Terms of Reference
General Provisions
The International Union against Sexually Transmitted Infections– Canada (hereafter referred to as the IUSTI-Canada) is a member-based voluntary body and a branch of the IUSTI-North America within IUSTI-World bodies.
Objectives:
To advance sexual, reproductive and public health in so far as it is affected by sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
To promote and encourage the study of all health aspects of STIs, including viral, parasitic, bacterial and fungal infections, and other sexual and reproductive health-related conditions.
To promote, encourage and improve the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of STIs, including viral, parasitic, bacterial and fungal infections, and other sexual and reproductive health-related conditions.
The objectives of IUSTI-Canada will be pursued through the following activities:
Organisation and participation in regional and/or international meetings and congresses for information and scientific and medical exchange.
Representation at relevant national, regional and international meetings and committees.
Encouragement of the membership to contribute to local, regional and national Canadian health programmes for the control of STIs.
Development of activities designed to increase public awareness and prevention of STI/HIV infections, particularly among high-risk populations.
Development of training programs to educate public health professionals on methods in diagnostics, implementation, metrics and measures.
To advocate for and support increasing capacity in STI-related research.
To develop and promote initiatives for the next generation of scientists focused on STIs.
To support the attendance of national scholars at national and international meetings and international scholars from low- middle income countries at international meetings, especially meetings held in their country of residence.
Officers
IUSTI-Canada is governed by officers who form an Executive Committee. The officers, made up of members, are:
President
Immediate Past-President
Vice-President (President Elect)
Secretary
Treasurer
Member-at-large (2 members)
Early career member-at-large (2 members)
Membership secretary
The officers of the Executive Committee will hold their positions for a period of two (2) years. Positions can be renewed for one (1) additional year based on a majority of participants voting at the annual general meeting. To ensure continuity of knowledge on the Committee, the Committee will strive to appoint officers at staggered intervals. Officers can remain on the Committee for longer than 3 years, but they must be elected into a new role at the completion of their 3 year term. New officers must be nominated by Committee members at least 6 months in advance of a position vacancy, and ratified by the Committee at the annual general meeting.
The Executive Committee will have quorum when at least three (3) of the officers are present including either the President or Vice-President.
Membership
Membership of IUSTI-Canada is open to:
Individuals interested in the study, prevention and control of STIs including viral, parasitic, bacterial and fungal infections, and other sexual and reproductive health-related conditions.
national non-profit groups, associations, societies and organisations that promote STI prevention, control and elimination initiatives.
Extraordinary Members
Associate Membership
Associate membership in IUSTI-Canada is open to individuals who would like to maintain a corresponding link with it.
Potential associate members will be required to submit an application for associate membership (via email) to the Membership Secretary. If approved associate membership will be granted by the Secretary.
Associate members may participate in meetings of IUSTI-Canada without voting rights.
Honorary Membership
IUSTI-Canada may confer honorary membership on individuals, associations or organisations which have rendered important services to IUSTI-Canada, or to the field. Honorary members may participate in the meetings of IUSTI-Canada without voting rights unless they were concurrently elected in due form.
Corresponding Membership
The Executive Committee may confer corresponding membership on individuals who act as liaison officers between national, regional or international organisations and IUSTI-Canada.
Patrons
The Executive Committee may nominate individuals, associations, organisations or companies as patrons who wish to support the work of IUSTI-Canada by contributions to its general fund or by grants to special projects. Patrons may participate in meetings of IUSTI-Canada without voting rights.
Membership Fees
An annual membership fee will be determined by the Executive Committee and will be collected by the Secretary on an annual basis.
Meetings
Meetings of IUSTI-Canada shall be held at least three times a year and Officers shall be elected by the members at the Annual General Meeting.
Executive Committee
No member of the Executive Committee may be paid or receive any other benefit for being a member of the committee.
