Governance Structure

Overall Structure of the CFMS

The CFMS represents over 9,000 medical students from 15 Canadian medical student societies from coast to coast. Students at schools that are part of the CFMS are automatically part of the CFMS. For a list of member schools, see here.

As a CFMS member, you can run for a position as a member of the Board of Directors, National Officer, or a member of a committee. Application deadlines are shared in the CFMS Monthly Newsletter email distributed monthly to each member school. You are also eligible to participate in either or both of the 2 meetings that the CFMS holds annually: the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in the Fall, and the Spring General Meeting (SGM) in the Spring. The SGM is part of the Canadian Medical Student Conference (CMSC) since 2024. Any CFMS member can opt-in for the Travel Equity Fund to participate at general meetings.

CFMS Membership

The medical student societies are each represented by two CFMS Representatives who attend the AGM and SGM and maintain contact with each other and the CFMS Board throughout the year. Round tables are representative bodies, with individuals from each school comprising its membership, that provides insight into varying portfolios and allows for broad consultation of the membership whom they represent.

Decisions are carried out by vote during general meetings with each institutional member receiving three votes and each board member receiving one. Medical student societies commonly send more than two representatives to participate in CFMS meetings and activities.

The governance committee is a skill-based group with representation from the Board, the president’s roundtable and general membership, responsible for ensuring that new and revised policies and/or procedures are compliant with CFMS’ strategic vision, mission and mandate.

Board Structure

The CFMS is led by a Board consisting of a President, Past-President, four Directors and a Vice Presidents responsible for different portfolios, and six Regional Directors, each with a one-year term. Each year the Board also appoints various National Officers who carry out specific roles commissioned by the membership, and chair their respective general membership committee.

All CFMS Board Members are elected during a virtual Special General Meeting in May. The term for the new Board Members starts July 1st, guaranteing a handover period between current and new Board members. The Board is supported by an Executive Director, Communications Coordinator, and Administrative Coordinator in Ottawa who manage the office and carry out much of the day-to-day operations of the organization.