FORENSIC NURSING SOCIETY OF CANADA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING MARCH 6, 2008
Interim FNSC Board: Cathy Carter-Snell, President Kathleen Soltys, Treasurer Sheila Early, Communications/Education Sheila Macdonald, Membership
Chair: Cathy Carter-Snell Minutes recorded by: Sheila Macdonald In attendance Cathy Carter-Snell –Calgary, AB (chair) Kathleen Soltys – Edmonton, AB Janna Ohinmaa- Edmonton, AB Donna King – Edmonton, AB Christine Lucadello – Edmonton, AB Kate Rees – Edmonton, AB Sheila Macdonald – Toronto, ON Sheila Early – Surrey, BC Linda McCracken – Calgary, AB Mary Pat DeWald - Denver, CO Elise Sevigny – Ottawa, ON Colleen Burns - ON Elisabeth Harrison – Belleville, ON Petra Norris – Toronto, ON Verlie Martin – Kelowna, BC Angela OStash – Quesnel, BC Joanne McLaren – Victoria, BC Susan Wilson – Halifax, NS Delcia Brideau – Moncton, NB Carole Carruthers – Toronto, ON Jan Calnan – Victoria, BC Judy Waldman – Toronto, ON Deidre Bainbridge, Toronto Joanne Louis, Toronto 1. Bylaws There were 130 members involved in FNSC. 52 members voted on the bylaws, 48 accepted and 4 abstained. Action: Despite the low voting numbers, the Executive decided to accept the bylaws, work with them for one year and amend as needed (and voted by the membership) Outstanding issues re bylaws: none 2. Role descriptions of Board Members Communication/Education member: to inform members of educational opportunities and events to organize educational events
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Secretary: minutes of meetings receive correspondence maintain archives revising documentation
Treasurer: manage organization’s finances provide annual report arrange audits as required manage membership dues Membership: receive applications from the Treasurer enter member into the membership data base enter member into the google discussion group
President Elect share duties with President President: chair meetings liaise or delegate liaison with other relevant organizations including CNA
Elections: Rotating elections as per bylaws with ½ executive elected one year and other ½ the next year. We will have the first election in the coming year (year A): year A – secretary, communications, membership year B- treasurer, president –elect 3. Position Papers There was a suggestion that FNSC take the lead on writing position papers on issues of concern to the membership. We discussed the need to have a format for these and Cathy volunteered to draft some guidelines and executive will assist the members who take the lead in drafting the position papers. Some of the suggestions for position papers and lead writers were as follows: 3.1 Mandatory Reporting – Only Ontario has mandatory reporting of gunshot wounds. Action: Sheila Early is taking the lead on writing a position statement for the Position paper. She will be requesting to be on the agenda of Nena’s (National Emergency Nurses Affiliation) meeting in the hopes that the draft will be ready. 3.2 Human Trafficking – concern re increase due to Olympic Games in 2010. Action: Tara, Sheila E, Judy W. will take the lead 3.3 Domestic Violence –screening for domestic violence in the emergency department Action: Linda McCracken & Cathy CS will take the lead.
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4. Future Directions 4.1 Newsletter A newsletter was discussed for the members. Action: Judy Waldman, Toronto will be the lead and organize a committee to develop and oversee the newsletter. 4.2 Relationship to IAFN Membership to IAFN is optional for FNSC members. Discussion re how we connect to the IAFN. Different models/structures have been discussed. Sheila E. indicated that IAFN is interested in developing partnerships with other organizations. It was suggested that we may be too premature in deciding on the method/mode of partnership until we decide first what type of organization we are going to be. An interim decision was made to send a letter from the President to the IAFN asking for recognition as an organization. Action: Cathy CS will send the letter to IAFN. 4.3 What Members want from the FNSC Discussion then turned to our reasons for becoming an organization and what members hoped to gain from membership. Answers from members included: -networking -sharing information -standardization -recognition of forensic nursing specialty 4.4 Francophone Options A request was made that there be increased francophone involvement and that position papers be translated into French. Availability of these materials may facilitate translated materials are available. The CNA translated our title for the annual meeting and this will be reviewed as to whether we agree with the translation (it varies between individuals). Action: Dierdre has volunteered to coordinate translation once position papers are completed. Cathy CS will forward translated title to Dierdre.
5. New Business 5.1 Nominating Committee A nominating Committee was appointed to manage the nominations process according to the bylaws. Nominating process needs to begin 4 months prior to April 1. Election to be held in early November. 2 week online voting process. FNSC members who agreed to serve on nominating committee include: Stephanie Carlson, Angela Ostash, Linda McCracken, Deidre Bainbridge Criteria for membership on nominating committe: Canadian RN Member of organization Can not run for an elected position Criteria to run for an elected position: Canadian RN Member of organization Application should include #years of experience Continuing education Involvement in other associations Action: Template for nominations to be drafted by nominating committee. Cathy CS will then post this to the web once finalized. The nomination process will then begin prior to November election.
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5.2 Canadian Nurses’ Association annual meeting The annual meeting is in June in Ottawa and there is a meeting of special interest/emerging groups at that time. We need to have a delegate there. Action: Cathy Carter Snell will be attending and meeting with other emerging interest groups. 5.3 Frequency of Meetings It was agreed that teleconferences were the best way to meet for most, although we could supplement with in-person meetings such as at IAFN. It was agreed that we should not rely on IAFN for our annual meeting. Action: Decision was made to meet every 3 months using the teleconference format. Next meeting: June 12, 2008 Time: 11am Pacific, 12 Central, 2pm Ontario, 3pm New Brunswick
2/19/2009
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