Information Statement

No. 1 , December 1999

This information statement is the first in a series that explains how registrants can have greater input into the College. A profound way to have an impact on College affairs is to serve as a Board member.

Consider running for office

The College's election occurs on April 1, with nominations beginning December 11, 1999. Registrants elect six of the Board's nine members. If you are considering running for a position on the Board, here are some questions you may wish to ask yourself.

Am I right for the Board?

Do you have a strong desire to protect the public interest? Do you have a genuine interest in serving the profession? Are you willing to put in the time and effort required? Are you knowledgeable or willing to learn more, about the rules: Health Professions Act, Regulation, and Bylaws? Do you support the College's mission?

The mission of the College is to ensure that:

• Registrants are competent in their practice and ethical in their behaviour.
• Registrants do not misrepresent themselves to the public.
• The public has reasonable access to denturist services.
• Public policy which affects the practice of denturism is appropriate.

Are you able to work together with the other Board members and resolve differences of opinion? Are you willing to remain current about issues and trends affecting the profession?

Role of Board member

A Board member has many responsibilities. These include: to administer the College's business, to attend meetings of the Board, and to participate in subcommittees of the Board, for example, the Quality Assurance committee. Perhaps most importantly, Board members act as ambassadors of the profession to the public and registrants. They have a role in educating others about the benefits of denturism.

Qualities of an effective board

A strong Board will be comprised of members with different skills, different approaches and different strengths. Effective decision-making is fostered through the sharing of a diversity of opinion. Responsibilities will be clearly defined so that each person knows his or her role. Members will commit to a courteous reasonable approach to resolving differences of opinion.

Legal responsibilities of Board members

The College's Board operates within a legal framework. A Board member must act in the best interests of the College. A Board member must also uphold the Health Professions Act, Denturists' Regulation, and the College's Bylaws. What a Board member can do individually and the Board can do collectively is always done in the context of the duty and objects of the Health Professions Act, and the scope of the Denturist's Regulation and the College's Bylaws.

For more information about serving as a Board member, please contact John Mayr, Registrar or any of the incumbent directors of the Board.

www.cd.bc.ca

Susan Adams is a Lawyer and Management Consultant