1. You are here:
  2. Home
  3. News & Campaigns
  4. Get involved
  5. Volunteering with us
  6. Volunteering opportunities
  7. Student Member; Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Specialist Group

Student Member; Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Specialist Group

Help represent the next generation of dietitians and develop your skills by joining the group as a Student Member. This is an opportunity to contribute student perspectives, get involved in projects, and support the delivery of education, networking, and resources for specialist group members.

What the role offers

 

Student representation: Provide the views and perspectives of BDA student members, influencing the group’s projects, events, and communications.

  • Project experience: Get involved in committee-led projects, taking the opportunity to lead on areas of interest.
  • Professional networks: Work closely with committee members, BDA staff, and other volunteers, building connections across the dietetic profession.
  • Career development: Gain organisation, communication, and project management skills that can directly enhance your professional profile and employability.
About the role

You will support the committee in delivering projects, events, and resources while ensuring the student voice is heard and represented. You’ll learn from experienced committee members and contribute to the promotion of the group’s work to students.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Supporting the committee in the delivery of group projects
  • Working with the BDA Volunteer Manager for advice and guidance
  • Learning from committee members with specific portfolios and getting involved in leading specific projects
  • Undertaking agreed duties, such as managing social media or contributing to tasks and projects
  • Representing the views and perspectives of BDA student members
  • Promoting the PEN Group and its events, resources, and webinars to student members
Support and development

You will be fully supported throughout your term, 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.
  • Access to our volunteer handbook and volunteer hub providing a range of resources and guidance.
  • Regular communications including a monthly volunteer ezine with BDA updates and opportunities.
  • Networking with other volunteers through events, webinars and access to our volunteer forums.
Commitment 

You will be elected for a two-year term of office and we 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 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.

About the Group
  • The Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (PEN) Group strives to support and represent dietitians working in oral, enteral and parenteral nutrition support in all care settings including the home
  • To facilitate dietitians working in oral, enteral and parenteral nutrition support to share and employ best/evidence-based practice
  • To act as a voice of professional expertise for and on behalf of dietitians working in oral, enteral and parenteral nutrition support
  • To collaborate with other specialist groups of the BDA and external bodies on both a national and international basis on specific projects or tasks to promote excellence in nutritional care

Appointment method

To apply for this role please submit a nomination form. 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 Linda. 


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.