About Us
Ontario and Québec
CORC
Geographic location: Toronto and the GTA (Greater Toronto Area)
Approximate membership: 170+ people
Chapter support: University of Toronto, York University, University Health Network, St. Michaels Hospital, Hospital for Sick Children, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto Centre for Phenogenomics, Mt. Sinai Hospital, Center for Addiction and Mental Health, Seneca College, Sheridan College, Georgian College, Trent University, Sanofi Pasteur Canada, Kingfisher International Inc.,
Executive Committee: We have a large executive consisting of our five main positions, including the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Newsletter Editor; and many councillors. (As an executive member you are required to participate in our monthly meetings (10 a year); attend/assist with a minimum of two educational events annually (not including social events); to cast your vote on any issues/ideas regarding the CORC Chapter.
Volunteer Opportunities: For individuals not able to make the commitment to the executive we also have volunteer opportunities. As a CORC volunteer you will be notified of any upcoming events and if you are available can help out. You must participate in at least one event annually to remain on volunteer list. You are welcome to attend our executive meetings as a “guest” (which means you do not have voting power on issues raised).
Member Privileges: Pizza nights with educational speakers (typically held Thursdays from 5pm – 8pm), Various technical/hands-on workshops (typically held on Saturdays), CORC course in preparation for the CALAS exams (typically held on four Saturdays during the Winter), AGM with guest speaker (in Spring), social events including CORCfest (farm day & corn roast – annually in September), and our Christmas Party.
Our events are a great opportunity to meet up with old friends, make some new ones and do some networking, all while collecting CE!
Related Activities: CORC has a booth set up annually at Seneca College career day and at the annual OAVT conference when in our geographic location. We will also partake in any other outreach opportunities on demand.
Golden Triangle
The Golden Triangle Chapter (GTC) consists of approximately 70 members and covers a significant portion of South Western Ontario from Kitchener Waterloo, north to Guelph and east to Hamilton and St. Catharines. The GTC provides opportunities for its members to earn Continuing Education credits, facilitate social connections, participate in outreach and learn new skills. Chapter events typically occur every other month. GTC has a large executive group to facilitate communication over the large geographic region, and would encourage all interested to help plan an event, write an article, and attend events to get involved. For more information please send us an email!
Limestone
The Kingston Limestone chapter covers the area of eastern Ontario- ranging from Belleville to Brockville.
We have a membership of roughly 25 people, comprising mainly of veterinary technicians and veterinarian staff. Our executive committee is comprised of a president, vice president, treasurer, events coordinator and volunteers..
Members are encouraged to volunteer by means of providing input as to the direction of the chapter, and raising awareness as to the benefits of being a part of the chapter to our peers, from the veterinary field and beyond. (Researchers, Biotechnologists etc.).
The main objectives of the chapter are to provide continuing education credits via presentations and hands on workshops. We also run an annual summer retreat and Christmas party. Our AGMs to date are held in February..
We proudly collaborate with the Veterinary Technology program at St. Lawrence College by providing information to potential veterinary technicians on the work of CALAS and the animal research field..
We also welcome technicians who hold an RVT status working in the private clinic sector to join and work together to provide talks that benefit both private practice and laboratory work. We thank the Quinte District Veterinary Association (QDVA) for including us in their educational meetings and seminars when possible..
Montreal
The Montreal Regional Chapter reaches all members in the Greater Montreal area and also members from Sherbrooke who sometime come to our activities. Our membership is approximately 130 people. Technicians, managers, veterinarians and vendors participate and are actively involved. Volunteers are always welcome to help us organize events. We typically organized 3 to 4 events per year; educational presentations on various subjects. Once a year we visit a group of first year animal health students to promote CALAS/ACSAL. Of course we organize a Christmas party each year.
Ottawa
The Ottawa CALAS Chapter is a relatively moderate sized group within Ottawa and the surrounding area. We encourage new members and guests to attend any or all of the chapter meetings throughout the year! The Chapter meetings generally involve a guest speaker presenting a laboratory animal related topic, but we have also had some different topics including; fish biology, Alzheimer’s disease and even flying insects used in research. Our Executive is relatively small, and includes a President, Vice-President and Treasurer. There are many volunteer opportunities that include assisting with organizing meetings, finding guest speakers, and writing articles for the National CALAS magazine. The Chapter encourages networking, meeting vendors as well as learning something new within the every changing field of laboratory animal science. We look forward to you joining the Ottawa CALAS Chapter soon!
Québec
Le chapitre de Québec de ACSAL/CALAS est fier d’offrir à ses membres locaux et nationaux quelques occasions par année d’échanger avec leurs pairs de la région de Québec sur le sujet de la santé animale en laboratoire de recherche. Nos membres proviennent tant de la ville de Québec (CRIUCPQ, CRCHU de Québec, LOEX, CERVO, Université Laval) que des environs de Trois-Rivières (Collège Laflèche) jusqu’à Lapocatière (Cégep de La Pocatière).
Les activités de formation continue que nous offrons visent à augmenter sans relâche la qualité des soins aux animaux en laboratoire de recherche et donnent l’occasion à ses membres de pratiquer une technique lors d’un atelier ou encore d’entendre un collègue relater un succès dans son propre projet. Elles peuvent aussi se retrouver sous forme de Webinaire informatif ou encore tout simplement un moment social fort sympatique entre amis pour échanger, créer des liens et former un réseau professionnel.
Le comité de Québec est maintenant actif depuis plus de 10 ans et compte 7 membres très impliqués qui ont à coeur la qualité de la profession ainsi que le bien-être des animaux.
Vous êtes intéressé à nous rencontrer, devenir membre ou motivé à vous impliquer? Nous sommes toujours prêts à accepter de nouvelles amitiés! N’hésitez pas à nous contacter à qccalas@gmail.com, il nous fera plaisir de partager notre passion avec vous!
Thames Valley
The Thames Valley Chapter spans from London to Windsor in South Western Ontario. The bulk of our membership is central to London with approximately 25 individual members working in 6 different facilities (Victoria Research Laboratories, St. Joseph’s Health Care, Lawson Research Institute, University Hospital, Western University, and Robarts Research Institute).
Our Executive is small but effective with between 3-5 people and volunteers for special occasions. We call for volunteers to assist with special events such as Holiday Parties, suggesting speakers or outings, fund raising (raffles, card making workshops, garage sales), CALAS exam prep courses and Tech week. For example, we ask for help in preparing food for our Annual Christmas Party to keep costs down; in return the people that help out do not have to pay the $5 admission.
Thames Valley Chapter offers approximately 12 events per year: • 4 annual social events (Holiday Party, Spring Sugar Bush Trip, Summer Family BBQ and Tech Week) • 1 AGM • 6-7 CALAS Café’s for CE o Lunchtime speakers o Webinars o Hands on training courses
For information on the Thames Valley Chapter and our events please email thamescalas@gmail.com or friend us on Facebook.