The Forums governance group

NEW:Report of the first Forums governance group, 20 February 2008 (WORD, 39KB).

NEW: Terms of reference and other information from the Forums governance group meeting, 20 February 2008 (WORD, 70KB).

Forums Governance Group Minutes 20 Feb 2008 (WORD, 107KB)

The Forums governance group will:

  • be the regulatory mechanism for national (UK) forums
  • ensure that good governance and financial arrangements and practices are in place for the National (UK) Forums, and
  • ensure that the work of Forums contributes to the deliver of the strategic objectives and priorities of the RCN and that the views and concerns of Forum members are fed into the decision making process.

Terms of reference

The role and main responsibilities of the group are to:

  • be the regulatory mechanism for national (UK) forums
  • ensure that good governance and financial arrangements and practices are in place for the National (UK) Forums, and to
  • ensure that the work of forums contributes to the deliver of the strategic objectives and priorities of the RCN and that the views and concerns of forum members are fed into the decision making process.

Main tasks

  1. To ensure that the views and concerns of forum members are fed into the decision making process through nursing development committee.
  2. To conduct regular reviews of the effectiveness of the forums governance and its arrangements and make recommendations to nursing development committee where it considers arrangements need strengthening or improving.
  3. To monitor and evaluate the performance of individual forums on an annual basis to ensure they are complying with governance and financial stewardship guidance and delivering on their annual action plans and make any recommendations to the nursing development committee on any area within its remit where it considers action or improvement is needed.
  4. To review annual action plans and budgets in light of the RCNs strategic objectives and priorities of the RCN and make recommendations to the nursing development committee on the allocation of budgets to forums
  5. To agree any changes to forums including terms of reference and constitutions for new forums, mergers and proposals to disband forums.
  6. To oversee the appointments process to Forum Steering Committees and ensue role descriptions for the Steering Committee Members and Support Staff are maintained.
  7. To ensure the necessary induction and training arrangements for Steering
    Committee members and staff supporting forums are in place.
  8. To report to the Nursing Development Committee after every meeting

Reporting

The forums governance group will report to the nursing development committee.

Meetings

The Group will meet at least three times during the year.

Membership

A Committee of 10

  • Three members of council (from NDC, MRDC and GSC), one of which will be chair.
  • Forum chairs
  • three representatives of other national entities

Appointments process and term of office

The nominations committee will oversee the appointment of the forums governance group

All members of the group will serve for two years with the option to stand for one further term.

Quorum

  • one member of council
  • one forum chair 
  • One representative of the other national entities

Qualities and experience

A diverse outlook among members is desirable to avoid over-emphasis in any direction.

Each member will possess the following qualities:

  • Capacity to dedicate sufficient time and energy
  • Ability to give direct and honest opinions and add value to decision making
  • The forcefulness and tenacity to ask a direct question, insist on a straight answer and hold candid discussions with management
  •  Inquisitiveness and independent judgement
  • Ability to offer different perspectives and constructive suggestions
  • Ability to bring personal knowledge and experience to bear
  • An understanding of the environment in which the RCN operates

Desirable skills and experience

The Committee overall should encompass skills and experience of the following areas:

  • Broad experience of good governance
  • Working knowledge of the RCN governance arrangements and how the different parts of the structure work and feed into the decision making process
  • Working knowledge of the RCNs strategic objectives and priorities
  • Specific knowledge of the governance and financial stewardship arrangements for Forums and how they work, experience of strategic and operational planning and budgeting in a large organisation and of setting and monitoring Performance Targets.