Terms of Reference
National Communications Committee

Purpose: The purpose of the National Communications Committee is to promote and enhance all communication efforts in order to support the work of the Society.

Meetings: Meetings of this Committee will take place quarterly. Meetings shall be prior to the deadline of articles to the “Journal”, at least by 2 weeks. Three meetings will be held by teleconference, except for a meeting face to face during the National Conference and Trade Show.
Minutes of the meetings shall be taken by a secretary, elected from the Committee membership. It will be the secretary’s responsibility to clearly identify decisions taken that are made by the committee, any recommendations that are to be made to the National Executive Board, any items
requiring further action and any person(s) responsible for follow-up action.

Membership: The committee shall be comprised of the following members:

- National Secretary (acts as liaison to the National Executive Board)
- CHES Executive Director, or designate
- Communication representative from each CHES Chapter
- Representative of Associate Members
- CHES Quarterly Journal Editor
- CHES Webmaster
- CHES President (in an ex-official position)
- Other parties identified as required by the Communication Committee

Responsibilities:

1: To ensure that all CHES Chapters and Associate Members have input into the contents of the, “Canadian Healthcare Facilities Journal”. To aid the “Journal” Editor in assuring that all submissions are received in a timely manner for publication. Hence the meeting schedule identified under Meetings.

2: To constantly review that the CHES Website is accurate and up to date via the National Office. It is the responsibility of all Committee members to report and get feed-back from CHES Members regarding any problems or issues with the Website and report any necessary changes that may be required through to the Committee. The committee will then work with the Webmaster via the National office to obtain pricing and approval for any changes that may be necessary.

3: To identify any communications opportunities to the National Board for consideration with particular attention to new emerging web-based technologies including online networking opportunities and the development of partnerships with allied stakeholders.

4: To coordinate and carry out any special communication efforts as assigned by the National Board.

5: To prepare and submit a proposed budget to the Treasurer of the National Board, after deliberation of the Communication Committee.

6: The chair for the Communication Committee shall be for 2 years, but not for more than two consecutive terms, i.e., 4 years, and shall be elected from the Committee membership. The election shall be held during the face to face meeting at the National Conference and trade show when required. The National secretary cannot serve as chair.