1Mar-20

What You Need to Know Before Running For Council

College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO)

2Mar-20

Welcome

Running for Council is a noble endeavour and we are grateful you

are considering it.

This presentation will provide you with essential information about the College

and the role of a Council Member.

3Mar-20

Let’s start with the role of the College…

Simply put, the College protects the public interest through regulating audiologists and speech-language pathologists.

4Mar-20

To understand CASLPO’s role, it is useful to compare it to an association’s role.

Both have a role in protecting the public, but each achieves this in a different manner.

5Mar-20

How is the public protected?

6Mar-20

How is the public protected?

Primary way the College protects the public is …

through regulating our registrants

Primary way the Association protects the public is….

through advocating for services

Regulate Advocate

7Mar-20

Differences Between Regulators and Associations

Regulators

• Accountable to the public and the government

• Protect the public by regulating its registrants

• Mandatory quality assurance program for registrants

• Mandatory complaints process

Associations

• Accountable to its members

• Protect the public by advocating for services

• Provide quality improvement opportunities

• Do not have a legal complaint process

It is common for people to confuse the role of the regulator with the role of associations. Here are some key differences:

For a full comparison, have a look at the caslpo.com website.

8Mar-20

Core Functions

of

The College

9Mar-20

Our core functions are specified in the RHPA and they outline how CASLPO regulates the professions:

• Set registration and practice standards

• Provide support to ensure quality care is delivered safely and ethically

• Remediate if practice standards are not met

• Restrict or deny practice of those who cannot be remediated

• Inform the public that our professionals are regulated and,

• Ensure the public has confidence in the professions

CASLPO’s Core Functions

10Mar-20

CASLPO’s Core FunctionsThe Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) also specifies:

• Each college must form corresponding committees for each of the core functions

• These mandatory committees are referred to as “statutory” committees

11Mar-20

Statutory Committees

12Mar-20

Committees in General

Committees generally have one or both of the following functions:

1. Recommend policies, processes, standards, regulations and/or By-laws of the College to Council

2. Make decisions relating to individual registrants or applicants.

13Mar-20

Statutory Committees

1. Executive

2. Registration

3. Quality Assurance

4. Inquiries, Complaints and Reports

5. Discipline

6. Fitness to Practise

7. Patient Relations

14Mar-20

Co-ordinates the work of Council - assists in its decision-making by reviewing and providing comments to Council on all recommendations and proposals from committees;

• Recommends the appointment of the Registrar -conducts regular performance and compensation reviews

• Manages and directs the affairs of the Council

• Recommends to Council members of statutory and non-statutory Committees

• Meets 4 times per year

Executive Committee

15Mar-20

Registration Committee

• Advises Council and makes recommendations on matters relating to entry to practice standards, registration regulations, research as directed by Council

• Provides a fair process for resolving issues arising out of applications for registration in adherence with the Regulated Health Professions Act, College regulations and policies

• Meets approximately 6 times per year

16Mar-20

Quality Assurance Committee

• Identifies quality measures which promote continuing competence and continuing quality improvement among members

• Meets approximately 6 times per year

17Mar-20

Inquiries, Complaints & Reports Committee

Provides a fair review of all complaints and reports received in accordance with the Code

• Investigates complaints regarding professional practice

• Reviews the results of investigations made by staff about the professional practice and/or conduct of registrants

• Decides how to deal with the complaints

• Meets 2- 3 times per year for the full committee

• Meets 6 -8 times per year for each of the two panels; (AUD and SLP)

18Mar-20

Discipline Committee

• Provides a fair process for hearings in cases of alleged professional misconduct or incompetence in accordance with the Code

• If found guilty, issues orders outlined in the RHPA, such as revocation, suspension, applying terms, conditions and limitations, reprimands and fines.

• Meets as required

19Mar-20

Fitness To Practise Committee

• In accordance with the code, provides a fair review of all matters regarding the alleged incapacity of registrants

• Determines whether a registrant is incapacitated – suffering from a physical or mental condition or disorder that, in the public interest, makes it desirable that the registrant no longer practice, or has his/her practice restricted

• Decides what action to take if registrant is found incapacitated

• Meets as required

20Mar-20

Patient Relations Committee

• Develops a patient relations program, including measures for preventing and dealing with sexual abuse of patients/clients and the administration of funds for therapy and counseling of patients/clients who were sexually abused by registrants

• Meets 1-2 times per year

21Mar-20

Non-Statutory Committees

22Mar-20

Non-Statutory Committees

In addition, like many other colleges, CASLPO has identified other key functions, that are not specified in the RHPA:

• Finance

• Practice Matters

23Mar-20

Finance Committee

• Evaluates the critical risks and uncertainties as determined bymanagement that may affect the College

• Reviews the Auditor engagement letter, projected audit fee and scope of the audit; and annually recommends the appointment of the Auditor

• Makes recommendations as appropriate on the annual Business Plan and Budget for approval by Council

• Considers any matters relating to the adequacy of internal controls and any other reports of significance

• Meets 3-4 times per year

24Mar-20

Practice Matters

• Develops & monitors CASLPO regulations, By-laws, practice standards and guidelines, and position statements that relate to SLPs and AUDs with respect to clinical matters, professional practice, business practice and interdisciplinary issues

• Undertakes an annual review of issues and matters affecting professions

• Reports to Council on theseissues and recommends policies

and initiatives to address them

• Meets approximately 3 times per year

25Mar-20

Other Responsibilities

of

the College

26Mar-20

Other Responsibilities

The Council of the College also has “fiduciary” duties.

