The Canadian Society for Pelvic Medicine (CSPM) is now accepting nominations for the position of Secretary on the Board of Directors and volunteers for four committees: Finance, Research & Development (R&D), Knowledge Translation (KT) and Fellowship Education.

CSPM is governed by members who volunteer their time and expertise. Taking on one of these roles is one of the most direct ways to shape the Society’s priorities and to work with colleagues from across disciplines and regions.

The deadline for nominations and committee applications is Friday, October 30, 2026, at 5 p.m. (ET).

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Board of Directors: Secretary

The Secretary is an elected officer of the Society. The position has a two-year term beginning January 1, 2027, renewable once.

Under Section 5.10 of the CSPM By-laws, the Secretary:

• Attends and serves as secretary at all meetings of the Board, of members and of Board committees
• Records the minutes of those meetings in the Society’s minute book
• Issues notices to members, directors, the public accountant and committee members, as instructed
• Acts as custodian of the Society’s books, records and documents

The Secretary also sits on the Nominating Committee, which oversees the nomination process and prepares the slate of candidates for each election. Board members are expected to attend all scheduled Board meetings.

Who Can Be Nominated

• Nominees must be CSPM members in good standing who are eligible to hold office under the By-laws. Student and Honorary members cannot hold office, and industry members cannot run for a Board position.
• Self-nominations are welcome.
• Voting members may also nominate a colleague, provided the colleague has agreed to be nominated.

How to Submit a Nomination

Email your nomination to the Nominating Committee at info@canadiansocietyforpelvicmedicine.org with:

• A letter of intent/position statement, including a summary of your involvement with CSPM
• Your CV
• A short bio (150 words maximum)
• A current Conflict of Interest (COI) disclosure, completed at this link

Election Process

1. The Nominating Committee reviews all nominations and prepares a slate that reflects the geographic and multidisciplinary makeup of CSPM’s membership. The committee may put forward one or more candidates for the position.
2. The Board of Directors confirms the slate.
3. Voting members receive a Notice of Electronic Vote with instructions.
4. Results are shared with members, and the new Secretary takes office on January 1, 2027.

In accordance with the By-laws, the CSPM Executive Office does not assist candidates with campaigning or canvassing.

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Committee Openings

Committee members are not elected by the membership. They are selected following this call for volunteers and confirmed by the Board of Directors.

Finance Committee: Committee Member

The Finance Committee is responsible for CSPM’s financial matters. It oversees financial accounts and records, drafts and oversees financial practices and fiscal policies, and develops the annual budget and financial reports for the annual Members’ Meeting. The committee is chaired by the Treasurer, who selects its members. Experience or interest in financial operations or non-profit accounting is an asset.

Research & Development (R&D) Committee: Committee Member

The R&D Committee supports Canadian research on pelvic floor disorders in women. It catalogues pelvic floor research at Canadian institutions and provides letters of support to members applying for research grants. It also reviews requests to survey CSPM members and builds research capacity through a mentorship program for early-career researchers. Members are selected by the Committee Chair and Vice Chair. Volunteers with an interest and expertise in scientific and clinical research are especially welcome.

Knowledge Translation (KT) Committee: Committee Member

The KT Committee helps practitioners deliver patient-centred, evidence-driven pelvic health care. Its work includes position statements, provider education (including webinars) and patient materials that fill existing resource gaps, sometimes in collaboration with national and international societies. It also shares CSPM’s educational resources, research and committee work through the website and social media. Members are selected by the Committee Chair and Vice Chair.

Fellowship Education Committee: Member at Large

The Fellowship Education Committee is called the Education Committee in the Terms of Reference. It standardizes educational objectives for urogynecology fellows and allied health trainees, supports a national curriculum and matching program for fellows, and coordinates content for Society-sponsored continuing education. It also supports the working group pursuing subspecialty recognition through the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. In addition, it helps the Scientific Meeting Committee organize Annual Meeting courses and workshops, and its Fellows’ Subcommittee runs events and journal clubs.

The committee is made up of the Canadian FPMRS fellowship program directors, two fellow representatives and two members at large. Members at large are selected by a vote of committee members, with attention to the geographic and allied health makeup of CSPM’s membership. Allied health professionals are especially encouraged to apply.

Who Can Volunteer

• Committee seats are open to all interested CSPM members, and Student members may serve on committees.
• Committees reflect the geographic and disciplinary makeup of the Society. We welcome volunteers from every region and profession.
• Under CSPM’s Conflict of Interest Policy, employees of pharmaceutical, device or other ineligible commercial companies may not serve on CSPM committees unless approved by the COI Committee and the Board.

What Committee Members Commit To

• A two-year term
• Taking part in committee meetings, held at least four times a year in person or by teleconference/videoconference
• Attending at least 75% of scheduled meetings
• Attending at least one CSPM Annual Meeting every two years
• Responding to requests in a timely manner, including reviewing project drafts or financial documents
• Maintaining CSPM membership and current contact information with the Executive Office throughout the term

How to Volunteer

Email info@canadiansocietyforpelvicmedicine.org with:

• A short letter of interest naming the committee and what you would bring to it
• Your CV
• A current COI disclosure, completed at this link

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Learn More

Each committee’s mandate, composition and responsibilities are set out in the Terms of Reference of Committees. The Secretary’s duties are described in Section 5.10 of the CSPM By-laws. To see who serves on the Board and committees today, visit Meet the Team.

Key Dates

• Deadline for nominations and committee applications: Friday, October 30, 2026, 5 p.m. (ET)
• Notice of Electronic Vote for Secretary: sent to voting members once the Board confirms the slate
• Secretary’s term begins: January 1, 2027

If you have any questions, please contact info@canadiansocietyforpelvicmedicine.org.