Congress day 5: a tumultuous end

Day 5 at the RCN Congress played catch-up, debating and voting on resolutions that were lagging behind due to the earlier events of the week.

A resolution That this meeting of RCN Congress urges RCN Council to ensure that its own diversity reflects the diversity of RCN members was hotly debated - eventually not being passed, possibly due to a misunderstanding as to the actually meaning of the resolution. Cecilia Anim, the proposer, undermined her proposed resolution by saying that she wanted to be on the Council, and suggested that candidates should be voted in proportions representative of its members, whereas the majority of debaters expressed a wish that people should be voted in on the basis of merit and what they can offer.

From the RCN website:

Report on this debate

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.

Congress ended (as it does traditionally) with a slideshow to music of pictures taken over the week. Few non-voting members remained until the very end, and there was some debate as to where so many of the funded voting members were; who are supposed to stay until the very end.

It has been a very enjoyable week, and for me the highlight was definitely Sir Michael Parkinson.