership
- Professional development and welfare of colleagues
- Trade Union and industrial relations
- Influencing, policy and strategy development
- Advocacy and Ambassadorial roles within and out with the profession
- Supporting the workforce through initiatives such as equality, diversity and inclusion
It is really important to include evidence of the impact of the nominee’s activities and the difference they have made. This will help to identify that the nominee’s activities go over and above their usual job role and purpose.
In order to demonstrate impact, the following should be completed for each example of your nominee’s contribution. It is important to provide information as succinctly as possible and focus on what the specific contribution of the nominee in an area has been.
What has the nominee done that has significantly benefitted the Association and the profession locally, regionally or at speciality level?
- You might, for example, focus on what the nominee has done to influence and develop policy and/or strategy in their area of expertise. Or,
- How have their actions improved practice in their area of expertise? Or,
- How have they raised the profile of the wider nutrition and dietetic workforce?
Explain why this was needed/is relevant
Show why this was important; what gap this was filling?
Describe the impact this has had. What is different as a result?
Your information should address the ‘so what’ question. Be specific about how this has made a difference to the Association and the profession; Facts and data may help illustrate this, if relevant.
Are they, for example, well recognised by BDA members in their field of expertise and in representing/promoting the Association and the profession?
If you have any questions about completing the nomination proforma you can contact the BDA office on 0121 200 8080 and ask for the Honours Committee Administrator.
Assessment of nominations
The BDA Honours Committee will consider all nominations using a standardised assessment based on the judging criteria in sections 2, 3, 4 and 5.
- Each nomination is critically appraised by all members of the Honours committee.
- If your nomination is considered to fit into a different category than you have indicated, then the Honours committee reserves the right to alter this (as agreed by the BDA board of Directors)
- Do not submit more than one proforma per nominee. Should this occur, ALL forms will be considered null and void and returned. If you are in any doubt then please contact the BDA office on 0121 200 8080 and ask for the Honours Committee Administrator before submitting.
The BDA Honours Committee will give recommendations to the BDA Board of Directors to take the final decision on conferring the IBEX.
The discussions will be confidential and no further correspondence will be entered into. Successful nominees will be informed by the Honorary Chairman and Chief Executive.
The Ibex Honour will be presented by the Honorary President and Chairman of the Association at a National BDA event such as the Awards Ceremony or the Annual General Meeting following which, a notice will appear in Dietetics Today.