Highlights from recent Royal College Council meetings

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Highlights from recent Royal College Council meetings

November 10, 2020 | Author: Royal College Staff

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This update reports on two recent Council meetings held on September 22 and October 22-23, 2020. Both meetings form part of Council’s regular schedule and were held virtually.

September 22 Meeting

Audited financials
Council reviewed and approved the audited financials for the financial year ending March 31, 2020. The statements were subsequently shared with Royal College Members on September 30, 2020.

Exams
Council also made decisions relative to the delivery of exams. Informed by the success of the 2020 exams, the likelihood of ongoing COVID-19 restrictions in the spring and fall of 2021, and with a view to modernization overall, Council approved the computer-based delivery of

written certification examinations, including multiple-choice and short-answer question exam formats, for all disciplines as of the spring 2021 cohort and beyond, and
applied examinations for certification to be delivered virtually starting with the spring 2021 exam cohort and beyond.

October 22-23 Meeting

Reports from the President and CEO
Royal College president, Ian Bowmer, acknowledged the significant efforts of staff and volunteers who successfully planned and delivered the 2020 written certification examinations without any major technological or logistical incidents. Council agreed and thanked the team for their intense and nimble work over the past six months in delivering the 2020 exams.

Dr. Bowmer also addressed how COVID-19 has impacted the Royal College, and the adjustments and communications that have been necessary. Due to the pandemic and other reasons, he affirmed the ongoing need to offer flexible support to faculty and residents with regards to CBD implementation.

Susan Moffatt-Bruce, Royal College CEO, reported on progress against strategic priorities; the organization’s ongoing response to COVID 19; and enterprise risks for both the Royal College and Royal College International (RCI).

She invited feedback on equity, diversity and inclusion training provided to Council, the RCI Board, the Royal College and RCI nominating committees, as well as senior staff. The training was led by the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion.The sessions were described as excellent and very helpful for the nominating committees which met earlier in October to nominate members of Council and the RCI Board.

Council nominations
Further to the open call for Council applications in September, Council reviewed and supported the Nominating Committee’s recommendations for two Fellows-at-Large, five Public members and one Resident member on Council. Information about those nominated will be included with the notice of the Annual Meeting of the Members (AMM) sent on January 28, 2021.

Elections to these positions, as well as the region- and division specific Council positions, will take place at the AMM on February 25, 2021. More information on the Council elections will be sent to all Fellows on December 3, 2020.

Council also approved the following two-year appointments to the Executive Committee of Council (ECC); terms will begin on February 25, 2021.

Robert LaRoche, MD, FRCSC	ECC member, Chair of the Health and Public Policy Committee
Gaétan Brochu, MD, FRCSC, FACS	ECC member, Chair of the Financial Reporting and Risk Oversight Committee
Marcia Clark, MD, FRCSC, MSc	ECC member, Councillor-at-Large

Strategic planning
With the current 2018-2020 strategic plan drawing to a close, Council discussed the approach and priorities for the next strategic plan. The approach will be agile and focused on a two-year horizon from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2023.

Council discussed and provided feedback on some foundational research examining the Royal College’s True North (i.e., a shared and common core purpose). Additional consultations on this core concept will take place with Fellows, residents and other stakeholders.

A strategic plan advisory group (SPAG), including Fellow, patient and resident representation, is being formed to advise and guide management through the development of this next strategic plan, which will ultimately be presented to Council for approval.

International
Council was briefed that Royal College International (RCI) has adapted much of its business model to virtual engagements to ensure sustainability during the pandemic. RCI continues to support and expand its client base and diversify its offerings. RCI ended its 2019/2020 financial year with an excess of revenue over expenses, and in September RCI’s Board of Directors approved transferring $363,000 to the Royal College.

RCI’s excess revenue also funds its International Development, Aid and Collaboration (IDAC) program. Council heard that most of the nine projects awarded funding in 2020, and which had been delayed by the onset of the pandemic, have been initiated. The remainder of the projects will commence in November.

Council also agreed at its September 22 meeting to enable the RCI Board’s appointment of Dr. Moffatt-Bruce as interim president and CEO of RCI as of December 25, 2020. Dr. Moffatt-Bruce will take on this role in addition to her regular duties as CEO of the Royal College.