BSG COUNCIL MEETING
TiG representatives: Chris Lamb/Alenka Brooks

UPDATES:

BSG Council Meeting: March 2011 (Paul Flanagan)

The main point of interest to trainees are the changes to the trainees section.  Other matters discussed were at policy level and unlikely to be of interest to trainees.

Changes to the Trainees Section
A new constitution was proposed by the trainees section and was approved by council.
The new constitution is shown below.
The key changes are:

• Maximum term of office of 3 years
• Increase in the size of the committee from 12 to 18
• Regional representation is maintained but there is reorganisation of the regions
• Agreement that the BSG TS can pursue funding opportunities to fund activities such as a management weekend

Alliance with UEGF
A presentation was given by UEGF.  In essence they propose a collaboration with the BSG.  The details need to be finalised but there was broad agreement the proposal should be investigated further.  A more detailed proposal will follow.

DDF 2012
Plans are clarifying for DDF 2012.  A formal agreement has been reached with the partner societies.  The programme committee meets in May at which time a draft programme should be ready.

• Provide representation of Gastroenterology trainees at the BSG and other specialist organisations.
• To improve links between the BSG and Gastroenterology trainees.  The section will endeavour to represent the views of all Gastroenterology trainees regardless of membership status
• To provide a forum for members to discuss matters related to training and the transition to future posts. 
• To provide an opportunity for members meetings for both educational and social purposes.

Rules
The committee will consist of 18 members representing the following regions:

• East Anglia
• Mersey, Northern
• Northern Ireland
• North West
• Oxford
• East Scotland
• West Scotland
• NE Thames
• NW Thames
• SE Thames
• SW Thames
• South West (Severn and Peninsula)
• Trent
• Wales
• Wessex
• West Midlands
• Yorkshire

Voting to elect committee members will occur annually and will be handled by the BSG office.
Nominations for each region will be sought from the membership and members will be notified of candidates prior to the vote.
Committee members will serve a maximum three year term of office.  If a committee member obtains a consultant post prior to the completion of their 3rd year they will stand down at the first vote following their consultant appointment. 
The chair and secretary shall be elected from within the committee and serve a one year term. In the event of a tied vote the out going chair has the casting vote. The chair may only serve one term of office but the secretary may be subsequently elected chair.
The committee shall meet a minimum of twice a year.  The number of committee members necessary for a quorum shall be eight.

The Roles of the BSG TS
This will not form part of the constitution but is included here to clarify the role of the trainees section

• To represent the views of trainees at a national level
• To enhance the visibility of the BSG within training schemes
• To undertake regular surveys of trainees opinions
• This has been done twice previously at 18 month intervals
• To communicate issues relevant to trainees via regular mailshots
• To organise a symposium at the BSG annual meeting
• To plan the content of, and help organise, an annual BSG SpR training day
• To organise an annual SpR management training weekend
• In order to fund this the TS will pursue unrestricted educational grants from e.g. the pharmaceutical industry
• To continue the BSG TS awards – namely, The OOPE award, The Training Award and the awards for best oral presentation and best poster
• To regularly attend the BSG committees to represent trainees views
• To collaborate with the BSG to run the interactive cases and case of the month series