Terms of Reference

CONSULTATION-LIAISON SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP

The primary function of the Consultation-Liaison Special Interest Group (the “CLSIG”) of the ACMHN Inc (ACMHN) is to facilitate, promote, and advance consultation-liaison mental health nursing by:

• providing members of the ACMHN, who have a particular interest in consultation-liaison nursing, with a forum for exchanging news, views and ideas in this evolving sub-speciality in mental health nursing, and
• promoting research endeavours and other matters of interest in consultation-liaison nursing.

2. Authority & Accountability

• The ACMHN Board, pursuant to clause 6.4 of the ACMHN Constitution, has approved the CLSIG and authorised the CLSIG to act in accordance with the Terms of Reference.
• The CLSIG operates in accordance with clauses 6.2.2, 6.2.3, 6.2.4, 6.2.5, 6.2.6. of the College constitution.
• The CLSIG makes decisions relating to the affairs of the CLSIG, but decisions shall be subject to the ACMHN Board in matters affecting more than one special interest group or the interests of the ACMHN as a whole including overall strategic direction and policy of the ACMHN.
• The CLSIG is accountable to the ACMHN Board through the Chair.
• The Chief Executive Officer maintains responsibility for financial decisions, business operations and day to day management and administration of the CLSIG.

The membership of the CLSIG shall consist of financial members of the ACMHN who have requested to be recorded as members of the CLSIG.

4. Meetings

A meeting of the CLSIG is held at least once per year.

5. CLSIG Executive Committee

An Executive Committee (the Committee) shall be elected by the CLSIG at the Annual General Meeting and will comprise of:

• A Chairperson
• A Secretary
• A Treasurer
• Other members as required according to the desired mix of expertise for effective Committee management:
  An education officer

The CLSIG Committee manages the affairs and operations of the CLSIG and advises the ACMHN Board of Directors, on trends, policies and positions for the development and advancement of the special interest.

6. Term of Office of the CLSIG Executive Committee

• Each member of the Committee shall serve two years
• Each member may serve up to two consecutive terms, not including any part term replacement served.
• If at any time a vacancy occurs, the Committee may fill a vacancy for the remainder of that term.

7. Meetings of the CLSIG Executive Committee

• A minimum of four meetings per calendar year must be held
• Meetings may be held face to face or by teleconference

8. Conflicts of Interest

• Conflicts or potential conflicts of interest must be disclosed by members of the CLSIG at the commencement of each meeting.
• Conflicts of interest will be managed in line with the ACMHN Constitution and meetings policy.

9. Communication & Relationships

• Decisions at a meeting of the CLSIG or Committee will be made by consensus or a majority of members where consensus cannot be reached. In the event of a tied vote, the Chair may exercise an additional casting vote.
• A quorum for CLSIG and Committee meetings shall be consistent with that for the Board of Directors and ACMHN meetings in general
• A short report from each meeting will be forwarded to the CEO for the information of the ACMHN Board.
• The spokesperson for the Committee is the Chair or delegate nominated by the Chair.

10. Financial management

• It is the responsibility of the CLSIG to raise funds for the CLSIG operations and activities.
• The financial activities of the CLSIG shall be included in the audit of the ACMHN accounts by a Certified Public Accountant appointed by the ACMHN Board of Directors

• Finances are to be managed in accordance with established Financial Rules determined by the College.

11. Dissolution of the CLSIG

• Action to dissolve the CLSIG shall be by a meeting of the members of the CLSIG and consultation with the ACMHN Chief Executive Officer.
• Written notice of the intention to dissolve the CLSIG shall be forwarded to the ACMHN Chief Executive Officer as soon as practicable after the meeting.
• The ACMHN Board of Directors may dissolve the CLSIG for failure to comply with the ACMHN constitution and or rules.

12. Review

Terms of Reference are reviewed annually or as needed to reflect the ACMHN Constitution.

Approved by the ACMHN Board

Duties of the CLSIG Executive Committee

These duties do not form part of the Terms of Reference.

The duties of the Chairperson shall be:

1. To oversee the CLSIG and ensure it carries out its role effectively and efficiently 2. To chair committee meetings / teleconferences.

3. To ensure the elected officers have the information required to carry out their roles effectively.

4. To report to The College and Board of Directors, via the CEO, on CLSIG matters pertaining to the administration and functioning of the CLSIG.

5. To prepare a written report on the activities of the CLSIG for the Board of Directors for presentation at The College AGM.

In the case of equality of voting the Chairperson shall have a second or casting vote.

In the absence of the chairperson, the Chair will nominate an acting chair or alternatively an acting chair will be nominated from within the executive.

The duties of the Secretary shall be:

1. To be primarily responsible of communication with members of the CLSIG 2. To maintain a membership list of the CLSIG as forwarded periodically by the College and liaise with the membership officer of the college to ensure its currency.

3. To ensure meeting agendas are prepared and distributed.

4. To ensure meeting minutes are taken and distributed.

The duties of the Treasurer shall be:

1. To ensure the CL SIG complies with the financial rules of The College.

2. To ensure the finances of the CL SIG are managed in accordance with the statement of purpose of the CL SIG.

3. To monitor finances of CLSIG through close communication with the ACMHN Finance Manager.

4. To prepare financial report for the CLSIG AGM.

The duties of the Education Officer shall be:

1. To take a lead role in the coordination and facilitate the activities of the annual clinical conference.

2. To disseminate information to the membership in relation to recent evidence based practices, research developments and other educational matters of interest to the CLSIG. This role acts as a link for members of the CLSIG to be put in touch with resources and / or experts in particular areas.

3. To act as a contact point for potential members of the CLSIG to provide information regarding the group.

4. To explore opportunities for collaboration between the CLSIG and other organisations or institutions as appropriate.

5. Act as moderator / convenor of the yahoo email list.

6. To liaise with the ACMHN webmaster re ongoing development and maintenance of CLSIG information on the web page.