Item 21: Diversity, equality, opportunity
Resolution submitted by the RCN Islington Branch
That this meeting of RCN Congress urges RCN Council to ensure that its own diversity reflects the diversity of RCN members
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Cecilia Anim from the RCN Islington Branch told members that diversity meant difference and it was important for these differences to be harnessed. She said that creative solutions were needed if the RCN wanted to be a world class champion of diversity. This could not be the case if RCN Council does not represent the membership. She asked members to take positive action 'not because it's the popular thing to do but because it's the right thing to do'. The resolution was seconded by Zeba Arif who asked Congress to support the resolution as it would benefit nurses, patients and the RCN.
Members were restricted to speaking for one minute as there were so many who wished to speak on the subject. Mojisola Olaye said that multi-cultural Britain should be reflected in RCN Council and Gareth Phillips urged members to remember that diversity is not always obvious as he said that Council was already a diverse entity in a number of ways.
Damian Ronksley referred to the way in which the National Union of Students works - having dedicated seats for women and LGBT students and Charles Gomedza reminded that diversity is nothing to be afraid of.
Several members emphasised that the skills and ability to work as a Council member and get the best person for the job were the most important issues to be taken into consideration. Saffron Brown received a standing ovation when she told members that as a black woman, she would be offended if she were to be employed or elected to a position based on the colour of her skin.
Alan Mawbey, the Council Diversity Lead encouraged people to stand for Council. "If people don't stand, you end up with what you get" he said.
There was some discussion about the meaning of the wording of the resolution. The resolution was not passed. Following the debate, RCN President, Maura Buchanan said that she wanted to encourage everyone to stand for Council.
Results of the resolution
For: 105 (29.58%)
Against: 250 (70.42%)
Abstentions: 19
Not passed.
Background
Developing structures and processes that value diversity is one of the ten key goals enshrined in Forward Together, the RCN strategic plan for 2008 to 2013, (Royal College of Nursing, 2008) and a key priority of the RCN's corporate diversity and equality strategy is to achieve a representative RCN.
The composition of RCN Council and its committees has been identified as a visible and significant indicator of the progress made around diversity and equality issues within the RCN. Implementing a key performance indicator (KPI) in this area will help monitor the progress being made around diversifying the governance of the RCN.
The aim would be to ensure that the composition of RCN Council, along with its committees and boards, reflect the needs of the organisation and is as representative as possible of RCN membership.
The question is how this can best be achieved, and the debate at Congress 2009 will mark the start of a consultation process with members on this issue. Can it be achieved just by presenting clear information to the electorate about the candidates and their skills, experience and backgrounds.
Or is more positive action needed to address the criticism that Council is not representative of its membership, especially in relation to the shortage of representatives from minority groups. This might include targeted outreach work to help identify potential candidates and increase voting by under-represented groups of members, and/or a nominations committee to review the full list of candidates and publish a slate of suggested candidates with a view to making Council more representative of the whole range of skills, experience and backgrounds of the membership.
References and further reading
Gutch R (2009) Structures for user and member involvement, Governance, No. 22, January, pp. 18 - 19.
Hebditch S (2008) 'Guided democracy'? No thanks, Third Sector, 13 November, p.14.
Royal College of Nursing (2008) The RCN strategic plan: forward together, the RCN strategic plan 2008 - 2013, London: RCN. Available from the publications section on the RCN website.