Terms of Reference

CANADIANS OF AFRICAN DESCENT HEALTH ORGANIZATION (CADHO) | ORGANISATION DE LA SANTÉ DES CANADIENS D'ORIGINE AFRICAINE

Terms of Reference (ToR)

CADHO is a not-for-profit organization that exists to improve the health and healthcare of the Canadians of African Descent (CAD) through transformative community engagement. It has been established by volunteers from the African Caribbean and Black (ACB) community, organizations, academicians, service providers, and decision-makers.
CADHO TOR was drafted at the first meeting of the Board of Directors (BOD) on February 15, 2020.
This is the primary guiding document for the Membership;
It provides background information about CADHO and its responsibility;
includes “ground rules” and expectations;
must be agreed upon by all members before being finalized;
serves as a reference document and
should be provided to all members once approved.

Background

CADHO is a not-for profit organization created to improve the health and healthcare of the Canadians of African Descent (CAD) through transformative community engagement. It has been established by volunteers from the African Caribbean and Black (ACB) community, organizations, academicians, service providers and decision makers.

The organization was conceived on January 4, 2020
To advance health equity, and foster community development with an ultimate goal of addressing barriers such as racism in health an health care of Canadians of African descent.
CADHO is based in the national Capital Region of Canada with the potential for partnership in other locations as needed.
The CAD community, and other organizations that share CADHO’s vision are welcome to the organization.

Definitions

Canadians of African Descent (CAD) refers to all African Caribbean and Black (ACB) people in Canada irrespective of citizenship status and skin colour.

Health Equity: refers to the idea of everyone having an equal opportunity (a state of fairness) to achieve their optimal health, with due consideration of the diversity among people of the African descent.

Barriers in healthcare: the concept of barriers in healthcare refers to but is not limited to policies, practices procedures and capabilities that prevent or pose challenges for Blacks to access resources and opportunities.

African diapora is defined as consisting of people of African origin living outside the continent irrespective of their citizenship and nationality.

Diversity: It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences. These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies. Diversity is any dimension that can be used to differentiate groups and people from one another. While CAD share commonalities they are not homogenous.

Respect: CADHO will demonstate respect for CAD communities by responding honestly and timely to their needs. Respect means accepting our differences and appreciating one another. Respect in relationships builds feelings of trust, safety, and wellbeing.

Capacity building: CAD possesses resources, especially knowledge and abilities that can create an empowering environment for transformation, where everyone feels listened to and valued.

Social inclusion: is the process of improving the terms on which individuals and groups take part in society—improving the ability, opportunity, and dignity of those disadvantaged on the basis of their identity.

Volunteerism: the principle of donating talents, time and energyfor the benefit of other people in the community as a social responsibility rather than for any financial reward. CADHO is a gift / ‘cadeau’ to the community. We believe in giving back.

Purpose

The Terms of Reference serve as the guiding document for the Canadians of African Descent Health Organization.

The goals of CADHO are to:

Build CAD community capacity to advance health equity in Canada and beyond.
Strategically mobilize and use available resources to better unpack and address the complex interplay of various conditions in our environment that create inequities in health and healthcare.
Foster innovations and excellence in the creation of solutions to the health challenges confronting CAD community in Canada’s national region and beyond using evidence-based research.

Members will be

Providing useful feedback for CAD health need assessment in the community.
Promoting respectful and informed community-based responses to health inequity in Canada.
Building greater understanding about health and supporting CAD community involment in responding to our health needs.
Generating innovative ideas to overcome the CAD health-related challenges including the fight against HIV in Canada.
Fostering more representation of Canadians of African descent at decision-making tables.

Membership

Membership is voluntary and members are expected to contribute their time, talents and other resources to the work and success of CADHO.

All CAD who share the organization’s vision are welcome as members.

CADHO includes diverse Canadians of African descent from all age, sex / gender, religion, geographical locations and educational backgrounds.
Members need to be respectful of the opinion of others and
openly and candidly share their ideas during meetings

Expectations: Meeting Attendance, Time Commitment, Volunturism Etc.

CADHO will be communicating with members through email and other means when available.

Attendance: CADHO is a not-for Profit organization made of volunteers who share and adhere to its vision. As a sign of commitment to the organization’s goals members are expectated to attend monthly meetings, either in person or through teleconference calls when possible.

Meetings agenda: meetings agenda will be sent prior to meetings dates and members are allow to suggest additional items to be added for discussion.

Conduct of Meeting: Meetings will be chaired and guided by the Board of Directors
Minutes / Notes: Meetings notes will be taken and share with members prior to following meetings.
Compensation: Snack or meal may be available during meetings. CADHO is not-for Profit organization and members are not expected to be compensated for their volunteer work.