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  7. Vice Chair - Neonatal Sub-Group

Vice Chair - Neonatal Sub-Group

Help shape the future of dietetics, and your own career, by stepping into one of the BDA's most rewarding roles. The Vice chair is a great stepping stone into senior leadership within the specialist group.

What the role offers
  • Leadership experience: Support the Chair to set the direction of the group, guide the volunteer committee and step in when needed 
  • Influence on practice: Shape the group's position on policy and best practice
  • Wider networks: Build connections with dietitians, BDA staff and specialist group colleagues across the UK
  • Career development: Gain practical leadership skills and experience that complement your professional practice
Your role

You will work with the Chair to provide overall leadership to the committee, ensuring the group delivers on its aims and continues to represent members effectively. 

Key responsibilities include:

  • Support the Chair to provide overall leadership to the committee, setting strategy and ensuring the group's aims and objectives are delivered
  • Learn about committee dynamics, strategy and what good governance looks like
  • Work closely with the Chair, Treasurer and Secretary to lead governance and support committee members in their roles
  • Champion members' interests to internal and external stakeholders, including policy consultations, practice guidance and media
  • Lead collaboration with other BDA specialist group committees and other stakeholders as needed
  • Support the committee to deliver member-facing resources, education and events, including the group Annual General Meeting
  • Work with the Vice-Chair as part of succession planning for the group
Support and development

You will be fully supported throughout your term, including:

  • Full induction with BDA staff and, where possible, a detailed handover from the previous Chair
  • Access to the volunteer handbook, hub and monthly newsletter
  • Workshops, webinars and the BDA annual Volunteer Support Day
  • Ongoing support from the BDA Volunteer Manager and the wider committee 
  • Networking with specialist group Chairs and BDA leadership across the organisation
Aims and objectives of the group
  • To establish a network of dietitians working in neonatology to share practice.
  • To create a forum for discussion of current issues within the field of neonatal nutrition.
  • To provide evidence based education and advice to non-specialists and specialists in the field of neonatology through meetings, study days and a network of experts who can be contacted for advice.
  • To develop links with other professional groups working in neonatology.
  • To undertake joint collaborative audit and research to develop formalised standards and publish work

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 Carlena at [email protected].


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.