The indicator board member orientation is defined as situations where new board of health members are provided with an orientation to the roles and responsibilities of the board of health, the duties of members and public health functions and issues.

In order to effectively carry out their responsibilities, new members of any board of directors require a thorough understanding of their service sector. An orientation program for new members to a board of health should include information on public health in Ontario; the board's roles and responsibilities, as well as the individual's role and responsibilities; the board's vision and objectives; existing provincial legislation related to boards of health; the roles and responsibilities of the board of health in relation to the medical officer of health; the Ontario Public Health Standards; and information about relevant organizations.

Orientation of board members is supported by the Association of Local Public Health Agencies through training programs and resources.

Of the 36 boards of health, 35 reported that they routinely orient new board members and that this orientation includes training or information on the core functions of public health and the board of health's governance responsibilities.

Definition:

Indicates situations where new board of health members are provided with an orientation to the roles and responsibilities of the board of health, the duties of members and information to understand public health functions and issues.

Data Source(s):

Survey of boards of health, 2008

Formula:

Yes; no

Notes:

• Presence of board orientation does not indicate whether orientations are influencing governance capacity or effectiveness
• Lack of consistency in the content and rigor of orientation of board members makes results difficult to interpret