A student's perspective of The SoR Annual Delegates Conference by Ricky Bell, 3rd year diagnostic student at Glasgow Caledonian University and student rep for Scottish council.
This year I had the pleasure of attending the Society of Radiographers Annual delegates Conference, as student rep from Scottish Council.
Since becoming student rep, the Scottish council have supported and enthused me, in taking a forward thinking approach to what student’s want from their professional body.
I found that ADC 2009 was the forum for change and before I knew it I was writing a motion, which was ultimately carried at ADC.
My motion asked council to lobby the funding councils for the four countries, in order to have payment of student memberships reinstated. I was scheduled to propose my motion on the second day of conference, and to say I was nervous was quite an understatement.
The fear of the unknown was probably the biggest issue, but as I sat in conference on the first day I found myself feeling more at ease because I could see that ADC was a forum for debate and change. Many motions were passed, some fell, and others fell with large debate attached to them.
After the first day of conference, a dinner dance was held and there was a chance to network and talk of the day’s business, what the best part of conference was, and how I was feeling about proposing a motion for the first time.
Our delegation also had the honour of one of our fellow delegates receive an award. Aileen Anderson, received the award of rep of the year for Scotland and it was a great honour to be there when Aileen received her award.
After one too many drinks, and far too much dancing, we all headed off to bed, readying ourselves for the second day of conference.
On the second day, I remember sitting with my delegation and my stomach churning, as I was so nervous about proposing my motion.
I was called to the podium. “Could we have the proposer of motion 47”, this was it, my chance, my turn to speak and make a change for all of the students I represented.
Before I knew it I was on the podium and starting my speech. “Ricky Bell, Scottish council and 3rd year radiography student, proposing motion 47.” That was it, before I could even think I was well underway, arguing my corner and praying that the motion would be carried and my points had been put across clearly.
Once I stood down after my speech, another delegate was quickly seconding the motion, and then one other delegate was opposing the motion. My heart was now racing, as I knew I would have to stand up again and argue for my motion to be supported.
My opposition stood down, I was quickly back on the podium arguing my points, but this time the nerves had been replaced with excitement knowing that I had started a debate and that my arguments for support could make or break the motion.
Then there was the vote, I remember turning round when the vote in support was cast, and seeing a mass of voting cards raised in the air. I had done it, an overwhelming sense of achievement came over me and I went back to my seat to the full support of my delegation.
For all of the nerves and fear of the unknown, it hasn’t put me off ADC. If anything I feel more active in my pursuits for student members and I am already thinking of motions that I could put forward for ADC 2010.
In Summary, ADC 2009 was a great experience for me and my fellow students from Scotland, and I would urge all students who have the chance of attending next year to seize it with both hands.
Not only is it a chance to debate and make changes, but it has a great social side to it as well and opportunities like these are invaluable for gaining public speaking experience, networking opportunities and skills that always look great on your CV.
To every student who may read this, go to ADC, make a difference and sculpt the future of radiography for yourselves as future radiographers.
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