The Vancouver Physicians Staff Association will soon be able to have broader representation on its board thanks to bylaw amendments that were approved at the February 1, 2021 Special General Meeting.

“The current bylaws are quite restrictive in terms of who can serve on the VPSA board,” said President Dr. Eric Yoshida. “Under the current rules, only members of the active staff can be part of the executive. Most family physicians are not active staff, which means they are not represented on the executive.”

The approved amendments will allow the maximum number of VPSA board members to expand from five to seven representatives. At least two of the positions will be held by non-active physician members of the society.

The new bylaws will also clarify the maximum term length for directors. Once the bylaws are registered, the term of directors will be two years. Directors may only serve in a specific role for one term. Directors may serve for up to five consecutive turns in different roles.

A director’s term will start at the close of the annual general meeting at which they are appointed or elected. Officers will be elected to their positions (e.g., president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, at large) at the AGM.

“The amendments were overwhelming endorsed by members attending the SGM,” noted Dr. Yoshida. “They have now been sent to our lawyer to be registered with the provincial government.”

VMDAS also reformed its election’s policy at the February 1st meeting. Going forward, members will elect a president elect who will automatically become the association’s vice president. After the incumbent president has completed their two-year term, the president elect/vice president will become the new VMDAS president. This change will ensure good succession and continuity.