Membership Policy

The board of directors of the Division aspires to attract as many eligible physicians to join the Division as possible. This will have the greatest impact on supporting and advocating for family physicians, and improving patient health.

Members play a strong role in assessing and improving Division projects. Members can help the Division by providing information and regular feedback to staff and board members, or by participating in the service agreements negotiated and administered by the Division.

Member involvement is key to the success of the Division. The Division will have several committees for the Divisions, and others that work with partners in primary health care. There are funds budgeted for committee work of members.

The board of directors of the Division sets policy for membership, and reviews that policy on a regular basis.

• Members are required to submit an application online through the division website or complete and sign a printed, paper copy of the current membership form, as well as to update their contact information if there are any changes.
• The Operations Coordinator will review and process applications according to the criteria established by the division. Applicants’ names will be reviewed and approved by the board of directors, in accordance with the bylaws of the Division at each month’s board meeting.
• The membership list must be reviewed and approved annually to reflect changes in the membership such as retirement and relocation of physicians who are no longer practicing in the community.
• A membership term will be five years, at which point, the member must reapply for membership. There are no membership dues.
• Members are eligible to receive all the benefits of Division participation, including a complimentary copy of the constitution and bylaws, and updates and information related to the work of the Division.

Criteria

There are two types of membership in the Division as described in the Bylaws: “General Members” and “Associated Members”

A General Member (voting) must be:

• A general practitioner or family physician, licensed by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC and in good standing with, the college and active in clinical practice in the Division’s geographical boundaries.

An Associate Member (non-voting) is not eligible as a General Member and belongs to one of the following categories:

• Family medicine resident in good standing with the College
• Medical student
• General practitioner or family physician retired from all clinical practice, and in good standing with the College.
• General practitioner or family physician who has primary membership with another division of family practice in British Columbia.
• And, reside or practice (practiced) as one of the above categories within the area.

A member may be:

• A physician with or without hospital privileges, or;
• A physician who is providing family physician services on a sessional or other basis;
• A family physician who provides focused (e.g. RCI, obstetrical, ER, sports medicine, hospitalist, palliative care, etc.) or full-service family medicine and/or walk-in clinic services;

For general practitioners or family physicians with primary membership in another Division of Family Practice, but for whom the work of the Victoria Division is relevant:

• The member’s FPSC funding would remain with his/her primary division (i.e., the division representing the catchment area where that physician provides the majority of his/her services).
• The member would not be eligible to vote in Victoria Division elections, but would be eligible to participate in all Victoria Division events and activities, unless the Division identifies specific exclusion criteria (e.g., activities that are dependent upon a member’s funding).