So in this spotlight on national roles in 2018, we’re looking at the role of the Deputy National president. The first thing anyone considering this role needs to know is that it is a three year commitment. The way the JCI UK constitution works, means that when you are voted in as Deputy National President, you will automatically become National President the following year. After your year as president, you will also need to complete a year as Immediate Past President. The role is focused on supporting the National President and making sure that you as an individual are ready to take over the leadership of JCI UK the following year. There is a lot more to this than you may think. As an organisation, we have a very large collective memory of knowledge that makes JCI UK what it is. As deputy you need to absorb as much of this as possible as this will help shape the direction JCI UK during your year. You will also need to build and train your team of local Deputy Presidents to ensure they are as ready as possible for the coming year. This will involve working remotely with them, both individually and as a team, as well as facilitating training sessions on the Sunday morning of Presidents and Deputies weekend, AGM and National Convention. There are times where you will need to stand in for the National President as well. These could be at official functions or at a local level. At all times, you will be a key representative of JCI UK and therefore must consider your actions and the image they portray at all times. There is also a lot of travel involved in the role. You’ll clock up quite a few air miles as you will be expected to attend European Presidents Meeting, NOM 2 NOM, European Conference, Japan Academy and World Congress. On top of this, you will need to attend all the National Events, such as Launchpad and National Convention, all National Board meetings, all national council meetings and other national events deemed necessary. Ideally, the candidate applying for this role will have had experience on National Board and will have also been a local president in the past. You will need a wide range of skills including planning, training, diplomacy, speaking in public and relationship building. As I currently hold this role, I can say whilst it is a lot of hard work and a very large time commitment, it’s a huge amount of fun and very, very rewarding. If you really want to push yourself, and feel you have the relevant experience, I’d love to hear from you. To find out more and to get an intention to stand form, please email me at ben.hawley@jciuk.org.uk. A full job description for Deputy National President, National President and IPP can be found here.