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

In addition to the above mentioned committees there are ASCIA working parties and subcommittees, which are not standing committees of the ASCIA Council, including the:

• ASCIA Anaphylaxis working party
• ASCIA Autoimmunity working party
• ASCIA HAE working party
• ASCIA Insect Allergy working party
• ASCIA Nurses sub-committee
• ASCIA Dietitians sub-committee.  

Chairs of these workiing parties or sub-committees may be coopted to Council as deemed necessary by the ASCIA Executive. The processes outlined below may also be applied to working parties or sub-committees 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 educational resources for patients/consumers based on published literature
• Developing educational resources for health professionals 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 and working party will be populated by ASCIA members (Full and Associate) who can request to join at any time throughout the year.  ASCIA 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

Every two years (after the AGM) a request will be sent to ASCIA members for nominations of Chairs from the existing committee membership, for appointment by Council. The 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) and a deputy Chair position can be appointed.  The Chair and deputy Chair are eligible for reappointment and may serve for a maximum of three consecutive two year terms. 

Reporting to ASCIA Executive and Council

The Chair should provide a concise written or verbal report to Council for each face to face meeting of Council.  Any requests for funding that are in addition to reasonable operating expenses need to be approved by the Executive, via the Executive Officer.

Meetings

Committees and working parties 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 September 2012