COHNA-ACIIST currently consists of provincial associations, each with individual members who are deemed COHNA-ACIIST members.
In 2024:
- We began conversations around how best to structure/restructure for a sustainable future and to ensure that OHN’s remain a specialty practice with a voice for OHN’s across the country.
- A membership survey was carried out to provide direction for a path forward.
The survey results and current landscape made it clear that something needed to change. Over the last two years, 2 of the largest provincial OHN associations in Canada dissolved, with their members grandfathered/directed into other more broad associations. There are currently only 2 active provincial OHN associations.
COHNA-ACIIST decided to move towards individual memberships.
In 2025:
- A Restructure Committee was formed and engaged with a consultant to create a proposal for going forward.
- New Bylaws were drafted and submitted to a legal firm for review to ensure they complied with the CNCA (Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act).
- Membership and Leadership Committees were stricken to build/update the foundations needed for the new structure.
- Membership and Leadership Terms of Reference/Policies were drafted.
- We began testing a new membership platform, TidyHQ.
- A new Intro to Occupational Health Nursing video was completed and has been posted on COHNA-ACIIST’s website and shared with OHN programs.
In 2026:
- We will be meeting with CNA to discuss the OHN certification exam.
- We need to finalize the policies and bylaws, which are 90% completed.
- The Board must vote to accept the new Bylaws; our next meeting is on February 18.
- A meeting notice will be sent to all current members (individual members of our provincial associations, including those with the AOHNA at dissolution.)
- At the meeting of members, we will vote on a resolution to file articles of amendment and accept the change of bylaws, which will allow for individual membership.
- If the resolution passes, OHNs will be invited to join COHNA-ACIIST as individual members.
- An AGM will be called for June, when a new Board will be elected.
Completing due diligence with a fully volunteer board, most with full-time jobs, has taken us further into 2026 than we had hoped. But we are committed to completing this within the first quarter.
The new Board will consist of 3-15 directors, with a goal to have representation from across Canada. We hope you will consider joining us as an individual member and/or a director as we strengthen our national voice and commit ourselves to both survive and thrive in coming years.
Juanita House
Juanita House RN,BN,OHNc,COHNc,LNC
President, COHNA-ACIIST