Terms of Reference

APPROVED: March 14, 2023
REVISED: N/A

A SOCIETY SUBJECT TO THE CANADA NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATIONS ACT

---

Table of Contents

• Table of Contents
• Purpose
• Membership
• Meetings
• Decisions
• Expectation of Members
• Membership Management
• Leave of Absence
• Stepping Down
• Cessation of Membership
• Operations and Documentations
• Confidentiality
• Changes to the Terms of Reference

Purpose

The purpose of Fibromyalgia Association Canada (FAC)’s Education Committee is:

• To provide patient-led education on Fibromyalgia and the impact on:
  • persons with Fibromyalgia of all ages, their families and caregivers
  • the medical/healthcare sector
  • insurance companies
  • legal professionals
  • businesses and employers
  • government agencies
  • community agencies
  • educational institutions and
  • the general public  
• educate our target audience on the life altering symptoms of Fibromyalgia which often lead to debilitation, disablement, and impoverishment;
• debunk the myths and misconceptions of Fibromyalgia;
• de-stigmatize Fibromyalgia; and
• emphasize the importance of early diagnosis in order to successfully manage and improve patient outcomes.

Membership

The Education Committee is comprised of members who:

• Bring a variety of lived experiences, skills, abilities, and networks to help advance the work of FAC

• Bring diversity to the Education Committee with respect to age, location, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, and culture as the Committee strives to be broadly reflective of the fibromyalgia community.

Meetings

The Education Committee will meet virtually via Zoom for 1½ hours the second Tuesday of every month. Closed captioning is available.

Decisions

The Education Committee decisions will be made by consensus. When consensus cannot be reached, a vote among all members participating in the meeting will take place. Items requiring decision making will be made clear on all meeting agendas, with the decisions fully documented in meeting minutes.

Expectation of Members

The Education Committee meetings are conducted respectfully with an emphasis on listening and understanding to ensure that all members have an opportunity to participate and that all perspectives are heard. It is the responsibility of the Chair to ensure that conflict, should it arise, is managed respectfully by all parties and in a timely manner. The expectations for participation and conduct are:

• Regularly attend the scheduled Education Committee meetings and notify the Chair if they are unable to attend
• Be prepared for the meetings by pre-reading materials and seeking clarification, if needed, in regard to upcoming discussion items
• Be informed about the Education Committee’s purpose, services, policies, and programs
• Participate in working groups formed by the Education Committee to accomplish some of the work outside of regular committee meetings
• Demonstrate mutual respect to each other and visitors to the Education Committee
• Disclose an apparent disagreement or conflict of interest to the Chair when they become aware of it.

Membership Management

Leave of Absence

Committee members may take time off, up to three months for a leave of absence without removing themselves from the Education Committee. A member may request a leave of absence at any time after a discussion with the Chair / Co-Chairs.

If a member is taking a leave of absence (LOA), that member will not receive emails during the member’s leave of absence. After 3 months LOA, the Chair will contact the member and an extension can be granted, if needed. Should the Chair not receive a response back from the member, they will be placed on the inactive list to free up the space on the committee.

Stepping Down

If a member wishes to step down from the Education Committee, they should communicate their intention by email to the Chair / Co-Chairs.

Cessation of Membership

If a member of the Education Committee is not able to meet expectations of membership, then the Chair / Co-Chairs will be responsible for having a meeting with the member to discuss possible solutions. If a solution is not possible or the member continues to not meet the expectations, then the Chair / Co-Chairs will again meet with the member to advise them of their discontinuation of committee membership. A written notice will also be provided to the member after the decision has been made.

Operations and Documentations

The Education Committee meets monthly. An agenda will be circulated prior to each meeting and minutes will be distributed no more than two weeks following each meeting.  All FAC documentation is to be held confidential by members of the FAC Education Committee.

Confidentiality

FAC Education Committee members may be privy to private and confidential personal information,

business and/or education project information in the course of their duties with FAC. The FAC

Education Committee members are expected to hold this information in confidence and safeguard it using a reasonable degree of care. This duty to maintain confidentiality is to continue even after membership on the FAC Education Committee ends.

Changes to the Terms of Reference

The FAC Education Committee will review its Terms of Reference every three years or as necessary.

Revision Number	Revision Notes
Rev 0	Fibromyalgia Association Canada Education Committee Terms of Reference Approved by the Education Committee on March 14, 2023

---