National Advisory Committees
The National Board of the Cancer Society receives advice and expertise from a number of standing committees to guide its deliberations on establishing funding priorities for programmes and scientific research, developing strategy and policy, research funding, and developing the strategic direction of the organisation. The current Standing Committees are:
- National Executives Committee
- National Health Promotion Committee
- National Volunteer Information and Support Services Advisory Committee
- National Scientific Advisory Committee
- National Finance Advisory Committee
National Executives Committee
The Chief Executives Committee (NEC) is comprised of the Chief Executives from the six Divisions and the National Office of the Cancer Society. The role of NEC is to enhance the effectiveness and impact of the Society’s work through maximising the potential of divisional co-operation, collaboration and resources, providing a pool of management, and enhancing the responsiveness of the Society to newly emerging and changing needs.
The National Health Promotion Committee
The National Health Promotion Committee (NHPC) members have expertise in the areas of health promotion, social and behavioural research, cancer epidemiology, cancer screening and early detection, cancer treatment, primary health, public health, Maori health and nutrition. One of the responsibilities of the NHPC is to identify priorities for Cancer Society health promotion through the preparation and revision of the National Strategic Plan for health promotion.
The National Volunteer Information and Support Services Advisory Committee
The National Volunteer Information and Support Services Advisory Committee (NVISAC) members have expertise in the areas of cancer support services, psychosocial services, behavioural research, volunteer services and cancer information. The Committee has a dual role. It advises the National Board of the Cancer Society on the ongoing development of support services to meet the needs of people affected by cancer. It also advises on the ongoing development of volunteer services to meet the needs of the Society and volunteer workforce.
The National Scientific Advisory Committee
The National Scientific Advisory Committee (NSAC) conducts an annual research grant application round, whereby it assesses cancer research applications and determines where Cancer Society research funding is applied. NSAC advises the National Board on research policy including: likely developments in cancer research, the setting of research priorities, research budgetary allocations and the promotion of careers in cancer research.
The National Finance Advisory Committee
The National Finance Advisory Committee (NFAC) provides advice on annual budgets, future financial projections, effectiveness of the investment strategy in developing financial policies and assisting in setting financial priorities.
Working Groups
In addition to the ongoing standing committees, the Society may convene ad-hoc working groups where additional expertise is required in a specific area of work. Examples of this include the Vitamin D Expert Advisory Group, and the Early Detection Advisory Group.
Advocacy
The Cancer Society is a non-profit organisation, which receives no direct financial support from government. Because of this we can inform and advocate to the government for the best services for people affected by cancer.
Our aim is to reduce the number of people affected by cancer and to increase the health, wellbeing and quality of life for people living with cancer. Advocacy is an essential and powerful tool in the work we do.
Communicating is also an essential element of our work, as it helps us to shine the spotlight on issues, such as the need for better services, treatments and funding. It also helps us to raise awareness about cancer, and the fact that our services are there for people affected by cancer.
We communicate regularly with patients and their families/friends, medical professionals, volunteers, the media, representatives of Government, local community leaders, and many other organisations and individuals in or aim to improve the situation for those affected by cancer.
