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Terms of Reference

Approved 2005

ARTICLE ONE: PURPOSE

The Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society’s goals are to promote the study of, education about and research on fertility, sterility and andrology, respond to social needs in regard to the complexities of human reproduction, provide expertise in the accreditation of clinical and laboratory therapeutics in new reproductive technologies, and establish valid processes for the measurement of outcomes of therapy.

Within the CFAS, nurse members have recognized the potential benefits of working together to foster these goals within the practice of professional nursing.

The NSIG has adopted the following vision, mission and value statement:

  • Vision – Promote excellence and provide leadership in the evolving field of ART Nursing
  • Mission – ART Nurses will provide patient care based on collaboration, education and research.
  • Value statement – ART Nurses will provide care that is safe, ethical, accountable, respectful, and evidence based.

The terms of reference that the NSIG have established are:

1.1 To promote and foster the goals of the CFAS within the practice of Nursing

1.2 To encourage Nurse membership in the CFAS

1.3 To provide a forum for networking and exchange of information

1.4 To promote continuing education, professional development and Nursing research activities

1.5 To promote collaboration with other CFAS Special Interest Groups

1.6 To develop standards of practice for ART Nursing
ARTICLE TWO: MEMBERSHIP

All registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs or RPNs) that hold active membership in the CFAS will be automatically granted membership in the NSIG.

Active membership –

2.1 Active members shall be eligible to vote as described in Article Four

2.2 Active members shall receive all questionnaires, newsletters or other NSIG publications as well as have access to all NSIG continuing education activities.

2.3 Active members shall have access to the NSIG forum on the CFAS website.
ARTICLE THREE: DUES AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT

3.1 Members in arrears may be reinstated to good standing upon the payment of the current year’s annual dues.

3.2 The CFAS will bill and collect membership dues.

3.3 The CFAS will maintain financial records for the NSIG.

3.4 The CFAS will assume the cost of necessary basic office services, printing and postage.

3.5 The CFAS will assume financial responsibility for all courses or continuing education activities. The NSIG will not share any profits or losses from these activities.

3.6 No additional operating funds are provided by the CFAS other than the above stated services.

3.7 Requests for additional funding require specific discussion with the CFAS Executive Director and approval by the CFAS Board of Directors.

3.8 The CFAS Industry Liaison Committee must be utilized to raise money from industry. The NSIG must not attempt to raise funds from industry by independent solicitation.
ARTICLE FOUR: VOTING

4.1 At any meeting of NSIG members, every NSIG member shall be entitled to vote in person or via a written proxy provided to another member in attendance.

4.2 A quorum of 12 members, including a majority of the Executive is required to conduct the affairs of the NSIG.

4.3 All motions shall require a 2/3 (two thirds) majority vote of the members present plus proxies to pass.

4.4 Any motion declared lost shall not be reintroduced at the same meeting.

4.5 Election of the Executive shall be held at the Annual General Meeting. Election of the Executive can also be conducted by mail in such manner as the Executive shall determine (i.e. secret ballot).
ARTICLE FIVE: EXECUTIVE

The NSIG Executive shall consist of Chair, Co-chair, Secretary, and subcommittee chairs.

5.1 NSIG Chair – Powers and duties

Serves for a three-year term.
Principal executive officer who shall supervise and control all administrative and business affairs of the Nursing Special Interest Group of the CFAS.
Acts as the primary liaison with the CFAS President and Executive Director.
Meets with CFAS Board of Directors to inform them of the NSIGs activities, future plans and other areas of interest at various points throughout the year.
Provides an Annual Report to the CFAS Executive Director that summarizes the activities of the preceding year and states plans for the upcoming year.
Provides a quarterly report of NSIG activities for CFAS Board meetings.
On behalf of the Professional Development Subcommittee, the Chair will submit requests for continuing education courses to the CFAS Executive.
Provides a list of nominees to serve on CFAS committees as requested by the CFAS President.
Receives a CFAS financial statement once per year as well as quarterly financial reports regarding membership dues.
Sits on the Care and Life Award selection committee.
5.2 Co-Chair – Powers and duties

