Since the last issue of the Journal, the Canadian Thoracic Society (CTS) Board and Executive have been working collaboratively with the leadership of the Canadian Lung Association (CLA) to establish the CTS as a distinct legal entity. The move to becoming an independent organization is a logical evolution given how the Society has matured, and how its role and mandate has expanded over time.
A new milestone for the CTS was achieved on Wednesday August 5, 2015, when we received our approved articles of incorporation from Industry Canada!
In the lead-up to this historical moment, we have received legal counsel on all of the required steps to develop the appropriate structure, bylaws and operating policies. I am pleased to report that all of the current members of the CTS Board have confirmed their commitment to serve as Directors of the new corporation. In alignment with our partnership with CLA and historical practice, we have also made provisions to appoint a representative from the Lung Association to the CTS Board of Directors.
Our goal in this evolutionary process is for both CLA and CTS to be stronger, and for our impact on lung health to grow significantly. We are committed to working together to ensure that happens. For example, the CLA and CTS will continue to work together on key initiatives such as the National Respiratory Research Strategy and the Breathing as One national fundraising campaign for research (www.BreathingasOne.ca). The Canadian Respiratory Conference will also continue to be a partnership initiative of the CTS, CRHP and the CLA (https://crc.lung.ca).
Being incorporated allows the CTS to manage its financial and administrative affairs independently of the CLA, and to focus specifically on our mandate as a professional society. We will be operating in a similar fashion to the Canadian Cardiovascular Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation, who share office space and collaborate on common goals, but deliver on very distinct mandates to the health care community and the Canadian public, respectively.
While we have been immersed in the legal and administrative requirements of incorporation, we are working diligently to maintain the momentum of our strategic agenda by:
Fostering innovation to promote evidence-based clinical practice;
Providing state-of-the art professional education to transform lung health care;
Fostering cutting edge lung health research; and
Developing the next generation of respiratory health professionals and researchers.
We are striving to facilitate a smooth transition over the coming months. While all programs and deliverables are moving forward as planned, there have been a few understandable delays in signing corporate sponsorship contracts as part of due process. I would like to acknowledge, with deep appreciation, the patience of our industry partners as we have made the transition in financial management. We are looking forward to the first meeting of the CTS Industry Advisory Council in September, where we will be able to update corporate sponsors on progress to date and to identify areas for further collaboration.
CTS members – stay tuned for further news and developments! New opportunities to enhance member benefits and increase collaboration are emerging in discussions with our international partners such as the American Thoracic Society, CHEST and the European Respiratory Society. In addition to updates provided through our member e-bulletin and website, we hope to have an opportunity at the upcoming CHEST conference in Montreal (Quebec) to provide attending members with more detailed information. Be sure your membership is current so that you receive an invitation to the annual CTS reception at CHEST!
Ensuring the viability and vitality of our growing society will continue to be a significant focus for the CTS Executive and Board of Directors in the months ahead. We greatly appreciate your ongoing commitment to the CTS and your participation in the work of the Society. I invite you to renew your membership (and encourage your colleagues to do the same), attend the Canadian Respiratory Conference, and contribute to our endeavours to improve lung health for all Canadians!
Respectfully submitted,
Diane Lougheed MD MSc FRCP
President, Canadian Thoracic Society