Since our last update on Council activities, Council met once for their regular meeting in March. These are Council’s activities since our last update:
Appointed
- Nicole Bartindale, registration number 8137, to the Competence Committee effective March 2, 2024, through November 30, 2024
- Faye Foshaug to the Program Approval Committee effective March 2, 2024, through November 30, 2026
Approved
- upgrading the NAIT Dental Assisting Certificate Program approval status to Approved Program
Council had previously granted the program Provisionally Approved status as it had yet to receive accreditation through the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada. The program recently received accreditation and now meets the requirements for Approved status.
- upgrading the Reeves Edmonton South Dental Assisting Program approval status to Approved Program
Council had previously granted the program Provisionally Approved status as it had yet to receive accreditation through the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada. The program recently received accreditation and now meets the requirements for Approved status.
- changes to the Program Approval Committee Terms of Reference
The wording was adjusted to make the structure of the committee clearer.
- changes to the registrar performance management tools and adding them as appendices in the Governance Policies
The changes include adding detail and clarity that will help Council use the tools effectively. By including the tools in the Governance Policies, they will be part of the regular review schedule.
- changes to Governance Policies, including:
Update the Registrar’s title to Registrar & CEO, and the Governance and Nominations Committee to Governance Committee throughout the Policies.
GP2.5 Council Performance Review – Adjust wording to be consistent with the rest of the Policies.
GP3.1 Council Meetings – Adjust wording of in-camera meetings to clarify purpose of and procedure for in-camera. Move in-camera meeting description and instructions to a new appendix about meeting protocols.
GP4.2 Statutory/Regulatory and Governance Committees – Remove reference to the committee members being mostly Council members by December 1, 2024, as this has already been met. Clarify wording of the committees’ role to allow for delegation of power or duty by Council.
GP4.7 Governance Committee Terms of Reference –Add that Council may appoint non-Council members to the committee. Add facilitating performance reviews to purpose of meetings and reporting.
GP4.8 Council Governance Committees – Add that Council may appoint non-Council members to the committee.
GP7.1.1 Expenses – Change mileage rate to $0.55 per kilometer. This is consistent with the Government of Alberta expense policy. Change the maximum for tips/gratuities from a range of 15-20% to 20%.
A.GP1.3 Officers of Council Position Descriptions – Remove Operations Director as the Registrar & CEO is the sole employee of Council and responsible for outcomes, regardless of delegation.
A.GP3.1 In-Camera Evaluation – Add as a new appendix.
A.GP6.1 Registrar & CEO Performance Monitoring Tools – Add the Registrar & CEO performance monitoring tools after Council approves them.
- adding the In-Camera Meeting Evaluation and Simple Meeting Protocols resources to the Governance Policies as appendices
These resources are tools that support GP3.1 Council Meetings. Including them as appendices is consistent with the structure of the Governance Policies and makes them easy to access.
- the November 25, 2023, meeting minutes
- a deficit budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year
The budget is based on the strategic plan, operations plan, and special projects for the 2024-25 year. It recognizes we are in a secure financial position and operating with a deficit budget for the upcoming year will not put the College at risk. It also means registration fees will stay the same for 2025.
- the 2024 Registrar & CEO Performance Agreement
The performance agreement formalizes the mutual understanding between the Council and the Registrar & CEO about the Registrar & CEO’s objectives, deliverables, and professional development goals for the year.
Authorized
- Administration to use up to $70,000.00 from the Evaluation and Innovation Fund for the Governance Practices Review
To help us meet goals in our Strategic Plan, we will have an external evaluator review our Governance Practices. We plan to have them observe Council meetings, review our documents, and gather input from key participants. The review will help us ensure we have the best policies, procedures and tools in place so that Council can be effective and efficient.
Discussed
- progress on changes to Standard of Practice 3 proposed in September 2023
- progress on achieving the Strategic Plan
Participated in
- a review of the results of the Continuing Competence Program Review
Now that Council has received and had a chance to review the report, we will be considering the recommendations and planning what we move forward with, how and when.
- an update on the Risk Management Framework development
Received
- the consent agenda items for filing
These items include an update on the Communications Program Review, financial statements, information update from Administration, committee meeting notes, committee work plans, EDAA Conference information.
Requested
- letters of interest for the Appointment Committee
The Chair invited Council members to indicate their interest in serving on the Appointment Committee. Council will appoint one Public and one Regulated Council member to the Committee, as well as one Regulated Member at large. The Committee will support Council appointments later this year.