AVAILABLE NOW: Guidance for speech and language therapists from the DS CEN
Join the Down Syndrome CEN
Committee
Join the Committee
Thank you for considering joining the Down Syndrome CEN committee. Being part of the committee provides an exciting opportunity to be involved in the planning and direction of the CEN and the events we coordinate. In order to help you decide if you would like to join the committee, we have put the following information together. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us dscen@letsgouk.org.
How frequently do we meet?
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The Down Syndrome CEN holds three general meetings (one of which to be a study day) a year. In addition, the committee would be required to meet at least three times a year to discuss projects and plan for general meetings
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Days/times are agreed between the committee. Meetings most frequently take place at the end of a working day, as afternoon/evening was the most popular time according to the membership form responses.
How does this fit with my job/role?
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RCSLT have provided some guidance when considering joining a CEN committee which can be found here RCSLT CEN Info Pack As outlined, there may be some potential effects of committee membership on employment and these should be considered carefully. We are a new group and at this time we are not in a position to be able to refund employers or individuals for any costs associated with being a member (e.g., time).
What role would I have?
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We have outlined below, some committee roles and what they involve. We are currently looking for someone to coordinate the peer supervision group for therapists working in post 16 education and/or with adults who have Down syndrome. However, we are always keen to have additional committee members supporting the current groups/meetings or if you think there is another role that you would be interested in and would benefit the Down Syndrome CEN, please let us know. (Please note, taking on any of these roles does not mean you cannot access one of the other groups as a member (and help out!))
Chair
​The chair must be a current member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. The chair must ensure that the Down Syndrome CEN is run according to its constitution and has a sustainable number of members. The chair is responsible for managing the committee and ensuring that the Down Syndrome CEN is effective in setting and implementing agreed activities. The chair is responsible for building the committee and attracting committee members with the relevant skills and ensuring tasks are delegated across the committee. Duties include liaising with members and the committee to collect, maintain and handover information including a plan for roles and activities within the Down Syndrome CEN from one year to the next.
Secretary
The secretary must be a current member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. The role of the secretary is to support the chair and other members of the Down Syndrome CEN committee in ensuring the effective functioning of the CEN. This may involve deputising for the chair when appropriate. Other duties will include: liaising with the chair to plan meetings and study days, and ensuring that these are effectively organised and minuted; checking that agreed actions have been carried out; maintaining effective records and administration; upholding the requirements of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists in relation to CENs.
Treasurer
The treasurer must be a current member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. The treasurer is responsible for selecting and managing an efficient bank account structure. Duties include the management and record keeping of the group finances and ensuring sufficient cash and funding; maintaining a record of membership fees paid annually as well as any additional fees for events; paying invoices promptly (e.g., for any costs associated with meetings); completing an annual statement of the accounts.
Supervision group coordinator
The supervision groups include pre-school aged, school aged and Post 16 Education and Adults. Each supervision group coordinator is responsible for coordinating a minimum of three supervision groups throughout the year for their relevant age group. These groups run online and therefore require organising online access, sending out invites and attending the group (or organising someone to run the group if the coordinator is unable to attend). The format and the day/time of the group is agreed by the group.
Journal club coordinator
The journal club coordinator is responsible for sharing articles of interest to the wider membership group as well as coordinating journal club. The format of journal club includes sharing a selected paper with the group ahead of the meeting. At the online session, a summary of the paper is presented by the coordinator (or another member agreed in advance) who then leads the discussion. This club runs online and therefore requires organising online access, sending out invites and attending the group (or organising someone to lead the session if the coordinator is unable to attend). The day/time of the group is agreed by the group and this would need coordinating.
Research Lead
The journal club coordinator is responsible for sharing articles of interest to the wider membership group as well as coordinating journal club. The format of journal club includes sharing a selected paper with the group ahead of the meeting. At the online session, a summary of the paper is presented by the coordinator (or another member agreed in advance) who then leads the discussion. This club runs online and therefore requires organising online access, sending out invites and attending the group (or organising someone to lead the session if the coordinator is unable to attend). The day/time of the group is agreed by the group and this would need coordinating.
Website Coordinator
The website coordinator is responsible for coordinating a group of members who put together the information to go on this site and update the information regularly. They are not responsible for building the website but coordinating the information and liaising with the person building and maintaining the website. Following its development, review meetings are likely to be three times a year (and could be added to the end of the regular Down Syndrome CEN meeting). This website coordinator is responsible for identifying people to be involved in this project, bringing the team together to make decisions about the website and chasing outstanding information.
Media coordinator
The media coordinator is responsible for managing the Down Syndrome CEN newsletter and social media platforms. They are responsible for finding content for the newsletter (which currently includes – Events and CPD, Opportunities, Research updates, Resources) as well as writing any short text to be included. (They are not responsible for the layout of the newsletter). In addition, they would need to share relevant information with Down Syndrome CEN members and the general public on social media.
If you would like to learn more about joining the DS CEN Committee please get in touch:
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