Oncology Terms of Reference

Overall Aim

To be recognised as a special forum to:

1. Promote the highest standards of practice of uro/oncology nursing.
2. Represent the views and interest of all BAUN members in the field of uro/oncology.
3. Influence uro-oncology nursing nationally.

Objectives

1. To facilitate educational, research and clinical projects, to include the production of clinical guidelines.
2. To share specialist knowledge and information.
3. To provide mutual support and guidance.
4. To support the development of uro/oncology Nurse Specialist posts.
5. To be a resource to new uro/oncology Nurse Specialist post holders.
6. To maintain a national database of uro/oncology Nurse Specialists.
7. To submit activity of the group for the BAUN newsletter twice a year (January & July).
8. To encourage the publication of articles for inclusion in the new Urology nursing journal.

Membership — (no additional subscription)

• Membership shall be limited to registered nurses holding BAUN membership, working predominately within the field of uro-oncology.
• A database will be kept alongside the BAUN membership database.

Committee Members

• Will hold full membership
• The committee will consist of
  • Chairperson
  • Vice-Chair
  • Secretary
  • 4 committee members
  • 1 BAUN council rep.
• A BAUN council member will sit on the committee. In the event that no such council member exists, representation by invitation to specific BAUN council meetings will be required.
• Committee members will serve a 36 month term and may apply for a second term.
• Committee officers are the Chairman, Vice-Chair, and Secretary and each officer will serve a 24 month term. Nominations for an officer's post will be invited from the committee members when a position becomes available. Committee members to elect a committee officer will use a majority voting system.
• If committee members are elected as officers they will then serve a 24 month term in that role from the date of appointment.
• Both members and officers who wish to remain in a second term will require a vote from the committee.
• Nominations for new committee members will be sought when seats become vacant either as a result of a member having served the appropriate term of office or due to resignation of a committee member.
• Any full member wishing to sit on the committee must be proposed and seconded by full members. If necessary a majority vote will be conducted.
• Attendance at 80% of the meetings is a requirement of commitment to the committee, mitigating circumstances for non attendance will be reviewed by the committee.
• A period of 1 year minimum is required after completion of second term of office before re election can be considered.

Meetings

• The committee will meet three times a year.
• A minimum of four committee members must be present at the committee meetings before any proposed changes or decisions can be made.
• Membership educational meetings will be held twice a year including the BAUN conference.

Financial Support

• Annual business plan will run from April to April and will be agreed at each February meeting.
• An annual business plan will be produced by the committee to identify projected income and expenditure, and submitted to BAUN Council for agreement.
• Committee meeting expenses incurred to include refreshments, travel and accommodation for one night will be paid by BAUN in line with the standard travel and accommodation B&B rates as approved by the NHS for the purpose. Every effort will be made to use a readily available venue or to seek sponsorship to cover cost of the committee meeting venue.
• Any expenses incurred will be submitted to the BAUN Treasurer.
• The BAUN Treasurer will issue a monthly statement of accounts to the Chair of the oncology section.
• Company sponsorship will be sought to facilitate other meetings excluding the BAUN winter conference.

Administration

• The secretary will provide an annual report which will be presented to the BAUN membership at the end of the financial year (end of March).
• Administrative help to include setting up maintaining the full membership database will be given by the agents appointed by BAUN for this purpose.

These terms of reference will be reviewed and updated if appropriate annually by the committee.

June 2006