'Give the regions a strong voice – vote today' says BVA president as elections open
As elections for a number of the British Veterinary Association’s (BVA) regional representatives open (23 January), BVA President Gudrun Ravetz called on the Association's 16,000-plus members to make their vote count and ensure that there are strong voices on BVA Council representing the views of vets working in all regions of the UK.
BVA members in the East Midlands, London, Northern Ireland, and Yorkshire and Humber will have received an email from the independent Electoral Reform Service, which is managing the electoral process, that contains instructions on how to vote. The elections follow an extensive consultation as part of BVA's recent governance review. BVA members are encouraged to make sure BVA holds a current email address on file to avoid missing out on the chance to vote by updating their contact details at My BVA or calling BVA's membership team on 020 7908 6350.
BVA President Gudrun Ravetz said:
“The role of regional representatives on BVA Council is vital in making sure we hear, consider and take action on issues affecting the profession and animal health and welfare on the ground in local areas. For BVA members in those regions, this is your chance to have a say in who will represent you at BVA’s Council, our key debating chamber where all of BVA's committee work is collated, and decisions and policies are developed and ratified. Make sure you give the regions a strong voice – vote today.”
BVA is pleased to announce that candidates for the North East, Wales and West Midlands – Paul Freeman, Les Eckford and Ally Anderson (second term), respectively – were elected unopposed.
In the East Midlands, Chantal Bryant and Nicola Mansell are standing for election; in London, candidates are Anthony Ridge, Carolyn Smith-Evans and William Chandler; in Northern Ireland, Alan Gordon and Esther Skelly-Smith are standing; with Alison Price, Jim Morris and Nicky Green the candidates for Yorkshire and the Humber. Further details, including the candidates' short manifestos, are available on the BVA website and BVA Members are encouraged to ask the candidates questions via the regional forums on BVA's Community, which can also be accessed through the website using your BVA login details.
Vacancies for BVA Council representatives for the East of England, North West, Scotland, South East and South West of England will be coming up in late 2017.
More information about the BVA's Council, regional representatives and the elections is available at www.bva.co.uk/About-BVA/Association/BVA-Council/
