Interview with Michael Brown - Vice Chair of Council

As a longstanding RCN activist, Michael Brown is aware of both the challenges and rewards that come with representing members. In this Q&A for RCN Bulletin Extra, he talks about the tests that lie ahead as he begins his new role as Vice Chair of Council.

What do you see as your biggest priority for the next two years?

I want members to feel more involved in the decisions made by Council so I’ll be looking to strengthen communication links with the wider membership. I also want to support the Chair, Professor Kath McCourt, as best I can and help ensure the smooth running of meetings so members can feel confident in the decisions we make. I will be keen to further close the gap between the professional and trade union sides of the RCN too, so that everyone pulls in the same direction and works together.

What excites you about being Vice Chair?

I like to help people and have always challenged injustice. It was my passion for getting a fair deal for members that first attracted me to becoming an activist and the principles that drove me at that time continue to spur me on today. Council will shortly be taking decisions that will be monumental for our membership and I suppose in some small way if I can help shape and influence debate, and ensure we recognise members’ opinions and values, I will be satisfied. It is a privilege to be in this position and I am proud of the trust members have placed in me by voting to elect me to Council.

How will you make sure that this Council is an effective one?

This is a new Council Executive Team and, like with any new team, we need to gel. The work of our members and the changes in the NHS don’t stop so it will be a challenge to get up to speed quickly. We are committed, determined and up for the fight though so I am sure we will work hard to achieve common goals. I believe that the most important part of any relationship is communication, so Kath and I will spend a lot of time together to enable us to work effectively and deliver the best we can on behalf of members. I have great respect for our Chair of Council and I’m sure she will lead us well through the very difficult times we face together in the near future.

What qualifies you for the role and what qualities do you bring to it?

I have been a steward and safety rep since 1995 and have done a lot of work within my Ayrshire and Arran branch over the years. I joined the RCN Scotland board in 2006 and was appointed to the Membership Representation Committee, a sub-group of RCN Council, in 2008. From there I set my sights on serving on Council and got elected for a four-year term in 2009. I now sit on various Council committees and have become deeply immersed in the workings of the RCN.
In my day job, as partnership facilitator and workforce solutions manager for NHS Ayrshire and Arran, I am required to work at a high corporate and strategic level. I believe my calm nature and willingness to involve all members in shaping the way the RCN moves forward is absolutely paramount to my success in this role.