CAO Organizational Structure

I. Government and External Relations – Dr. Paul Geneau

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II. Infrastructure – Dr. Barry Thienes

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III. Communications – Dr. Lil Linton

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IV. Standard of Care – Dr. Kirsten North

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Committee Terms of Reference

I.          GOVERNMENT & EXTERNAL RELATIONS – Dr. Paul Geneau

1.1       Government Relations
Terms of Reference – see GR strategy approved by CAO Council on February 12, 2011.
Chair – Dr. Kirsten North
Staff Liaison – Dana Cooper

1.2       CNIB
Terms of Reference – this committee maintains relations with CNIB at a national level and assists corporate and individual members in provincial and community relations with CNIB. Vision 2020 Canada is a coalition involving CNIB and other eye care stakeholders. It pursues the goals of the Vision 2020 established by the World Health Organization, including World Sight Day recognized annually in October. 
Liaison – CAO President
Staff Liaison – Glenn Campbell

1.3       Canadian Ophthalmological Society
Terms of Reference – this committee maintains relations with COS. At least once a year, the CAO President meets with the President, COS. The CAO Executive Director communicates with the Executive Director, COS on an ongoing basis. Initiatives of mutual interest are pursued, possibly by way of a memorandum of understanding between CAO and COS.
Chair – CAO President
Staff Liaison – Glenn Campbell

1.4       CDA
Terms of Reference – this committee is responsible for promoting Optometry’s role in the care of patients with diabetes. An important activity is to maintain relations with CDA at a national level and to assist provincial associations and individual members in provincial and community activities with CDA. The committee is also responsible for monitoring and commenting on government and stakeholder policy related to diabetes. 
Chair – Dr. Richard Lee
Staff Liaison – Glenn Campbell

1.5      NCVH
Terms of Reference – the National Coalition for Vision Health is a coalition of the eye care sector (see: www.visionhealth.ca) CAO is obligated to pay an annual membership fee and to attend meetings. The CAO Executive Director and an appointed optometric representative attend NCVH meetings.
CAO Liaison – Dr. Scott Mundle
Staff Liaison – Glenn Campbell

1.6      Industry Liaison
Terms of Reference – the primary role of the liaison is to recruit and retain industry partners in the Eye Health Council of Canada. The Liaison meets annually with EHCC partners, reviews partner benefits and helps organize the annual EHCC Roundtable meeting. The Liaison reports to the Chair, NPEC and CAO Council.
CAO Liaison – Dr. Marlene Reiss
Staff Liaison – Mr. Glenn Campbell

II.         INFRASTRUCTURE – Dr. Barry Thienes

2.1       Governance / Policy Committee
Terms of Reference – this committee was formed at the 1998 House of Delegates meeting. It continues with this work on an ongoing basis and through participation of CAO Council, the annual Optometric Leaders’ Forum and by way of member surveys. This committee is also responsible for CAO Policy Statements. In this role, the committee identifies and recommends public and administrative policies for adoption by CAO. These may include topical issues that affect the profession of Optometry. The committee sustains an ongoing review and maintenance of the CAO Policy Statements Register and Bylaws.
Chair – Dr. D. Cote
Staff Liaison – Glenn Campbell

2.2          Finances/ Personnel/ National Office
Terms of Reference (Finances) – In addition to executing the responsibilities outlined in the By-laws, the Secretary-Treasurer is responsible for establishing such Committees as may be required to assist the Executive Director in the day-to-day operation of the Association’s financial and business affairs. Included in this role is the assessment of new initiatives, which may generate non-dues revenue.
Terms of Reference (Personnel/ National Office) – the Committee approves the conditions of employment for CAO staff members and presents them in the Personnel Policy Manual. The Committee is also responsible for approving (i) appropriate job descriptions for each staff member, (ii) assisting in the recruitment process for all employees and (iii) recommending salaries, bonuses and salary increases for CAO staff to Council. The committee is also responsible for policy decisions related to the management of the national office.
Chair – CAO Secretary Treasurer
Staff Liaison – Glenn Campbell

