MEMBERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

Committee Members 2023
Heidi Caldwell (Chair)
Paul Warren
Meaghan Reeve
Kathy Walsh
Leah Heighton
Tanya Hamilton
Zainab Abidali
Robyn Oickle
Mai Ayoub
Darlene Chisholm
Leanne MacFarlane
Marcel van den Berg
Nidhi Choksi
Carl Kooka
Greg Richard

Committee Mandate

Policy Statement

The Board of Directors of the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia (PANS) recognizes that it exists to promote and provide leadership and assistance to its members and that the oversight of programs, policies and communications to and for members is critical to the success of the organization.  Furthermore, the Board of Directors recognizes the importance of governance and is committed to ensuring an effective governance regime throughout the Association.  PANS respects and supports the diversity of our members and the patients they serve. Governance and membership activities undertaken by PANS shall consider and respect such diversity.  Furthermore, PANS recognizes that the diversity of the profession does not yet fully reflect the diversity of patients in Nova Scotia and we wish to work with stakeholders to move the profession towards better representation. Matters relating to governance and to membership programs, benefits and communications shall be assigned by the Board to the Governance and Membership Committee, whose mandate is set out below

Overall Accountability

The Governance and Membership Committee will be composed of at least three members of PANS.  In seeking nominations and in the selection of committee members, the Board shall consider the diversity of the PANS membership and strive to reflect that diversity on the committee.  The Chair of the Committee shall be a member of the Board of Directors of PANS.  A quorum of the Committee is a majority of its members.  The Committee shall meet at least three (3) times per year.  The Governance and Membership Committee shall:

  1. Ensure a lens of diversity is applied to all of its activities, including but not limited to policies, governance work and all membership activities.
  2. Draft clear and concise policy statements from decisions taken by the Board where such decisions are intended to become Board policy;
  3. Oversee the administrative activities associated with maintaining an effective policy governance system, including the establishment of a policy review schedule.
  4. Make recommendations as to director qualifications and board governance generally as may appropriate for like organizations
  5. Review and recommend to the Board for approval, the quarterly financial statements of PANS and APSI;
  6. If requested, work with the Board to develop an  assessment process for  the performance of the Board, Committees and their members;
  7. Provide leadership in the development of directors, committee members and the general membership by recommending training and development in the areas that the committee deems necessary;
  8. Provide leadership to the Board and other Committees to improve diversity in the profession.
  9. Periodically review the by-laws of the Association and make recommendations for change as deemed appropriate to the Board of Directors;
  10. Promote the benefit of membership with PANS;
  11. Develop and recommend new programs, social events and benefits for PANS members to the Board of Directors;
  12. Provide strategic direction to management on membership communications;
  13. Provide strategic direction to management  on any membership surveys;
  14. Provide strategic direction to management on the Annual PANS conference;
  15. Identify and recognize individuals for their service to the profession (awards);
  16. Review material member complaints and the response from management and take additional action as the committee deems appropriate;
  17. Complete such other assignments related to membership as directed by the Board of Directors
  18. Periodically review the mandate of the Committee and make any recommended changes to the Board.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS: The Committee shall report on its activities at each regular Board meeting.