1. RACGP Expert Committee Chairs Board Subcommittee - Terms of Reference
1.1 Policy Number: CO-O-031.1
1.2 Category: Organisational
1.3 Approval Date: 17 June 2021
1.4 Revision Due Date: 1 March 2024
1.5 Unit Responsible: Office of the President and CEO
2. Policy declaration
This policy establishes the RACGP’s Expert Committee Chairs (REC) Board Subcommittee (REC Chairs Board Subcommittee) of the Board, their membership and responsibilities and provides guidance as to their proceedings.
This Policy is approved by the RACGP Board.
3. Background
3.1 Context
Part 10.3 of the RACGP Constitution empowers the RACGP Board to establish one or more committees and engaging RACGP members as it thinks fit.
Pursuant to this power, the RACGP Board through the Terms of Reference – RACGP Expert Committees (the ‘terms of reference’) has established the RACGP Expert Committees in those areas of expertise required to achieve the objectives and mission of the RACGP.
This document establishes the REC Chairs Board Subcommittee.
3.2 Definitions
In this Policy:
- Chair means that member engaged by the RACGP Board in the capacity to Chair the REC Chairs Subcommittee.
- Member ormember means a member of the subcommittee.
- Policy means this document.
- Subcommittee means those Committees stipulated in clause 4.0 (as the context permits).
Other than for these definitions, in the event of any inconsistency between this Policy and the Constitution, the Constitution prevails.
All references in this Policy are to this Policy itself, unless otherwise indicated.
4. Establishment
The following Committees are established, the Chairs of which make up the membership of the REC Chairs Board Subcommittee:
- RACGP Expert Committee – Funding and Health System Reform
- RACGP Expert Committee – Quality Care
- RACGP Expert Committee – Research
- RACGP Expert Committee – Standards for General Practices
- RACGP Expert Committee – Practice Technology and Management.
Other members of this committee are identified under Section 6.
This policy is to be read in conjunction with the RACGP Expert Committee Terms of Reference, Risk Management Policy, Board Delegations Policy and Instrument and the Procurement Policy.
5. REC Chairs Board Subcommittee objectives
As an overarching obligation, the REC Chairs Board Subcommittee is responsible for:
- pursuing the following objectives within the Committee’s area of expertise:
- advising on the implementation of related initiatives developed in accordance with the RACGP's strategic plan
- establishing links where appropriate with relevant state, national and international groups to monitor trends and incorporate innovations into RACGP programs,
- supporting a consistent and unified approach to policy across the RACGP, and
- supporting close working relationships between GPs, GP organisations and the Commonwealth Government and departments.
- providing assistance and advice to the RACGP Board within the Committee’s area of expertise by:
- supporting the development of responses and submissions in line with the RACGP Board and RACGP strategic direction
- providing assistance and strategic advice to the RACGP Board as requested, including input into the annual report
- acting in good faith in the RACGP's interests.
6. REC Chairs Board Subcommittee membership
The REC Chairs subcommittee includes:
- Chair of RACGP REC Chairs Subcommittee – appointed by the Board
- The RACGP President, or their delegate
- RACGP Principal Medical Education Advisor
- Chair representation (or their delegate) from the following RACGP Expert Committees:
- RACGP Expert Committee – Funding and Health System Reform
- RACGP Expert Committee – Quality Care
- RACGP Expert Committee – Research
- RACGP Expert Committee – Standards for General Practices
- RACGP Expert Committee – Practice Technology and Management
Co-opted members can be appointed by the subcommittee according to the needs and workplan of the subcommittee. Co-opted members cannot fill the position of Chair.
7. REC Chairs subcommittee role and powers
The REC Chairs subcommittee can:
- recommend the RACGP Board adopt policy positions, clinical guidelines, and standards to achieve the objectives and mission of the RACGP
- establish sub-committees (whether or not called “sub-committee”; “task force” or “working group”) based on the Committee workplan to exist for the duration of the Committee’s term of office.
7.1 Terms of office
Chair:
- Any term of a Chair’s Master Services Agreement will not exceed three years, and each such term must expire at the close of first RACGP Board meeting following the close of the third RACGP Annual General Meeting following the term’s commencement, unless otherwise approved for extension by the Board.
- The Chair cannot be appointed for more than two consecutive terms as Chair.
Subcommittee members:
- Any term of a member’s Master Services Agreement will not exceed three years, and each such term will expire at the close of the third RACGP Annual General Meeting following the term’s commencement, unless otherwise approved for extension by the Board.
- The RACGP will retain the right to renew or extend the RACGP Master Services Agreement.
- The total period of member’s engagement with a particular committee will not exceed six consecutive years.
- Members cannot be appointed for more than two consecutive terms.
- The Clause 7.4e calculation of total period of member engagement ignores any period that member served as Chair.
Co-opted members:
- Any term of a co-opted member’s Master Services Agreement must not exceed three years, and each such term must expire no later than the close of the third RACGP Annual General Meeting following the term’s commencement.
