The Endometriosis Network Canada believes that it is important for individuals who serve in a decision-making capacity for the organization (board members and executives) to transparently disclose any interests and affiliations that could potentially affect their decisions.
In addition, we ask that anyone who has a conflict of interest refrain from participating in any decisions that could be affected by that conflict. To facilitate complete disclosures, we created a comprehensive form that executives and board members are asked to fill in yearly. In addition, we ask that new interests and affiliations be disclosed immediately.
It is important to note that there is considerable variability across the charitable sector and patient advocacy groups in the content and comprehensiveness of their disclosures. TENC aims to be as complete and transparent as possible; therefore, if you have questions about disclosures of interests and affiliations of our board members and executives, we encourage you to contact us at info@endometriosisnetwork.ca.
For more information, see Conflict of Interest in Medical Education, Research, and Practice and Registered Charities: Conflicts of Interest of Directors.
Questions for TENC board members and executives
Below we share the questions that we ask all board members and executives to provide answers to, as well as a table summarizing the answers from our board of directors and executive director. Time intervals typically used from disclosures typically vary from one to three years, and sometimes are as long as five years; therefore, we have chosen a five year time frame for our disclosures at The Endometriosis Network Canada.
- Do you or your spouse/partner have any current direct financial interests in any private sector organization or industry with interests in endometriosis diagnosis and treatment or pelvic health (medical, surgical, complementary)? This includes your current employment, investments in companies, partnerships, equity, royalties, joint ventures, trusts, property, stocks, shares or bonds.
- In the past 5 years, have you or your spouse/partner received payment for work done or being done, or financial support, from a private sector organization with interests in endometriosis diagnosis and treatment or pelvic health (medical, surgical, complementary)? Please consider past employment, contracts or consulting, research support, fellowships, sponsorships, and honoraria for teaching, speaking, writing engagements or any other patient advocacy work.
- In the past 5 years, have you or your spouse/partner received materials, discounted products, gifts, or other benefits, or attended conferences or meetings where all or part of the travel and accommodation costs were provided by a private sector organization that operates in the area of endometriosis diagnosis and treatment or pelvic health (medical, surgical, complementary)?
- In the past 5 years, have any of the organizations where you or your spouse/partner are currently employed or where you or your spouse/partner participate in internal decision making (as a board member or as an executive or non-executive director), received grants or other funding from a private sector organization that has an interest in the area of endometriosis diagnosis and treatment or pelvic health (medical, surgical, complementary)?
- Do you have any current professional or volunteer affiliations (such as membership in professional/scientific societies, advocacy groups or other not-for-profit organizations/groups) that may have an interest in the area of endometriosis diagnosis and treatment or pelvic health (medical, surgical, complementary)?
- Do you have any other interests or affiliations not mentioned above that could cause concern about your ability to participate objectively in your duties as a board member of TENC?