The AGM, held April 23, featured the installation of Darrel J. Danyluk, P.Eng., as the Association’s 80th President. (See pages 6 and 7 for an interview and feature.) He heads an APEGGA Council which includes newly-elected 1st Vice President Sue Evison, P.Eng., 2nd Vice President Gordon Williams, P.Geol. PhD, and four new Councillors: Bill Roggensack, P.Eng., PhD; Brenda Wright, P.Geol., Ken Porteous, P.Eng., PhD; and Ron Tenove, P.Eng. (Please see additional information on APEGGA’s 1999-2000 Council.)

Speaking following his induction, Mr. Danyluk challenged the Association and its members to seek ideas for change. He committed himself to listening to the Association’s "grassroots", adding "I am proud of these professions and the results of the work you and the rest of my colleagues do every day."

A number of issues have arisen on the national level that affect the professions, and, said Mr. Danyluk: "APEGGA can and should take a leadership position in support of CCPE (Canadian Council of Professional Engineers)."

He voiced appreciation for advice and support already offered by members, including past presidents. In particular, he acknowledged the "mentorship" of his predecessor, Dan Motyka, P.Eng., who assumed the presidency in "trying circumstances" (amid the illness of the 1997-98 President, the late Dennis Lindberg, P.Eng.). He emphasized Mr. Motyka’s work in guiding APEGGA toward a new governance model. The new President also praised the work of Fred Otto, P.Eng., PhD, notably to improve relations with the Alberta Society of Engineering Technologists (ASET). Three departing Councillors— John Boyd, P.Geoph.; Alice Payne, P.Geol., and Mark Lasby, P.Eng.—were thanked for their "significant contributions to the professions and the people of Alberta".

In his parting comments, Mr. Motyka voiced appreciation for the enthusiastic exchanges that took place during the AGM, and encouraged more members to play an active role in the Association. "It’s a responsibility of all of us to make sure that the people out there become more aware of the issues that are confronting us," he emphasized.

• progress in recognizing and registering suitably qualified Registered Professional Technologists within APEGGA;
  
• full implementation of the Continuing Professional Development Program;
  
• APEGGA’s continuing national contributions to CCPE and the Canadian Council of Professional Geologists (CCPG) ; and
  
• approval of an APEGGA student membership category.

He saluted the contribution public members make to Council and other Association bodies and specifically thanked Don Hoover, P.Ag., who has stepped down as a public member of Council, and Ted Allen, CA, who completed service on the Board of Examiners. Mr. Motyka added he has enjoyed the opportunity to visit the Association’s branches, and described the past year as "a pleasure; it’s been fun—with a few trying moments—and a lot work."

Presidential Honorarium

• many professional and technical associations are run on a volunteer basis with less staff than APEGGA;
  
• demands could arise for payment of other APEGGA positions, such as Councillors;
  
• it might discourage others from filling volunteer positions;
  
• it might affect the self-governing nature of the organization;
  
• it could impact motives for seeking office;
  
• APEGGA already has a paid staff; and
  
• presidents receive numerous non-monetary rewards.

• a growing APEGGA membership and an increased range of representational demands placed on the President;
  
• greater demands on the President’s time to attend to national issues:
  
• this past year, the equivalent of 42 per cent of a normal work year was devoted by the President to Association business;
  
• employers show increasing reluctance to allow employees to devote extensive amounts of time to volunteer activities;
  
• more members are self-employed and the presidential duties could impact earnings;
  
• demands on time and possible income loss discourages younger members from seeking the APEGGA presidency; and
  
• a number of other professional organizations pay honoraria to their president.

Mr. Danyluk said he deliberately has refrained from involvement in the discussion about a presidential honorarium but complimented those who joined the debate for the "passion" displayed.

Resolutions Passed

• implementation of a defined scope of practice for qualified Registered Engineering Technologists nominated by ASET;
  
• implementation of "plain language" version of the General Regulation under the Regulatory Reform Initiative.

The AGM also approved bylaw provisions required to administer the defined scope of practice for Registered Professional Technologists. (See The PEGG, April page 6 for detailed wording.)

Guest Speakers

CCPE Chair Elect Richard Hancock, P.Eng., and Gordon Williams, P.Geol, PhD, past chair of CCPG, thanked APEGGA for the support provided to the two national bodies.

Issue Forum

From the Council Geoscience Task Force, Neil O’Donnell, P.Eng., P.Geol., summarized the results of an outside survey conducted to gauge the level of APEGGA registration among geoscientists employed by a randomly selected list of some 100 organizations in Alberta. Base on the results of 40 participating organizations, results indicate that close to 59 per cent (in the case of both geologists and geophysicists ) within these organizations are APEGGA members.

The surveys also suggest half of the geoscientists in these organizations are aged 40 to 50. Based on selected feedback, the task force has prepared a list of pros and cons given by geoscientists for APEGGA participation. (See also Council Briefs Page 3.)

Mark Lasby, who has chaired the Council Task Force on Regulation of Corporate Practice said the task force now is actively soliciting stakeholder input subsequent to the recent publication in The PEGG ( March, Page 6) of definitions of three proposed classifications of Permit Holders. He briefly outlined the proposed new Permit structure. Plans are for the task force to report back to Council in November and for introduction of a three-tier Permit to Practice system next year. The task force stands ready to deliver its message to other information sessions, Mr. Lasby said.

Speaking from the floor, Enforcement Review Committee Chair Darcie Greggs, P.Geol., stressed that in the meantime the Association is pursuing a business-as-usual approach regarding Permits to Practice.

CPD Program

The Continuing Professional Development (CPD) sessions on April 21 and 22, involved co-operation from a number of technical societies. The CPD seminars attracted 320 registrants, 100 more than sessions held in conjunction with last year’s conference in Edmonton. CPD topics covered in the concurrent sessions this year included introductory seismology, speed reading, financial planning, wind energy and petroleum evaluation.