2.3       COETF
Terms of Reference – The COETF is a charitable trust with the capability of collecting and investing financial contributions that are designed to assist the profession in meeting public needs by attaining identified objectives in the areas of education, research, manpower and continuing education.
Chair (Trustees) – Drs. Calvin Smith, Susan Woodruff, Denis Champagne & Secretary Treasurer, CAO
Chair (Awards Committee) – Dr. Steven Mintz
National Fundraising Committee – Dr. Steven Mintz
Staff Liaison – Glenn Campbell/ Catherine Heinmiller/ Yuli Guo

2.4       Member Group Plans
Terms of Reference – the committee is responsible for the development of travel, education, hotel, car rental and other discount programs of interest to the members that can be identified as a benefit of being a member of a national association.
Chair – Dr. Harry Bohnsack
Staff Liaison – Glenn Campbell

2.5       Optometry School Liaison (Faculty/ CAOS)
Terms of Reference – the responsibility of the School liaison is the maintenance of open communication channels between CAO and the faculty and students at the Schools of Optometry. In addition, the liaisons co-ordinate, with the national office, the maintenance of a student optometrist membership program that serves to acquaint the students with CAO’s organisational activities. The Committee also assists in the selection of the University of Waterloo CAO Award of Merit and the CAO Award of Excellence in Low Vision.
Faculty Liaison – CAO President
Student Liaison – Dr. H. Smit
Staff Liaison – Catherine Heinmiller/Claudette Gagnon

2.6       Congress/ Continuing Education Committees: 
Terms of Reference – these committees are responsible for the planning of the biennial Congress and for other CAO continuing education programs. Chairs may appoint other individuals to be responsible for each of these functions. The terms of reference for the Congress are contained in a policy manual, which is maintained at the CAO national office.
Co-Chairs, 2013 Congress – Drs. Larry Gies and Fermida Visnani
Staff Liaison – Glenn Campbell/ Catherine Heinmiller/ Claudette Gagnon/ Leslie Laskarin

III.        COMMUNICATIONS – Dr. Lil Linton

3.1       Publications
Terms of Reference -  This committee is responsible for publications sent to CAO members and the public which are not the responsibility of the National Public Education Committee.
CJO – the CJO was created, and is now being maintained, in compliance with the objectives of CAO as outlined in Articles 3(b) and (i) of our Act of Incorporation. The CJO editorial board therefore attempts to maintain and further develop the journal as a national publication capable of presenting to our members information about clinical practice, practice management and optometric political developments. It also assumes administrative responsibility for all business, financial and production activity associated with the printing of the CJO.  Normally, the Chair of the Publications Committee is responsible for the CJO. The Chair works closely with the Editor and CJO staff and consultants. Currently, there is no Senior Editor, CJO. Academic Editors are Drs. Ralph Chou and Claude Giasson.
Chair – Dr. P. Geneau
Clinical Editors – Dr. R. Chou (UW)/ Dr. C. Giaisson (UM)
Staff Liaison – Leslie Laskarin

In Touch Newsletter – the In Touch newsletter is produced once a month. The issue is sent to all CAO members by email, fax or mail.
Liaisons – CAO Executive Committee
Staff Liaison – Glenn Campbell

Optometrists Desk Reference – the ODR is published annually and contains a member directory and a variety of other resources for members.
Chair – Dr. P. Geneau
Staff Liaison – Catherine Heinmiller

3.2       NPEC
Terms of Reference – The National Public Education Committee (NPEC) is responsible for the operation of the public relations division for CAO.  NPEC delivers a national public awareness campaign through the purchase of advertising, the issuance of news releases, printed material and the coordination of member activities. NPEC is also responsible for maintaining contact with the ophthalmic supplier community, to establish industry partnerships under the Eye Health Council of Canada and to coordinate partner activities. NPEC is also responsible for Eye Health Canada Month, which is held in October each year.
Co-Chairs – Dr. Tanya Sitter
CAO Council Liaison – Dr. Tanya Sitter
Staff Liaison – Leslie Laskarin

3.3       CAO Websites 
Terms of Reference – this committee is responsible for the development and promotion of CAO’s web based tools and technologies (including the member and public websites).

a. Public Website – this site is available to the public and should be maintained to be current and informative. The committee will also consider new site features from time to time.
b. Member Website – all CAO members are eligible to register for this password-protected site designed strictly for the use of Canadian optometrists. The site offers a wealth of practical information and resources, including news from and about CAO and industry, discussion forums, a TPA reference guide, classified ads, and an events calendar.
Chair – Dr. Barry Thienes
Staff Liaison – Tony Gibbs, Leslie Laskarin, Glenn Campbell

