Message from the Editor The Magazine Era Begins – Short One G PEG Welcome to the first edition of The PEG magazine. And no, that is not a typo. The missing G is only one small piece of a story that ends — and starts anew — with this publication, a replacement for The PEGG newspaper. We hope the magazine proves to be an even more interesting and entertaining read than you’re accustomed to. We promise better photos, a dynamic mix of established and new features, more highend, long but tightly written articles on the issues facing our professions, and more small, bite-sized tidbits that intrigue and entertain. I will fill you in on that missing G, but first I want to explain how we got to this point in the evolution of APEGGA print communications. Simply put, you asked for it. For at least the last decade, one of the most consistent questions about The PEGG I’ve heard is, Why not change it to a magazine? We were reluctant, though, and for good reason. Firstly, loud though they may have been, those wanting the change made up only about a third of the membership, a readership survey suggested. Those who didn’t want a change made up another third. And the final third really didn’t care one way or the other. That was hardly a ringing endorsement. Secondly, what the old PEGG did, the old PEGG did well. We published it 10 times a year. Its frequency and format allowed a quick turnaround at the press, plenty of room for timely news items, and the ability to get something before members at the last minute. A little over a year ago, however, our reluctance turned to enthusiasm. We started viewing a magazine as an opportunity to engage members with a higher quality of coverage than the newspaper could ever offer. We surveyed members again, and this time the data suggested that close 60 per cent of members wanted a magazine. And more and more, we found that the e-PEGG (you can start calling it the e-PEG now) and our website were the places members turned to for timely and interactive coverage. We believe this is a better use of resources — as in trees, and as in that small portion of your dues that goes towards member publications — than the newspaper was. We believe that this fivetimes-a-year magazine will allow us to develop the website as a newsier, more interactive place. And we believe that a magazine will, ultimately, improve the image of your Association among fellow members, among clients and among the general public. If there is something, by the way, that you were accustomed to finding in print and it isn’t in this publication, you’ll probably find it online at www.apegga.org. Now, what about that missing G? APEGGA is in the middle of a transformation. We await government approval allowing us to do away with the designations of Professional Geologist and Professional Geophysicist for new registrants and replace it with the single designation Professional Geoscientist. When that happens, the name of the Association and the act that we work under will change also, but our printed publication was being transformed now — so what to do? We decided to drop one G right away. Of course, as I said at the outset, the new PEG story is just beginning. We would appreciate your comments, pro and con, and your suggestions. We plan to grow, to change and to improve. Please do take the time to email me at lshrimpton@apegga.org. Len shrimpton, P.Eng., FEC APEGGA Chief Operating Officer & PEG Editor February 2010 PEG | 3