Nominations Open for Orthoptists on Professionals Committee

Transcription

1 Newsletter: 252/2015 Date: 6 August 2015 Distribution: All Orthoptist members Contact: Denise O Shaughnessy Nominations Open for Orthoptists on Professionals Committee Dear Member, As many of you may know, Ms Ann MacFarlane has been an outstanding professional leader and union delegate for many years. Without doubt, her dedication and commitment has greatly contributed to the profession and her colleagues professional development and status. Ann has most recently been serving as a member of the Health Services Union Health Professional Delegates Committee, representing Orthoptists. Regrettably, Ann is standing down from this Committee. Consequently, nominations are now sought from all NSW/ACT HSU Orthoptists to fill that vacancy. The Terms of Reference for the Committee are attached. These outline the Committee s role, plan of action, structure and the process for nomination. Meetings are held quarterly at the Head Office of the Health Services Union. Attendance at meetings is covered by Union Leave. If you are interested in participating in this Committee and would like to discuss it further, please Denise O Shaughnessy, Health Professional Organiser at denise.oshaughnessy@hsu.asn.au. In unity, Gerard Hayes Secretary, HSU NSW/ACT

2 The Health Professional Delegates Committee Terms of Reference Proposed Structure of the Committee Health Professional Delegates Committee will comprise one delegate from each of the following classifications: Audiologist, Art Therapist, Interpreter, Dietitian, Diversional Therapist (Graduate), Exercise Physiologist, Genetic Counsellor, Music Therapist (Graduate), Occupational Therapist, Orthoptist, Orthotist/Prosthetist, Physiotherapist, Play Therapists, Podiatrist, Sexual Assault Worker (Graduate), Social Worker, Speech Pathologist, Welfare Officer, Aboriginal Health Coordinator/Aboriginal Health Educational Officer, Hospital Scientist/Scientific Officer, Biomedical Engineers, Dental Officer/Specialist, Oral Health Therapists, Environmental Health Officer, Health Education Officer (Graduate), Librarian, Counsellor (Graduate). Pharmacist, Radiographer, Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Therapist, Sonographer, Psychologists, Medical Physicists. υ

3 Terms of Reference The following terms of reference will be reviewed by the committee in 12 months. None of the following provisions are intended to be inconsistent with the union rules. In the event of inconsistency, the union rules will prevail. Election of delegates to serve on the committee: A person shall not be eligible to hold a position on the Health Professional Delegates Committee and such held position shall become vacated in the following circumstances: by resignation in writing signed by the person concerned and forwarded to the Secretary; by death or becoming of unsound mind; (c) by ceasing to be a member of the Union; (d) by becoming an unfinancial member; (e) by removal from the committee in accordance with the union rules. Any health professional holding a position on union council will be automatically accepted as an ex officio member of this committee and can serve as a direct link to council and union executive. The committee will comprise one elected delegate from each of the professional groups. Delegates can nominate an alternate from their group to attend committee meetings in their absence. The delegate is to advise of attendance of their alternate if possible one week prior to the meeting of the committee. Alternate delegates comply with the same eligibility criteria required of delegates. Elections to the Committee will be held every two years unless the committee authorises an election to fill vacancies. Meetings of the Committee will be held quarterly. Delegates will preferably attend the quarterly meeting in person. Extraordinary meetings may be convened as necessary and may be conducted via electronic means. φ

4 Elections Elections for the Committee will be conducted by the Union s Returning Officer The Returning Officer shall conduct the elections in the following manner: a) Nominations for positions shall be called via newsletter and/or in Unified magazine. b) Nominations will be open for two weeks c) Nominations for each profession must be in writing and endorsed by at least four health professional financial members of the union. d) Every nominee should provide, with their nomination, a candidate statement containing information on their employer and position and a brief statement of experience in their profession and suitability to advocate for that profession including prior delegate status. The candidate statement may also contain brief information as to any group of candidates the nominee is aligned with especially membership of professional groups and bodies. The candidate statement shall be limited to a maximum of 300 words and shall be distributed by the Returning Officer with the online ballot papers should the nominee s nomination be compliant and an online ballot for the position required. No candidate statement will be distributed if it is in the absolute opinion of the Returning Officer, derogatory, offensive, discriminatory and/or defamatory. e) At the closing of nominations, in the presence of a scrutineer, the Returning Officer shall view the nominations. f) If there are no more nominations than the number to be elected for each profession, the Returning Officer shall declare the nominated persons to be elected to the positions. g) If more than the required number of nominations are received for any position, the Returning Officer shall indicate the number, the manner in which votes shall be recorded and the date and the time of closing of the ballot. An online ballot, of all financial profession specific members of the union, will be conducted. h) The returning officer will notify all successful candidates in writing. Vacancies that occur during the term may be filled by the committee from the relevant health professional membership. Where practicable the new delegates should have the first meeting with the previous delegates for a handover of issues. χ

5 The Role of the Committee The committee will discuss and consider issues raised by any sub branch and the Interest Groups. The committee will discuss state wide issues identified through these and other channels. The committee will make recommendations to the union council or to the sub branches and Interest Groups as appropriate. The committee will elect from its delegates one: Chairperson Vice Chairperson Secretary Assistant Secretary The Committee Plan of Action Monitor and review structure. This will include overseeing and providing advice on the implementation of the model. Create greater public awareness to achieve public support for health professionals and allied health staff in hospital and community services. Enhance communication between members of the union s professional groups and specialties. Critically review current activities, policies and practices in the health system and provide information to the unions overall strategies and campaigns. Provide advocacy on issues, by linking up with relevant like minded groups, and lobbying on behalf of members affected by changes in the health system. Enhance and promote the HSU amongst the Health Professionals. ψ

6 Proposed Structure of Interest Groups The PVC structure will be replaced by a network of Interest Groups (IGs). These groups can be vocational and/or issue based as appropriate Proposals for the establishment of these groups can be received from the sub branch structure or general membership. Establishment of groups will depend on recommendation by the HPDC and ultimate approval of the Union Committee. A moderator/ convenor would serve as a link to the HPDC as well as any HPDC committee member involved. These groups will utilise technology as the primary source of interaction. Facebook and twitter are only administered via official Health Services Union sites. ω