Less
obvious, but equally significant has been the almost silent revolution in the
electoral process introduced this year. For the first time, every UK based member
had a direct vote in determining who should fill the officer posts falling vacant
this autumn.
It was gratifying that ‘turnout’ reflected a demonstrable
interest in the affairs of the Society. Of 1743 papers distributed 627 were returned
by post and 80 via the Internet. This represents a substantial widening of the
electoral base, compared to the previous system, when only 40 members of Council
determined the outcome. In future the democratic process will be taken a step
further with all individual UK members being asked to nominate candidates for
office followed by all UK members having the opportunity to express their choice,
from amongst those standing for office, through the medium of a postal/electronic
ballot.
President
Elect
The contenders
for the office of President Elect were Dr Doug MacMahon who received 332 of the
703 votes counted. Dr Jeremy Playfer was elected with 371 votes. He will take
office in October 2002 and become President of the Society in 2004
| Jeremy Playfer MD FRCP, is a consultant geriatrician and clinical lecturer, based at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital since 1977. The BGS has long been central to his professional life. Since 1982, he has continuously held elected positions on all the Society’s major committees. He has also held office in the Society before, having served as Honorary Treasurer from 1990-93. He currently sits on the board of Age & Ageing and is Chairman of the BGS Parkinson’s Disease Section. In broad terms, Dr Playfer sees his future role as President, to support and represent geriatricians, and to maximise the impact of the specialty within the NHS and in the wider medical world. |  |
Deputy
Treasurer
Of the 681 votes for the office of Deputy Treasurer, Dr Tom Smith received 152
and Dr Margot Gosney was elected by a majority of 377. She will take office in
October this year.
Margot Gosney, MD FRCP is a consultant and senior lecturer at Royal Liverpool University Hospital.As BGS Meetings Secretary (1997-2001), Dr Gosney acquired a permanently determined expression and a reputation for managing to be in many places at once during the biannual scientific meetings. She governed the scientific meetings with an iron hand. Having successfully moved the autumn meeting to the Novotel Hotel, Dr Gosney terrorised the staff of the hotel on matters ranging from the cleanliness of the toilet facilities, to exactly how much “jus” was to be “drizzled” over the fish. Under Dr Gosney’s management, the meetings reached new heights in professional polish and financial viability. Dr Gosney has made it an objective to pay off the mortgage on Marjory Warren House with a view to releasing funds for SpR start-up grants and increasing support to AHPs. |  |
*(The voice of the people is the voice of God)
Louise Wykes
BGS Office