RTSO Student Affairs Committee (SAC)
Accountability
The RTSO Student Affairs committee is accountable to the RTSO Board of Directors. The Chair/Co-Chair sits on and reports to the RTSO Board of Directors. Unless the Chair/Co-Chair was appointed to the RTSO Board of Directors, according to the RTSO Bylaws, they will serve only in an advisory capacity i.e. have no voting privileges.
Conflict of Interest
RTSO Committee members are expected to declare if they believe themselves to be in an actual, potential or perceived personal, monetary or influential conflict of interest related to the respective Committee’s function or activities. If the Committee assesses that the member is in a conflict of interest, the member must recuse him/herself from a function or activity that presents the conflict. The Committee may adapt the process being undertaken to accommodate the situation, for example, replacing the person with an RTSO member who has the expertise and/or experience to contribute to the decision, review, other without conflict. The RTSO reserves the right for any Committee to refer any concern about any actual, potential or perceived conflict in question to the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors for resolution.
Membership
Members of the RTSO Student Affairs committee must be a “Practicing”, “Student” or “Associate” member of the RTSO.
The RTSO Student Affairs should include members from all accredited respiratory therapy programs in Ontario, at a minimum one educator and one student from each program. Ideally a first year student would sit on the committee and learn from the second year student.
A maximum of 21 members will compose the committee including the Chair/Co-Chair and an educator from each accredited respiratory therapy program. If there are more applications for vacant spots, the standing RTSO Co-chairs will review and elect the person who will fill the position anticipating that other candidates may be eligible in the future as part of the Committee’s succession plan.
- A Chair/Co-Chair will lead the activity of the Student Affairs Committee. The Chair/Co-Chair will beelected from within the Student Affairs Committee if there is more applications for vacant spots. The Chair/Co-Chair will be responsible to:
- Draft the agenda and minutes for Student Affairs meetings
- Develop and implement a succession plan to be endorsed by the Committee
- Facilitate the development of the annual Student Affairs work plan aligned with the mission, goals and objectives of RTSO; and
- Present a summary of Student Affairs committee activity to the membership at the Annual General Meeting, and to the RTSO Board or other committees of RTSO as required.
Orientation and Support
All new members will be provided with an orientation to the RTSO Student Affairs Committee.
Term
Educator Member serve two-year terms with an option to renew.
Student Member serve up to a 3 year term if in good standing with their educational institution
Frequency of Meetings
The Committee meets face-to-face once a year in conjunction with the Annual Educational Forum. In addition teleconference meetings will be held bi-monthly during the academic year (September-April) to review policies and procedures, plan and coordinate mission-appropriate activities.
The Chair/Co-Chairs will attend the RTSO Board meetings as scheduled.
Functions of the Committee
The overarching goal of the Committee is
To advance respiratory therapy leadership, engagement and retention with the student respiratory therapist.
The Committee proposes to achieve this goal by establishing a Framework that will support respiratory therapy student interests by creating opportunities for personal, professional, and social growth, which in turn will advance their professional development. The Framework will align with the RTSO’s strategic plan. The elements of the Framework, which are intended to be accessible through web-based access and interactive communication, include:
- Foster lifelong learning
- Champion student development and success
- Facilitate enrollment and foster RTSO retention upon graduation
- Enhance the student experience with the RTSO
Approved by the RTSO Student Affairs Committee: September 17, 2018
Endorsed by the RTSO Board of Directors: September 25, 2018
Revised by the Student Affairs Committee:
Endorsed by the Board of Directors: