Pain in Childhood Special Interest Group
Mission Statement
The mission of the Pain in Childhood Special Interest Group (SIG) shall be to share and improve professional and scientific knowledge regarding pain in childhood to the benefit of children, their families and communities.
To achieve this, the SIG shall:
o Promote communication and collaboration among scientists and multidisciplinary health professionals with special interests and knowledge in pain in childhood;
o Encourage education and research in pain in childhood;
o Provide focus within the parent Pain Society for matters relating to pain in childhood.
Childhood includes all phases of human development from birth through transition to adulthood.
Pain in Childhood includes pain experienced or witnessed during childhood, and includes the experiences of young people who care for another with pain.
Executive Roles, Terms and Functions
Although they will be constituted separately, it is anticipated that the Australian and New Zealand Pain in Childhood SIGs will share common objectives and meetings. Therefore the following SIG Executive structure and logistics are proposed:
| Role | Membership | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Chairperson | APS | 2 years |
| New Zealand Chairperson | NZPS | 2 years |
| Honorary Secretary | Either | Election yearly; can stand for up to 6 yrs |
| Communication Officer | Either | Election yearly; can stand for up to 6 yrs |
| A representative from each Parent Pain Society Board | 1 each | To be determined by the respective Pain Society Boards. APS Board Representative: Ms Fiona Hodson |
Aims and Objectives
- AGMs shall be held jointly.
- The Australian and New Zealand Chairpersons shall take turns in chairing the AGMs.
- If we are required to minute the AGMs separately, the Australians present shall be considered invited visitors for the purposes of the NZ SIG AGM, and vice versa.
- Where matters concern both countries, consensus shall be sought.
- Where matters are relevant exclusively to one of the partner countries, only the SIG members from that country will vote in relation to those matters.
- The Honorary Secretary shall manage official correspondence, agendas and minutes.
- The Communication Officer shall manage relevant website content, communications with members and external partners (with consent of the parent Pain Society Board as required).
- A member of the SIG Executive shall represent the SIG on the Scientific Program Committee of each National Pain Society ASM.
Pain in Childhood SIG Membership Information:
Must have current APS membership to join the SIG
Annual SIG Fee: $30