3.4       Awards Committee
Terms of Reference  – the awards committee is chaired by the immediate past president. The committee is responsible for coordinating the call for nominations and awarding the President’s Award and naming Honorary membership. As well, the Chair is responsible for coordination of CAO Awards to optometric students and other CAO awards as required. The criteria for CAO Awards are found in the CAO Bylaws and at the national office.
Chair – CAO Past President
Staff Liaison – Glenn Campbell

3.5       International Optometry (WCO)/American Optometric Assoc.

Terms of Reference – The Committee establishes and maintains an open communication between CAO and the professional associations representing Optometry in other nations of the world. The committee is also responsible for the co-ordination of Council’s appointment of a Canadian delegate to the World Council of Optometry. 
CAO Delegate to WCO – Dr. S. Mundle
Staff Liaison – Glenn Campbell

3.6       CORA/ CEO
Terms of Reference – This committee maintains communication with the Canadian Optometric Regulatory Authorities (CORA) and the Canadian Examiners in Optometry (CEO) through the exchange of information and attendance at CORA and CEO meetings (observer status). The committee is expected to monitor issues related to professional regulation and self-governance. A report on the current status of CORA / CEO shall be requested from time to time by the CAO Council.
CAO Liaison – Dr. D. Champagne
Staff Liaison – Glenn Campbell

IV.        STANDARD OF CARE – Council Lead – Dr. Kirsten North

4.1         Third Party
Terms of Reference – CAO now promotes and administers an Occupational Vision Plan. This involves agreements between CAO and employer groups for optometric services and ophthalmic materials.
Chair – Dr. D. Champagne
Staff Liaison – Doug Dean

4.2         Optometric Assistant Course Committee
Terms of Reference – the Optometric Assistant Course is owned and administered by CAO to offer education and training opportunities for staff within optometric practices. The OA Course is valued by staff in the pursuit of improving their skills and knowledge. The OA Course is an important member benefit, which allows assistants to help optometrists perform a range of services in a more productive and effective manner. The ultimate benefactors are those recipients of enhanced efficiency in the provision of vision care. These are the patients.

The OA Course Committee is responsible for providing input to the operations of the course as well the consideration of policy issues related to the course and optometric staff training generally.  Committee members are also expected to assist in the coordination and delivery of annual course workshops. 

The Committee has representation from each provincial association, which endorses the OA Course and is an active participant in the course. Their respective Association Council and a committee Chair is chosen from among the committee appoint provincial representatives. CAO Council also appoints a Council member to act as a liaison for the committee.

CAO staff and contract employees who administer the OA Course are expected to consult and interact with the OA Course Committee as required. The Committee would report to CAO Council concerning the course, staff performance and staff needs typically for each Council meeting.

The committee as a whole will meet at least annually and more frequently if necessary.  Committee members are eligible to be reimbursed for expenses as approved by the committee Chair and in accordance with the committee budget and CAO expense guidelines.
Chair – Dr. J. John
Staff Liaison – Lise Loyer/ Lila Cobb/ Terry Theiss

4.3          Children’s Vision Initiative
Terms of Reference – The Children’s Vision Initiative is dedicated to the prevention, early detection and management of eye and vision problems, which impact the health, development, education, and welfare of Canada’s children (refer to CVI resource manual for further details)
Co-Chairs – Drs. D. Jones & L. Yeung
Staff Liaison – Catherine Heinmiller

4.4       Low Vision Committee
Terms of Reference –The purpose of the Low Vision Committee (LVC) shall be:

  1. to enhance the vision care of the public served by practices providing Low Vision services;
  2. to advocate the practice of Low Vision in Canada;
  3. to encourage the training and education of optometrists in the practice of Low Vision;
  4. to promote, enhance and advance the identity of optometry as a profession providing Low Vision;
  5. to collaborate with other organizations involved in providing services and representing the interests of Canadians with low vision and the blind;
  6. to promote the welfare of Canadians with low vision and the blind and to advance public knowledge about preventive eye care and blindness prevention, and
  7. in consultation with the Executive Committee of CAO, to speak on behalf of the CAO on matters relating to low vision.

Chair – Dr. Graham Strong
Committee – to be confirmed
Staff Liaison – Glenn Campbell

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