Let's Talk About Membership
by Family Councils Ontario
Our last post in this month's Terms of Reference series focuses on the people who make up your Council. Specifically, we're going to focus on membership. After all, what is a Council without its members?
Like other aspects of Family Council, it's important to understand the legislative context of Council membership. The Long-Term Care Homes Act briefly touches on Family Council membership. According to the Act: "Subject to subsection (6), a family member of a resident or a person of importance to a resident is entitled to be a member of the Family Council of a long-term care home. 2007, c. 8, s. 59 (5)." From this statement, it's easy to understand that all family members and persons of importance (e.g. friends, family by choice etc...) are entitled to be members of the Family Council.
The Act also outlines who may not be a member:
(6) The following persons may not be members of the Family Council:
1. The licensee, and anyone involved in the management of the long-term care home on behalf of the licensee.
2. An officer or director of the licensee or of a corporation that manages the long-term care home on behalf of the licensee or, in the case of a home approved under Part VIII, a member of the committee of management for the home under section 132 or of the board of management for the home under section 125 or 129, as the case may be.
3. A person with a controlling interest in the licensee.
4. The Administrator.
5. Any other staff member.
6. A person who is employed by the Ministry or has a contractual relationship with the Minister or with the Crown regarding matters for which the Minister is responsible and who is involved as part of their responsibilities with long-term care home matters.
7. Any other person provided for in the regulations. 2007, c. 8, s. 59 (6).
Your membership statement needs to comply with the Act. For example, the membership section of your Terms of Reference could read: "Members of the St. Andrew's Family Council shall be: A friend or relative of a resident of St. Andrew's. Relatives and friends of a deceased resident are encouraged to continue their active membership." This reflects who is entitled to be a member of a Family Council as per the Act.
Continued membership is another important aspect to consider. Many Family Councils have members who stay on the Council after the death of their relative or loved one. On the other hand, some people want to leave the Council after their relative dies. This is an individual choice but one that impacts the Council as a whole. It's important for the Council members to discuss continued membership and reach an agreement on people staying on the Council after the passing of their loved one. Consider what type and level of involvement you're looking for from members, specific roles played by members, and your Council's leadership style. These are all aspects to consider when thinking about the role members who no longer have a loved on in the Home play on your Council.
When your Council has decided on the membership statement for the Terms of Reference, pass a motion according to the process you use to make decisions and include the statement in your finalized Terms of Reference. Then, review it annually or as needed. Your members are the strength of your Council so it's essential to ensure that your membership statement meets the needs of the members and the Council as a whole.
For more information on what to consider when thinking about continued membership, including what it means to have a stake in the Home, read our Blog post You Asked Us: Clarification of Family Council Membership