The Canadian Arthritis Network’s (CAN) Consumer Advisory Council (CAC) is comprised of a diverse membership of volunteers representing a wide range of professional experiences, ages, cultures, languages, geographic regions and types of arthritis. The members of the Council are selected for their commitment to arthritis research excellence and ability to participate in a fairly rigorous agenda (including representation on all of CAN's committees, participation in peer review, exposure to CAN trainees, and participation as collaborators on research grants). The majority of members bring a wide background of experience living with arthritis, and actively volunteer for arthritis causes, such as providing arthritis self-management courses, demonstrating musculoskeletal examinations to medical students or working with arthritis advocacy organizations.