Since our November 2024 update on Council activities, Council met once for their regular meeting in March. These are Council’s activities since our last update:
Accepted
- all recommendations from the Governance Review Report
- an action plan to implement the recommendations from the Governance Review
In 2024, we began a third-party review of our governance framework. The Regulator’s Practice (TRP) conducted the review and presented their report and recommendations to Council in November. Since then, TRP has worked with the Chair and Vice-Chairs of Council, and the Registrar & CEO to develop an action plan to address the recommendations. The plan prioritizes actions, identifies who is responsible for each action and proposes a timeline for completion.
Appointed
- KBH Chartered Professional Accountants as auditors for the next three fiscal years, with confirmation from Council each year
Though we are happy with the auditors we have been using for several years, we recognize that it is best practice to change auditors periodically.
Approved
- the November 23, 2024, meeting minutes
- a deficit budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year
For the last several years we have been in a healthy financial position, allowing us to keep registration fees the same since 2016. We have surplus funds, as well as reserve funds set aside should the need arise. The 2025-26 deficit budget addresses regulating dental assisting practice, implementing the recommendations from our recent program reviews and meeting our business obligations. It does not put the College at risk.
Authorized
- Administration to increase the corporate credit card account limit to a maximum of $20,000.00
Credit card payment is now required more often than when we first obtained the corporate credit card. As a result, the current limit needs to be increased to meet our business needs. We have measures in place to ensure the credit card is used appropriately.
Discussed
- next steps following the Governance Review
- progress on achieving the Strategic Plan
Participated in
- Governance planning and training
Received
- the consent agenda items for filing
These items include financial statements, committee meeting notes, an update on third-party reviews of College programs, an update on use of reserve funds, an update on the status of motions from Council’s last meeting, a summary of Council motions, information update from Administration, correspondence from the Alberta Government granting an acceptance to section 527 of the Occupational Health and Safety Code concerning recapping of dental needles, correspondence between the Association of Alberta Dental Assistants and the College regarding the role of the Program Approval Committee and eligibility to serve on the Committee, and correspondence from the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada about their 2025 accreditation funding request.
Supported
- publicly sharing the Summary of Key Findings from the Governance Report
Tasked
- the Governance Committee with defining a process for hiring a consultant for Registrar & CEO compensation and review