The AOVET Education Commission has developed new guidelines for Course Chairs and Faculty. This seeks to remedy the situation that had developed over time, wherein different regions took radically different approaches to how the roles and responsibilities of these positions were structured. The new guidelines have been developed to help achieve greater transparency, heightened efficiency in operation, create more opportunities for our most talented mid-career Faculty so that they can advance to course leadership positions, while also ensuring that course participants enjoy an optimal experience wherever they are in the world.

 

The table below includes details regarding the roles and responsibilities of Course Chairpersons and Faculty. These include details of the selection process, performance measurement, as well as the guiding principles and long-term goals that drive the need for new guidelines.

 

The Education Commission looked to best practice when developing and updating these guidelines, reviewed the current challenges facing the existing system, and considered the structures in place in AOVET NA, as well as those used in other Clinical Divisions.

 

Workshops held over the summer of 2018 were critical to developing these updated guidelines, and they were finalized in Davos in December 2018. The Education Commission Chairperson also presented them to the International Board, which offered input and then gave its approval.

 

The new guidelines apply to all course Chairpersons and Faculty involved in AOVET courses from 2019 onwards. 2019 will be considered a transition year as the guidelines are implemented.

 

In addition to the documents shared with you here, you will be able to find out more about these changes in upcoming AOVET meetings and in a more detailed communications campaign.

 

Importantly, the Education Commission will also regularly review these guidelines in order to ensure they are improved as needed in a timely fashion.

 

To reiterate, the new guidelines aim to ensure consistency and smooth transitions between post-holders. The goal is that, on taking up the position of Chairperson, the individual will already have had considerable experience (three years) as an Assistant Chairperson. This will boost the Chairperson’s efficiency and ability to rapidly resolve problems that arise during their tenure.

 

The transition process also enables a serving Chairperson to form a good relationship with their successor, who will spend three years working with them as an Assistant Chairperson. This element of training and mentorship is key to achieving a smooth transition.

 

Finally, periodic transition of Chairs will open up opportunities for our most talented mid-career Faculty to ascend into course leadership positions in a meritocratic manner that properly recognizes their potential, their past contributions, and our need as an organization to keep them engaged in what we do.

 

Continuity is the central feature of this new system. On completion of their term as Chair, a former Chairperson will be eligible to continue in a consultative position of strategic importance such as ‘Course Evaluator’ or ‘Emeritus Chair’ at the discretion of the Regional Board and the Education Commission for a further 1–3 year period.

 

AOVET believes this approach offers the most comprehensive guidance for these key roles (e.g. Chair, Assistant Chair, Faculty, etc.) and puts in place mechanisms that promote a consistently high-quality educational experience by fostering stability across individual terms and broad continuity for all.

 

Succession planning to ensure systems are in place to deliver smooth transitions is at the heart of this work. Your appreciation for why these changes need to be put in place, as well as a balanced, meritocratic and sympathetic approach to their implementation, are critical to the success of the new guidelines. In this regard, we invite you to reach out to us for further clarification.

 

 

 

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Download Guideline