A quorum shall consist of three voting members of the Executive Committee, one of whom must be the President or Vice-President. The Executive Committee shall direct the affairs of IUSTI-Canada subject to the action of IUSTI-Canada at its meeting. The Executive Committee shall meet at such times and places as the President may designate; or the Vice-President, upon request of any two members of the Committee, may call a meeting; or it may transact its business electronically/remotely. It shall plan and execute the scientific activities of IUSTI-Canada for the year. It shall determine the date and place of the annual sessions, announcement of which shall be sent to all members at least one month in advance of the sessions. It shall be responsible for carrying out the objectives of IUSTI-Canada.
The President shall:
preside over meetings of IUSTI-Canada.
carry out the general policy of IUSTI-Canada.
present matters determined by the Executive Committee for discussion and approval by the members.
make suitable initiatives to present the policies of IUSTI-Canada between Executive Committee meetings.
represent IUSTI-Canada at national or international meetings or at other events, and at discussions with governmental or international authorities.
nominate interim acting officers in case of emergency.
delegate obligations such as chairing meetings, where necessary.
maintain a dialogue with other international organisations or societies of comparable interest.
The Immediate Past President shall:
become the Immediate Past President after their Presidential term of office is completed and the new President assumes their duties.
assist the President on matters of policy and as requested.
attend all meetings of IUSTI Canada.
assume the role of President should the President be unable (due to death or illness) to attend executive meetings, IUSTI-Canada meetings or other functions.
The Vice-President (President-elect) shall:
share responsibility with the President for managing IUSTI-Canada-related business
replace the President at meetings and functions as necessary.
be the IUSTI-Canada representative for the American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association ASTDA.
The Secretary shall:
co-ordinate meetings.
take meeting minutes.
co-ordinate correspondence to membership.
monitor the membership accounts of IUSTI-Canada.
oversee the IUSTI-Canada website.
The Treasurer shall:
be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management of IUSTI-Canada financial affairs.
be accountable to the Executive Committee.
seek opportunities for financial contributions to IUSTI-Canada.
Duties of the Treasurer includes the following general and specific provisions:
Financial Period
The financial period will comprise one (1) year with the year-end being 31st December. A financial update should be presented at each meeting of the Executive Committee.
Income
The sources of income are membership fees, collected from attendees at conferences through the organisers, and contributions or donations from other individuals, organisations or companies.
Membership Fee
The membership fee is set by the Executive Committee, shall be agreed by members and shall be collected by the Membership Secretary, generally by credit card. Fully paid-up members of IUSTI-Canada may be entitled to a reduction in the registration fee at IUSTI meetings, as well as membership in IUSTI-World.
Expenses
Expenses are met by membership fees, contributions, donations and other assistance.
Report
The financial report should be approved by the Executive Committee, and the membership, and shall contain information on the financial situation of IUSTI-Canada and must be submitted each year at the time of a meeting of the Executive Committee.
The Member-at-Large and Early Career Member-at-Large shall:
attend IUSTI-Canada meetings and serve on IUSTI-Canada-related committees, offering advice and feedback.
The Membership Secretary shall:
strategize on ways to expand the IUSTI-Canada membership, and implement these strategies.
Secretariat
The Secretariat or office for IUSTI-Canada is administered by the Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA), contingent upon appropriate funding. The Secretariat personnel are employees of the CPHA and as such do not vote at meetings of the Coalition.
Responsibilities:
develop and distribute IUSTI and IUSTI-Canada resources.
provide support to the Executive Committee.
provide a central contact point for enquiries.
communicate regularly to all members through a variety of communication vehicles.
organize webinars
Created: July, 2015
Revised: July, 2019
Approved: 15 July, 2019 (AGM)
Reviewed: June 2021
Revised: June 2021
Approved: 14 July 2021 (AGM)
Reviewed: April 2024
Revised: May 2024
Approved: 18 June 2024 (AGM)
Reviewed: June 2025
Revised: June 2025
Approved: 29 July 2025 (AGM)