2009 AGM Minutes

Coast Plaza Hotel, Edmonton, Alberta
May 29, 2009

These minutes are subject to approval by the membership in May 2010

The meeting was called to order at 12:15 pm.

1. Acceptance of the Agenda for the 2009 AGM

M/S/C (Margaret Plain/Eleanor Stewart) that the agenda be accepted.

2. Approval of the Minutes of the 2008 AGM

M/S/C (Thaine Olsen/Gary Goldsand) that the minutes of the Annual General Meeting be approved as circulated.

3. Report from the Chair - Joan Cody

Joan Cody talked about the challenges regarding the loss of a major source of funding, but also acknowledged how this can provide PHEN with other opportunities. She expressed appreciation to the membership for their tremendous support, and commended and thanked the PHEN staff for their patience and ongoing efforts over the past few months.

4. Report from the Executive Director - Al-Noor Nenshi Nathoo

Al-Noor thanked those in attendance for making time in their schedules to attend the meeting, and also thanked Joan and the Board members for their time and support during this period of uncertainty. He then gave a short overview of some of PHEN?s key initiatives over the past year, as well as some projects in the development stage.

5. Financial Report

Al-Noor Nenshi Nathoo presented the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009. M/S/C (Margaret Plain / Albert de Villiers) that the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 be approved and accepted as presented.

6. Appointment of Auditor

Deloitte indicated that they are willing to continue as our auditors. M/S/C (Gary Goldsand / Eleanor Stewart) that Deloitte be re-appointed as auditors for the fiscal year 2009-2010.

7. Board Election

Elected board member Claude Roberto recently resigned from the PHEN Board, as she has accepted an offer of employment in Ottawa. On behalf of the membership and the Board, Joan Cody thanked Claude for her contributions and efforts over the past two years. Joan announced that her first three-year term as an elected Board member expires this year, and that she was interested in running for reelection.

Al-Noor Nenshi Nathoo made a call for nominations to fill these two positions. Margaret Plain nominated Joan Cody, seconded by Joe MacGillivray. Debbie Leitch nominated Perry Mill, seconded by Gary Goldsand. As there were no additional candidates put forward after a second and third call for nominations, Joan Cody and Perry Mill were elected to the PHEN Board by acclamation.

8. Any Other Business, Questions from the Floor

In response to a question from the floor, Joan Cody clarified that of the four positions on the PHEN Board that were appointed by the former RHAs, two were presently filled by former RHA appointees (Carol Secondiak and Thaine Olsen). The outcome of current discussions with Alberta Health Services will likely determine what will happen to these 4 positions in the future.

9. Table Discussions

Participants worked in small groups to provide perspectives regarding the future of PHEN in a restructured health system. Each group focused on four questions: What partners or revenue opportunities should PHEN pursue to ensure the long-term stability of the organization? If we choose to re-implement membership fees, what would be a fair fee, and what membership benefits should we provide for this amount? How can PHEN support both Alberta Health Services (AHS) and non-AHS ethics structures and activities? What opportunities exist during this time of transition for PHEN? A few key points arising from the discussions were:

• Increasing advocacy efforts: we need to approach relevant people at the political level, articulating the following five areas where PHEN can provide significant input: the new accreditation standards that require an ethical framework for the health system, employee recruitment and retention, quality, risk management and credibility.

• Exploring other revenue sources/partnerships: While we should by all means continue to pursue a contractual arrangement with AHS, we should not view them as our only source of funding. Organizations that may welcome our input may include:
  • Health professional colleges and associations (continuing education credits, competencies that include ethics requirements)
  • Unions
  • Federal Government (Health Canada, Department of National Defense)
  • Universities, community colleges (provide ethics education for practical nurses, paramedics, etc.)
  • For-profit companies - may be disclosure issues in some cases, but there may be gaps that can be filled.
• Forming a Western Canadian Health Ethics Network: Building on the successful framework that PHEN has developed here in Alberta, we could potentially partner with other provinces. British Columbia is already working on developing a network, and Saskatchewan has expressed an interest in the past, so it may be an idea worth exploring.

• Reinstating our membership fees: the point was made that many people would pay a membership fee not only for "what they can get" from it, but as a contribution toward a larger cause. Suggested fees ranged from $50 to $100 for individuals, and from $300 to $1,000 for corporations and institutions.

11. Adjournment

M/S/C (Joe MacGillivray / Perry Mill) that the meeting be adjourned.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:40 pm.