The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy

The following ASCIA committees are standing committees of the ASCIA Council, continuing indefinitely, with representation on Council:

• ASCIA Clinical Practice committee (CPC)
• ASCIA Education committee
• ASCIA Laboratory Practice committee (LPC)
• ASCIA Paediatric committee
• ASCIA Immunodeficiency committee

The above mentioned committees may include sub-committees or working parties, which are not standing committees of the ASCIA Council.  For example the Anaphylaxis working party, Insect Allergy working party, Nurses sub-committee and Dietitians sub-committee are sub-committees of the CPC, and as such the Chairs of these sub-committees are members of the CPC. Chairs of these sub-committees or working parties may be coopted to Council as deemed necessary by the ASCIA Executive. The processes outlined below may also be applied to sub-committees and working parties as deemed appropriate by the ASCIA Executive.

PURPOSE

The purpose of ASCIA committees is to advance the science and practice of clinical immunology/allergy by:

• Developing and publishing consensus guidelines and other authoritative evidence based information
• Developing patient information based on published literature
• Advising ASCIA Council on relevant matters which are referred to the committee
• Promoting collaboration and sharing of information amongst ASCIA members
• Fostering collaborative clinical research in relevant areas
• Maintenance of disease registers (where applicable) and related research
• Coordination of relevant educational activities for ASCIA members.

MEMBERSHIP

Each committee will be populated by ASCIA members (Full and Associate) who nominate and are appointed by ASCIA Council.  A call for expressions of interest to become members of committees will be made at the start of each new Council's term, after the AGM.  However it is also possible to allow members to join at other times.  Appointments will be for a period of 2 years beginning on the 1^st of January and existing members are eligible for reappointment.  Members can serve on committees for an unlimited number of terms. There will be a minimum of 5 members on each committee. In the absence of a sufficient number of suitable appointees, existing members may recommend potential appointees (with their consent) for consideration by Council. 

CHAIR

Each committee will be requested for nominations (at the start of each 2 year term) for the positions of Chair and deputy Chair from the existing committee membership, for appointment by Council. The Chair and deputy Chair will be appointed for a term of 2 years. Where there is more than one nomination for either position, the committee's recommendation to Council will be decided by secret ballot (conducted by the ASCIA Executive Officer).  The Chair and deputy Chair are eligible for reappointment and may serve for a maximum of three consecutive terms. 

REPORTING TO ASCIA EXECUTIVE AND COUNCIL

The Chair will provide a concise written report to Council via the ASCIA Executive Officer prior to each face-to-face meeting of Council and the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The report to the AGM should be reviewed by the committee, before it is published in the ASCIA Annual Report.  Any requests for funding that are in addition to reasonable operating expenses for the committee need to be approved by the Executive, via the Executive Officer.

MEETINGS

Committees usually meet by teleconference and documents are reviewed by email, organised by the ASCIA Executive Officer.  All teleconferences are arranged and funded by ASCIA.  The Chair may also convene a face to face meeting during the Annual Scientific Meeting of ASCIA.  In the absence of the Chair, the deputy Chair will be the acting Chair. Attendance at a meeting in order for the committee to make a decision should be no less than 3 members.

Content Updated March 2010