Play a central role in keeping the Neurosciences Specialist Group running smoothly by stepping into this essential and rewarding volunteer position. As the vital link between the committee and the BDA, you'll help ensure the group is well-organised, well-governed, and well-positioned to serve its members.
Aims and Objectives of the Group
- To provide a network for dietitians and other members of the BDA who work within or have an interest in neurosciences to share expertise, knowledge and service developments
- To influence national policy and guidance with respect to nutrition and long-term neurological conditions on behalf of the BDA, and prepare consensus statements. This will be carried out using robust evidence-based practice
- To provide an environment for dietitians and other health care professionals to support their training and education through study days, newsletters, meetings and publications in association with the BDA CED
- To facilitate original research and audit amongst group members and promote the sharing of results and findings at a regional and national level. This includes conferences and in peer reviewed journals
- Support the development of resources such as newsletters, standards, guidance or patient information on the nutritional management of long-term neurological conditions
- Provide an annual bursary (where available) to support a member and committee member to undertake CPD in relation to the nutritional management of long-term neurological conditions in the acute and community setting, and share this with members of the group and the wider BDA membership. This will be dependent on sufficient funds being available
- On behalf of the BDA, to respond to enquiries from the media and other organisations with respect to the nutritional management of long-term neurological conditions
What the post has to offer
As the specialist group Treasurer, you will have a vital role as the co-ordinator of all financial matters within your committee. You’ll have oversight of your specialist group budget providing accurate records of financial transactions, managing income and expenditure and working with the committee to create business cases for projects.
In this role you will work with 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’ll work with the committee to develop 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, as Treasurer you’ll be supported by the Accounts Department and the Volunteer Officer who provide training to prepare you for this role as well as ongoing support and guidance. You’ll have the support of the committee Chair, working closely with the specialist group committee to plan budgets, projects and business cases.
Through this position you will gain financial management, strategic finance, communication 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 duties and responsibilities
- Overall responsibility for financial matters, working very closely with the BDA Accounts Department and Volunteer Manager seeking advice and guidance where needed.
- Ensure that the committee is following the guidance and procedures in the ‘BDA Finance Handbook.’
- Lead the annual budget process for your group, supported by the BDA Accounts Department and work with the committee on planning work and projects, ensuring all planned expenditure and income is budgeted for.
- Monitor and evaluate the budget on a regular basis, ensuring that any necessary adjustments are put in place with the BDA Accounts Department.
- Provide advice and guidance to the committee on financial matters and ensure projects and events have a budget and are included in the overall group budget.
- Where needed, work with relevant committee members and the BDA staff team to arrange contracts and service agreements, meeting BDA guidance and HMRC rules.
- Present the specialist group accounts at the annual general meeting (AGM).
- Submit regular information on the financial activity of the group to the accounts department in the format of payment and receipt packs.
- Attend the BDA Strategic Finance Workshop upon commencement of the role and refresher training upon commencement of a second term.
- Where relevant support the committee in delivery of Group projects.
Training, Support and Resources
As Treasurer you’ll work closely with the Volunteer Team and the Accounts Department who offer support, guidance and advice to the postholder. Support for this role is offered by key committee members including the Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary 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:
- 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 finance handbook.
- Regular support and advice from the Accounts Department.
- Strategic finance training to help you build strategic finance, business planning and budgeting skills.
- 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.
Length of service and commitment
You will be elected for a two-year term of office and 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.
Appointment method
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 Claudia at [email protected]