CFMS updates
1. Call for Nominations - Finance Committee (Deadline Oct 31)
The CFMS Executive is now calling for nominations for the recently established Finance Committee. As per the resolution passed by the executive on October 18th, the role of finance within the CFMS has expanded. Given the goals of transparency, accountability and due diligence, it was felt that greater membership involvement in the organization's financial management was in order.
The terms of reference for the committee will follow. At this point, we are looking for 2-3 interested individuals. Please submit a cover letter and CV outlining relevant experience to Arianne St.Jacques (VP finance) at finance@cfms.org or arianne.stjacques@normed.ca. Applications should be submitted by October 31st, 2009.
2. CFMS Student Initiative Grants - Funding for your local projects (Deadline Oct 31)
Following the success of the many wonderful projects that the CFMS sponsored for the past two years, the CFMS has once again set aside funds for the Student Initiative Grants. Our goal is to assist students in realizing events or initiatives that promote interaction between CFMS member schools. A revolving system to reviewing application will be adopted. The deadline for submissions for funding of the 2009-2010 cycle will be October 31, 2009 and February 28, 2010, at which times all proposals received will be assessed. Check out http://www.cfms.org/benefits.asp?PageID=753 for more information on selection criteria and to download an application form.
The only rules for any initiative to be accepted and eligible for CFMS funding is that the proposed initiative should be submitted by and inclusive of the diversity of CFMS members, promote interaction between CFMS students and CFMS member schools, and enhance CFMS visibility. Funding requests will only be considered for projects within the academic year of 2009-2010. Also, due to the high volume of requests we have received for the past two years, retrograde funding requests will no longer be accepted.
Complete your application and send it to Janet Ferguson (Western Regional Representative) at janet.ferguson@cfms.org. Looking forward to receiving your applications!
3. Textbook Review Committee Recruitment (Deadline Nov 2)
The CFMS is once again recruiting members to partake in our yearly textbook review. Texts that have been CFMS student reviewed and recommended receive a CFMS gold sticker on the publication indicating our endorsement of the text, and $1 of which is paid to the CFMS for each copy sold.
A committee of 10 students will be selected by members of the CFMS executive based on the student’s academic review experience, statement of interest and taking into account the need for a selection of students from all years and a variety of medical schools.
The textbooks will be sent directly to you (the selected textbook review committee) and upon receipt of the texts, you will have approximately two weeks to complete the review and send back a textbook review evaluation form (to be provided).
As a member of the CFMS textbook selection committee, you will be able to use your review experience on your CV as well as receive (FREE) the textbook(s) you have reviewed.
If you are interested in participating please send a brief paragraph about why you would like to participate and any experience you have that you feel is relevant to this position (max 500 words). Please include your year of study and which medical school you are attending. The deadline for your application is November 2, 2009.
To apply or for more information, please e-mail Danielle Rodin (VP Services) at danielle.rodin@utoronto.ca
4. Are you passionate about global health issues? (Deadline Nov 27)
The CFMS Global Health Program (GHP) has the opportunity to support Canadian medical students in attending the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA) meeting this summer. The IFMSA General Assembly will be held in Bangkok, Thailand from March 7-13, 2010. Successful applicants will be granted funding to cover the cost of registration and accommodation for the meeting, as well as up to $1000 to assist with travel expenses. The applicant is responsible for all other costs associated with attending.
Please note that the CFMS-GHP and IFMSA-Quebec will be hosting the August 2010 Meeting in Montreal, Quebec. We need lots of help with this project and this is a potential way for any Canadian medical student to get involved with the CFMS-GHP.
For more details regarding the March 2010 meeting, please see the attachment for an overview of expectations as well as application and selection procedures. Please submit your applications to Beverly Wudel at beverly.wudel@cfms.org no later than Friday, November 27, 2009. This is an excellent opportunity to meet with global health leaders from around the world. We look forward to hearing from you!
5. Send your articles in for the CFMS Annual Review! (Deadline Dec 15)
The CFMS Annual Review is the annual magazine published by the CFMS! This publication makes it into the hands of thousands of medical students, Deans and Associate Deans, members of parliament and national leaders in medical education from coast to coast. We are looking for creative works for our members (you!) to include in this year’s edition! Send us your pictures, poetry, opinion articles, information about your initiatives and any contribution that celebrates medical student achievement! Last year's edition is available on our website at http://www.cfms.org/newsandevents.asp?PageID=881. Send the products of your creativity to Ijab Khanafer at vpcommunications@cfms.org. Deadline is December 15.
6. Interested in greening the CFMS? Join the Environmental Working Group!
After the success of the CFMS Green Charter and its adoption at BAGM 2009, let's build on our momentum to continue making the CFMS an environmentally responsible and sustainable organization! Sound exciting? Want to get more involved? Become part of the CFMS's Environmental Working Group!
Contact Cait Champion (Ontario Regional Representative) at cait.champion@utoronto.ca if you have any questions or want to get involved!