- The terms of any co-opted member’s engagement by a committee is applicable only to that committee.
7.5 Remuneration
Members are:
- paid in accordance with their relevant member’s Master Services Agreement
- reimbursed for incidental expenses incurred in accordance with RACGP Member Expenses Claims Guidelines, and providing they have the relevant RACGP General Manager prior approval.
The RACGP must ensure members are aware, such as by its inclusion in the relevant Master Services Agreement, it does not retain any pay as you go withholding tax or superannuation guarantee contributions from fees paid.
8. Operations
8.1 Meetings
- Subcommittee meetings will take place at least 4 times in every calendar year, of which 2 meetings may be face-to-face.
- Subcommittee members are required to fully prepare for each meeting, read the documentation in advance, and make every reasonable effort to attend each meeting.
- At least 50% of the members plus one constitute a quorum for subcommittee meetings. Co-opted members do not count towards quorum.
- The Chair is expected to conduct meetings and is responsible for approving the agenda and minutes and for any reporting that is required. When the Chair is not present the Deputy Chair, or the Chair’s delegate, will fulfill their meeting responsibilities.
- Co-opted members do not have voting rights.
8.2 Compliance with RACGP Policies
The RACGP must use best efforts to ensure members, and must ensure all relevant Master Services Agreement require the member, while on RACGP premises or engaged in the context of subcommittee business comply with the:
- RACGP Member Code of Conduct
- RACGP Member Expense Claims Guidelines(including by ensuring all travel and/or accommodation is booked through the Secretariat)
- RACGP Conflict of Interest policy, and must use best efforts to ensure members:
- work within the RACGP strategic and policy directions,
- are equally accountable and responsible for acting according to the principles associated with being a member of the subcommittee,
- act in good faith in the RACGP’s interests,
- respect and do not breach the RACGP’s privacy or confidentiality obligations, and
- promote a favourable image of the RACGP, including by the inclusion of relevant provisions in the member’s Master Services Agreement.
9. Meeting Proceedings
The REC Chairs subcommittee will hold regular meetings in accordance with these terms of reference.
During the course of the year, additional ad hoc meetings may also be called by the Chair of the REC Chairs subcommittee. An ad hoc meeting must be scheduled by the Chair if called by:
- direction of the Board; or
- any two REC Chairs subcommittee members acting jointly.
The Chair must give at least 3 clear days’ notice of any ad hoc meetings.
At any meeting, the CEO, GM Government Relations, Policy and Practice, GM Membership Services, GM Education Services and the Secretariat have standing invitations. Any other staff member may be invited for any meeting or part of it as required by the REC Chairs subcommittee. All Board Members have standing invitations to attend as an observer.
9.1 Agenda
The Secretariat, in conjunction with the Chair, is responsible for agenda preparation, with supporting documentation, and its circulation. Agenda papers can be requested from management. Contributions to the agenda should be sought from all relevant parties.
The agenda and supporting agenda papers must be distributed at least five working days prior to each meeting.
In the event of any ad hoc meeting, an agenda and supporting agenda papers must be distributed as soon as practical.
9.2 Absence from Meetings
Where possible, absences should be advised in advance and agreed with the Chair prior to the meeting or as soon as practical following the meeting where circumstances did not allow prior notice.
The Chair will review the ongoing membership on the subcommittee of any member who is absent from three meetings in twelve months without prior formal leave of absence granted by the Chair.
9.3 Conflicts of Interest
The Chair of REC Chairs will remind members at the beginning of each meeting of their obligation to declare any conflicts of interest in relation to matters being dealt with by the subcommittee.
9.4 Minutes
The Secretariat is responsible for keeping the Minutes of all subcommittee meetings. Draft minutes should be prepared and sent to the Chair within five working days of the meeting. REC Chairs must provide the Board with copies of all Minutes and resolutions of meetings. The Secretariat is responsible for circulating the Minutes to subcommittee members and the Board.
10. Amendment of this Policy
The REC Chairs subcommittee may, without the consent of the Board, make Minor Amendments to this policy at any time.
If the REC Chairs subcommittee makes Minor Amendments, he/she must advise the CEO and the Board of those amendments as soon as practicable.
The Board may make Major Amendments to this policy at any time.
11. Responsibilities
Board
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Responsible for Major Amendments.
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REC Chairs subcommittee
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Responsible for Minor Amendments. Must comply with the policy.
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12. Policy Review and Currency
This policy will be reviewed every three years from the last approval date, or when there is a significant change in the intent of the policy. A review will determine these TOR’s continuing adequacy for current circumstances. This policy remains valid and applicable notwithstanding if it is overdue for review.
Version History
Release notice
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Version
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Date of effect
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Amendment details
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Amended by
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1.0
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Initial release
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Record no.:
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CO-O-031.1
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Policy owner:
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Board
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Approved by:
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Board
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Approved on:
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17 June 2021
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Next Review Due:
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1 April 2024
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