S. Ireland, Chair
J. Attwood
I. Bajnok
D. Barber
C. Beemer
M. Bestwick
D. Bishop
S. Burnell-Jones
K. Campbell
M. Capobianco
C. Charlton (Wednesday)
K. Cook
F. Cole

D. Dietrich
R. Fife
D. Fox (Wednesday)
R. Graham
E. Greenwood
L. Hall
G. Hayward
B. Hill
E. Howe
K. Kay
S. Keating
V. Kerr
R. Kitson

M. McGinn
M. A. Murray
B. Noble
D. Norling
S. Richardson
R. Rupert
A. Spacek
A. Taylor
M. Ternovan
D. Trouten
B. Weichel
S. Young

C. Charlton (Thursday)

A. Cunningham

D. Fox (Thursday)

A. Coghlan
C. Campbell

J. Hofbauer, Recorder
P. Reinhart

G. Siskind

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

S. Ireland summarized the Council/staff retreat held on December 9th. The session confirmed the centrality of the public interest to Council's work. It is important to begin each meeting thinking about the public trust and to make each decision based on a test of the public interest.

S. Ireland asked S. Richardson to monitor the rules of order.

AGENDA

The agenda had been circulated.

Motion 1

Moved by V. Kerr, seconded by S. Young,

That the agenda be accepted as presented.

CARRIED

CLOSURE

The Executive is recommending closure of the meeting for discussion of personnel matters.

Motion 2

Moved by D. Bishop, seconded by K. Cook,

That the Council meeting be closed at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 11, 2003 to discuss personnel matters in accordance with Section 7(2)(d) of the Procedural Code.

CARRIED

MINUTES

Minutes of the Council meeting of October 1 and 2, 2003 had been circulated.

Motion 3

Moved by R. Kitson, seconded by B. Weichel,

That the minutes of the Council meeting of October 1 and 2, 2003 be approved as circulated.

CARRIED

EVAULATION

Council members received the summary of evaluations of the October Council meeting. S. Ireland noted that there was a good rate of response and members were generally positive about the meeting.

STRATEGIC UPDATE

A. Coghlan presented an update on Strategic Objective 2 - To excel in the development, utilization and provision of CNO knowledge. It was confirmed that this objective furthers the public interest.

A. Coghlan highlighted the plans to develop a new reporting mechanism for indicators - the CNO Results Report. The Results Report will be developed and draft indicators sent to Council members for input prior to presentation to Council in March.

RPN PROGRAM APPROVAL

D. Dietrich, Chair of the Registration Committee presented background on the recommendations regarding RPN program approval.

K. Kay identified that she had been a member of the Working Group that developed the proposal, representing a stakeholder organization, and, in accordance with the Conduct By-Law, will not vote on the recommendations related to Practical Nursing Program Approval.

Council identified that it is clearly in the public interest that RPN programs be assessed to determine that graduates are meeting the entry to practice competencies.

The Registration Committee is recommending the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities' approval be used for initial program approval. The Ministry's process is rigorous, ongoing, incorporates CNO standards and prepares graduates to meet the entry to practice competencies.

Motion 4

Moved by D. Dietrich, seconded by S. Richardson,

That Council accept use of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities approval as the mechanism for preliminary practical nursing program approval, pending program approval based on the review by the Practical Nursing Program Approval Committee.

CARRIED (1 abstention)

Council discussed the recommendation regarding the RPN Program Review Committee. It was confirmed that it will be a CNO committee and that the costs of the committee will be born by CNO. The programs will pay the costs for the assessment process.

Motion 5

Moved by D. Dietrich, seconded by D. Barber,

That the structure of the Practical Nursing Program Approval Committee be:

• Four educators;
  
• Three RPN practitioners;
  
• Three clinical managers/educators; and
  
• One member of the public.
  As identified in Attachment 1.
  

Attachment 1 identified that the RPN practitioners would be one RPN from each of long-term, acute, and community care, with regional consideration. There was concern that the proposal did not reflect the range of RPN practice.

There was discussion about increasing the number of RPN members to allow for inclusion of practitioners from a broader range of settings including mental health, complex continuing care and rehabilitation. This was not supported due to concerns about the impact of increased size on committee effectiveness. It was also noted that one or more of the members from management/clinical education may be RPNs.

There was discussion about whether to amend the motion to articulate the inclusion of specific areas of practice. It was clarified that the role of the committee is to address approval of the basic RPN program, which does not require specialty expertise. It was also identified that individual practitioners can bring a breadth of experience.

It was suggested that the specific categories of RPN membership identified by the Working Group be removed and that the RPN members be drawn from direct practice in a variety of types of settings and that the prior experience of appointees be considered. It was clarified that the membership of the committee needs to be broad, from a geographical perspective as well as in relation to types of clinical experience.

It was also identified that it would be helpful if the member of the public had experience in structuring and organizing curriculum.

Amendment to Motion 5

Moved by E. Greenwood, seconded by K. Cook,

That Motion 5 be amended to replace "(as identified in attachment 1)" with "in accordance with the direction of Council."

CARRIED (1 abstention)

Amended Motion 5

The following motion was duly moved and seconded,

That the structure of the Practical Nursing Program Approval Committee be:

• Four educators;
  
• Three RPN practitioners;
  
• Three clinical managers/educators; and
  
• One member of the public.
  In accordance with the direction of Council.
  

