Who's who in the Life members' sector council

Name: John Killeen Role: LMSC chair NAHT: Yorkshire Region Executive Member NAHT: East Riding Branch Secretary M: 07753717611 E: john.killeen@nahtofficials.org.uk

Personal statement

Ever since I was appointed to my first headship in 1987 I have been an active member of the NAHT, initially with various roles on the East Riding of Yorkshire Branch; with a real desire to work closely with colleagues and develop my leadership capacity. My role as Branch Secretary has enabled me to work on behalf of members with the L.A., County Councillors and Governing Bodies. It enabled me to see the vital role that our organisation has provided for all its members. It was a real honour and a privilege to be elected on to the National Executive in 2006 and see at first hand another dimension of the work that elected members and officers continuously provide, in challenging times for our schools and their leadership.

During my time on the Yorkshire Region, I have seen the ever-increasing role played by Life Members in ensuring that our organisation continues to thrive and provide a vital support network for our members. So much so that I truly believe that the NAHT would be in serious difficulty without the commitment of large numbers of our Life Members, who hold key positions in branches and regions. It is getting harder for branches and regions to elect serving school leaders to positions on their local committees. Ideally, we would like the role of Life Members to be more of a supporting capacity in branches, but fully realise the pressures that members in schools are under.

When the opportunity arose to stand for a position on the National Life Members Committee, I thought hard before putting myself forward. But I realise that Life Members will increasingly play a key role in the future of this association and they deserve to be supported by an active, professional and dynamic committee. I believe my time on National Executive has provided me with the knowledge of our organisation, which will help to put in place the structures and support that active Life Members need.

I am also aware that for other Life Members retirement is about getting away from the job and its stresses. However, I want to see that the NAHT delivers an excellence service for all and not just a legal safety net! Life Members who pay an annual subscription should see genuine benefits for this payment from a range of affinity partners; who will provide better value and opportunities than we might get by just trawling the internet.

I look forward over the next three years to work hard for the benefit of the many thousands of Life Members who have given and continue to give so much to this association.

Name: Nigel Paton

Role:  LMSC vice chair 

E: nigel.paton@nahtofficials.org.uk

Name: Michael Wilson Role: Communication officer  NAHT North West Region Life Member Representative NAHT Wigan Branch Secretary M: 0778 9920 120 E: michael.wilson@nahtofficials.org.uk

Personal statement

1. It’s good for me
 NAHT Volunteering provides physical and mental rewards.
Experts report that when you focus on someone other than yourself, it interrupts usual tension-producing patterns.
It helps make you healthier: Moods and emotions, like optimism, joy, and control over one's fate, strengthen the immune system.
2. It brings people together
As an NAHT volunteer I can assist in:
Uniting NAHT membership groups to work toward a common goal / campaign
Helping to build camaraderie and teamwork-
3. It’s a chance to give something back to an NAHT cause I believe in
As an NAHT volunteer I can:
Support NAHT members in my local branch
Promote NAHT campaigns with the local media
4. It's a further chance to make a positive difference
As an NAHT volunteer I can focus on:
Helping school leaders
Supporting NAHT growth

Name: Eugene Symonds 

Role: Deputy communication officer

E:eugene.symonds@nahtofficials.org.uk