HIMSS Europe Governing Council call for nominations for three vacancies (2008-2010 term)

Published: 08/01

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - (HealthTech Wire / News) - The HIMSS Europe Governing Council invites nominations for three vacancies on the Council for the 2008 – 2010 term, to be submitted no later than Tuesday, 30 September 2008.

The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) is the healthcare industry’s membership organisation exclusively focused on providing leadership for the optimal use of healthcare information technology (IT) and management systems for the betterment of healthcare. HIMSS members are professionals and students in the healthcare IT and adjacent fields.

 In 2006, HIMSS began to operate an office in Europe, and offering dedicated programmes for the region, including its flagship initiative, the annual World of Health IT Conference & Exhibition event, organised with the European Commission and other European partners. In June 2008, HIMSS opened its own European office in Brussels and is now poised to develop new programmes and initiatives for the region. New members of the HIMSS Europe Governing Council will therefore make their contribution at an exciting time in the young history of the Europe initiative.

The HIMSS Governing Council provides advice to HIMSS and the HIMSS Europe office in developing strategies for regional growth, provides content expertise, reviews HIMSS membership benefits in terms of their relevance to Europe, identifies key subjects, partners and speakers for HIMSS Europe education programmes, and assists in the development and promotion of HIMSS other products and services. The Council consists of ten individuals.

At the time of their nomination candidates for the Council must be

• individual HIMSS members in good administrative standing (employees of HIMSS corporate members are only eligible if they are holders of an individual membership; to become HIMSS member go to www.himss.org/ASP/individualHome.asp)
• from Europe (their primary work or residential address must be in a country listed in the annex).

In addition, Council members have the following desired characteristics:

1. Loyalty to HIMSS, high integrity and professional conduct 
2. Enthusiasm and willingness to work and provide leadership for HIMSS
3. Proven business and project management experience
4. Proven experience in strategic thinking
5. Knowledge and support of HIMSS programmes, products and services 
6. Ability to help build consensus and be a team player 
7. Understanding of the responsibility of a European Governing Council member to the European HIMSS membership 
8. Understanding of the commitment required, including especially time commitments and support of employer, family, etc.
9. Any perceived or potential conflict of interest and plans to resolve if necessary.

HIMSS Europe Governing Council - Call for Nominations (August 2008)
The Council as a whole should be representative of the different countries, regions, constituencies and skills relevant to HIMSS Europe. Selections will therefore be made both on the basis of individual qualifications as well as of the general balances sought.

Commitment: Council members are expected to participate and contribute in face-to-face meetings, telephone calls, and via email. The Council meets three times a year, usually for oneday meetings, during the HIMSS fiscal year (1 July to 30 June):

1. at the annual World of Health IT Conference & Exhibition (in October/November);
2. in a mid-fiscal year meeting (January/February)
3. an end of the fiscal year meeting (June/July)

HIMSS will pay travel, hotel accommodation and other reasonable expenses incurred in attending Council meetings.

Terms of membership: The term of Council participation is two years, beginning on 1 July. Each year 50 percent of the Council members will rotate off. Council members may submit their nomination for one further consecutive term. Members who expect to resign from the Council due to change in circumstances are expected to give at least three months notice, if possible. The term for the current vacancies is July 2008 – June 2010.

Nomination Guidelines: For each nomination, the following are requested:

• A letter from the individual who is submitting the nomination, detailing his/her reasons for the nomination and describing his/her potential contributions to the Governing Council and to HIMSS
• A current CV or short biography of the nominee
• Information about memberships, affiliations, volunteer activities etc. in the field of eHealth and other relevant fields. This information can be provided in the letter, in the CV, or on a separate sheet.
• Proof of HIMSS membership (ie the member number or photocopy of membership card)

Nominations should be directed, no later than Tuesday, 30 September 2008, to:

HIMSS Europe Governing Council
c/o Michael Strübin, Executive Director HIMSS Europe
Rue de la Loi 67 B-1040 Brussels
Direct: +32 2 793 7638
Fax: +32 2 793 7631
e-mail: mstrubin@himss.org