Function and Responsibilities
The purpose of this committee is to engage with the Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM) membership and stakeholders, translate knowledge about UBC DEM activities and obtain feedback and input from diverse faculty members to advise the DEM Executive Committee and Head on issues that have the potential to benefit and/or advance the academic mission of the DEM.
Chair
The Departmental Head, or designate, is the Chair of the committee. The Associate Department Head will chair the committee as needed.
Composition
Standing committee members are made up of ex officio and appointed members.
In addition to standing committee members, all DEM faculty members are invited to participate in committee meetings to promote equity, diversity and inclusion. Meetings will be advertised broadly through the DEM newsletter and via email to ensure that all DEM faculty members can participate in important conversations and decisions regarding the DEM.
i. Ex Officio Standing Members:
| Department Head (Chair) |
| Associate Department Head |
| DEM Research Director |
| Head, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine (Pediatrics) |
| DEM Undergraduate Program Director |
| RCPSC-EM Program Director |
| CCFP-EM Program Director(s) |
| RCPSC-EM Site Director, Vancouver Island |
| RCPSC-EM Site Director, Interior |
| RCPSC-EM Site Director, Fraser |
| RCPSC-EM Site Director, Vancouver |
| DEM Chair, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion |
| ECBC Executive Director |
| ECBC Provincial Medical Director |
| ECBC Scientific Director |
| DEM Clinical Faculty Affairs Representative |
| DEM Administrative Manager |
| Doctors of BC Section of Emergency Medicine Leader |
ii. Appointed Standing Members: Regional Representatives
| Academic Representative, Fraser Region |
| Academic Representative, Northern Region |
| Academic Representative, Vancouver Island |
| Academic Representative, Interior Region |
iii. Appointed by the Department: Administrative Staff
| 1 DEM administrative staff member |
iv. Invited Members
| All full-time faculty members |
| All clinical faculty members |
| All adjunct faculty membersDEM residents |
| Guests may be invited to join specific meetings or portions of specific meetings at the Chair’s discretion. |
Appointment Process and Term
Ex officio members are members by virtue of their administrative appointment and will remain standing members of the committee as long as they hold their administrative appointment. Additional ex officio members may be added as needed and/or if new administrative DEM positions are created.
Appointed members (regional representatives) will be selected using the UBC DEM Best EDI Practices guideline (adapted from the Doctors of BC, Section of Emergency Medicine EDI Toolkit Hiring Section). Committee openings will be advertised widely using the DEM Newsletter and list serve to ensure equal opportunity for nominations into these positions.
Appointed members (regional representatives) will have 3-year terms, renewable once. If no alternative representatives can be identified after two terms, further terms may be considered.
The DEM Administrative Manager will appoint the DEM administrative staff member, who will be tasked with scheduling meetings, drafting agendas, taking minutes, completing surveys and other administrative tasks, as needed.
Member Responsibilities
- Attend the majority of meetings (>50%). If an appointed committee member is unable to attend >50% of meetings, the DEM Head or Associate Head may seek an alternative person to fill the position to ensure ongoing regional representation at DEMAC.
- Read agendas and minutes and communicate opinions about relevant topics.
- Discuss non-confidential issues with their respective groups/contacts/committees to get as broad a representation as possible.
- Respectfully present opinions in favor or against proposed policy or actions.
- Promote the activities and priorities of the DEM.
- Advance the DEM’s collaboration with ECBC.
- Actively support psychological safety within the team, fostering an environment where individuals feel secure and respected when sharing their ideas and perspectives.
- Propose and endorse policies and actions that advance equity, diversity, and inclusion within the organization without discrimination against any group based on race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic.
- Advance decolonization, Indigenous Rights and the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action.
Decision-Making
The DEMAC is advisory to the DEM Head and Executive Committee. Discussion is important for critical issues facing the DEM leadership so that they are aware of DEM members’ opinions and perspectives. By holding open faculty meetings DEMAC will ensure inclusion of all DEM faculty members who wish to raise concerns and/or participate in advising the DEM leadership.
Meetings, Agenda and Minutes
Meetings will be held bi-monthly, with a summer break, or at the call of the Chair. The agenda will be circulated at a minimum of 48h before the meeting and include a call for additional items.
Any DEMAC standing member, invited faculty member or guest is free to request the addition of agenda items and participate in discussion at the meetings.
Draft meeting minutes will be circulated within one week of the meeting date and/or at the beginning of the next meeting for edits and approval. Approved meeting minutes will be posted on the DEM website with a link to the webpage included in the departmental newsletter to ensure clinical and full-time faculty remain abreast of ongoing discussions at DEMAC.
Find past meeting minutes here
Compensation
Compensation for committee members will follow the UBC, Faculty of Medicine Clinical Faculty Compensation Terms for Standing Committees.
Review
The committee’s performance, membership and terms of reference will be reviewed annually or at the discretion of the Chair or >2 standing committee members.