Volunteer Opportunities with Committees

Our diverse array of committees offer both Registrants and members of the public a wide breadth of opportunities to contribute their valuable skills and time towards our valuable mission of protecting the public and supporting safe practice.

Each committee plays a unique and vital role, and requires various time commitments and proficiencies. Short descriptions with approximate time commitments can be found below, and a complete list of committee terms of reference can be found here.

Committees

Statutory Committees

Registration Committee

If you are interested in entry-to-practice and registration issues, consider the Registration Committee. It makes policy recommendations to Council to ensure that the College’s registration practices are fair, objective, transparent and impartial.  It is also responsible for assessing applicants’ qualifications and making decisions about: – Whether to issue a Certificate of Registration – Whether the applicant should be required to complete additional education and training – Whether to place specified terms, conditions or limitations on the applicant’s Certificate of Registration.   Time Commitment:  This committee meets 9 to 10 times per year for half a day. A half-day of preparation time can also be expected.

Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee

The Regulated Health Professions Act,1991 (RHPA) requires the College to investigate complaints and reports about members’ professional conduct, competence or fitness to practice.  The ICRC determines the most appropriate actions to handle complaints and reports so that the public is protected and NDs are supported to provide naturopathic services that are in keeping with the standards of the profession.  Committee members are trained to conduct their work in keeping with the RHPA and to adjudicate matters fairly.  Committee members are trained to apply fair and transparent Committee procedures and are supported by the College and Legal Counsel. Additional skills recommended: Individuals should have good communication, analytical and writing skills. Time Commitment:  This committee meets a minimum of 12 times per year for a full day meeting, with emergency teleconference calls as needed. A full day of preparation time can also be expected.

Patient Relations Committee

The Patient Relations Committee develops and oversees a patient relations and public education program.  It also processes requests for funding for therapy and counselling for individuals who may have been sexually abused by an ND. Time Commitment:  This committee meets 4 times per year for approximately half a day. A half-day of preparation time can also be expected.

Quality Assurance Committee

The Quality Assurance Committee is responsible for developing and maintaining the College’s Quality Assurance Program.  This includes developing annual self-assessments, reviewing and approving courses for Category A credits, and determining criteria for Peer & Practice Assessments. Time Commitment: This committee meets approximately 8 to 10 times per year for half a day.

Fitness to Practise Committee

The Fitness to Practise Committee develops and maintains policies and procedures governing the College processes.  It also receives and reviews allegations referred to it by the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee and conducts hearings as required under Schedule 2 of the Health Professions Procedural Code. Additional skills recommended: Individuals should have a good communication, analytical and writing skills. Time Commitment:  This Committee meets only as required and in panels of up to five.

Discipline Committee

The Discipline Committee develops and maintains policies and procedures governing the College Disciplinary processes.  It also receives and reviews allegations referred to it by the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee and conducts hearings as required under Schedule 2 of the Health Professions Procedural Code. Additional skills recommended: Individuals should have good communication, analytical and writing skills. Time Commitment:  The Discipline Committee will meet once annually for a full-day. It will also establish panels of up to five for hearings. Hearings may range from 1 day for uncontested to 10 days for contested.

Non-Statutory Committees

Governance Committee

The Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing disputes relating to members of the College voting in elections, for reviewing biographies and personal statements submitted by candidates standing for election, for holding an inquiry, upon request of the Council, into the validity of the election of a member to the Council, and, upon request of the CEO, assisting in supervising the election of candidates to the Council of the College. The Committee also oversees the volunteer recruitment, assessment and appointment process for the Council.  NDs sitting on this Committee cannot also be seeking to be elected to the Council. Time Commitment:  This committee meets approximately 8 times per year for half a day.

Examinations Appeals Committee

The Examinations Appeals Committee is a non-statutory committee of the Council of the College of Naturopaths of Ontario.  It is responsible for developing policies and procedures governing the process for filing and hearing appeals of results of the clinical examinations of the College, as well as receiving, reviewing and disposing of appeals of the clinical, intravenous infusion therapy and therapeutic prescribing examinations filed by candidates who have sat and failed a clinical examination. Time Commitment:  This committee meets 4 times a year for half a day, or at the call of the Chair following the administration of the examinations but only if an appeal is registered.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and making recommendations to the Council for approval with respect to the annual financial statements, the Auditor’s Report on the annual financial statements, and related issues including accounting practices and financial controls. Additional skills recommended: Individuals should have a good understanding of generally accepted accounting principles. Time Commitment:  This committee meets 2 to 3 times annually half-day by teleconference at the call of the Chair.

Standards Committee

The Standards Committee develops, reviews and undertakes consultations on new and existing standards of practice, guidelines and approves those on behalf of the College. Time Commitment:  This committee meets 5 times per year for half a day.

Inspection Committee

The Inspection Committee reviews the documents provided by the inspectors and designated members regarding completed inspections and determines the outcome of the inspection. The Committee also develops and maintains the Inspection Program Requirements and program policies and procedures. The Inspection Committee is also responsible for ensuring: – Appropriate individuals are appointed and trained as inspectors – Adequate inspections are undertaken and completed in a timely way – The IVIT Premises Register is maintained. Time Commitment:  This committee meets approximately 10 times per year for half a day.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee

The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee develops policies for the Council that reflect its values and commitment to its namesake principles. The Committee also reviews the College’s regulatory framework and processes to ensure that they are equitable to all and free of bias and discriminatory approaches and practices. Time Commitment:  This committee is expected to meet 9 times for half a day, or at the call of the Chair.

Risk Committee

The Risk Committee is responsible for providing organization oversight on behalf of the Council to ensure that a risk management process is in place at all levels of the organization, and that risk management processes and best practices are being adhered to. Time Commitment: This committee is expected to meet 5 times a year, including 1 full day and 4 half-days.

Governance Policy Review Committee

The Governance Policy Review Committee develops, maintains, and reviews the Council’s governance policies on a regular basis, and ensures that policies are updated on a regular schedule. This includes identifying and proposing necessary changes and amendments based on review. Time Commitment:  This committee is expected to meet 6 times a year for half a day, or at the call of the Chair.