Council

Similar to a board of directors, Council guides CKO and ensures it fulfills its legislated mandate by setting CKO’s strategic and policy direction and making decisions that protect the public interest. Based on Council’s direction, CKO is led by the registrar/CEO that carries out the College’s day-to-day work. 

Council is made up of:

• 10 kinesiologists elected by their peers for three year terms, one of whom must be a member of an Ontario university’s faculty or department of kinesiology; and 
• Six to eight public members appointed by the Ontario Government to provide the public’s point of view.

Council meets at least four times a year and meetings are open to the public. The College publishes summaries of each meeting and all approved minutes must be posted online.

Role of Council members

Council members serve and act in the public interest. They contribute to public protection by:

• sharing ideas and perspectives to help shape the College’s strategic and policy direction;
• making decisions about standards of practice, professional conduct, requirements for entry-to-practice and continuing professional development; and
• working collaboratively with people affected by the College’s work to improve regulation of the profession.

Learn more about the obligations of Council members by reviewing the Council and Committee Member Code of Conduct, and the Conflict of Interest By-Law.

Council members

Role of the president, vice-president and registrar

Learn about the roles of Council President, Vice-President and Registrar:

Council Effectiveness Review Framework (CERF)

CKO Council is committed to reviewing the performance of Council members, the chair and committees. Such an evaluation, as conducted on a three-year basis by an external third party, is aligned with the College Performance Measurement Framework (CPMF) requirements. This evaluation process enables Council members to identify actionable opportunities for continuous improvement.

The 2024 Council Effectiveness Review Framework (CERF) was approved by CKO Council at their December meeting.

> Click to review 2024 CERF

Council Elections

From October 9 – 21, kinesiologists were offered the opportunity to nominate themselves or another kinesiologist to Council in District 2 – Eastern. The College would like to congratulate Kristin Baker on her election by acclamation to Council for a three-year term.

Not sure what’s involved and want to learn more about serving on Council? View the expectations of Council members and learn more about Council. 

If you have any questions about the nomination or election process, please email communications@coko.ca  

Determining your electoral district

There are seven electoral districts for the purpose of Council elections. Your electoral district is determined by your practice location. If you are not working, your electoral district is determined by your residential location.

> View the electoral districts

If you work or live in one of these districts, you will receive a notification email on July 9, 2024 that contains information and a link to your ballot.

Competency and eligibility

Eligibility

To run for election, you:

• must be registered in good standing;
• cannot have been an employee, officer or director of any professional association or certifying body in the healthcare or health-related field for one year before submitting your nomination;
• must run in the district in which you are eligible to vote; and
• (District 7 only) must also be employed full-time at a faculty or department of kinesiology at an Ontario university.

> View the full eligibility requirements

Competency

You should also assess yourself against the Council and Committee Competency Profile that will be used to determine eligibility and suitability of kinesiologists wanting to stand for election to Council. In addition, candidates must complete an online Council Orientation Module, which is one of the requirements to run in the election. It should take you approximately one hour to complete. At the end of the module, you’ll be asked to submit a form to notify the College that you’ve completed it.

If you work or live in one of these districts, check your inbox in May for more information and consider running! This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to public protection and the future of the profession.

> View the Council and Committee Competency Profile

> Complete Council Orientation Module

Required training for prospective Council members

Prospective Council members must complete an orientation program before they can be deemed eligible to run for election.

To learn more about serving on Council:

> View the “Being a Council member” section at the bottom of this page

Questions? Please email communications@coko.ca

Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

CKO strives to create a diverse and inclusive setting that reflects the communities we serve. In the spirit of diversity, equity and inclusion, CKO welcomes and encourages the candidacies of kinesiologists from visible minority/racialized, marginalized and rural communities, as well as internationally educated kinesiologists and those practising in expanded, collaborative and/or community health team models.

We welcome questions regarding the election process and are willing to work with candidates to ensure that the election process is fair, transparent and inclusive. Please let us know if you require any accommodation to participate in Council elections and committee appointments.

Conflict of interest

CKO is mandated to protect the public by regulating kinesiologists and kinesiology practice in Ontario. All Council and committee members and volunteers have a duty to carry out their responsibilities in a manner that serves and protects the public interest. They must not engage in any activities or in decision-making concerning any matters where they have a direct or indirect personal or financial interest.

> Review the Council and Committee Member and Volunteer Conflict of Interest Policy

> Read CKO’s By-law 16 – Conflict of Interest

> Download CKO’s Conflict of Interest Form

Every Council and committee member must complete the Conflict of Interest Form annually declaring their current and recent affiliations with professional associations and other organizations as outlined in the policy.

Being a Council member

Expectations

You will attend Council and committee meetings and participate in discussions and decision-making that impacts your profession and the patients/clients of kinesiologists. You will need to review meeting materials and come prepared to discuss and consider the various matters before Council or committees.

Time commitment

Council meets at least four times a year for at least one full day. Council meetings are typically in-person meetings although recent meetings have been virtual or a hybrid combination of in person and online.

You are expected to sit on at least two committees. Committees usually meet every six to eight weeks depending on the caseload, or only when necessary. All Council members are automatically on the Discipline and Fitness to Practise committees, which only meet in panels (i.e., a small sub-set of the committee). Committee selection occurs at the first Council meeting following the election.

> Learn more about Committees

Council and committee dates are set in advance as much as possible to help you plan. Council and committee materials are provided to you at least one week before the meeting to give you time to review. 

Compensation

Council members receive a per diem of $150 for each meeting attended (Council and committee meetings, including teleconferences). Preparation time is paid and the College reimburses all reasonable travel, meal and accommodation expenses related to attending a meeting.

Orientation and training

Once elected, you will receive an information package with details about upcoming meetings and how to select your committees. You will also be provided with various resources to read over. An orientation day is held following the election for new Council members.

Committees

Committees support the work of Council. Each Council member also serves on at least two committees. Committees include elected and public members of Council, and kinesiologists who are not on Council.

Statutory committees

The Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) requires the College to have in place the following seven committees:

Non-statutory committees

Committees that support the work of the College but that are not required under the RHPA are called non-statutory committees. The College has created the following non-statutory committees: