Frequently Asked Questions About Advisory Committees

Yesterday's post was the ad that we are running to invite community residents to participate on the Advisory Committee associated with the Discovery Zone Community Health Needs Assessment.  We have put together some questions and answers that people have about sitting on such a committee. Take a look and see if this experience is for you!

Why are you advertising for individuals to sit on an Advisory Committee?When we conduct needs assessments, we set up Advisory Committees to assist with the process. This has worked well for our past needs assessments.

What is the purpose of the Advisory Committee?

The purpose of the committee (and the role they’ve played during previous needs assessments) is to provide advice and feedback on the process (how we are going about the assessment) that we use in the needs assessments. We also ask Advisory Committee participants to provide feedback on the findings of the needs assessment results.

You’re looking for people with experience in particular areas, such as employment, social support networks and physical environment. Why?

We know that there are a number of factors that influence the health of a person. These factors interact with each other to have an impact on our health and well-being. These are called the ‘determinants of health.’ Having people around the table who have experience/knowledge of these factors is helpful.

What are Advisory Committee members expected to do?

We are asking that people be prepared to attend at least four meetings and to be prepared to provide advice and feedback on the process and the findings of the assessment. In addition to the meetings, it is likely that additional contact will be made through e-mail or phone.

Will you be paying people to participate?

No. It is a volunteer position. However, we can pay mileage or other transportation costs for Advisory Committee members to attend meetings.

When do you expect the needs assessment process to conclude?

We expect we will have a public release of the report in the Fall of 2010.

Once the needs assessment report is complete, will there be a role for the Advisory Committee?

With past needs assessments, the Board of Trustees has publicly reported back to the community on the status of the report’s recommendations two years after the release of the report. In those situations, the Advisory Committee was invited back to hear about the status.

What happens to the report once it is completed?

The report and its findings and recommendations are used throughout the organization and the report is a public document that is a great resource to community groups. With past needs assessments, the Board of Trustees received progress reports on the implementation of the recommendations every 6 months. Two years after the release of the reports we went back to the communities to let them know about the progress.

If I apply to be on the Committee am I guaranteed to sit on it?

No. We appreciate the interest of everyone who would like to participate on the committee. We would like to have a committee that is diverse and includes people from various backgrounds with knowledge/information about various determinants of health.

If I don’t get asked to sit on the Advisory Committee can I still participate somehow?

Yes. Part of the needs assessment will include a lot of opportunities to make your views known. For example, you could be asked to sit in on a focus group or to participate in an interview. We will also be inviting written/oral submissions from people.

I’d like to apply to sit on the Advisory Committee. How do I go about doing it?

Complete an Advisory Committee Application Form (contact Lisa at 466-5863 or needsassessment@easternhealth.ca to receive a copy) by February 5.  The application form can be completed in writing or arrangements can be made for it to be completed verbally.