In essence, Council members must always act honestly and in good faith with the best interests of the organization.

So for example, identifying and declaring conflicts of interest.

27Mar-20

Fiduciary Duties

Decisions of the Council must ensure:

1. Organization is financially stable

2. Core functions are not at risk

3. The strategic plan is monitored

So the activities of Council include things like….

28Mar-20

Fiduciary Duties

• Maintaining confidentiality

• Approving the budget and audited financial statements

• Ensuring identified risks to the College are mitigated

• Evaluating the Registrar

• Approving policies and procedures related to how the College runs

• Evaluating the operations and competence of the Council itself

• Guiding public awareness and registrant engagement initiatives

• Monitoring the Strategic Plan

29Mar-20

Council and

College Staff

30Mar-20

The principle role of Council is to provide policy direction in keeping with the College objects.

Council members bring individual perspectives to the collective decision-making process that has, at the forefront, protection of the public interestthrough effective regulation of its registrants.

CASLPO Council

31Mar-20

The Council is the decision-making body and is made up of 16 to 18 members

• 8 to 9 elected registered professionals representing 6 districts

• 6 to 7 public members appointed by the Ontario government

• 2 selected academic members (from faculty of audiology or speech-language pathology of a university in Ontario)

CASLPO Council

32Mar-20

The staff of the College implement the decisions made by Council.

The relationship between the Council and staff can be described as follows:

Council steers the boat and

staff do the rowing.

CASLPO Staff

33Mar-20

Currently:

• 16 fulltime staff, including the Registrar

• Our staff office is at Yonge and Lawrence in Toronto, where committees and Council meet.

CASLPO Staff

34Mar-20

Your Role and Responsibilities

as a

Council Member

35Mar-20

Council Members are Effective Contributors

Desired skills and background include:

• the ability to work in a group to make informed decisions

• the ability to understand and follow democratic processes

• a willingness to devote time and effort to the work of the Council

36Mar-20

• good communication skills

• an understanding that the goal of CASLPO is to serve and protect the public by regulating the registrants.

Members should be aware of the mission and vision of the College and its regulations and By-laws.

Council Members are Effective Contributors

37Mar-20

Responsibilities of Council Members

All members of Council and non-Council members have general responsibilities when participating in any Council activity which include the following:

• Preparing for meetings

• Confidentiality

• Conflict of Interest and Bias Determination

• Speaking with one voice

Council members must always act honestly and in good faith in the best interests of the public.

38Mar-20

Term of Office

• Elected Council members hold their positions for a three-year term.

• Each professional member may serve a maximum of three terms, for a total of nine consecutive years.

• Council members also serve on committees that consider projects that further CASLPO’s strategic goals.

39Mar-20

Time Commitment

Serving on Council involves a significant time commitment.

• All Council members are typically appointed to 3 or 4 of the 9 committees each year.

• Council meets 4 times per year (full-day) and each committee meets anywhere from 2 to 7 times per year. Some meetings are half-day teleconferences.

• And, of course, time is needed for preparation.

Click here for Committee descriptions & frequency chart.

40Mar-20

The Role of the Council Member

The role of the Council Member is one that involves protecting the public through regulating

the professions.

41Mar-20

That means whatever project you become involved in, whatever committee you serve on, you must always realize that your work is about enhancing registrants' practice to

The Role of the Council Member

protect public interest.

42Mar-20

Enhancing registrants practice occurs by providing your input on:

✓ Standards of practice

✓ Determining if the conduct of a registrant meets the standards

✓ Guiding initiatives that support registrants

✓ Providing a direct connection to patients

The Role of the Council Member

43Mar-20

As a Council Member your work with the College does NOT involve:

• Advocating for services,

• Determining or evaluating servicedelivery models,

• Any other activity that does NOT relate to how the professions are regulated.

The Role of the Council Member

44Mar-20

You will also need to respect the confidentiality of the work you will be involved in.

That includes confidentiality around registrants, as well as the discussions you may engage in while developing policies, resources or standards.

The Role of the Council Member

45Mar-20

You essentially have to take your “professional” hat off

and put your “regulator” hat on.

The Role of the Council Member

46Mar-20

Why, you may ask?….

….because CASLPO’s role is to protect the public and to ensure the public has confidence in the professions and the care they provide.

The Role of the Council Member

….and not to duplicate the role of professional associations in advocating for the professions.

47Mar-20

More About the College Role

To find out more about how the College operates, please review,

CASLPO’s Guide to Governance:

Principles and Practices

Which you will find on our website under “Registrants” -> “Working with the College”

48Mar-20

Thank you for reviewing this information and learning

about the roles that the College, its Council and

Council Members play in protecting the public

through the regulation of audiology and speech-

language pathology professionals in Ontario.

49Mar-20

Thank You!

Additional contact information and resources:

lbartolini@caslpo.comOr

cbock@caslpo.com

Follow CASLPO on social media:

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facebook.caslpo.com youtube.com/user/caslpo

www.caslpo.com

Publications:www.caslpo.com/express

www.caslpo.com/members/resources