Dear Reader

As we bid farewell to another BVNA Congress, we turn around to find the new Council year has started. This year we are bringing some changes – not only the new Council members, but also the inclusion of student voting rights.

During the Council year, one student wrote to ask why student members are not allowed to vote in Council elections in the same way as qualified members. That all-powerful word ‘why’ certainly encourages people to think deeply into a reason; it can also be taken as confrontation and hints of accusation.

Yet asking “Why?” doesn’t have to be confrontational or insinuate blame, depending on how the ‘why’ question is asked. In this incidence, it was taken as an enthusiastic and curious question from a student member who wanted to shape the representative body of her chosen career. From both a Council member point of view and personally as a tutor, it was inspiring to hear from a future Veterinary Nurse who was so keen on changing things – or certainly not being afraid to ask why.

The question was asked at a Council meeting and research done – looking into past meetings, our constitution and speaking with other representative bodies. And there was no reason we could offer. Therefore, as a sign of change for the future, the decision was made and ratified at our AGM at Congress 2013.

I would like to hope there are other members who are pleased to see this change and thankful that someone did ask ‘why’. I would also like to think that it does demonstrate to our membership that we as a Council are here to represent your views and your thoughts.

Our new president, Kirstie Shield, also launched our BVNA charity of the year at Congress; and this year we have another well-deserving organisation to help promote and support. The charity is called Nowzad Dogs. It was formed in May 2007. Nowzad operates the only official animal shelter in Afghanistan, located just outside of Kabul.

Nowzad was founded by Royal Marine, Pen Farthing, after he was befriended by a dog whilst out on patrol. He named his dog ‘Nowzad’ after the area they were patrolling. Following his tour of duty, Pen could not imagine leaving ‘Nowzad’ behind, so he raised money to help bring him home to the UK.

If you want to read more, either visit the Nowzad website or buy the book One Dog at a Time. I’m sure you will be moved by the stories you read.

We shall also feature more about this wonderful charity in future editions of VNJ.

So if you would like to help us raise its profile, why not start thinking of money raising ideas and events now?

Author

Sam Morgan, CertEd DipAVN(Medical & Surgical) RVN

Executive Editor

To cite this editorial use either

DOI: 10.1111/vnj.12079 or Veterinary Nursing Journal Vol 28 pp 342

• VOL 28 • November 2013 • Veterinary Nursing Journal