May 2006 ISSUE
Members Welcome One Act,
Two Associations Proposal
AGM Presented With Concept Of Partnering With ASET
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AGM REACHES OUT |
BY GEORGE LEE
The PEGG
The last time the APEGGA Annual General Meeting was held in Edmonton, a crowd concerned about the Inclusivity initiative kept the microphones humming into the afternoon. Council did a lot of listening, that day in 2004, and told members that APEGGA would make an extra effort to consult and communicate with them. Any future version of the initiative — which would have expanded membership into new, tightly defined scopes of practice — would go to a mail-in ballot.
Members spoke their minds, many chastising Council for the process leading up to the Inclusivity initiative. Council would be “lowering the bar,” they thought, by bringing in members without the usual engineering and geoscience academic training. The tone of the meeting was intense and sometimes even hostile.
What a difference two years can make.
This time, the initiative was off the Council agenda. About 140 members and about 50 non-members heard of a different proposal, this one to partner with ASET in the regulation of technologists. Outgoing President Larry Staples, P.Eng., outlined the One Act, Two Associations model, which is winning early government favour as the starting point for negotiations with ASET.
The microphones hummed again in 2006 — but this time speakers rose to praise Council for proposing a way to improve regulation for industry and the public, and possibly end an ongoing conflict between APEGGA and ASET.
Tom Greenwood-Madsen, P.Eng., said it’s time for APEGGA members to “talk to your colleagues and talk to your co-workers” about the plan. Norman Orr, P.Eng., a past APEGGA president, said Council has done a “magnificent job” on the proposal.
The One Act, Two Associations model is in its very early stages, members heard, but APEGGA hopes to get to the table right away with ASET and possibly a government-appointed mediator.
Satellite Venues
Continuing with Council’s commitment to communicate and consult, this year
the AGM had a powerful new dimension. Technical and logistical glitches aside,
APEGGA’s electronic foray into new AGM venues received a thumbs up.
An audio-video link allowed attendees in Calgary, Red Deer, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Medicine Hat and Lethbridge to hear speakers, make comments and vote on motions.
It’s the first time APEGGA has used videoconferencing equipment at the
Annual General Meeting. The meeting was also webcast, but the nine members at
their computers couldn’t vote or participate.
The connection with Grande Prairie failed part way through the meeting. Not all
sites had all the materials they needed. And although webcast PowerPoints and
audio worked, the video coverage for those viewing on their computers failed.
“There were glitches, but generally participants at the remote locations
were pleased and thought it was a worthwhile endeavour,” said Ross Plecash,
P.Eng., Director, Corporate & Member Affairs.
The problems are an easy fix, said Mr. Plecash. The remote venues attracted about
20 members, and the hope is more will attend that way next year.
MORE INFO
ASET Partnership
www.apegga.org/
ASET/default.htm