The electronic ballot opened today (Tuesday 17 September) and asks Fellows to vote on proposed updates to the Constitution that allow for the establishment of a skills-based governance Board.
The Board, to be comprised of a majority of surgeons and chaired by a RACS Fellow, will be complemented by directors with specific skills to collectively undertake fiduciary responsibilities including finance, audit, risk and high-level governance. The core business of RACS will be Council-led.
To be adopted, the proposed new Constitution requires a two-thirds majority vote.
RACS Vice President and Chair of the Governance Committee Professor Owen Ung said the changes, if voted in, will secure a sustainable future for the College so it can continue its vital work of supporting surgeons, patients and communities across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
"It's time to make your voice count. Now is our chance to make a lasting difference for the surgical community."
Associate Professor Kerin Fielding, the College President, said an extensive period of consultation has led to the development of a proposed Constitution that "is fit-for-purpose and meets the robust governance needs of a modern and financially stable organisation".
"Most importantly, it preserves the primacy of the surgical voice.
"My Council colleagues and I have shared this new version with a broad group of stakeholders, and I'm pleased to say that it has met with wide acceptance. I encourage our members to support the future of the College by voting YES in the upcoming ballot," she said.
Voting runs from 17 September until 12 noon (AEDT) on 18 October.
