Latest News › PARN Lay Member case study: Janette Gulleford shares her motivations and rewards

Janette Gulleford, Managing Director of Professional Solutions, has a long history of service in the professional body sector. She has worked for the Royal College of Midwives, as technical director in the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, and currently sits on the Board of the Institute of Association Management.

For Janette, serving as a lay member is an opportunity to give back to the sector and add valuable experience to her own professional career. “I wanted to use my skills and experience for the benefit of other organisations.  When you have been working in your organisation for a long time you need another experience to lift you up a gear.” Through PARN’s lay member service, Janette has met new people and different situations and used her experience in a new environment.

The rewards of being a lay member have been varied for Janette. “There are so many benefits, personal development, bringing a different perspective to other organisations problems, everyone is so grateful to you.  I have undertaken two lay member positions, one was unpaid and the other is a long term assignment which I am really enjoying.”

Through PARN’s Lay Member Register, Janette has undertaken positions at the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) and the Institute for Learning (IfL). At AAT Janette contributed to a working party on reviewing and revising disciplinary regulations; while at IfL she has served as a member of the disciplinary committee. Janette feels her experience with PARN as a lay member has been “very professional and caring for people who sign up, I was asked about my experience and offered help if needed it.”

Interested in joining Janette on PARN’s Lay Member Register? PARN is currently advertising several lay member opportunities for member organisations, and deadlines are fast approaching! Click here for more information or contact PARN’s HR Officer, Sarah Ward, at sarahw@parnglobal.com or 0117 928 1995.

For those considering taking on the role of a lay member, Janette offers these words of advice: “If you want to enjoy sharing and developing your skills and meeting new people then it is for you”.

Posted on 11 Feb 2010