Role, Responsibilities and Meetings
Nominations open: July 2-16, 2025
Elections (if necessary): July 18-24, 2025
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What is the Advisory Council?
The Advisory Council (Council) is a designated standing committee of the Board of Directors, with membership and mandate in accordance with Article 9 of the Association Bylaws. The Council is comprised of regional and practice-specific delegates to represent members’ interests and provide input to the Board regarding strategic direction.
What is the role of the Advisory Council?
- Acts as advisory to the Board of Directors
- Share member information/experiences/perspectives with Board of Directors to inform decision making and priority setting
- Share information/actions/opportunities from Board of Directors to members, in support of engagement, accountability and transparency
- Act as champions for PARA initiatives, programs and events, both with general membership and with external partners
- Champion and participate on PARA’s internal working groups and committees to help guide initiatives and programs for all members
- Support external committee opportunities to ensure resident physician representation with partners
Advisory Council Membership
- Past President (Chair)
- Program representatives (U of A and U of C)
- Programs with <30 residents = 1 representative
- Programs with 30+ residents = 2 representatives
- Members at Large (U of A and U of C)
- PGY 1 & 2 (3 representatives)
- PGY 3+ (3 representatives)
- Open (2 representatives)
- PARA staff lead
*All council members must be a member in good-standing as per the PARA Bylaws.
To review the Code of Conduct, click here.
What is the difference between a program representative and a member-at-large?
Program representatives are elected to represent all residents within their program and provide feedback and perspectives relative to that program. Members-at-large represent a broader, non-program specific population:
- PGY 1 & 2 represent the perspectives of residents in their first and second years of residency
- PGY 3+ represent the perspectives of residents in year three of residency and above
- Open positions allow for representation for specific membership perspectives not included in the other categories – such as IMGs; BIPOC members; second career; etc.
Meetings/Time Commitment
- Orientation: An orientation session will be offered for new members of the Council with respect to their role and responsibilities as members of the Council, as well as support available to them
- Four established meetings per year (August, November, February, May)
- One in-person meeting (August, 4-5 hour meeting); remainder virtual (1-3 hour meetings pending agendas)
- In-person meeting alternates between Edmonton and Calgary (transportation provided)
- Ad-hoc meetings, surveys, working group meetings as appropriate throughout year
How does PARA support Advisory Council reps and the time commitment?
- Protected time off for PARA business is granted under Article 8.2 of the Resident Physician Agreement
- A letter will be provided to each Program Director following the close of elections, confirming their program’s representative(s) to the Advisory Council and encouraging their support of the role and time requirements
Reporting Relationship
- Advisory to the Board of Directors
Term
- One year, unless otherwise extended
- Council representatives may extend their term by one additional year without election; any subsequent service will require re-election
Honorarium
- Each Advisory Council member will be eligible for a $300 honorarium in recognition of time and commitment to supporting PARA’s strategic objectives; to be paid at the end of the academic year
2025-2026 Advisory Council meeting schedule (exact meeting times TBC based on agenda)
| MEETING | DATE | LOCATION |
| Advisory Council Orientation | August 21, 2025 (7-8:30 p.m.) | Virtual |
| Advisory Council Meeting | August 26, 2025 (12:30-6 p.m., plus travel if applicable) | In-person (Calgary) |
| Advisory Council Meeting | November 12, 2025 (1-5 p.m.) | Virtual |
| Advisory Council Meeting | February 11, 2026 (1-5 p.m.) | Virtual |
| Advisory Council Meeting | May 13, 2026 (1-5 p.m.) | Virtual |