Katarina Onuschak - for members

Petition for Special Meeting refused

Members' desire to improve the CPD program was not important enough to warrant a special meeting. What was important enough was the Directors' desire to serve on the Board longer. So we did have a special meeting.. .just not to discuss CPD points

Directors presented 6 motions - each one of them represented longer term or more terms. All six motions were rejected by the members. Members came together and said NO.

Petition for a Special Meeting of CSIC members

CSIC members have to obtain 15 mandatory points during a 2-year period. Not every member, however, will have the entire 24 months in which to complete the program. It will depend on the time of the year when the consultant becomes a full member. In the past period, some consultants had as little as one year

In the first period when the CPD program was introduced, CSIC organized a 2-day conference. Attendees were granted 15 mandatory points. Those who did not attend in person, had to buy a video from the conference

Both the conference and the video was priced at $ 800 plus GST. Thus, by the end of October 2008, all consultants paid those $ 800 and got their 15 mandatory points. No need to watch the video - all that was required is to pay.

The current period started on November 2008. The first notice from the Directors announced that 5 mandatory points were assigned to a seminar held in September 2008 in Vancouver. Those who could not attend, can purchase a video. Cost: $ 400 plus GST. Cost per 1 CPD point: $ 80 plus GST.

On May 2 - 3, 2009, second CSIC conference is being held in Toronto. The conference was assigned 5 mandatory and 6 voluntary points. Cost: $ 800 plus GST. Cost per 1 CPD point: $ 160 plus GST.

If the next 5 mandatory points will cost only as much as those for the conference, every consultant will pay $ 2,000 for the 15 mandatory points required by the Directors.

CSIC members cannot afford to pay more and more for program that does not meet their needs and that increases the already high cost of practice. CSIC members have to pay over $ 3,000 per year in membership fees, plus Error and Omission insurance. In addition, every members still have to attend seminars or workshops to meet the requirement of 25 voluntary points. The CMI Inc. offers online videos worth 3 points at $ 140.00 plus GST.

CSIC members ask the Directors to call a Special Meeting of members to discuss the program and its cost.

Topics to discuss at the Special Meeting

Members'support form for the petition to call a Special Meeting to discuss CPD program

If you feel that you support the idea behind the petition and would like the petition to succeed, please fill out the form, print, sign and fax to 416-496-8154.