Background
The Political Contact Dentist (PCD) Network was created in 1991 by ODA Chief Executive Officer Frank Bevilacqua. Since its inception, it has grown into an integral part of the ODA’s government relations (GR) and advocacy program, and the work of the Political Action Committee (PAC). As the GR and advocacy programs – and Ontario’s political landscape – evolves, the form and function of the PCD Network must also do so.
As part of PAC’s Terms of Reference, it is stated that the committee purpose is ‘to oversee the work of a network of dedicated, well trained and well-motivated volunteers who will represent the interests of patients and the dental profession by liaising with legislators’. The PAC and PCD Network have delivered on that purpose over the last 27 years; however, ODA Staff have identified issues with the current system of PCD recruitment and management that need to be modernized to reflect the current needs of the GR and advocacy program.
In the past, the ODA has relied on Component Societies (CSs) to assist in the recruiting process, which has been a fairly successful practice for larger CSs, but has not worked as well for smaller CSs. Larger CSs such as the Halton Peel Dental Association (HPDA) and Toronto East Dental Society (TEDS) are more inclined to have closer engagement with their members through their meetings and communications, whereas the smaller CS executives do not meet with their members as frequently, and may not be aware of who their PCDs are. Currently, there are 23 vacancies out of 124 constituencies in Ontario.
Commonly, PCDs have been identified through their local political engagement. It is important for the PAC to clarify a position regarding suitability of recruiting PCDs who are directly involved with their local MPP and politicians through their volunteer work on riding associations, given the importance of PCDs remaining non-partisan. ODA Staff became aware of this issue during the pre-election period, where it became clear that there are PCDs who had a previous relationship with a certain party and candidate, or were already actively participating as staff of a current politician. PCDs are required to appropriately engage with politicians and political staff of all parties at various times, and those who already had a connection to a party were not able to fully engage with other parties’ candidates and incumbent MPPs. Local constituency staff do their due diligence on who is requesting.
Approved PCD Recruitment Process Policy
The PAC has approved the following PCD Recruitment Policy:
- Regional PAC members and ODA Staff will seek to recruit PCDs through multiple means.
- This includes regular correspondence with CS executives, volunteer information forms received by the ODA and recommendations from current and past PCDs.
- PAC members and ODA Staff will work together to ensure that PCDs are being recruited for open constituencies, and that, preferentially, any new PCD lives in the riding for which they are under consideration. As a second option, PCDs may work in the riding for which they are under consideration.
- PCDs will then be contacted by a regional PAC member, who will provide the ‘job description’ and recruitment resource (which would include guidelines on local political involvement) to familiarize them with the role and expectations. ODA Staff will review the potential PCD with the PAC member and, as possible, the CS executive to ensure suitability.
- Potential PCDs will provide the signed Job Description, their Curriculum Vitae, and the completed online PCD Information Form to ODA Staff.
- The potential PCD’s information will be circulated to PAC, via email if between meetings, for approval by the ODA and PAC Chair and/or Vice-chair.
- Once the PCD is approved, the PAC chair will “appoint” the PCD to the position, welcoming them via email.
○ The CS executive would be then informed of the PCD’s appointment, and encourage contact between the CS and the new PCD. - ODA Staff will send the PCD LEAD materials, dates of key events and schedule a teleconference to walk them through the information and any questions they may have.
Current PCDs:
All current PCDs are to be grandfathered in and sent the PCD job description. This would be a way of communicating expectations required of the PCD and delivering guidelines on local political involvement. Given ODA’s increased GR capacity, ODA Staff have the ability to manage the process with PAC members.
Questions regarding this memorandum can be directed to Ms. Amanda MacKenzie, ODA Government Relations Manager (416-355-2272 or amackenzie@oda.ca).