RCN Representative of the Year Awards

Rules

1. Entries should be typed or handwritten in black ink.
2. Entry forms must be completed in full and signed by the nominating member (online submissions do not require a signature).
3. The nominating person must be a current member of the RCN or an RCN member of staff.
4. Nominees must be accredited RCN representatives.
5. RCN local offices will be informed of any nominations received from their region or country.
6. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
7. The prize money can be used at the discretion of the winners.
8. Members of the UK representative committees are not eligible for nomination as they judge the awards.
9. In recognition of their achievement, the award winners will be publicised and promoted by the RCN and LV=.

Guidance

The guidance notes below outline what the judges will be looking for in the supporting statement for each award.

1. Highlight the learning representative’s, safety representative’s or steward’s outstanding achievements, how they have made a difference in the workplace and any special initiatives.  Emphasise specific actions and personal initiative used in the achievements described. Achievements must relate to the nominee’s daily representative work, and not to any work they have done on the National Representatives Committee or on their country or regional board.
2. Please give examples of how nursing staff/health care support workers have benefited.

Learning representative

Achievements might include:

• pioneering a new learning initiative to make learning more accessible for members
• contributing to the development and implementation of a workplace learning agreement
• establishing themselves as a resource for members seeking information and advice on training and learning.

Safety representative

Achievements might include:

• improving the health, safety and security of members in the workplace
• promotion of health and safety in the workplace
• resolution of workplace health and safety issues or disputes
• negotiating and representing the health and safety interests of members at work.

Steward

Achievements might include:

• contributing to the prevention and resolution of disputes in the workplace
• in partnership with their employer, influencing positive employment relations through review and development of employment policies
• supporting, advising and representing members in cases of grievance, disciplinary procedures, employment conditions and practice such as equal opportunities or job evaluation.