BUFDG always welcomes and encourages participation from our members. Opportunities exist in many areas, from a position on the Executive, to participation in a Regional Group. Or perhaps you have a particular financial interest and would like to join one of our Special Interest Groups? If time is an issue, there are often short-term projects such as book reviews, attending seminars on behalf of BUFDG, or giving feedback on new reports and surveys. Many of these opportunities are advertised on the highlighted webpages or in the Weekly Digest, or contact Karel Thomas for more.
Still need convincing about the benefits of being active in BUFDG? Here is what some of our members have to say:
'I was Chairman of BUFDG for two successive terms from 1994
to 1998 and have been involved with the BUFDG Accounting Standards Group since
its inception in 1990. Whilst these roles have increased the pressure on
me I have got far more out of my individual involvement than I put in : I was
more heavily involved in funding and regulatory issues than if I had not been
involved and thinking through the impact on all universities helped me to
understand the impact on my own university sooner than would otherwise been the
case. At a personal level, I had huge support from my colleagues at
Nottingham
Miles Hedges (The Open University)
'I can certainly confirm that the opportunity to serve on the
Exec, firstly as regional rep and then as Secretary, enabled me, not just to
contribute to the ongoing development of our representative body, but also to
engage in some really useful personal development of both a professional and
technical nature. It was always good to come together with colleagues from
across the country and across the sector to pool our shared experiences in
taking the organisation forward and it was always enjoyable. A really
worthwhile investment of time.'
Pat Briggs (The Robert Gordon University)
'You really do get back more than you put in as a BUFDG
Executive Committee member. The opportunity to engage with emerging sector wide
issues at an early stage allows you to influence funders, stakeholders &
policy makers, and also enables you to promote the sectors interests and the
importance of the role of the FD. In addition it is an invaluable forum to
share ideas with like minded colleagues. I thoroughly enjoyed my three years on
the Executive and would certainly consider it a most worthwhile investment of
that most precious of commodities, namely time!'
John Cunningham (De Montfort University)
'The benefits of being in BUFDG change over time. When you
first start as an FD in HE, it can be baffling and lonely. You may begin to
understand the institution's financial position, but does anyone else? It's a
great help to be able to chat informally to other FDs and pick up ideas from
them. I was struck by the fact that there's much more co-operation than
competition among FDs. Help is always available and time freely given to
colleagues. Later, you have real opportunities to be involved in making sure
that the finance viewpoint contributes to national policies.
I've been involved with the Tax Group one way or another for many years and
have met many policymakers in HMRC. It's remarkable how little they understand
about HE so it's vital in this and similar areas that BUFDG makes itself heard.
It's good to be able to make a difference.'
Michael Pearson (Retired Bursar of Loughborough University)