Serves for a three-year term following which assumes the position of chair.
Assumes the duties of the Chair in her/his absence.
Acts as an ex-officio member for all NSIG subcommittees.
Shall oversee and assist other executive members.
Assists the Chair in preparing the NSIG Annual Report for the CFAS Board of Directors.
Sits on the CFAS abstract review committee.
5.3 Secretary – Powers and duties

Records and documents the Minutes of the NSIG Annual General Meeting and other interim meetings.
Maintains an archive of all meeting Minutes for NSIG records.
Circulates Minutes to NSIG membership.
Assists the Chair in working with the CFAS Industry Liaison Committee to seek industry funding for NSIG activities.
Maintains a record of financial reports received by the Chair from the CFAS Executive Director.
5.4 Other Executive members:

Bylaws and Membership Subcommittee chair
Professional Development Subcommittee chair
Standards Subcommittee chair
Communication/Website Subcommittee chair
ARTICLE SIX: NSIG SUBCOMMITTEES

6.1 Bylaws Subcommittee mandate

Members hold a 2 -year term with the option to continue for an additional year.
The subcommittee may recommend any changes or amendments to the NSIG bylaws that may be considered advisable.
A formal review of the NSIG bylaws shall be undertaken at least every 3 years.
Suggestions for changes to by-laws must be passed by a two-thirds majority vote by NSIG membersThe subcommittee chair will provide a quarterly written report to be submitted to the NSIG Chair for inclusion in the NSIG Report to the CFAS Board of Directors.\
6.2 Standards Subcommittee mandate

Draft standards for ART nursing protocols and procedures to be reviewed by NSIG members.
Subcommittee chair will provide a quarterly written report to be submitted to the NSIG Chair for inclusion in the NSIG Report to the CFAS Executive Director.
6.3 Membership Subcommittee mandate

Maintains a current list of members including name, address and date of membership.
Updates membership list annually from CFAS current membership.
Provides an annual written report to be submitted to the NSIG Chair for inclusion in the NSIG Annual Report to the CFAS Board of Directors.
6.4 Professional Development Subcommittee mandate

Proposes subject matter and faculty to the Chair for NSIG concurrent session at the CFAS Annual Meeting and for other educational events.
Committee chair will provide a quarterly written report to be submitted to the NSIG chair for inclusion in the NSIG Report to the CFAS Executive Director.
6.5 Research/Abstract Review subcommittee mandate

Reviews and selects nursing/scientific abstracts submitted for presentation at the CFAS Annual Meeting.
Selects prize paper for BFS exchange award. Recipient must be a member of the NSIG.
Acts as a resource for promotion and mentoring of nursing research ideas.
Committee chair will provide an annual written report to be submitted to the NSIG Chair for inclusion in the NSIG Annual Report to the CFAS Executive Director.
6.6 Communication/Website Subcommittee mandate

Develops and updates NSIG area on the CFAS website as a communication tool for NSIG members.
Assists in providing NSIG information to the CFAS newsletter.
The subcommittee Chair will provide an annual written report to be submitted to the NSIG Chair for inclusion in the NSIG Annual Report to the CFAS Board of Directors

ARTICLE SEVEN: GENERAL GUIDELINES

7.1 Any vacancies in the Executive shall be filled by the appointment of the Executive. Such appointments shall be for the remainder of that term of office.

7.2 Members resigning from position on the NISG Executive shall provide a written report to the Chair on the current status of their position within one month of resigning.

7.3 The NSIG Annual General Meeting will be held at the CFAS Annual Meeting.

7.4 All active members must be notified of a motion to dismantle the NSIG. A motion to dismantle must be passed at the Annual General Meeting.