Dear Fellow ODA Members,
The Ontario Dental Association (ODA) recently completed a three-year review and update of its governance structure, at a cost of approximately $900,000. As a result, we are in compliance with the Ontario Not-For-Profit Corporations Act, and we continue to operate under the “gold standard” governance model for not-for-profits, ten years later.
1. Mismanagement of Resources
During the past three years, the ODA Board of Directors—lacking familiarity with the requirements of our governance documents—has spent tens of thousands of dollars on consultants, board per diems, and staff time to review something that should have only taken hours. This is unacceptable and irresponsible on the part of the Board.
2. Overstepping by Staff
In addition, several board members have expressed concerns over the past few years regarding staff regularly crossing the “bright red line” that should exist between governance (the Board, General Council, member dentists) and the operations of the Association. The staff have been actively re-writing and attempting to modify the job descriptions of the Board and its committees as outlined in the “Charters,” which were approved by General Council. This behaviour is akin to dental office staff telling us, their bosses, what our jobs should be. It is entirely unacceptable and irresponsible on the part of the Board of Directors.
3. Failure of Oversight
The Board has abrogated its responsibilities and should be replaced with dentists who are committed to fulfilling their roles as board members, providing appropriate oversight, and enforcing the boundaries between governance and operations.
2 Responses
The only good board member was Dr. Houston who was removed from the board because she demanded accountability for our members. Apparently the ODA has spent $ 600,000 in legal fees and related expenses to remove Dr. Houston. No wonder they increased our dues.
Dr. Houston was removed improperly. No REAL documented evidence was presented, no paper trail only the “say so” of our corrupt past president. A Real Lawyer who saw this farce said this would have been thrown out in a real court of law. It was ALL hearsay. The Board was afraid she would expose them for their drinking and spending our dues on “entertainment.” He is the same guy who kicked off two more women off our provincial negotiating team. Ask yourself why were they removed? Why did he have himself elected as chair? Who runs our association anyway?