Governance
How We Work
The Saskatchewan Medical Association is a democratic Association representing more than 3,500 physician, resident and student members. The Association is a corporation pursuant to The Saskatchewan Medical Association Act whose functioning is governed by the Association’s Bylaws. Our Parliamentary governance model centres on a Representative Assembly to ensure members’ views are fully represented and a Board of Directors that has the legal and fiduciary responsibility to manage the affairs of the Association
The Board oversees the activities and internal affairs of the Association and sets strategic direction and policy. The more than 100-member Representative Assembly (RA) provides wide-ranging representation from: all geographical areas of the province, family physicians and specialists, medical students, and residents. Any member may be nominated and RA representatives are elected by their constituent group.
The Board provides efficient, nimble governance, while the RA ensures members’ views are fully represented. Learn more about each below.
The Board
- Role is that of a decision-making and strategy-setting body.
- Maintains its legal fiduciary and oversight responsibilities, and is accountable to the Representative Assembly and the entire membership
- Comprised of 13 members – the President, Vice-President, Honourary Treasurer, Past-President, Chair, and eight Directors – allowing for efficiency in decision-making and the ability to quickly respond to events that arise.
Representative Assembly
- Role is that of an influential body representing members’ interests and providing guidance to the Board, enhancing accountability between the Board and members.
- Comprised of over 100 voting delegates representing all Sections, all geographic areas, including rural and First Nations communities, students and residents.
SMA Bylaws
- Establish membership categories and subdivisions
- Describe the rights of members
- Set out the duties and powers of the Representative Assembly, Board, Executive, and Committees
- Outline requirements for meetings
The Saskatchewan Medical Association Act
- Continues the Association as a corporation
- Describes the objects and powers of the Association
- Authorizes the Association to make bylaws
In our day-to-day operations, the Saskatchewan Medical Association senior staff are responsible for helping our Board and Representative Assembly achieve the organization’s strategic vision of being better together.
With more than 15 member-run committees advocating on behalf of physicians, we manage a diverse range of issues including policy development, physician compensation, collaborative programs with government, health promotion, and more.