Members’ Council Elections 2016 Your chance to get involved and make a difference!

Join us! We are looking for enthusiastic members to represent their Business Unit and help build a membership which has a real influence. This year we will be asking colleagues to vote for representatives from their Business Unit – rather than across the whole organisation. The new Members’ Council will have a much greater involvement in areas such as budget setting and contributing to key strategies, including Estates and Workforce. Having colleagues representing their Business Units will give everyone a clear ‘go to’ person for issues that they’d like raising, as well as each representative knowing who they’ll be seeking views from on certain key issues throughout the year – increasing employee ownership.

What are we looking for? We have SIX vacant seats for election this summer. To help us develop employee ownership, we are looking for the following representatives across the Business Units: Integrated Adults (x3 clinicians) Integrated Children’s (x1 clinician) Primary Care, Adults Planned and Health and Wellbeing (x2 colleagues – at least 1 clinician) Please note, we’ve allocated two spaces on Members’ Council to colleagues from Corporate Enabler teams (Finance, Workforce, Performance etc.). However, we already have two representatives who aren’t due to stand down this year - Claire Flowers and Carolyn Dixon – so we won’t be looking for nominations from Corporate Enabler teams this year. By standing for election to our Members' Council, you can help make a difference and play a key role in the development of your Business Unit and Locala.

Our expectations of you as a Council Member: We’re serious about building employee ownership and the role of the Council Member will be key to this. Therefore, we’ll be looking for colleagues to invest slightly more time in this than in the past. Up to now as a Council Member you’ve been expected to attend three development sessions and four formal meetings throughout the course of the year. You will hear first-hand information on how Locala is progressing and have the opportunity to make recommendations about the areas discussed at our development sessions, which are a great opportunity for you to learn more about the organisation, contribute to its future development and really feel ‘part of it’. Our formal meetings provide an update on what has been happening across Locala on a broader scale, working group and member activity and provide the opportunity to approve the latest policies and forward plans. We’d also like you to get involved in at least one of our Members’ Council Working Groups – Charities, Colleague Survey, Nomination and Remuneration, Membership Development and Volunteering – which current representatives have found very rewarding and you can make a real difference.

Our commitment to you as a Council Member: By nominating yourself for election to our Members’ Council you will have the opportunity to represent your Business Unit and really make your membership count. We value your contribution therefore we will make sure that you are well supported throughout your time on the Members’ Council; receive regular updates and communications; are reimbursed for any out of pocket expenses; and above all are made to feel welcome.

How do I find out more? Drop-in Sessions: We will be running a series of drop-in sessions in Locala bases over lunchtime periods so that you can come along to ask questions and find out more. Look out for the Elections stall on the following dates: Thursday 7th July, 12-1:30pm in the Lunch Room at Dewsbury Health Centre. Thursday 14th July, 12-2:00pm outside the Poppies Café, Holme Valley Memorial Hospital. Thursday 22nd July, 12:30-2pm in the First Floor Meeting Room at Mill Hill Health Centre. Tuesday 26th July, 12:30-2pm in the Lunch Room at Cleckheaton Health Centre.

How do I find out more? CATchats: Sarah Peacock, Membership Liaison Officer will be hosting two CATchats to tell you more about the Members’ Council Elections 2016, expectations, commitments and how you can get more involved. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions. Join us on one of the following dates: Friday 8th July 12-12:30pm – Sign up via Elsie. Wednesday 20th July, 12-12:30pm (Repeat of the above CATchat for those who missed it!) – Sign up via Elsie.

How do I find out more? Members’ Council Video: Look out for our ‘Locala – The Story So Far’ Members’ Council episode coming soon! The video features information about why our current Council Members ran for election, what they have achieved and advice for anyone thinking of nominating themselves. Visit the Membership pages of the Locala website and the Membership Facebook and Twitter pages for regular updates.

How do I nominate myself? If you would like to stand for election to the Members’ Council, please complete a nomination form (attached to the Membership Team email, or on the Elections website page) and return with a head and shoulders photograph by noon on Friday 29th July. Details of how to submit your nomination are enclosed on the form. Alternatively, you can email: membership@locala.org.uk, or call 030 3330 9802 for further information. Please note, voting for the Members’ Council Elections will open on Friday 12th August and the results will be announced at our Annual Members’ Meeting on Tuesday 6th September.

To download a nomination form … Visit the ‘Elections’ page on the Membership section of the Locala website.