Chair | Retired Fellows and Members Society Committee

Chair of the RCOG Retired Fellows and Members Society Committee

Vice President for Membership and Workforce

Three years from May 2025

The role is to be Chair of the RCOG Retired Fellows and Members Society Committee is as follows:

1. To oversee and Chair the meetings (at least three per year) of the RCOG Retired Fellows and Members Society Committee
2. Lead on or contribute to specific College events and work streams focussed on retired/retiring members, working with internal and external stakeholders as required
3. Support opportunities for later career and retired Members and Fellows to share their expertise and contribute to the work of the RCOG

• Working with the Committee, to take overall responsibility for the planning and strategic direction of the RCOG Retired Fellows and Members Society Committee
• Identify appropriate measures for success, evaluating and reporting progress
• Report to the Membership Board and commit to attending all four meetings per year unless in exceptional circumstances
• To deal with all relevant enquiries and correspondence from College Officers, Fellows and Members, and outside bodies, as and when they arise
• Coordinate College responses, as requested by College Officers, to relevant consultation documents from external bodies
• To liaise with the committee Secretary after each meeting to finalise the meeting notes in a timely manner of two weeks
• To commit to monthly catch up meetings via teleconference with the Committee Secretary

• Members of the Committee
• Vice President for Membership and Workforce
• Executive Director of Membership, Global and Governance
• Director of Membership
• Head of Workforce and Professionalism
• Head of Membership
• Membership Engagement Manager

The RCOG Retired Fellows and Members Society Committee meets at least three times per year and the Chair will be expected to attend all committee meetings and finalise the meeting agenda and notes from previous meetings. There will also be a commitment outside of the meetings to deal with Committee matters as required.

The College Membership Board meets four times per year, and the Chair will be expected to attend all meetings, either in person of via Teams link.

The monthly call with the Committee Secretary and/or Membership Engagement Manager should last around 30 minutes.

There will be other areas of work where the Chair will be invited to share their expertise and support the delivery of specialised work.

This role reflects the present requirements of the post. As duties and responsibilities change and develop the role description will be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the post holder. 

The role description will be re-evaluated at the end of the term.

• FRCOG/MRCOG status
• Registered with a licence to practise with GMC, in good standing as appropriate to role
• Experience in substantive consultant or senior* SAS doctor in obstetrics and/or gynaecology in UK NHS Practice
• Evidence of annual appraisal as appropriate to the role
• Evidence of equal opportunities and diversity training within previous three years
• Be in good standing with their membership subscription as appropriate

*Twelve years postgraduate experience, including six years in O&G

• Clear demonstration of a commitment to improving women’s health
• Conversant with the activities and reporting structure of the Membership Board
• Understanding of role of  the RCOG Retired Fellows and Members Society Committee
• Knowledge of the RCOG’s strategic plan
• Good communicator as evidenced by past publications and presentations
• Flexibility
• Prepared to respond rapidly to issues as they arise
• Prior experience of a significant leadership role

Information about the RCOG CPD Framework can be found here.

Committee Chair/Member/Course Convenors and Organisers

If within your committee role or work as course convenor or organiser you gain knowledge which enhances patient care or leadership and technical skills (including, for example, giving presentations, teaching sessions or mock examining) credits can be claimed as an ‘Experiential Learning Event’.

CPD users can now freely select and record the number of credits for all their CPD activities. For Experiential Learning Events, a Reflection is required to claim the selected credits. In addition, 1 or 2 credits can be claimed for an action following the learning (1 credit for a simple action, 2 credits for a complex action). To claim credits for an action, the individual needs to demonstrate how they have applied their learning to their practice, the service they provide and/or the potential impact of the learning.

For those who prefer to follow RCOG recommendations, the CPD Framework still provides a suggested number of credits that can be claimed for different CPD activities.

Further information can be found in the RCOG CPD Framework document.

The Committee supports, develops and represents retired Fellows, Members and Associates and those later career doctors planning for retirement, in their membership experience and contribution to the College strategy, specifically:

Strategic objective 1

We will develop our membership offering to best meet the needs of members globally and the women they serve and expand our reach across the international O&G community

Strategic objective 2

We will leverage our brand and world-renowned reputation to develop partnerships and influence UK and international policy to improve women’s health globally

Appointments, membership and expected contributions

• To promote understanding about the nature and potential of later career and retired doctors to contribute to the College strategy and support the profession
• To improve engagement with, and information about and for later career and retired doctors
• To promote RCOG membership and engagement with later career and retired doctors through contribution to RCOG activity where appropriate
• To facilitate networking and learning between later careers and retired doctors
• To lead and oversee the development of an annual meeting programme and social events for later career and retired members
• To support RCOG fundraising activities through involvement with later careers and retired members

All of the above in line with regulations and other governing documents, and legal and regulatory requirements.

COPY

The Retired Fellows and Members Society Committee shall meet at least three times each year. The notice of the each meeting is set up in the meeting schedule with location/time/date already agreed in advance.

The Retired Fellows and Members Society Committee shall report to the Membership Board from each meeting on the nature and content of its discussion, recommendations and action to be taken.

A member of the Membership Team shall act as the secretary of the Committee and will ensure that information and papers are received in a timely manner to enable full and proper consideration to be given to the issues.

The secretary shall note the proceedings, decisions and actions of all meetings, including the names of those present and in attendance.

Draft notes shall be circulated to all members of the Committee. Approved/draft notes will be circulated to the Membership Board.

The Committee shall comprise at least five members.

• The Chair
• Retired or later career doctors - at least four and with a view to ensuring a diverse range of experience e.g. professional background, region, membership category

A Vice Chair may be elected from within the Committee.

There is a requirement for all College groups to be inclusive in their approach when seeking broader views across the College and its membership.

All Committee members should be in good standing with their membership subscription as appropriate.

The term of membership for members will be three years.