Uniting practitioners throughout the province, the Alberta Paramedic Association is an organization of elected representatives from across Alberta designed to support paramedics and advance the profession. As an independent organization, the Association is able to address concerns, promote ideas and work with government at all levels, whether locally, regionally or provincially.
It provides a VOICE for its members and empowers them to lead their own profession.
The Proclamation (PDF Format) mandates the Association’s purpose.
Mission
The mission of the Alberta Paramedic Association is to support the advancement of the knowledge, skills and health & wellness of the paramedic profession.
Vision
To empower Alberta’s practitioners to lead their own profession through an elected, representative body known as the Alberta Paramedic Association.
Values
The Alberta Paramedic Association conducts itself using the following core values:
- Professionalism: Represents itself with the display characteristics of a professional including reliability, competence, appearance and demeanour.
- Pragmatic: Will use a sensible and realistic approach to decisions and or solutions to problems within the profession.
- Democratic: The association is chosen by its members to represent its members. It will demonstrate democracy in all its affairs.
- Collaborative: Utilizing collaboration with membership, stakeholders, professionals and agencies to reach its objectives.
- Innovative: Providing solutions, supporting research, enhance knowledge and support evidence-based practice.
- Diversity: The association believes that all demographics of the association’s members are welcome.
Organizational Chart
President of the Association
The President oversees the organization, its representatives and the Association’s objectives on behalf of all it’s members. This position supports various areas including but not limited to: Association representation in government, stakeholders, research organizations and continuing education.
A paramedic for the past 15 years, Dusty Myshrall was elected as president of the Alberta Paramedic Association in December 2016.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors establishes the Association’s direction and ensures it functions within its vision, mission and values. The Board consists of eight directors who are elected by the membership. Directors are nominated and elected into one of four Board Officer positions or one of the four Secretary Portfolios. The positions are::
- Vice-President: Len Stelmaschuk (currently Acting President)
- Registrar: Vacant
- Treasurer: Bill Carstairs
- Board Secretary: Vacant
- Director of Education: Vacant
- Director of Skills: Belle Clarke
- Director of Wellness: Vacant
- Director of Ethics: Adam Spencer
Executive Branch
The administrative branch of the Association is the Executive. This committee consists of the following functions:
- Chief Operations Officer/ED: Vacant
- Chief Development Officer: Vacant
- Chief Business Performance Officer: Vacant
- Chief Finance Officer: Bill Carstairs
Committees
There are also committees which works with practitioners, students and educators to enhance entry to practice education. They are:
- Skills Development Committee – works to identify new skills while addressing some of the challenges a practitioner faces in maintaining competency on other skills.
- Wellness Committee – works to improve the wellness of the practitioner.
- Ethics Committee – an independent, elected committee consisting of four public members/professionals not affiliated with paramedicine who provide ethical oversight of the Association.
- HELP Fund Committee – The Alberta Help Fund exists to support the health and wellness of the paramedic and provide relief during times of tragedy.
Delegation
The Delegation is a collection of 24 geographical districts and six special districts, with each district having an elected representative known as a Delegate.
A Delegate is an elected representative, who represent the professional interest of paramedics within their District.
Becoming a delegate in your area
Requirements
All prospective delegates are required to meet all criteria set out in section 5.2 of the Alberta Paramedic Association By-Laws.
The basic requirements for becoming a candidate are the following:
• Must reside within the District you are seeking nomination in or;
would qualify as a constituent in a special district you are seeking nomination in.
• Must be a member of the Alberta Paramedic Association.
• Submit all documents required by the nomination process.
Members’ Consent
Prospective candidates must provide the names, addresses and signatures of at least 10 members who are qualified to vote in the district where they intend to run.
Process
I. Submit a Declaration of Interest to the Registrar.
II. File the Nomination Paper with the Registrar.
III. Notification of Election and nominations by the Registrar of the Association.
IV. Election(s) are conducted as defined within the By-Laws.
V. The Membership is notified by the Registrar.
Eligibility
Unless specified to be ineligible under section 5.2 of the By-Laws, any person qualified as a nominee may run to be elected as a Delegate within their district.
Candidates are required to submit a Declaration of Interest (above) prior to nomination.
Association policy is a statement of intent and is a deliberate system of principles to guide decisions within the organization. The Association has the following policies:
- Organizational Policy (PDF Format)
- Strategic Policy (PDF Format)
- Distributive Policy (PDF Format)
- Regulatory Policy (PDF Format)
- Constituent Policy (PDF Format)
Bylaws
The bylaws created by the Association are designed to ensure integrity of the organization as a professional association and provide a framework to create Paramedic VOICE. These bylaws were informed partly through a research project in the Masters in Leadership program at Royal Roads University.
Political Affiliations
In keeping with the core value of ‘Collaborative’ the Association is non-partisan and will work to have respectful communication with any government party to empower our membership to lead their own profession and ensure a paramedic VOICE in health policy.
Funding
Operational funding is derived from membership fees.
The Association offers corporate and project sponsorship, government grants and donations from individuals.
Corporate sponsors will be listed on on a corporate sponsor and partnership page as they are acquired.
All sponsorship and donations are reported in the Associations financial reports available to members.