All Board members link to a branch and one of my board link branches is Surrey so I was delighted when they invited me to their “Neurodiversity in health care” meeting.
The room was carefully prepared with everyone having a place at a table plus pens and RCN bags and the event started with coffee, biscuits and a very warm welcome.
About 40 enthusiastic nurses arrived, the people at my table had not attended a branch meeting before and did not know each other but soon a friendly networking session was underway.
Daniel the Surrey Branch chair welcomed everyone before Siobhan Cockram, the RCN officer talked about how we can all be more active in the RCN, leading some group interactions to demonstrate the simple ways we can participate in our unions endeavours. Everyone appeared to enjoy this session and it helped people to interact with each other.
Holly Chadd the RCN Disability Officer and Operational lead gave an excellent presentation about the support that is available through the RCN and other bodies for Neurodivergent RCN members. This session was received very favourably.
Following this session there was an excellent lunch and another opportunity for people to find out more about each other, their workplaces and client groups.
After lunch I was asked to talk about the Board and how it operates within the RCN structure. With questions, this became a session about how the RCN is organised and everyone seemed interested. Branch member Ali Upton gave a talk about Congress and how that is organised and this produced a lot of interest. I encouraged anyone who had not attended a Congress to apply for the Board funding that was on offer.
The meeting ended with Daniel and Siobhan helping everyone to reflect on the day and to look at ways forward for the branch.
Attending the meeting was an invaluable opportunity for me as the board link to meet the branch executives and to congratulate them on their hard work in producing such a well attended and well organised event.
Now that I’ve met the executives in person I will be able to communicate with the branch more effectively and attending their successful meeting has given me ideas that I can pass on to other branches.
Our branches put on some amazing events throughout the year, I would encourage you to attend a branch meeting if you can. The networking and learning opportunities are fabulous and free. If there is an event you want to see, speak to your branch team and see if one can be arranged.
The room was carefully prepared with everyone having a place at a table plus pens and RCN bags and the event started with coffee, biscuits and a very warm welcome.
About 40 enthusiastic nurses arrived, the people at my table had not attended a branch meeting before and did not know each other but soon a friendly networking session was underway.
Daniel the Surrey Branch chair welcomed everyone before Siobhan Cockram, the RCN officer talked about how we can all be more active in the RCN, leading some group interactions to demonstrate the simple ways we can participate in our unions endeavours. Everyone appeared to enjoy this session and it helped people to interact with each other.
Holly Chadd the RCN Disability Officer and Operational lead gave an excellent presentation about the support that is available through the RCN and other bodies for Neurodivergent RCN members. This session was received very favourably.
Following this session there was an excellent lunch and another opportunity for people to find out more about each other, their workplaces and client groups.
After lunch I was asked to talk about the Board and how it operates within the RCN structure. With questions, this became a session about how the RCN is organised and everyone seemed interested. Branch member Ali Upton gave a talk about Congress and how that is organised and this produced a lot of interest. I encouraged anyone who had not attended a Congress to apply for the Board funding that was on offer.
The meeting ended with Daniel and Siobhan helping everyone to reflect on the day and to look at ways forward for the branch.
Attending the meeting was an invaluable opportunity for me as the board link to meet the branch executives and to congratulate them on their hard work in producing such a well attended and well organised event.
Now that I’ve met the executives in person I will be able to communicate with the branch more effectively and attending their successful meeting has given me ideas that I can pass on to other branches.
Our branches put on some amazing events throughout the year, I would encourage you to attend a branch meeting if you can. The networking and learning opportunities are fabulous and free. If there is an event you want to see, speak to your branch team and see if one can be arranged.
