Governance

We invite eligible members to self-nominate or nominate a colleague for COA leadership!
Four positions are open this year, including 2nd President-Elect (2026-2027), Secretary, and Finance and Audit Committee Members. All applicants will be notified of their selection by the end of April.

Selected applicants will begin their mandate on June 14, 2024, at the Your COA Business Meeting. Executive positions – 2nd President-Elect and Secretary – will serve with Dr. Olufemi Ayeni during his presidency and Dr. Sukhdeep Dulai as President-Elect, along with more than 120 volunteer members of COA leadership.

Apply now and be a part of giving back to your community of practice. Want to know more before applying? Get in touch with us at policy@canorth.org.

Apply Now

Members in COA leadership positions (Board of Directors, Executive Committee and Committee Chairs) are strongly recommended to complete the following implicit bias and cultural safety training modules during their term.

All COA members are encouraged to complete these same modules at their own discretion.

1. Harvard Implicit Association Test – Countries, Skin-Tone, Gender, Weight, Sexuality, Race, Age (Free)
2. CIHR Unconscious Bias in Peer Review and Research – Applicable for Practice (Free)
3. Indigenous Cultural Safety Training – Healthcare Module (Payable by COA for Board & Committee members upon request)

• An open call for nominations is issued annually.
• Voting COA members* can nominate colleagues or themselves by completing the nomination form.
  • *Active or Active International membership categories are considered voting members.
• A single nomination for an eligible candidate is all that is required to be considered for office. Multiple nominations or letters of support sent directly to the COA or Nominating Committee will not improve or influence a nominee’s candidacy.
• Completed nomination forms are submitted directly to the COA head office. After the submission deadline, the list of candidates is sent to the Nominating Committee for review and selection.

• Candidates are contacted by the COA to confirm their interest in being considered for the role, and to submit a copy of their CV when applicable.
• Completed nomination forms and corresponding CVs are sent to the Nominating Committee for review.
• A short list is compiled by the Nominating Committee. Short-listed candidates may be contacted for additional information or questions.
• The Nominating Committee selects final candidates from the short list.
• To become final, the Nominating Committee’s recommendation will be first voted on by the Board of Directors, followed by a vote from the general membership at the Your COA business meeting held at the COA Annual Meeting in June.
• Short-listed candidates for 2nd President Elect are automatically considered in the following year’s iteration (unless withdrawn).

• The COA is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. We are seeking candidates who reflect the broadest range of COA membership, including but not limited to diversity of leadership experience, geography, gender, age, race, cultural heritage, seniority, practice setting and subspecialty interest.
• We are especially interested in candidates with expertise in any of the following areas:
  • Leadership development/mentorship
  • Principles of equity, diversity and inclusion
  • Continuing professional development
  • Advocacy

COA Organogram

• Leadership capabilities
• Consensus building – supports and environment of participative dialogue and compromise
• Openly facilitates problem resolution
• Strategic planning and risk management
• Change management – understands how to set and manage expectations associated with change
• Manages consistency of purpose and sees commitments through to completion
• Clear sense of business acumen
• Commitment to the COA and its Mission
• Global perspective on professional issues
• Professional temperament
• Effective communication skills
• Institutional knowledge – brings a considerable understanding of the COA, its core initiatives and its stakeholders
• Acceptance and adhesion to the respective Committee’s Terms of Reference