CARRIED (1 abstention)

The direction of Council was that:

• the specific categories of RPN membership identified by the Working Group be deleted and that the RPN members be drawn from direct practice in a variety of types of settings and that the prior experience of appointees be considered;
• where possible, the member of the public will have experience in structuring and organizing curriculum; and
• members will provide broad geographical representation.

Council discussed the program approval process. The purpose of the proposed pilot is to test the tool. There was some concern that the word "pilot" implied that the process itself was being tested. Council identified it as important to be clear in its support of the process and suggested that the terminology relate to phases - with Phase I being voluntary, and taking place in 2004.

Motion 6

Moved by D. Dietrich, seconded by M. McGinn,

That the Practical Nursing Program Approval Process, Information and Criteria (attachment 1 to the briefing note) be implemented on a voluntary basis in 2004 (Phase I), and implemented in 2005 (Phase II) as the mechanism for ongoing practical nursing program assessment for the purposes of program approval as specified in attachment 1.

CARRIED (1 abstention)

MANDATORY CRIMINAL RECORD CHECKS

D. Dietrich highlighted the recommendations of the Registration Committee regarding mandatory criminal record checks. The Registration Committee is making the recommendations to enhance public protection by improving the information before the Registration Committee when considering applicants.

It was clarified that this recommendation addresses Canadian applicants and former members seeking reinstatement. Ongoing members, who have accountability to the College, and international applicants who are screened as part of the immigration process, are not included.

Motion 7

Moved by D. Dietrich, seconded by E Howe,

That, as of January 1, 2005, CNO require all applicants applying for registration or re-instatement from within Canada to provide, at their own expense, a recent Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC), Criminal Record Synopsis as part of the registration process.

CARRIED

On recommendation of the Registration Committee, Council provided direction for CNO to continue to include a mandatory question regarding history of offences on all application for registration forms.

A. Coghlan clarified that if it comes to the Registrar's attention that a member had been untruthful on her or his registration form, the Executive Director has the statutory authority to revoke the member.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR UPDATE

A. Coghlan presented an update on the major achievements of each of the staff teams in 2003.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee appoints the Nominating Committee, for ratification by Council.

Motion 8

Moved by M. Ternovan, seconded by D. Fox,

That Council ratify the following 2004 Nominating Committee: Irmajean Bajnok, Deanne Barber, Denise Dietrich, Ruth Graham, Margaret McGinn, and Sophie Young.

CARRIED

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Minutes of the Executive Committee meetings of October 14 and 15, 2003 and November 12 and 13, 2003 had been distributed. Council members were informed that they would be receiving CNO wallet cards in February as part of the roll-out of the new CNO brand.

NOMINATING COMMTTEE

D. Dietrich highlighted the report of the Nominating Committee. She reported on the findings of the evaluation process and expressed appreciation to Council members for their participation. She noted that the evaluation confirmed the principles, goals and process used by the Nominating Committee. It was confirmed that the Committee seeks to balance equity and fairness with the practical requirements of committees.

The Nominating Committee had identified a number of changes and clarifications related to the process for election of Council officers.

The Nominating Committee had recommended revisions to its Terms of Reference.

Motion 9

Moved by D. Dietrich, seconded by M. Ternovan,

That the proposed revised Terms of Reference for the Nominating Committee (attachment 1 to the minutes) be approved.

CARRIED

RECESS

Council recessed at 4:00 p.m.

CLOSED SESSION

Council convened in a closed session at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, December 11, 2003. Minutes of the closed session on compensation are attached as a confidential appendix.

FINANCE REPORT

The Finance Committee presented its report to Council, including the proposed 2004 Operating and Capital budgets. In accordance with CNO's governance model, Council's role is to approve the corporate fiscal plan, or budget. Monitoring fiscal results is a joint Council/staff accountability, and staff are responsible for the day to day operations of the College and providing advice to Council. The draft budgets presented to Council include a 1-year budget and long-range estimates and address both operating and capital requirements.

When the current fee was set, it was anticipated that another increase would be required for 2005. Due to a variety of situations resulting in a significant surplus, CNO will not be requiring a fee increase for a number of years. Council suggested that members be informed that a fee increase is not anticipated for at least two years.

There was some discussion about the level of the surplus and its appropriateness for a non-profit organization. It was noted that some organizations look at maintaining a surplus that would cover 3 to 6 months of operations, and CNO's current surplus fits within that framework.

Motion 10

Moved by S. Burnell-Jones, seconded by M. Ternovan,

That the 2004 operating and capital budgets be approved.

CARRIED

GUIDELINES FOR MAKING PRESENTATIONS ABOUT CNO

The Executive had identified a gap in Council procedures. CNO has policies for claiming of stipends and expenses for speaking engagements, but no guidelines to support members in making decisions about speaking engagements.

Motion 11

Moved by K. Cook, seconded by M. Bestwick,

That the proposed Guidelines for Council Members in Making Presentations about the College be approved.

CARRIED

RESIGNATION OF COMMITTEE MEMBER

Council was informed of the resignation of an elected committee member due to a move from her district. M. A. Murray, Chair of the Elections Committee, highlighted two options. The Elections Committee is recommending that, given the short remaining term of office, the member not be replaced.

Motion 12

Moved by M. A. Murray, seconded by B. Weichel,

That, in accordance with Article 55 of the General By-Law, the elected committee member seat from the Toronto district remain vacant until June 2004 when the terms of newly elected members come into effect.
CARRIED

CONCLUSION

At 11:45 a.m., it was,

Motion 13

Moved by D. Bishop, seconded by B. Hill,

That Council conclude.

CARRIED